Master Beekeeping Certification – Requirements

Greetings!

I’ve been pushing the Extension office to get our website up and ready, and they predict some time next week. In the meantime, I put the requirements up on this website (below) as well as my other site, mopollinatorconservancy.com.
The gist is I spoke with Jamie Ellis to use his material from the Florida and Texas certification classes in Missouri. We just added a bit more local information and split it between 6 levels. We also added hands on training to the requirements.
We have the first class and book (about ready in 2 weeks), and we’re working on the testing material now. I am asking for online testing, so that it’s easier on everyone who wants to take the test. Instead of asking for the full price of the course up front, you pay half ($50) + $8 for the book, and then a beginner would come back in a year after they have joined a club and put in their volunteer/mentoring/shadowing hours and test ($50) to the next level – or opportunity to take the next level’s course, apprentice beekeeper. This course work is at a University level and will be updated as best management practices change.
Ok, who teaches the courses? Good question. The first course can be taught be an extension agent or someone with very limited beekeeping skills (gets them their volunteer hours). For the upper classes, we expect a 3 year gap in experience should suffice for each level. The beekeeper instructors will either gain volunteer hours that they can use towards certification OR they will be paid as contract workers by the University. What makes this program different than the others is that there’s the hands on training. So, some of the teaching needs to be at the research center (1 instructor, 4 students). There’s also a hands on practical.
We started with just 3 locations this year to try and work out the kinks. We’ll be expanding to more locations next year.
If you think anyone in your association would be interested in mentoring for us, please let me know. We also need people with experience to teach the Major classes (see below for more detail). We could also use a list of people who will sell nucs ($185) or queens ($15). This program will bring an influx in new beekeepers to local associations, and we hope that the required mentoring and volunteer hours will help increase the number of successful beekeepers in Missouri.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Dr. Moneen Jones

Requirements and General Information (MBP Manual)

The Master Beekeeper Program (MBP) is a five-year (minimum) beekeeper training and certification program provided by the University of Missouri. One must already be a beekeeper to enter the program (please see apprentice requirements, below). Entry into the program is attained by meeting the apprentice requirements and passing the apprentice examinations on exam day. There is no age limit for entry into the program although the examination may be too difficult for children under 12 years of age. All students must enter the program at the Basic Beekeeping for Beginners level and students are permitted to skip levels by testing.

The program offers six levels of training and advancement: Basic Beekeeping, Apprentice Pollinator Beekeeper, Journeyed Pollinator Beekeeper, Master Pollinator Beekeeper, Master Trainer Beekeeper, and Certified Master Beekeeper.  All ranks take a minimum of one full year to complete with the exception of Master Level, which takes two years. Opportunities for advancement in the program only occur on exam days following all requirements met for the specific level.

The MBP trains and educates beekeepers on new techniques, equipment, potential problems, and tips and tricks to improve their beekeeping skills. Participants serve as bee ambassadors to beginning beekeepers, the public, and our community, by teaching and serving as an extension of the University of Missouri.

The Master Beekeeper Program is administered by a program board. Members of the board provide training for students in the program, produce educational materials used in the program, create and administer certification exams, as well as oversee all logistical components of the program. The program board includes:

-Dr. Moneen Jones, Entomologist, Director of Apiary Lab, Department of Plant Sciences, Fisher Delta Research Center, University of Missouri

-Dr. Richard Houseman, Urban Entomologist, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri

-Dr. James Ellis, University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology

-Mr. Sam Crowe, Missouri commercial beekeeper for 35 years

Examinations are provided online twice a year and all dates are announced on the extension websites of ###### and the Missouri Pollinator Conservancy Program (mopollinatorco5nservancy.com).  The written examination is taken first, followed by the practical examination held the third Saturday in March, during the University of Missouri’s spring break. Fall practical examination are on the Saturday before the annual Missouri State Beekeepers Association (MSBA) Meeting (www.mostatebeekeepers.org).

The examination day consists of online testing and essays that are emailed to the instructor for review and grading.  Following the first basic course with lecture only exam, there are the written and practical examinations (8am – 10am).  The exam days are when Apprentice, Journeyed, and Master Beekeepers submit their required documentation of public service work to the MBP board. Please see Appendix F for examination information. Additionally, we will hold award ceremonies to recognize all those individuals who have passed the exam at the MSBA’s banquet dinner.  Attendance at these award ceremonies is not required, but is encouraged.

On the next two pages are lists of requirements necessary for a candidate to fulfill in order to achieve each level in the Master Beekeeper Program. It is important that candidates read the requirements closely and make certain that all requirements are met in order to advance in the program. Additional program stipulations (program status, limitations, guidelines, and re-tests) are listed in Appendix G.  Please refer to the summary table on the last page of this document for more information and for MBP board member information.

If at any point a beekeeper wishes to discontinue the program, they should contact a board member directly.  It is also the responsibility of the beekeeper to keep the board informed of any changes to their mailing address, email address, or phone number in case there is a need to contact them during their enrollment.

I)  Apprentice Beekeeper

  1. must be a registered beekeeper with the MO State Beekeepers Association either individually or as a member of a family.
  2. must own at least one colony of honey bees for at least one full year.
  3. must score 70% or higher on a written examination. The written test can include but is not limited to materials covered during previous UM Beekeeper lectures and labs, information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture Apiary information website (http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/ChaptersIndex/chaptIndex264.html), and material from books/ other literature on the Apprentice Beekeeper reading list (see Appendix E).
  4. must score 70% or higher on a practical examination. The practical examination can include but is not limited to describing the physical parts of a beehive (common terms, not regional nomenclature); lighting and properly using a smoker; recognizing the various stages of brood, different castes of bees, and finding or at least describing the queen; differentiating between brood, pollen, and capped honey; recognizing propolis and describing its functions; describing the layout of a brood nest (placement of honey, pollen, and brood), etc.
  5. must complete 8 hours of volunteer service as a mentor to beginner beekeepers. Please see necessary documentation form following Appendix G.

II)  Journeyed Beekeeper

  1. must have held the Apprentice Beekeeper rank at least one full calendar year and have been a practicing beekeeper for at least two years. Also, must be a registered beekeeper with the MO State Beekeepers Association.
  2. must show proof of having passed six computerized honey bee training modules (honey bee biology module, social wasps and bees, pesticides, pollinators, practical beekeeping, pests and disease module (with a score of 80% or higher on each). These will be available online ( ). They will include modules on (1) honey bee pests/parasites/pathogens, (2) honey bee anatomy and behavior, (3) pollination biology, (4) pesticides and honeybees, (5) social wasps and bees, and (6) practical beekeeping.
  3. must score 70% or higher on a written examination. The written test can include but is not limited to materials covered during previous lectures and labs, MO State Beekeepers Association newsletter articles, and material from books/other literature on the Journeyed Beekeeper reading list (see Appendix E). This examination will cover more information than that required at the Apprentice Beekeeper level. The testable material will closely adhere to information taught in the computerized honey bee training modules (“B” above).
  4. must score 70% or higher on a practical examination. The practical examination can include but is not limited to: identifying pests, parasites and pathogens; reading pesticide labels and determining which is the safest to use around bees; identifying several beekeeping items; examining honey labels for errors; distinguishing between bees, wasps, hornets, etc.; and identifying anatomical structures of a bee, flower, etc.
  5. must perform and be able to document participation in five public service credits (see Appendix A). The Public Service Credit Documentation Form is only a supporting document and should not be the only evidence of a completed PSC. Please see Appendices A and G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 1 for the form.
  6. must complete 16 hours of volunteer service as a mentor to lesser experienced beekeepers. Please see necessary documentation form following Appendix G.

III)  Master Pollinator Beekeeper

  1. must have held the Apprentice and Journeyed Beekeeper ranks one year each and have been a practicing beekeeper for at least three years. Must be a registered beekeeper with the Missouri State Beekeepers Association.
  2. must demonstrate/document 3 additional public service credits beyond that required for the Journeyed Beekeeper level (see Appendix A). Please see Appendices A and G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 1 for the form.
  3. choose and declare major (see Appendix C) and demonstrate/document expertise in 3 of 10 credits within the major. We refer to these as “major credits.” Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendums 2 and 3 for the forms.
  4. must score 70% or higher on a written examination. The written examination can include but is not limited to materials covered during previous UM lectures and labs, information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture Apiary information website (http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/ChaptersIndex/chaptIndex264.html), and material from books/ other literature on the earlier reading lists.
  5. must complete 40 hours of volunteer service as a mentor to lesser experienced beekeepers. Please see necessary documentation form following Appendix G.

IV) Master Program Trainer

  1. must have held the Apprentice, Journeyed, and Master Pollinator Beekeeper ranks one year each and have been a practicing beekeeper for at least three years. Must be a registered beekeeper with the Missouri State Beekeepers Association.
  2. must demonstrate/document 3 additional public service credits beyond that required for the Master Pollinator Beekeeper level (see Appendix A). Please see Appendices A and G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 1 for the form.
  3. choose and declare major (see Appendix C) and demonstrate/document expertise in 3 of 10 credits within the major. We refer to these as “major credits.” Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendums 2 and 3 for the forms.
  4. must demonstrate/document expertise in five credits outside the major. We refer to these as “core credits.” The core credits can be chosen from Appendix B or students may choose non-overlapping credits from other majors to fulfill core credits. Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 3 for the form.
  5. must score 70% or higher on a written examination. The written examination can include but is not limited to materials covered during previous UM lectures and labs, information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture Apiary information website (http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/ChaptersIndex/chaptIndex264.html), and material from books/ other literature on the earlier reading lists.
  6. must complete 40 hours of volunteer service as a mentor to lesser experienced beekeepers. Please see necessary documentation form following Appendix G.

V)     Certified Master Beekeeper

  1. must have held the Apprentice and Journeyed Beekeeper ranks one year each and have been a practicing beekeeper for at least three years. Must be a registered beekeeper with the Missouri State Beekeepers Association.
  2. must demonstrate/document 10 additional public service credits beyond that required for the Advanced Beekeeper level (see Appendix A). Please see Appendices A and G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 1 for the form.
  3. choose and declare major (see Appendix C) and demonstrate/document expertise in 5 of 10 credits within the major. We refer to these as “major credits.” Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendums 2 and 3 for the forms.
  4. must demonstrate/document expertise in five credits outside the major. We refer to these as “core credits.” The core credits can be chosen from Appendix B or students may choose non-overlapping credits from other majors to fulfill core credits. Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 3 for the form.
  5. must score 70% or higher on a written examination. The written examination can include but is not limited to materials covered during previous UM lectures and labs, information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture Apiary information website (http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/ChaptersIndex/chaptIndex264.html), and material from books/ other literature on the earlier reading lists.
  6. must complete 40 hours of volunteer service as a mentor to lesser experienced beekeepers. Please see necessary documentation form following Appendix G.

APPENDIX A

Public Service Credit Requirements

(JOURNEYED AND MASTER LEVELS)

Candidates for the Journeyed Beekeeper rank or higher must document a certain number of public service credits. “Public service” is defined as volunteer service or educational activity oriented around bees and beekeeping and conducted for the benefit of the public (non-beekeeping audience). Educational activities in conjunction with commercial ventures generally do not qualify (i.e., selling honey).

One public service credit (PSC) equals a single, documented event of a qualified public service. Multiple repetitions of a particular activity may count, but only if they involve separate events or invitations. For example, two presentations to fifth-grade science classes may qualify as two PSCs but not if they are two successive class periods on the same day to the same audience.

The key to PSCs is adequate documentation of the event. Primary documentation is represented by original media: conference programs, testimonial letters from third parties, newspaper clippings, photographs, or video recordings. Secondary documentation may lack material evidence of the activity, but must at least include a written statement with the title of the event, date, place, time topic, target clientele group and number attended, description of the activity, and its outcome. In general, documentation must be material evidence, in writing; and more detail is better than less. Board members reserve the right to accept or reject documentation during program audits. Candidates for Advanced Beekeeper must present documentation to the Master Beekeeper Program Board prior to taking the written examination. Please see Appendix G for documentation guidelines and Addendum 1 for the form.

The following activities are pre-approved for satisfying PSC requirements. Other activities may be admissible, but candidates are advised to contact program officers about specific cases.

  1. Presenting a bee-related lecture or workshop to non-beekeeping group (youth or adult).
  2. Holding office in a local beekeeping association.
  3. Assisting members of youth organizations (4-H, Scouts, FFA), etc. with project work.
  4. Mentoring a new beekeeper through at least one complete season.
  5. Giving a public demonstration on beekeeping topic at fair, festival or similar public event
  6. Providing a hive of bees to pollinate a public garden.
  7. Establishing and maintaining an observation hive for school or civic group.
  8. Becoming an expert contact on bee-related questions for a University of Missouri County Extension office (see points below).
    • Must contact your county agent and the MBP board to offer your expertise.
    • Must have scored an average of 80% on most recent practical and written exams (contact the HBREL for confirmation and we will forward scores to your agent).
    • Must be a beekeeper in the county for which you have been appointed an expert contact (counties may have multiple expert contacts).
    • Must provide a clear channel of communication open to the county, the agent, and the public (e.g., telephone, email, social media, etc).
    • Must receive a positive evaluation from Extension agent stating: your dates of service, the value of your performance to the office, and the approximate time you dedicated to position, and any additional comments.

(It may be possible to act as an expert contact for another municipal agency. Appointments are at the discretion of the

MBP board and the agency in question.)

APPENDIX B

Core Credits

Core Credit Requirements – Journeyed Beekeepers must document completion of five credits outside their major before they can be considered for advancement to the Master Beekeeper level. You can choose any of the following credits not in your declared major to fulfill this requirement. You may choose non-overlapping credits from other majors to fulfill your core credits. A form to document your core credits is located in Addendum 3.

  1. Winning first or second place in an authorized competition in extracted honey, comb or cut-comb honey, crystallized (spun or creamed) honey, or beeswax.
  2. Publishing an article in a beekeeping publication (excluding newsletters).
  3. Publishing an article in a non-beekeeping publication (with at least state-wide distribution).
  4. Being recognized as a beekeeping authority in your local area by appearing on radio or television.
  5. Documenting training in life-saving treatment of persons suffering from allergic reactions to insect stings.
  6. Attending at least three beekeeping meetings (these must be regional, multi-state, national or international).
  7. Conducting a program or workshop at a state, regional, national or international meeting or convention.
  8. Demonstrating competence in small-scale queen rearing.
  9. Acquiring private pesticide applicator’s license.
  10. Participating/volunteering in a beekeeping research or Extension project with the University of Missouri.
  11. Acquiring other certified bee-related training as approved by the MBP board.
  12. Serving two or more years as an officer in a bee organization at state level or higher (need not be consecutive nor in the same organization).
  13. Documenting culture/maintenance of other bee species (bumble bees, halictids, etc.).
  14. Mentoring a beekeeping group in a rural/underprivileged/international community.
  15. Acquiring international beekeeping experience with clear, documented benefits to the international group and to Missouri.
  16. Maintaining a public blog, public journal, or public forum on honey bees. The resource must be informative; science-based, easily accessible, and advertised; and you must be able to show the number of site visits it receives during the year.
  17. Volunteering at least 40 hours with a commercial beekeeper or organized university apiary.

** Some bee-related activities not listed above may also be determined to fulfill the core credit requirements. Consult the MBP board prior to activity.

APPENDIX C

Majors and Major Credits

Major Credit Requirements – Advanced Beekeepers must document completion of three credits within their major before they can be considered for advancement to the Master Beekeeper level. Beekeepers must be able to document activities—contact the MBP board if you have questions about any of the requirements. Other suggested majors/credits will be considered. A major must be declared to the board before achieving Master Beekeeper status. A form to declare your major is available in Addendum 2. A form to document your major credits is available in Addendum 3.

  1. Diagnosis and treatment of honey bee pests, parasites, and pathogens
    1. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a tutorial on diseases of the honey bee.
    2. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a tutorial on pests/parasites of the honey bee.

 

Present a lecture on bee pests/diseases at state beekeepers meeting or higher.

  1. Switch to and document use of IPM (integrated pest management) in personal beekeeping operation.
  2. Serve as “local expert” and assist other beekeepers in proper disease/pest diagnosis in their colonies.
  3. Acquire a pesticide applicator license.
  4. Create reference collection (sterile) of bee pests and diseases.
  5. Research and review one pest or disease of honey bees. The review will be published on the MSBA’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slide show presentation.
  6. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a practical, hands-on examination of bee pests/diseases.
  7. Document attendance at three training workshops on bee pests/diseases.

 

  1. Pollination ecology and bee botany
    1. Provide pollination services to a gardener (not yourself) or commercial fruit/nut/vegetable grower. (Must document.)

 

  1. Plant a bee-friendly garden in a public area (such as library, town square, etc.).

 

  1. Present a lecture on pollination ecology or bee botany at a state, regional, national, or international beekeepers meeting.
  2. Produce a handout to describe local honey production plants and when they bloom for local (county or regional) clientele.
  3. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) practical examination on bee plants.

 

  1. Research and review one plant that is a major honey production plant in Missouri. The review will be published on the MSBA’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slide show presentation.
  2. Become a certified Missouri Master Gardener.
  3. Document training in the identification of pollen present in honey samples.
  4. Document work educating the general public about pollinators.
  5. Create a museum-quality plant collection of regional honey production plants. Supplies available at the Fisher Delta Research Center, Portageville, MO.

 

  1. Honey judging
    1. Judge a honey show (state level or higher).
    2. Become a certified Welsh Honey Judge at UF Bee College or the Young Harris Institute in Georgia
    3. Win first or second place in any category at a state or higher level honey show.
    4. Document ability to produce mead.
    5. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a practical examination on honey judging.
    6. Research and review one type of honey important to the Missouri beekeeping industry. The review will be published on the MSBA’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slide show presentation.
    7. Educate the public about hive products and their uses at a fair booth or similar event.
    8. Show evidence that you maintain a MSBA registered honey house.
    9. Document training in the identification of pollen present in honey samples.
    10. Document knowledge of honey production/processing and other products of the hive.

 

  1. Beekeeping for rural development
    1. Document knowledge of alternative methods of queen rearing.
    2. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a practical, hands-on examination of bee pests/diseases, including non-chemical control of these disorders.

Document knowledge of honey production/processing and other products of the hive, including value adding theory.

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in hive equipment assembly.
  2. Volunteer for a nonprofit charitable organization with agricultural interests such as Winrock International or Partners of the Americas.
  3. Become a certified Missouri Master Gardener.
  4. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a written examination on beekeeping for rural development.

 

  1. Win first or second place in any category at a state or higher level honey show.

 

  1. Document knowledge of pollination ecology, general honeybee biology, and colony management for honey production.
  1. Queen production
    1. Attend an instrumental insemination course.
    2. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) an examination of mating biology and bee genetics.
    3. Research and review alternative queen rearing methods for industry. The review will be published on the Missouri State Beekeepers Association’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slide show presentation.
    4. Volunteer 40 or more hours with a professional queen breeder.
    5. Research and review one race of honey bee. The review will be published on the Missouri State Beekeepers Association’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slideshow presentation.
    6. Serve as “local expert” and assist other beekeepers with queen production. Must document service.
    7. Document that you have mentored/trained others in the dynamics of queen rearing.
    8. Document that you are selecting for resistance traits in your own queen rearing operation.

 

  1. Advanced bee husbandry
    1. Switch to and document use of IPM (integrated pest management) in your personal beekeeping operation.
    2. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a practical, hands-on examination of bee pests/diseases.

Provide pollination services for a community garden or commercial fruit/nut/vegetable grower.

  1. Plant a bee-friendly garden in a public area such as a library or a town square.
  2. Become a certified Missouri Master Gardener.
  3. Document knowledge of honey production/processing and other products of the hive, including value adding theory.
  4. Attend an instrumental insemination course.
  5. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) an examination of mating biology and bee genetics.

 

  1. Native bee apiculture
    1. Build a native bee nest habitat for a community garden or commercial fruit/nut/vegetable grower.
    2. Build a native bee nest habitat in a public area such as a library, a town square, or a school.
    3. Present a lecture on (1) native bee diversity or (2) how to create native bee habitats at a state, regional (multi-state), national or international beekeepers meeting.
    4. Produce an educational color pamphlet or brochure of local native bees for local (county or region) clientele. (All photos used must be cited and permissions granted by the photographer or copyright holder; a reference list is required.)
    5. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a practical examination on bee and wasp identification.
    6. Research and produce a review of one species of native Missouri bee. The review will be published on the MSBA’s website. The written review must be accompanied by a slideshow presentation.
    7. Participate in a university study about native bees and show documentation.

Conduct a survey using native bee monitoring techniques, and report on the local native bees present in your area with a digital photograph collection of regional bees and wasps complete with an index that provides date/location/identification information for each photo or a museum-quality insect collection of regional bees and wasps complete with collector and species identification labels.

  1. Document work to provide native bee education to the general public.
  2. Write an article regarding a specific native bee or native bees in general to be published in a popular journal, magazine, or for a website.
  1. Apiculture education
    1. Develop an original, bee-related educational slideshow presentation (check with the MBP board for a topic) for a 45-minute lecture accompanied by a script and a cover page identifying a target audience, and listing accompanying resources and resources for further reading. (All photos used must be cited and permissions granted by the photographer or copyright holder; a reference list is required.)
    2. Develop an original, bee-related educational YouTube video (check with the MBP board for a topic) that is 20 – 30 minutes in length to include a listing of accompanying resources and resources for further reading in the description.
    3. Produce an educational pamphlet or brochure detailing an aspect of beekeeping (extracting honey, building equipment, etc.) for distribution among beekeepers. (All photos used must be cited and permissions granted by the photographer or copyright holder; a reference list is required.)
    4. Produce an original educational pamphlet or brochure explaining a bee-related issue (i.e. pathogens, pest issues) for distribution to a specific target audience. (All photos used must be cited and permissions granted by the photographer or copyright holder; a reference list is required.)

 

  1. Write an article about one of the following topics: education using bees, safety and beekeeping, bee-related laws and regulations, bee anatomy and biology, integrated pest management practices for beekeeping, or other approved topic for a popular journal, magazine or newsletter (i.e. Waggle Dance Data weekly or in the MO State Beekeepers Association quarterly newsletter ).
  2. Pass (with a score of 70% or higher) a module on apiculture education basics.
  3. Document attendance at least three state, regional, national, or international beekeeping seminars (such as the Missouri State Beekeepers Association Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the American Beekeeping Federation, etc.).
  4. Develop a bee-related teaching module (for beekeepers) accompanied by an evaluation tool (something with which you can judge the success of your teaching module).

 

  1. Provide documentation of successful beekeeping mentorship (i.e., the individual you are mentoring is showing clear progress due to your instruction) via self-created pre- and post-tests, and other evaluations to document growth and progress.
  2. Attend one seminar on how to be an effective educator. (Contact the MBP board for assistance finding seminars.)

 

  1. Provide documentation of participation in peer review of Extension presentations by other beekeepers, accompanied by a feedback evaluation form signed by the reviewer, presenter and outreach contact.

 

APPENDIX D
Communication Skills APPLICABLE FOR MASTER LEVEL ONLY

  • The nominee must present a program at a state-level beekeeper conference. The program may be in the form of a general presentation, workshop, or similar activity.
  • The nominee must complete two of the following activities:
  1. Prepare and publish an article in a beekeeping journal.
  2. Prepare and publish an article on bees or beekeeping in a non-beekeeping publication.
  3. Be interviewed on a radio or television program regarding honey bees and/or beekeeping.
  4. Be featured in a newspaper article regarding honey bees and/or beekeeping.

APPENDIX E

Reading Lists

Suggested Reading List for Apprentice Level

Examinations

Books

  1. Honey Bees and Beekeeping: A Year in the Life of an Apiary, 3rd Edition – Keith Delaplane (2007)
  2. The Beekeeper’s Handbook, 4th Edition – Diana Sammataro, Alphonse Avitabile, Dewey M. Caron (2011)
  3. First Lessons in Beekeeping – Keith Delaplane (2007)
  4. The Backyard Beekeeper, Revised and Updated: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden – Kim Flottum (2010)
  5. Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping – Dewey Caron (2013)

 

Periodicals

  1. American Bee Journal
  2. Bee Culture
  3. Waggle Dance Data and MSBA Newsletters

 

Suggested Reading List for Advanced Level Examinations

(in addition to those listed for the Apprentice Level Examination)

 

Books

  1. The Hive and the Honey Bee – Dadant and Sons, Inc.

(1992)

  1. ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture – A.I. Root (2007)
  2. Honey Bee Pests, Predators, and Diseases, 3rd Edition – A.I. Root (Morse and Flottum, eds.) (1998)
  3. The Biology of the Honey Bee – Mark Winston (1991)
  4. Bee Pollination in Agricultural Ecosystems – Rosalind James and Theresa L. Pitts-Singer (2008)

Websites

  1. All “honey bee” entries (search for “honey bee”) at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
  2. Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory website: UFhoneybee.com
  3. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Plan Industry, Apiary Section website: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ Agriculture-Industry/Search-by-Industry/Bees-Apiary/ Apiary-Inspection
  4. The University of Florida AFBEE website: AFBEE.com
  5. Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators, and Diseases website

https://agdev.anr.udel.edu/maarec/honey-bee-biology/ honey-bee-parasites-pests-predators-and-diseases/

APPENDIX F

Examinations

To become Apprentice or Advanced Beekeepers, participants must take a written and practical examination (two hours per exam). Candidates for Master Beekeepers take only a written exam. The written tests may consist of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and matching questions. The practical tests contain multiple choice, true/ false, and matching questions, but also include identification of hive parts, tools, and diseases/pests of honey bees. Candidates must receive a score of 70% or higher on both the practical and written examinations to achieve the next level in the program. Passing candidates will receive their certificate of accomplishment at the respective awards ceremony (fall or spring) or by mail. Generally, the apprentice level test will cover the following subject areas: general beekeeping, history of beekeeping, honey bee biology, basic bee anatomy, honey production and products, pests and diseases (common names, causes and treatments), beekeeping equipment use and terminology, and important historical facts (especially people who contributed to the development of beekeeping). Advanced level testing will include all of the apprentice level subjects with the addition of scientific names of pests/diseases and honey bee species, pollination, native bee information and identification, pesticides and Africanized bees. Be sure to review the materials in the reading list provided.

APPENDIX G

Program Status, Limitations, Presentation and Documentation Guidelines and Re-tests PROGRAM STATUS

  1. Active Status – An “active beekeeper” is any Master Beekeeper Program participant who is actively pursuing the next level in the program with no more than two years elapsing before testing to obtain the next level (special exceptions: no more than three years between the Master Levels). Anyone wishing to maintain active beekeeper status must complete a yearly activity report. Active beekeepers will receive invitations to MBP-only training events and socials, and emails regarding PSC opportunities..
  2. Inactive Status – Any Master Beekeeper Program participant who takes longer than two years to test for the next level in the program is considered to be inactive. Participants who fail to submit a yearly activity report will lose their active status. Active beekeepers will receive invitations to MBP only training events and socials, and emails regarding PSC opportunities.
  3. Activity Report – Master Beekeeper Program participants will now be required to submit a yearly activity report. An activity report should consist of a list of credit-worthy activities completed during the calendar year. Please include the name and a short description of the activity, the date when you performed it, your audience (middle school students, master gardeners, county fair attendees, etc.), and the number of people you reached. Participants are encouraged to use the cover sheets (available in Addendums 4-6) to assist in organizing this information.

These reports will be accepted yearly. The annual deadline is January 31st.

LIMITATIONS

  1. The University of Missouri Master Beekeeper Program represents a University of Missouri Cooperative Extension Service public education program. One should avoid having association with commercial products or implying University of Missouri Cooperative Extension Service endorsements of any product or place of business.

PUBLIC SERVICE CREDITS PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

  1. Be punctual, trustworthy, and reliable. Follow through on your commitments and responsibilities. Call if you will be delayed or cannot attend the event. Make a reasonable effort to find a replacement speaker if you are going to miss a commitment.
  2. Maintain a friendly, warm, and courteous attitude toward the public.
  3. Communicate effectively with clients, staff and fellow Master Beekeeper Program students.
  4. Dress appropriately for the volunteer activity in which you are involved.
  5. Follow UM Extension affirmative action policies which forbid discrimination against anyone because of their race, color, gender, nation of origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.

DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES

Journeyed level and higher are required to complete public service credits throughout the year and turn in documentation. All documentation is due by noon on exam day. For each credit, present a “Documentation of Public Service Credits Form” and at least one additional piece of evidence that shows you completed the requirements for the credit. All levels must use the appropriate cover sheets to organize and summarize their credits witch are included as addendums 4-6 of this document. The key to presenting all credits, public, major, and core, is adequate documentation of the event/activity. Primary documentation is represented by original media: conference programs, testimonial letters from third parties, newspaper clippings, photographs, or video recordings. Please organize documentation materials neatly and present them professionally. Board members reserve the right to accept or reject documentation during program audits.

RE-TESTS

  1. All participants are welcome to re-take any test on which they failed to achieve a passing score. Re-tests will be proctored at the participant’s local county Extension office. Contact the MBP board to schedule a re-test. Re-tests are offered at no charge.
  2. Re-tests must be taken within a year of the original exam. Those re-tests taken within eight weeks of the original exam will be certified as passing on the original exam date. Those taken more than eight weeks after the original exam date will be certified at the next exam date. This stipulation maintains the prior caveat that each participant must hold each rank for at least one year before being allow to test to advance in the program.

 

Summary of Requirements for the UM Master Beekeeper Program.

Level Registered Beekeeper Written

Exam

 Practical

Exam

 Public

Service

Credits

 Volunteer Hours Major Credits
Apprentice x x x – 8 –
Advanced x x x 5 16 –
Master Pollinator x x – 3 40 3
Master Trainer x x 3 40 3
Certified Master x x 10 40 5
Credit totals -x x- – 21

(minimum)

 144 11