All worksheets / Painting
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Painting
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Painting teaches the craft of preparing, protecting, and finishing interior and exterior surfaces. You will learn about primers, sealers, drying oils, and VOC safety, as well as color harmony on the color wheel. Requirement 3 requires properly preparing and painting two real surfaces — such as wood trim, furniture, or drywall — using brush or roller.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Painting Safety, Ventilation & Scaffolding
- Surface Preparation, Sanding & Priming
- Paint Formulations: Latex vs. Oil Bases
- Brush & Roller Application & Clean-Up
4Printable Pages
8Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Painting Requirements
Every requirement for the Painting merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Safety and First Aid
Explain the proper safety procedures to follow when preparing surfaces and applying coatings.
2Coatings, Paint Types, and Their Uses
Do the following:
- a Explain three ways that coatings can improve a surface.
- b Explain the differences between oil-based paints, acrylic-based paints, and water-based paints.
- c Explain where you would apply enamel paint, flat paint, wood stain, and varnish, and explain the importance of sheen.
- d Tell why each is best for these uses.
3Prepare and Paint Two Surfaces
Prepare and paint two different surfaces using patching materials or caulking and the proper primers and topcoats. Suggested projects include an interior or exterior wall, a door, a piece of furniture, a concrete wall or floor, a porch rail, or a fence. Your counselor must preapprove the projects.
4Harmonizing Colors and the Color Wheel
Prepare and paint an item using harmonizing colors that you have selected using the color wheel in the Painting merit badge pamphlet.
5Using and Caring for Equipment
Show the right way to use, clean, maintain, and store painting equipment.
6Safety and First Aid
Explain the importance of ladder safety, personal hygiene, and the use of personal protective equipment when painting.
7Environmental and Health Issues
Explain some of the environmental and health issues concerning removing paint, applying paint, and discarding old paint.
8Option Selection
Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
- b Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Painting requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/painting/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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