A merit badge is a set of requirements centered around one specific topic. A Scout is assigned a counselor with youth protection training that works with them to help complete the badge. There are some merit badges that are required to reach the rank of Eagle, specifically 13. To earn the rank of Eagle you need 21 total merit badges. Some of these are electives while there are others that are required. One can earn as many additional badges as one wishes. For more information and helpful tips, visit https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges.
This is a list of current Merit Badges presented on Scouting.org in alphabetical order. The topics highlighted in blue are Eagle Required Merit Badges, while the red ones are opptional.