Certified Beekeeper

Individual will demonstrate the basic skills and knowledge necessary to be a responsible and successful hobby beekeeper.

Requirements:

• One year beekeeping experience prior to sitting for the exams

• Pass the practical test by demonstrating the ability to:

  • identify and describe the use of wooden-ware hive components

  • light and properly use a smoker

  • recognize the stages in the life cycle and differentiate between casts of bees, describe or locate the queen

  • differentiate between pollen, capped honey, and different types of brood

  • recognize propolis and describe its functions

  • describe the layout of a brood nest, i.e., placement of honey, pollen and brood

• The written test includes materials covered during Institute lectures and labs, as well as homework assignments and readings.

NOTE: The Practical portion of the Certified Beekeeper Exam has two parts - each takes approximately 15 minutes: [1] an outdoor exam, where you will demonstrate your skills in lighting a smoker (and keeping it lit) and working a beehive, and [2] an indoor exam where you will identify certain beekeeping tools & equipment.