Merit Badges can be earned by any Scout, but is a primary requirement for Scouts earning Star, Life, Eagle and Eagle Palms.

Guidelines on the steps for Scouts, including how to handle the blue card, how to get names of merit badge counselors and how to get credit for the badge are included HERE.

Guidelines for MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS with information on blue cards, requirements and consistent expectations of the Scouts are included HERE.

The Merit Badge book and current requirements are the definitive source of information for earning a Merit Badge.  However a good source of support materials and mostly up to date requirements is MeritBadgeDotOrg.

The listing of Merit Badge counselors sorted by Merit Badge is located HERE.  (pdf file)