Requirement 1: Prepare a short written report or outline for your counselor, giving a detailed description of your collection, including a short history. Be sure to include why you chose that particular type of collecting and what you enjoy and have learned from your collection.

Requirement 2: Explain the growth and development of your collection.

Requirement 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of preserving and displaying your collection.

Requirement 3a: Explain the precautions you need to take to preserve your collection, including

Requirement 3a1: Handling

Requirement 3a2: Cleaning

Requirement 3a3: Storage

Requirement 3b: Explain how best to display your collection, keeping in mind preserving as discussed above.

Requirement 3c: Explain to your counselor the events available for a hobbyist of this collection, including shows, seminars, conventions, contests, and museum programs or exhibits.

Requirement 4: Demonstrate your knowledge of collecting and investing. Discuss with your counselor:

Requirement 4a: How investing and speculation would apply to your collection

Requirement 4b: What you would look for in purchasing other collections similar to yours

Requirement 4c: What you would expect in return value if you decided to sell all or part of the collection

Requirement 5: Do the following:

Requirement 5a: Discuss with your counselor at least 10 terms commonly used in your collection and be prepared to discuss the definition of each.

Requirement 5b: Show your counselor any two groups from your collection. Explain how you organized your collection and why you chose that method. (Note: if your collection is too large to transport and your counselor is unable to view your collection directly, photographs should be available to share.)

Requirement 5c: Explain how your collection is valued by other collectors, and display to your counselor any price guides that may be available.

Requirement 5d: Explain how your collection is graded for value, physical defects, size, and age. Show the various classifications or ratings used in your collection.

Requirement 5e: List the national, state, or local association responsive to your collection.

Requirement 5f: Show the location of and explain to your counselor the identification number (if applicable), series, brand name (if any), and any other special identification marks.

Requirement 6: Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future.

Requirement 7: Discuss with your counselor why and how collecting has changed and how this applies to your collection.

Requirement 8: Find out about career opportunities in collecting. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.