Requirements for the Journeyman, Master, and Master Craftsman Levels
Candidates for the Journeyman 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.
One Public Service Credit equals a single, documented event of a qualified public service. In general, documentation must be material evidence, in writing; and more detail is better than less. The MBP Committee reserves the right to accept or reject documentation during review of the applicant’s credits.
Service dates of Public Service Credits must be during the time that a candidate is eligible to work on the level that it is to be credited to. For example, someone who is not yet Certified cannot accrue Credits for Journeyman. Likewise, Credits for the Master level must be earned after Journeyman level is achieved, and Master Craftsmen Public Service Credits must be earned while the candidate is a Master Beekeeper.
Public Service Credits not only help to fulfill the mission of the NCSBA but serve as a learning tool for the individual keeper. Each time we set about teaching, talking, or sharing our knowledge of beekeeping, we have another opportunity to learn more ourselves. A diversity of experiences and activities will provide a better opportunity, and it is for this reason that in most instances, only one credit per type of activity is credited per MBP level.
The following activities are pre-approved for satisfying Public Service Credits requirements. Other activities may be admissible, but candidates are advised to contact the MBP Committee about specific cases.
Note: Each service offered and submitted for credit, may be applied only once to any MBP level.
- Presenting a bee-related lecture or workshop to non-beekeeping group* (youth or adult, multiple credits).
- Programs on beekeeping and related topics to school groups* (multiple credits).
- Serving as an officer in a local beekeeping association (1 credit max but, 2nd credit available if serving at different officer position and applied to a different MBP level).
- Assisting members of youth organizations (4-H, Scouts, FFA), etc. with a bee related project (1 credit max).
- Mentoring a new beekeeper through at least one complete season (1 credit max).
- Public demonstration on beekeeping topic at local fairs, festivals or similar public events (1 credit per event, 2 max per MBP level).
- Publication of beekeeping and related article in journals, newsletters, etc, with a minimum of county wide circulation. (1 credit per article, 2 max per MBP level).
- Programs/lectures/demonstrations on beekeeping topics to beekeeping groups* (1 credit only per MBP level).
- Working at the state fair in Raleigh (bee related) or volunteering on a research project for Dr. Tarpy at the NC State Bee Lab (2 credits per MBP level).
- In charge of or presenting a Bee School for beginner beekeepers (1 credit max).
- Serve as a committee member on a NCSBA committee or assist on the planning of a state convention by being on a committee related to the conference or serving at an MBP testing event (1 credit per MBP level, 3 max).
*A group consists of at least ten people.