Scoutbook+ now provides Troops direct access to the list of registered Merit Badge Counselors.  The Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair and Unit Advancement Chairs have access to this list by default. The MBC Search permission may also be delegated to a registered volunteer to serve as the Troop Merit Badge Coordinator.

Scouts should reach out to their Scoutmaster or the designated Troop Merit Badge Coordinator to identify available Merit Badge Conselors.

Follow these steps to search for a Merit Badge Counselor near you:

1. Log into http://advancements.scouting.org with your my.scouting userID and password

2. Click on MB Counselors in the left side menu

3. Input search parameters such as Merit Badge, Rancho San Joaquin District or Orange County Council, Zip Code location and distance.

4. Click the contact details icon for e-mail and phone.

For full instructions on how to use Scoutbook+ to find and assign Merit Badge Counselors, click here.

Registering with the RSJ District as a Merit Badge Counselor is a great way to support our ScoutsBSA Troops. You'll share your knowledge and enthusiasm about career, hobby or other subject with our Scouts. With over 135 merit badges in the program, there's a topic of interest for every adult willing to work with middle- and high-school age youth through our program!

To sign-up as a merit badge counselor, you must do the following steps:

1. Take Scouting America's Safeguarding Youth Training (or have taken it within the past 12 months) and California AB506 Mandated Reporter training (once - no renewals needed).

2. Complete a Live Scan fingerprint roll and consent to a background check at CaliforniaScouting.org/OC/.

3. Take Merit Badge Counselor Position-Specific Training online at my.Scouting or in person. 

4. Submit a District-level Adult Leader Application
   (first register with your scout's unit, then multiple register, do not transfer).

5. Complete our online Merit Badge Counselor Form (requires a Google Account) or this paper form to indicate the badges you would like to counsel .

If you have an active Scouting registration with a unit in Orange County Council, you only need to complete steps 3–5 with 30 minutes of training. 

If you're already position-trained as a Troop Committee Member, there is just one additional 7 minute training module!

If you are currently registered as a Merit Badge Counselor and want to update badges, please resubmit the online Merit Badge Counselor Form.