A merit badge counselor registration is separate from any other adult role. You still need it if you are already an assistant Scoutmaster or another registered leader. You must be at least 18, know the subject through your work or a serious hobby, and be able to work with Scout-age youth.
Get trained
Take merit badge counselor training before you turn in the forms. Any one of these counts:
- A council session at the South Bay Council Service Center.
- University of Scouting.
- Online. Sign in at my.scouting.org, open the BSA Learn Center, and search for Merit Badge Counselor. Sign-in steps are on How to use my.scouting.org.
The council posts the next in-person date on its training page. Do not wait on an old session. The August 26 class has already been held. Use the online course, or sign up for the next council session. Write the date you finished training on every form you turn in.
Turn in these forms
Bring them to the training, email them to registration@svmbc.org, or drop them off at the South Bay Council Service Center, 1900 The Alameda, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95126. Phone 408-638-8300.
- A completed adult application. Use position code 42, Merit Badge Counselor.
- A copy of a current Youth Protection Training certificate. On my.scouting.org the course is called Safeguarding Youth Training. If yours is expiring, take it again. Steps are in How to use my.scouting.org.
- The Merit Badge Counselor Information form, listing the badges you want to counsel. The list of merit badges is on scouting.org.
California AB 506
Complete California Assembly Bill 506 youth protection training and Live Scan. Skip this if you already did it when you registered as an assistant Scoutmaster or another adult leader.