In Apiary
You must be Under 18.
The Junior certificate consists of 4 elements:-
- 10 minutes of oral questions
- Examine a frame of bees
- Present a piece of coursework
- Present your beekeeping diary
This examination is intended to meet the requirements of schools, Scout and Guide groups together with those not qualified to enter for the Basic Assessment. Additionally, it is intended that the examination will reflect the candidates interest of apiculture and encourage them to go forward to the next examination, the Basic Assessment.
See BBKA Website Junior Certificate syllabus
To take the Basic Assessment you should have managed at least one colony of bees for a minimum of 12 months
The Basic Assessment syllabus can appear daunting at first glance but closer inspection will show that it merely lists the basic things which all beekeepers should know.
When you pass you will get a cloth badge that you can sew onto your bee suit.
See BBKA Website Basic Certificate syllabus
A practical assessment suitable for members who wish to advance beyond their Basic Assessment
A new assessment available from 2018 to help beekeepers who have already passed their Basic Assessment acquire some of the skills needed at the General Husbandry level.
Aims
To encourage beekeepers who have been awarded the BBKA Basic Certificate and have at least three years of beekeeping experience to improve their understanding and practice of beekeeping.
The Candidate will be able to demonstrate a range of beekeeping skills.
See BBKA Website Honey Bee Health Certificate syllabus
A practical assessment to promote the skills required to improve stocks of local bees.
A new certificate introduced for 2018 as part of the BBKA’s work to promote the use and improvement of local bees amongst its members. The assessment is equally applicable to honey bee breeders who work alone and to those who work as part of a group.
Aims
To encourage an improvement in the skills and methodology applied to the selective breeding of honey bees that are adapted to local conditions and have desirable characteristics.
The Candidates will be able to demonstrate a range of beekeeping skills related to queen rearing, honey bee breeding and selection.
See BBKA Website Honey Bee Breeding Certificate syllabus
Have you been beekeeping for 5 years and passed your Basic Assessment? Then this is the next practical step.
This assessment is designed for beekeepers who prefer the practical approach rather than the written examinations. On the day, your assessment is conducted by two BBKA Assessors and consists of:-
- inspection of the candidate’s apiary, equipment and honey handling equipment.
- manipulation of one or more colonies of the candidate’s bees
- demonstration of a method of selective queen rearing
See BBKA Website General Husbandey Certificate syllabus
See BBKA Website General Husbandry Guidelines for candidates
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You will get the above badge to sew on your bee suit and gain the “Qualified Beekeeper” Certificate if you have:-
