As a Scouts BSA Leader, you owe it to your youth members to learn as much as you can about Scouting and how to run your troop.
For all positions, you must complete Youth Protection Training and the position-specific training for your registered Scouting position. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must also take Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) and Hazardous Weather Training
Required Scouts BSA Courses
You’ll find all of the required training courses below in the “Required Scouts BSA Courses” section. Most of these required courses are available online through BSA’s My.Scouting.org training portal.
FAQ
I’m a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster – what’s required to be “100% trained”?
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Youth Protection Training
The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).
- You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
- The training must be renewed every two years.
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Hazardous Weather Training
This training discusses how to manage risks from the weather to our Scouting family.
- You may take Hazardous Weather Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
- The training must be renewed every two years.
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Scoutmaster-Specific Training
This course provides Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Scouts BSA Troops (although, when done right, your youth will lead the troop and you’ll supervise and mentor).
- You may take Scoutmaster-Specific Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
- Scoutmaster-Specific Training does not expire.
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Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
This course is a hands-on outdoor course with an overnight component that provides adult Scouts BSA leaders with the practical skills they need to lead Scouts while camping. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain Scouts BSA’s First Class rank. You must have at least one adult with this training on every troop camp out.
- There is not an online version of this course. It requires an overnight stay (you are learning how to camp, after all). Look on our Calendar to find IOLS courses currently open for registration.
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Training does not expire.
I’m a Troop Committee Chair or Member – what’s required to be “100% trained”?
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Youth Protection Training
The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).
- You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
- The training must be renewed every two years.
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Troop Committee Training
This course is designed for Scouts BSA Troop committees (the troop committee is a group of adults led by the Committee Chair who handles the “business side” of running a Scouts BSA Troop). It is required if you are going to be registered as a Troop Committee Chair or Troop Committee Member.
- You may take Troop Committee Challenge Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Why doesn't my training show up in my BSA records?
Often leaders are surprised to receive notification that they are not trained. Most often, the volunteer was actually not registered in the position they are holding. Sometimes they have not correctly registered in My.Scouting.org and their trainings are not being recorded.
