What it covers
- 1Earn Star, then stay active about 6 months as a Star scout.
- 2Earn 5 more merit badges (total 11), including 3 more Eagle-required.
- 3Serve about 6 hours, with at least ~3 hours conservation-related.
- 4Hold a position of responsibility about 6 months (or a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project).
- 5Teach a scout a skill using the Teaching EDGE method.
- 6Show Scout spirit, then complete the Scoutmaster conference and board of review.
Why it matters
- The final rank before Eagle — consolidates leadership, service, and most Eagle-required merit badges.
- Deepens the Star pattern — more tenure, more badges, conservation service.
- The rank where a scout typically holds a serious leadership role and mentors others.
Notes & integrity
- Requirements are fixed — tenure, service hours, and position time counted honestly; nothing added or subtracted.
- "Active" and the position of responsibility must be genuine — real participation and a real role, confirmed by leaders.
- Conservation service is a distinct requirement — at least part of Life's service must benefit the environment.
- Merit-badge integrity — earned with registered counselors to the actual requirements.
Going deeper
- The long rank. Life often takes the most time of any rank — the tenure and leadership months stack up — which is why scouts are urged not to "stall at Life."
- Conservation shows up. Life is the rank that specifically requires conservation service, tying the Eagle trail back to the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace.
- Almost Eagle. Finish Life and you're holding most of the Eagle-required merit badges and a proven leadership record — the Eagle project is the big piece left.
Official source
Advancement and Awards — Scouting America →Requirement themes are paraphrased, not reprinted — link to the current official Life requirements. Exact tenure, badge counts, and service/conservation hours change over editions; confirm the current requirements book.