To be considered edible for membership in the Order of the Arrow you must:
- Be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Crew
- After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.
- Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Crew Advisor, be elected by the youth members of their troop or crew.
- Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.
Recommending Unit and District/Council Adults
Each year, upon holding a troop or team election for youth candidates which results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit committee may nominate adults for consideration as candidates for membership in the Order of the Arrow.
Note: For adults who were inducted into the Order of the Arrow (i.e., completed their OA Ordeal) as youth members, they need not be nominated as adults. To restart their OA membership, they need only pay their annual dues to the lodge and update their contact information.