Hours by level
| Level | Personal Development hours | Months of activity |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Certificate | 15 | none |
| Silver Certificate | 30 | none |
| Gold Certificate | 45 | 6 |
| Bronze Medal | 50 | 7 |
| Silver Medal | 100 | 12 |
| Gold Medal | 200 | 24 |
The levels are cumulative: hours you log for one level count toward the next. A month of activity is a month with at least one hour in this area, no more than 8 hours count in a day, and an activity counts in one area only.
What counts
Pursuing a new interest or taking an existing one to the next level.
- reading, music, art, leadership, STEM activities, and spiritual or religious studies;
- a part-time job if you are a full-time student, extracurricular tutoring or a weekend SAT prep course without class credit, and work on your mental health.
The rules to watch:
- The goal has to be measurable and challenging for you.
- Nothing that earns school or class credit or is a class assignment.
What the official Activity Checker says
The Congressional Award’s Activities page has a checker that answers for common activities. It is a guide only: the national office cannot pre-approve any goal or activity, and only the review of your Record Book decides.
Generally allowed
- Playing an instrument
- An internship or a job
- Reading or writing
- Standardized test prep
- Learning to drive
- Learning a new language
- Tutoring
- Studying a subject, not for class credit
- Studying religion
- Leadership, or an extracurricular club
- Earning a Scouting badge, or Scouting service projects
- Service such as clothing drives, hospital volunteering or clean-ups, if those hours do not also count as public service
Gray area: explain it well in your Record Book
- An AP class taken in place of graduation credit
Does not follow the guidelines
- Studying a subject for class credit
Ideas to start from
From the official Activities page:
- Playing an instrument
- An internship or a job
- Reading or writing
- Standardized test prep, not for class credit
- Learning to drive
- Learning a new language
- Tutoring
- An extracurricular club
- A new art skill, such as painting, drawing or photography
- Mindfulness or meditation
To turn an idea into a measurable goal, see 24 Congressional Award goal examples. Your Advisor helps you set the goals, and each goal needs a Validator who knows the activity.
Frequently asked questions
How many Personal Development hours do you need?
From 15 hours for the Bronze Certificate to 200 for the Gold Medal: 15, 30 and 45 for the certificates, and 50, 100 and 200 for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.
Does a part-time job count?
Yes, if you are a full-time student, and the checker also lists internships. If you work full time, extracurricular or recreational classes can count instead.
Does SAT or ACT prep count?
Yes, outside school and not for class credit. The Program Book gives a weekend SAT prep course as an example.
Does a class at school count?
No, nothing that earns class credit counts. The checker lists studying a subject for class credit as not allowed, and an AP class taken in place of graduation credit as a gray area.
Does learning to drive count?
Yes, it is on the official checker’s allowed list.
Can religious study count?
Yes. Studying religion is on the checker’s allowed list, and the Program Book says activities with a religious institution can count toward Personal Development.
Can I work on my mental health?
Yes. The Program Book allows mental health goals. You do not have to share private details, only the steps you took.
Can one activity count for Personal Development and Physical Fitness?
No. Dance or a team sport can be a Personal Development goal, but then those hours cannot also count for Physical Fitness.
The other areas
Voluntary Public Service, Physical Fitness, and the Expedition/Exploration. Every level needs all four.