# Health Care Professions Merit Badge Requirements

- Eagle-required: No
- Category: Professions
- Official requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/health-care-professions/
- Pamphlet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Pamphlets/Health%20Care%20Professions.pdf
- Last synced from scouting.org: 2026-03-29
- Overview: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/health-care-professions/index.md
- Digital Resource Guide: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/health-care-professions/guide/index.md

Explore nine different health care careers across medical, therapy, and diagnostic professions. Research education requirements, interview professionals to earn this merit badge.

## Requirements

- **1** *Diagnosing, Hearing, and Whole-Person Care* (Choose 3) Select three of the professions from Group 1 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:

  Group 1:

  1. Allopathic physician (MD)—all specialties
  1. Osteopathic physician (DO)—all specialties
  1. Podiatrist (DPM)
  1. Chiropractor (DC)
  1. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  1. Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
  1. Optometrist (OD)
  1. Audiologist (AudD)
  - **1.a** Briefly describe to your counselor the roles these professionals play in the delivery of health care.
  - **1.b** Describe to your counselor the educational and licensing requirements for the professionals you selected.
- **2** *Bedside Care and Fast Decisions* (Choose 3) Select three of the professions from Group 2 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:

  Group 2:

  1. Physician Assistant (PA)
  1. Registered Nurse (RN)
  1. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  1. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
  1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)
  1. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  1. Pharmacist (PharmD)
  1. Pharmacy Technician
  1. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic
  - **2.a** Briefly describe to your counselor the roles these professionals play in the delivery of health care.
  - **2.b** Describe to your counselor the educational and licensing requirements for the professionals you selected.
- **3** *Recovery, Communication, and Movement* (Choose 3) Select three of the professions from Group 3 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:

  Group 3:

  1. Physical Therapist (DPT)
  1. Occupational Therapist (OT)
  1. Orthotist/Prosthetist
  1. Medical Appliance Technician
  1. Respiratory Therapist (RT)
  1. Medical Assistant
  1. Dietitian (RD)
  1. Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) (SLP)
  - **3.a** Briefly describe to your counselor the roles these professionals play in the delivery of health care.
  - **3.b** Describe to your counselor the educational and licensing requirements for the professionals you selected.
- **4** *Testing, Imaging, and Behind-the-Scenes Care* (Choose 3) Select three of the professions from Group 4 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:

  Group 4:

  1. Biomedical Engineer (BME)
  1. Medical Technologist
  1. Phlebotomist
  1. Radiology Technologist
  1. Sonographer
  1. Medical Records Specialist
  1. Cytopathologist
  1. Histotechnologist
  - **4.a** Briefly describe to your counselor the roles these professionals play in the delivery of health care.
  - **4.b** Describe to your counselor the educational and licensing requirements for the professionals you selected.
- **5** *Making the Most of a Workplace Visit* (Choose 1) Select one career from any of the lists in Requirements 1, 2, 3, or 4 and arrange to visit that professional at their workplace. Discuss with your counselor the following:
  - **5.a** Why did they choose their particular career?
  - **5.b** What do they most like about their job?
  - **5.c** What are their biggest challenges in doing their job?
  - **5.d** Identify the tools/instruments that may be used in their jobs.
  - **5.e** What has been the most surprising aspect of their career?
  - **5.f** What continuing education requirements are required to maintain certification?
- **6** *The Physician's Oath* Discuss with your counselor your understanding of the meaning of the Physician's Oath.
- **7** *Confidentiality and HIPAA* Describe the role of confidentiality between a patient and the health care provider. What is HIPAA?
- **8** *Recent Medical Breakthroughs* Identify a medical advancement or discovery that has been in the news recently. Discuss with your counselor how this can affect patient care.
- **9** *Volunteer in Health Care* With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, serve as a volunteer at a health-related event or facility in your community (e.g. blood drive, health fair, blood pressure screening event). Report to your counselor what you did and learned from the experience.