Merit Badge Counselor Quiz

1. Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a meritbadge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America.

True

False

Even volunteers who serve in multiple positions must fill out another form and show registration as a merit badge counselor.

Explanation

Even volunteers who serve in multiple positions must fill out another form and show registration as a merit badge counselor.

2. A merit badge counselor may require the Scout to work beyond thespecific requirements of the merit badge so he may discover more aboutthe subject and continue the learning process.

True

False

No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements are to be completed exactly as written. However, a counselor may share additional information or resources in
the hope of encouraging the Scout to challenge himself.

Explanation

No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements are to be completed exactly as written. However, a counselor may share additional information or resources in
the hope of encouraging the Scout to challenge himself.

3. Merit badge counselors must be at least 18 years old.

True

False

True per BSA requirements.

Explanation

True per BSA requirements.

4. A Scout must complete all the requirements for a merit badge within 12months or he must start over.

True

False

There is no time limit except that all requirements work must be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday.

Explanation

There is no time limit except that all requirements work must be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday.

5. A merit badge counselor may be a counselor for only up to six meritbadges.

True

False

A counselor may be approved for as many badges as he or she is qualified. Since this is up to the members of the approving body to decide, they also may decide how many merit badges they feel it is necessary for a counselor to coach based upon need within the district or council.

Explanation

A counselor may be approved for as many badges as he or she is qualified. Since this is up to the members of the approving body to decide, they also may decide how many merit badges they feel it is necessary for a counselor to coach based upon need within the district or council.

6. A Scout may earn no more than five merit badges from the same meritbadge counselor.

True

False

A Scout may earn as many badges from a counselor as the counselor is qualified and approved to coach. However, since it is in the Scout’s best interest that he experience a
diversity of adult contacts, it is not in the spirit of the program to do so unless conditions warrant.

Explanation

A Scout may earn as many badges from a counselor as the counselor is qualified and approved to coach. However, since it is in the Scout’s best interest that he experience a
diversity of adult contacts, it is not in the spirit of the program to do so unless conditions warrant.

7. Once a Scouter is approved as a merit badge counselor, he is approved forlife and never has to be reapproved.

True

False

Counselor approvals are for one year only.

Explanation

Counselor approvals are for one year only.

8. A merit badge counselor who works only with a single unit needs only theunit committee’s approval before being approved by the Scout executive.

True

False

All counselors must be approved by the district/council advancement committee.

Explanation

All counselors must be approved by the district/council advancement committee.

9. If the weather, locale, or some other condition makes meeting all of theconditions of the merit badge requirements impractical, the merit badgecounselor may substitute requirements for those stated for the merit badge.

True

False

No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements are to be completed exactly as written.

Explanation

No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements are to be completed exactly as written.

10. If the requirements for a merit badge differ between the merit badgepamphlet and the current edition of Boy Scout Requirements, therequirements in the Boy Scout Requirements book supersede all others.

True

False

The Boy Scout Requirements book is revised annually and reflects any changes that have been made, whereas the merit badge pamphlets are not revised annually and may be
outdated.

Explanation

The Boy Scout Requirements book is revised annually and reflects any changes that have been made, whereas the merit badge pamphlets are not revised annually and may be
outdated.

11. A merit badge counselor may not coach his own son or close relative (i.e.,nephew) unless he is part of a group of Scouts all working on the samemerit badge.

True

False

A duly approved counselor may counsel any Scout who contacts him or her through proper procedures. However, it is suggested that wherever possible, Scouts should
experience a variety of adult contacts and therefore, should use a diverse group of counselors.

Explanation

A duly approved counselor may counsel any Scout who contacts him or her through proper procedures. However, it is suggested that wherever possible, Scouts should
experience a variety of adult contacts and therefore, should use a diverse group of counselors.

12. Due to the BSA policies related to Youth Protection and two-deepleadership, a merit badge counselor must have another adult presentduring all merit badge counseling sessions.

True

False

There must always be a third person present, but it may be any other adult familiar to the Scout, a Scout’s parent, or a Scout’s “buddy.” Common sense dictates that two adult
counselors alone with only one Scout should be avoided.

Explanation

There must always be a third person present, but it may be any other adult familiar to the Scout, a Scout’s parent, or a Scout’s “buddy.” Common sense dictates that two adult
counselors alone with only one Scout should be avoided.