Since February 2019, girls have been eligible to earn ranks and merit badges including Eagle Scout, following the same requirements as boys. Since the minimum time required to earn Eagle Scout is about 18 months, a time extension has been allowed, ostensibly to ease the transition into the era of the first female Eagle Scout candidates. All scouts who were older than 16 but not yet 18 years of age on February 1, 2019 will be allowed up to 24 months to complete the Eagle rank. The first class of female Eagle Scouts will be recognized in a group ceremony by the end of 2020.