The Master is the third level in the Master Beekeeper Program, and reflects a beekeeper who has demonstrated expertise in beekeeping and in a number of other specialized areas.
In order to become a Master Beekeeper, you must:- Maintain an uninterrupted membership in the NCSBA since receiving the Journeyman Level Beekeeping certificate or 3 consecutive years of membership prior to being qualified to take any Master exam. Membership must be maintained through the Master certification process or the three year rule referenced above will apply.
- Hold the Journeyman Level Beekeeper certificate for a minimum of 1 year before being permitted to take any Master Beekeeper Level beekeeper exam.
- Pass a written examination, administered by anNCSBA MBP representative at a statewide conference or testing event. Written exams cannot be taken on consecutive days at the Spring or Summer conferences.
- Pass a Practical Examination, administered by anNCSBA MBP representative. Candidates must take the written Master Beekeeper Level exam before being permitted to take any of the remaining parts of the Journeyman Practical exam. The candidate must successfully complete 8 of 9 Journeyman Practical sections. Practical exams cannot be taken on consecutive days at the Spring or Summer conferences.
- Complete 6 of the 19 Sub Specialties demonstrating excellence in beekeeping specialties.
- Have four years of beekeeping experience. (One year minimum as Journeyman Beekeeper)
- Complete ten additional service credits after completing the Journeyman level.
- Assist in some manner as a volunteer at a state meeting or convention.
- Passing grade for the written Master Level exam will be raised from 75% to 80% effective January 1, 2020.
- NOTICE: Effective January 1, 2021, a Master Level field exam will be required to evaluate and document the candidate’s ability to conduct a viable hive inspection recognizing conditions relating to colony status, health, vigor, resources and queen status. Your actions during the field exam should demonstrate your attention to personal and observer safety while highlighting your general education versus personal bias; including but not limited to chemical and chemical-free husbandry. Achieving the Master Beekeeper Level of the NCSBA MBP mandates that a candidate assume the responsibility of ambassadorship with both fellow beekeepers and the public at large.
A notebook is suggested for record keeping and for documenting competence at each specialty. Also for listing and documenting each additional ten service credits. In order to prepare for the Master level, the following materials are available:
In order to prepare for the Master level, the following materials are available:
- Written Exam Study Guide
- List of Valid Public Service Credits
- List of Beekeeping Sub-Specialties
- Reporting to the MBP Committee
If you have questions, please contact mbp@ncbeekeepers.org.
Master Beekeepers
Diane Almond • Michael Almond • Robert Anders • Chris Apple • Randall Austin • Dale Aycock • Doris Baker • Phillip Barfield • Burton Beasley • Allen Blanton • David Bridgers • Edd Buchanan • George Byrum • Lewis Cauble • Sam Coble • Shelly Cooper • Rick Coor • Karen Damari • Kris Daniels • Denise Deacon • Tia Douglass • Justin Dyson • Terry Dyson • Sally Ellis • Robert Faggart • Bryan Fisher • Gray Fisher • Charles Fleckenstein • Bob Gaddis • Doug Galloway • Vernell Gillispie • Larry Green • Buzz Griffin • Art Halstead • Rick Harty • Charles Heatherly • Reuben Hill • Berry Hines • Dale Hinkle • Anne Houck • Ray Hunt • Will Johnson • Ralph Johnston • Barry Jones • Mike Kerr • Lane Kreitlow • Bill Lathan • Janna Lewis • Russ Lewis • Liz Lindsey • Hugh Madison • Buddy Marterre • Chris Mendenhall • Jody Moore • Bill Moran • DJ Moran • Herve Morini • Bill Mullins • Etienne Nadeau • Cheryl Newbold • Paul Newbold • Brad Niven • Floyd Parker • Jo Anne Parker • Jeanne Price • Grey Reavis • Roland Reed • Marcel Renn • Ray Revis • Debra Roberts • Greg Rogers • Wayne Rose • David Segrest • Billy Smith • James Smith • Joe Smith • Robert Smith • Cynthia Speed • Karen Speer • Suzy Spencer • Jeff Stone • John Strickland • Elaine Styers • Lawton Suggs • Wally Swaim • Mellie Swaney • Eric Talley • Julie Taylor • Scott Taylor • Bill Thering • Sanford Toole • B Townes • Todd Walker • John Wallace • Monica Warner • Todd Warner • Pat Weisbrodt • Jim White Jimmy Williams • Gayle Young • Jerry Zima