page last updated: 4/4/12

To register as a new Merit Badge Counselor you must complete two forms and print out a Youth Protection Training certificate showing you are current with YPT training

There are three steps for a new MBC to register with the BSA and begin merit badge counseling:

#1. Complete the online Youth Protection Training (YPT) course at www.MyScouting.org and print the completion certificate. (It is also recommended that you save a copy of the YPT certificate to your computer)  The site allows anyone not already registered as a Scouter to create a user ID and password, take the youth protection course, save a copy of the completion certificate to your computer, and print the completion certificate.   YPT is required every two years.

IMPORTANT: When you eventually receive your BSA registration card and PID (personal identification number) you must return to the MyScouting.org site, logon with the user ID and password you created, and enter your BSA registration number into your user profile so the system can accurately verify and record your training.

#2. Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form which is used by the District to know which merit badges you want to teach, to show why you are qualified to teach the listed merit badges, and to approve your request. 

Pleaseclick here to download the NCAC MBC Information Form. Before filling it out, if you have any questions or need assistance, please talk with your unit MB coordinator, one of the District MB Deans, or the District Advancement Chairman. Remember to check the "unit only" box if you plan to only counsel within your unit and fill in the unit number.  If you wish to counsel Scouts in the entire district please check the "District" box instead.  Note that this form is a pdf fillable form which auto fills merit badge names from the front of the form to the back of the form. 

#3. Complete the Adult Application form. This form is required in addition to your current registration with your unit.  Please pay special attention to filling in the “Council/District Position” as “Merit Badge Counselor”, District Name as “Seneca”, and the “Position Code” as "42". Please click here for a copy of the adult application form which is already filled in with the above required information. (for Seneca District Scouters only)

NOTE: The entire application form must be filled in and signed, including the Disclosure/Authorization page before the application form page itself. All applicants and currently Registered Scouters go through a background check – as noted and authorized on the Disclosure/Authorization page of the Adult Application form.

 ONLY the applicant's signature is required. The other signatures are not required to register as a MBC. The "Unit" blocks remain blank and the block in the lower right corner should also be left blank. The new MBC must submit the new "Code 42" adult application even if they are already registered with their unit or the District. The MBC position is a District level position and requires a separate application approval process.

NOTE: Specific emphasis should be taken to accurately, correctly, and completely fill out of the forms. Failure to completely or correctly fill out the forms, and signing and dating them will result in the forms not being processed, and not being added the MBC list.

What do I do with the forms when I’m done? 

All three correctly and completed items (Adult Application form, Merit Badge Counselor Information form, and the Youth Protection Certificate) must be brought to Boy Scout Roundtable for turn in.

All three items must be turned in together at the same time to the District Executive (DE) at a Boy Scout Roundtable.  The DE will in turn send a copy of the Merit Badge Counselor Information form to one of the Seneca District Merit Badge Counselor Deans.  The Adult Application form and YPT certificate will be retained only by the DE for processing at the Council Service Center.

General information

Each troop needs to have a unit Merit Badge Counselor Coordinator (either a special unit position or the advancement chairman) who will facilitate the registration and re-registration process for only MBCs in their respective units.  MBCs who wish to counsel all Scouts in a district must personally turn in all three forms to the DE as described above.

Annual Renewal of Merit Badge Counselors

All Merit Badge Counselors must register annually. Seneca District periodically sends out a list of MBCs to their units asking for an update of the unit’s respective MBCs, such as contact info, does the MBC want to continue as a MBC, and if not, to advise that the name be removed from the district and council MBC list. The unit list is the best and easiest method to accomplish updates.  The unit MBC coordinator should send a list of the unit’s MBCs to the District MBC Dean to confirm annual rollover of registration of existing MBCs for that unit. Persons not on the list submitted by the Merit Badge Dean are automatically dropped, and if they come back, must start over again as a new registration. 

Unaffiliated MBCs (not affiliated with units) are responsible on their own to advise the District MBC Dean and re-register annually; they are to send an e-mail to a Merit Badge Dean advising they want to continue. 

Failure to send the annual information from either the units or nonaffiliated individuals will result in them being dropped from the list.  If a MBC who was dropped wishes to continue as a MBC he/she must register as a new MBC again using the forms and processes listed above.

Youth Protection Training is also required every two years. The Council and District tracks this requirement.  Failure to keep up to date on YPT and sending the YPT certification from individuals will result in them being dropped from the list.  If a MBC is dropped from the council/district MBC list the dropped counselor will have to re-register as a new counselor again.

Guide to Merit Badge counselors

Link to useful information for Merit Badge Counselors

Seneca District Merit Badge Counselor Deans:
Earl Marshall   pre1800vias@yahoo.com
Bill Hanson       hansonwa@comcast.net

Seneca District Advancement Committee Chairman:
Rob Heider      senecaadv@yahoo.com