In March of 1946 the Boy Scouts of America announced the first six square knot awards. These knots were to replace the ribbon bars that were being earned at the time. The list of knots has continued to grow; some awards have been discontinued and others have been added. At present there are over 30 awards represented by knots. These knots are worn on the Scouting uniform in place of the plaque or medal that they represent. Included in the array above are a number that are no longer awarded, but may still be observed on the uniform of well-tenured Scouters. It might be worth noting that one does not earn a "knot," but, rather, an award represented by a knot on the uniform.

Generally, the knots are worn by adult leaders, but there are a few that may be worn by youth members. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts may wear the Universal Religious Emblem and the Lifesaving and Meritorious Award knots. Explorers may display on their uniforms the same honors, plus the Explorer Achievement Award knot. Venturers may wear the knot corresponding to the Venturing Silver Award, and both adult and youth members of Venturing are eligible for the Venturing Leadership Award.

Knots are sewn centered above the top seam of the left uniform shirt pocket, in rows of three. There is no specific order for wearing the knots, however there is a proper way for each knot award to be displayed. The loop of the embroidered square knot that comes in front of the standing part is always to the wearer's right. Knots are worn with the distinguishing color (not white) toward the wearer's right.

Some knots are the same for training or service in different programs. For example, the Scouters Training Award knot is the same for service in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Exploring, Commissioner Service, and District Committee. To distinguish the difference in programs a small device may be worn inside the knot for the appropriate program. If the award is earned in more than one program, then a device should be worn for each on a single knot (i.e., only one knot is to be worn).

Tiger Cub Den Leader Award - Adults that serve as a Tiger Cub Den Leader may earn this award by completing the required training, tenure, and performance.

Den Leaders Award - This award is designed for those that complete the required training, tenure, and performance while serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader.

Webelos Den Leader Award - Webelos den leaders may earn this award by completing the required training, tenure, and performance.

Den Leader Coach Award (obsolete) - Leaders that complete the required training, tenure, and performance while serving as a Den Leader Coach can earn this award.

Pack Trainer Award - Leaders that complete the required training, tenure, and performance while serving as a Pack Trainer can earn this award. Two years tenure are required, with that tenure commencing on or after 9/1/2006; requirements will not be retroactive.

Cub Scouter Award - Adults that complete the required training, tenure and performance in a Pack, District or Council position. District Cub Commissioner approves the recognition record.

Cubmaster Award - Cubmasters that complete the required training, tenure, and performance can earn this award.

Scouter's Training Award - This award is earned by leaders serving in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Exploring, Commissioner Service and District committee positions. The criteria involves the proper training, tenure, and performance. If someone fulfills the requirements for this knot in more than one program area they may wear a small device inside the knot to distinguish how the award was earned.

National President's Scoutmaster Award of Merit - Originally this award was presented on the basis of one per BSA area. Now it may be earned by those completing requirements on form No.58-413. The knot is No.5007.

Scouter's Key - This knot is also earned by meeting requirements for Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, Advisor, Skipper, Commissioner, and District Committee positions. Additional training, tenure and performance is required. The appropriate device may be attached to the knot.

Arrowhead Honor - This award does not have a knot associated with it. However, it is earned by commissioners as part of their efforts to earn the Commissioner Key (Scouter's Key)

Distinguished Commissioner Service - For an application see back of Commissioner Field book for Unit Service # 33621. This is additional recognition for all levels of commissioner service.

Philmont Training Center Masters - To earn this knot, you must first attend a training course at the Philmont Training Center. Then you must go back to the Philmont Training Center to take an additional course AND recruit 3 other scouts to go with you AND you must go back home and TEACH a BSA course (usually the course you took at Philmont). The course can be taught at the District, Council, Area or Regional level.

Click here for a fact sheet about this award. Note: If you go back to the Philmont Training Center for a third time, and meet other requirements, you can earn a device to be worn on the knot.

Doctorate of Commissioner Service - The Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award is awarded to a Commissioner upon completion of a standardized program leading to the completion of a thesis or project and the award of the Doctorate of Commissioner Science from a College of Commissioner Science.

The College of Commissioner Science program is designed to have a commissioner learn, through a series of training classes, followed by work experiences to ensure a quality program throughout Scouting. This training will take a number of years to complete. The commissioner finalizes his/her training with an approved thesis or project for the benefit of the Scouting program. This assists both new commissioners as they learn, and seasoned commissioners as they train others.

Click here to download a fact sheet and a list of the requirements.

Professional Training Award - This award is for professional Scouters. It requires four years of service, three levels of professional training and performance levels set by Professional Directors.

Award of Merit - This is the highest honor that a district may bestow on a Scouter. Leaders involved at any level of scouting or in a program are eligible for nomination. Recommendations are reviewed by a district committee to determine who should be granted the award.

Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award - This award is presented to an OA member who has rendered unusual service to the order on a regional or national basis.

George Meany Award - This knot can be bestowed on unusually effective Scouters who are labor union members. Application No.86-011 is used for recommendations and sent to the local council offices.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award - Those who work to promote Scouting among low-income, inner city and rural youth may be recognized with this award. It is named after the late civil rights advocate. Application No.7-427 is used for recommendations.

William H. Spurgeon Award - Individuals who render distinguished service to Exploring may be honored with this award. He was a native Californian and long time devotee of Exploring. Form No.23-262 gives details of the award.

William T. Hornaday Award - This knot is to recognize those involved in exceptional and unusual service to conservation or environmental quality. It can be bestowed on a scouting unit, individual scout, or leader. There are five levels to this award. The unit certificate and the badge are administered by the local council. The bronze medal, silver medal and gold medal are administered by the national council. Details can be found on form 21-107.

Community Organization Award - Boy Scout Community Organization Awards can be used by any community organization to honor its volunteers for Scouting. A community organization is permitted to create its own neck medallion and to award a purple square knot badge with a gold border. The following organizations have developed awards under this program*:

Alpha Phi Omega: Herbert G. Horton Service to Youth Award
American Legion: American Legion and Scouting Award
BPOE (Elks): Marvin M. Lewis Award
DoD: Department of Defense Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Freemasons:  Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award

Rotary International: Cliff Dochterman Award
VFW: VFW Scouters Achievement Award
* All the above links are to an external, non-official location and will open in a new window...thanks to http://www.usscouts.org for the information!

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award - recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth.

Premio por Servicio ¡Scouting…Vale la Pena! Service Award - recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic American/Latino youth. (Reconocer los servicios destacados de una persona u organización por el compromiso demostrado en el desarrollo y la implementación de oportunidades Scouting para la juventud hispanoamericana y latina.)

Silver Beaver - The highest honor that a council can bestow on a Scouter. Leaders at any level or any program are eligible. Nominations are submitted to the local council committee for consideration and approval.

Silver Antelope - The highest honor that a region may bestow on a Scouter. Leaders that have rendered exceptional service on a regional basis are eligible. Nominations are submitted to Regional Scout Offices for consideration and approval.

Silver Buffalo - The highest honor that the National Council can bestow on a Scouter. Leaders that have rendered exceptional service on a national basis are eligible. Nominations are sent to the BSA National Offices for consideration.

Silver World - The Award is a distinguished service award similar to the Silver Buffalo, Silver Antelope and Silver Beaver. It is given for distinguished service to youth and cannot be applied for. It is presented to world citizens who give outstanding service to youth on a national or international basis. Recipients must be countries whose Scout Associations are members of the World Scout Conference. Members of the Boy Scouts of America are not eligible to receive this award.

International Scouter - This Award recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting; awarded by the International Division of BSA.

Honor Medal with Crossed Palms - The highest honor that can be bestowed to an individual. Awarded to youth or adults who have demonstrated both unusual heroism and skill while saving life or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self. The knot is the same as the Honor Medal but the medallion has crossed palms.

Honor Medal - Awarded to youth or adults who have demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving a life or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self. The recommendation form is the same for all four awards.

Heroism Award - Awarded to youth or adults who have demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life with minimum risk to self.

Medal Of Merit - Earned by a youth or adult by performing an outstanding act of service and exceptional character by putting into practice scouting skills and ideals. It does not need to involve risk to self.

Universal Religious Emblem (youth) - This knot is worn by any youth that has completed the requirements listed by their religion in literature related to the specific emblem. There are 47 emblems that may be earned from different religions.

Universal Religious Emblem (adult) - Adult that complete specific requirements of their faith may earn this award. At present 15 religions offer leader opportunities to earn religious emblems.

Arrow of Light - Adults who earned their Arrow of Light award as a Webelos Scout may wear this knot. The requirements are listed the Webelos Scout Book. Supply No. 33108

Eagle Award - Scouting's highest rank is earned by Boy Scouts who fulfill requirements stated in current literature. Adults wear the knot award No. 05011, youth wear the badge No. 00489. Those who receive the Distinguished Eagle Award may wear that device attached to this knot. On formal occasions the eagle pendant may be worn by either youth or adults.

Skipper's Key Award - This knot is earned by serving in Sea Scouting in the position of Skipper, and is similar to that of Boy Scouting's Scoutmaster Key award. Additional training, tenure and performance is required. The Venturing device is attached to the knot.

Sea Scouter's Training Award - This award is earned by leaders serving in Sea Scouts and is similar to that of the Scouter's Training Award in other Scouting programs. The criteria involves proper training, tenure, and performance. The Venturing device is attached to the knot, and if someone fulfills the requirements for this knot in more than one program area they may wear other devices to distinguish how the award was earned.

Sea Badge Award - Presented to adults who finish the requirements in the Sea Badge Conference Guide.

Quartermaster Award - This is Sea Exploring highest honor. Requirements are listed in the Sea Explorer Manual. Sea Explorers wear the badge, Adults wear the knot No.5016A.

Venturing Leadership Award - This award is presented by councils, areas/regions, and the BSA National Council to Venturers and adults who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Venturing Code. The nomination form may be found here.

William D. Boyce Award - This award is presented to recognize volunteers who organize one or more traditional Scouting units. The award may be worn on the adult uniform and is a square knot placed over the three colors representing the three phases of our program—Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. A volunteer can earn the knot by organizing one traditional unit, and a program device can be earned for up to three additional units organized. The award recognizes volunteers for organizing traditional units after March 1, 2005.

James E. West Fellowship Award - This award is presented to individuals based on a contribution of $1000 or more to the local Council's West Fellowship Fund. Only registered Scouters or youth members receive and wear the square knot. The contribution is normally given in the intended Scouter's name, although the Scouter may directly make the contribution themselves.

BSA Speaker Bank - In order to spread the message of Scouting, the BSA is maintaining a list of officially registered speakers to get the word out about Scouting. After a registered speaker conducts a minimum of 20 speeches and provides feedback, the speaker will receive a knot. Knot recipients will receive recognition at the National Annual Meeting.

There is nothing else to do. If you are a registered BSA Speaker, and you give 20 speaches and then fill out the feedback, you will automatically be awarded this knot. Click here for a link to the official BSA Speaker's website.