2. Using the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, the candidate must select his eagle service project and have the project concept approved by his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project, and reviewed and approved by the council or district advancement (See “Service Projects – Eagle Scout Rank,” page 25). The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No.18-927, MUST be used in meeting this requirement.

3. It is imperative that all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank except the board of review be completed prior to the candidate’s 18th birthday. When all requirements except the board of review for the rank of Eagle, including the service project, have been completed, an Eagle Scout Rank application must be filled out and sent to the council service center promptly. (See special requirements for youth members with disabilities, page 38, and the section titled “Time Extensions,” page 23.)

4. The application should be signed by the unit leader at the proper place. The unit committee reviews and approves the record of the eagle candidate before the application is submitted to the local council. If a unit leader or unit committee fails to sign or otherwise approve an application, the Eagle candidate may still be granted a board of review. The failure of a unit leader or unit committee to sign an application may be considered by the board of review in determining the qualification of the eagle candidate.

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5. When the completed application is received at the council service center, its contents will be verified and the references contacted. The council advancement committee or its designee contacts the person listed as a reference on the Eagle Scout Rank Application either by letter, form, or telephone checklist. The council determines the method or methods to be used. The candidate should have contacted those individuals listed as references before including their names on the application. The candidate should not be involved in personally transmitting any correspondence between persons listed as references and the council service center.

6. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, properly filled out, must be submitted with the application.

7. After the contents of an application have been verified and appropriately signed, the application, Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, and references will be returned from the council service center to the chairman of the Eagle board of review so that a board of review may be scheduled. Under no circumstances should a board of review be scheduled until the application is returned to the chairman of the Eagle board of review. Reference checks that are forwarded with the application are confidential, and their contents are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a member of the board of review.

8. The board of review for an Eagle candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members. One member serves as chairman. Unit leaders, relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout’s board of review. The board of review members should convene at least 30 minutes before the candidate appears in order to review the application, reference checks, and service project report. At least one district or council advancement representative must be a member of the Eagle board of review is conducted on the unit level. A council or district may designate more than one person to serve as a member of Eagle board of review when requested to do so by the unit. It is not required that these persons be members of the advancement committee; however, they must have an understanding of the importance of the Eagle board of review.

9. The candidate’s unit leader introduces him to the members of the board of review. The unit leader may remain in the room, but does not participate in the board of review. The unit leader may be called on to clarify a point in question. In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, even as a unit leader. There are no set questions that an Eagle candidate can be asked. However, the board should be assured of the candidate’s participation in the program. This is the highest award that a boy may achieve and, consequently, a thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting should be considered

The review board chairperson should place the Scout at ease by discussing a topic the Scout is usually prepared to discuss and which he knows about than the board – his Eagle project. Special emphasis is placed on planning, development, leadership, completion, and more importantly, the special benefits to both the recipient and the Scout. The discussion should remain within the format of the fifth requirement for the Eagle Award, “While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to your religious institution, school, or community.” After a preliminary discussion by the chairperson, other board members should question the Scout on any point of the service project they feel need amplification.

With the board satisfied with the project discussion, the review then continues with all members of the board discussing with the candidate the other requirements for the Eagle Award.

- Active participation in the troop and the Scout’s patrol for at least six (6) months as a Life scout - Show scout spirit - Earn at least twenty-one (21) merit badges - While a Life Scout, actively serve in a leadership position or office of the troop

The board should avoid using a set formula or list of questions. Each scout is different as an individual with varied interests and goals. The board members should determine, in their own opinion, whether or not the candidate has a broad, working knowledge of scouting. It is not the purpose of the review to re-examine the scout on every detailed point of advancement. The board must determine whether or not the scout meets scouting requirements to the best of his ability and age maturity.

One of the important purposes of a review is to examine the scout on his concept of scouting ideals, on his interpretation of the Scout Oath and Law, and on his retention of the scouting spirit. An Eagle Scout must have the maturity to understand and live by the basic scout doctrines on a teenage boy’s level. “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” Also, a scout is “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”

The review also covers scouting activities, skills, ideals, and religious principles:

- Activities: Camping, hiking, trips, troop projects, troop help to other persons and troop awards.

- Skills: Not a detailed examination of the skill awards and merit badges, but a determination that the candidate has a working knowledge of scouting skills.

- Ideals: An understanding and awareness by the candidate of what scouting means and represents both to the candidate and to people outside the scouting movement.

- Religious Principles: It should be remembered that BSA “does not define what constitutes belief in God or practices of religion; and does not require membership with a religious organization.” They do, however, in the Scout Oath and in the membership application ask for a commitment, “ . . . belief in God, reverence toward God, fulfillment of religious duties, respect for the conviction of others.” Also, BSA strongly recommends that scouts voluntarily participate in religious activities of a church, synagogue, or other religious association. The answer given by the candidate must be evaluated by the standards and principles of the religious affiliation to which he belongs.

After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle Scout. The decision must be unanimous. If the candidate meets the requirements, he is asked to return and is informed that he will receive the board’s recommendation for the Eagle Scout rank. If the candidate does not meet the requirements, he is asked to return and told the reasons for his failure to qualify. A discussion should be held with him as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period. Should the applicant disagree with the decision, the appeal procedures should be explained to him. A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the action(s) necessary for the advancement. If the Scout chooses to appeal, provide the name and address of the person he is to contact. (See “Appealing a Decision,” page 31.)

10. Immediately after the board of review and after the application has been appropriately signed, the application, the service project report, references, and a properly completed Advancement Report are returned to the council service center.

11. When the application arrives at the council service center, the Scout executive signs it to certify that the proper procedure has been followed and that the board of review has recommended the candidate for the Eagle Scout rank. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and references are retained by council. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook may be returned to the Scout after council approval.

12. The Eagle Scout Service screens the application to ascertain information such as proper signature, positions of responsibility, tenure between ranks, and age of the candidate. Any item not meeting national standards will cause the application to be returned for more information. If the application is in order, the Eagle Scout Service on behalf of the National Council then certifies the Scout as an Eagle scout. Notice of approval is given by sending the Eagle Scout certificate to the local council. The date used on the certificate will be the date of the board of review. The Eagle Award must not be sold or given to any unit until the certificate is received by the council service center. The eagle Scout court of honor should not be scheduled until the local council receives the Eagle Scout rank credentials.

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