Here in the UK, the term Master Beekeeper is used by the British Beekeepers'
Association (BBKA) for its most advanced qualification. Some 4-5 people per
year achieve Master Beekeeper status. It can lead into the National Diploma
in Beekeeping which is the highest beekeeping qualification recognised in
the United Kingdom. Thought you might be interested in the BBKA
certification options below (sorry – rather long).
ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS OF EXAMINATIONS:
Junior Assessment in Beekeeping
This is intended to meet the needs of schools and scout groups. It consists
of individual questioning of the candidate for about 10 minutes, a short
written paper, making up a frame and presenting a diary. The entrance fee is
£2.00 but this is refunded to successful candidates.
Basic Assessment in Beekeeping
An oral and practical test held at any suitable apiary and conducted by a
BBKA Assessor. It is open to all who have managed at least one colony of
bees for a minimum of 12 months. The entrance fee is £15.00. Applications
should be made to the Area Examination Secretary (or direct to BBKA Head
Office if you are an individual member) at least one month before the date
it is proposed to sit the Assessment. All assessments should be completed by
31st August. Successful applicants who are under eighteen at the date of
the assessment will have their fee refunded.
Intermediate and Advanced Theory Certificates
Open only to those who have passed the Basic Assessment and kept bees for at
least two seasons these Assessments consist of seven modules that may be
taken in any order with the exception of Module 8, which must be taken in
the last year of examinations. Each module is examined by a 1½ hour written
paper. An intermediate Certificate will be awarded when modules 1 to 3 and
one other have been passed and an Advanced Theory Certificate when all
modules have been passed. The Assessments are a searching test of the
candidate's knowledge and power of expression. The entrance fee for each
module is £20.00. For an Advanced Theory Certificate to be awarded the
relevant modules must be passed in a time period not exceeding twelve years.
Applications should be made by 10th
February for the March series or 30th September for the November series.
Please see the Fees list for the modules being offered in each series. Past
papers for the modules are available at £1 each from the BBKA Website or
National Office, Stoneleigh. A maximum of four modules may be taken on any
occasion.
General Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry
Open only to those who have passed the Basic Assessment and have kept and
managed bees for at least three years. The Assessment is conducted by two
BBKA Assessor and consists of:
(a) Inspection of the Candidate's Apiary, Equipment and Honey handling
equipment.
(b) Manipulation of one or more colonies of the Candidate's bees
(c) Demonstration of a method of selective queen rearing
The entrance fee is £40.00. Application must be made by 28th February of the
year in which it is intended to sit the Assessment.
Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry
Open only to those who have passed the General Certificate in Beekeeping
Husbandry. This Assessment is designed for beekeepers aspiring to lecture
and demonstrate the craft of beekeeping to others. The Assessment will be
conducted at a suitable location and will consist of the following tasks:
(a) Manipulation of one or more colonies as required by the Assessor.
(b) Presentation of a short lecturette on a practical topic to a small
audience.
(c) Demonstration of dissection for acarine and nosema analysis.
(d) Discussion and practical on methods of queen rearing.
(e) Discussion on other aspects of beekeeping as given in the syllabus.
The entrance fee is £60.00. Application must be made by 28th February of the
year in which it is intended to sit the Assessment.
Master Beekeeper
A Master Beekeeper Certificate will be awarded to a beekeeper when the
Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry and Advanced Theory
Certificates have been obtained. This is the new name for the Senior
Certificate issued up to 2001 and is of equivalent status. This is a
recognised qualification for sitting the Examination for the National
Diploma in Beekeeping.
Microscopy Certificate
Open only to those who have passed the Basic Assessment and have kept and
managed bees for at least one year. Two BBKA Assessors conduct the
Assessment which consists of practical dissection tasks and oral
questioning. The entrance fee is £40.00 and application must be made by 31st
August of the year in which it is intended to sit the Assessment.
Show Judge Certificate
This Assessment is designed to provide a suitable test for those beekeepers
that wish to judge at small and regional shows and have some experience in
obtaining awards and stewarding at these shows. The entrance fee is £40.00.
Candidates wishing to take the Show Judges Assessment must apply for a
record book from the Examinations Board Secretary to record the following:
(a) Stewarding for a number of BBKA Judges at county or national level or
shows with more than100 entries.
(b) Judging at a number of Honey shows where 3 of the shows are assessed by
3 different BBKA Show Judges.
(c) A final supervised judging and viva voce.
(d) Record of awards at honey shows at third prize or higher at County or
National level.
(e) Record of other relevant experience such as Show Secretary.
All this within a 5 year period. The Basic examination must have been passed
at the time of entry and BBKA Module 1 and Module 2 Examinations or the BBKA
General Husbandry Certificate (if not already attained) within the 5 year
period.
Correspondence Courses
Further study for the BBKA examinations can be very satisfying but for some
people, attending day or evening classes is not convenient. Correspondence
courses are a form of distance learning enabling you to study beekeeping
while working at your own pace. An arrangement will be made with a qualified
tutor for you to send written answers to set questions that are designed to
take you step by step through the syllabus. These courses cover the Basic
Certificate (12 question papers) as well as the seven modules (5 question
papers each) that
form the route to the Intermediate Theory Certificate and then onto the
Advanced Theory certificate. There is also a course which covers the
learning for the oral aspect of the Microscopy assessment. The fee for each
module is £45.00. You may also need to buy or borrow a few books but these
may be available in your beekeeping branch or county library. For further
details contact the Correspondence Course Secretary Bob Gilbert at 66 Sharpe
Street, Amington, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 3HZ. Tel: 01827 65749 or
E-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> . Application forms
are also available on the BBKA Website.
Syllabii
The full syllabus for the Junior, Basic, Intermediate & Advanced,
Certificates in Beekeeping Husbandry, Microscopy and Judging Assessments may
be obtained from the Secretary to the Examinations Board, Mrs. Val Francis,
National Beekeeping Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. The Basic and Microscopy syllabi are 50
pence each the Intermediate & Advanced syllabus is combined and costs £1.00,
as does the General Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping
Husbandry and the Show Judge Syllabus. The Junior syllabus is free. Please
specify which syllabus is required and enclose a 9x6 stamped addressed
envelope. Cheques payable to BBKA please.
Alternatively, you can download the syllabi from the BBKA website at
www.bbka.org.uk <http://www.bbka.org.uk> selecting Learn about Bees and
then Examinations and Assessments page.
John
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