Exams are administered once each year at the annual conference.
There is no other time or location for EAS Master Beekeeper examinations.
On Tuesday during the conference week, the exams begin in the morning with the written exam and the oral exam. Four (4) hours are given to complete the written exam. Once completing the written exam candidates proceed directly to the oral exam location to be scheduled a time for taking the oral exam. Candidates returning to retake the oral exam, but not the written exam, may be scheduled to complete their oral test in the morning, while others are completing the written portion.
On Wednesday during the conference week, the exams begin in the morning with the laboratory exam and the field exam. Four (4) hours are given to complete the laboratory exam. Once completing the laboratory exam candidates proceed directly to the apiary location to be scheduled a time for taking the field exam. Candidates returning to retake the field exam, but not the laboratory exam, may be scheduled to complete their filed test in the morning, while others are completing the written portion.
Graded exam results will be available to candidates on Friday around noon. Certificates will be awarded to new Master Beekeepers during the Friday evening banquet.
Candidates will be informed ahead of time in the exam schedule must be adjusted to fit the facility available.
Tuesday and Wednesday are best allocated for exams all day. Depending on specific times assigned for the oral and field exams, a candidate may have some hours to fit in a talk or workshop. Allocate your time carefully so as to be prompt arriving at exams.
A meeting will be held beforehand where candidates will meet the exam leaders, receive a briefing on the exam process, and ask last-minute questions and get answers. The meeting beforehand also allows some time to meet other EAS Master Beekeepers and candidates.
Questions about individual exams should be directed to individual exam leaders or to the chair of the Master Beekeeper exam committee at mbcertification@easternapiculture.org
There is an extensive list of reference materials on the EAS website: https://easternapiculture.org/programs/master-beekeepers/master-beekeepers-certification-program/master-beekeeping-resources/. We recommend you start with these materials to prepare for the exam.
Copies of previous year’s written and oral exams are available here: https://easternapiculture.org/programs/master-beekeepers/master-beekeepers-certification-program/mb-practice-written-and-oral-exams/.
There are guides on how to prepare for all four of the examinations, including sample questions from the oral exam and tips on prepping for the field exam: https://easternapiculture.org/programs/master-beekeepers/master-beekeepers-certification-program/master-beekeepers-exam-prep/.
No. The EAS does not provide any audio-visual or computer equipment for the oral exam. Appropriate visual aids, posters, slideshows, handouts and other props are allowed, but not required. It will be the responsibility of individual candidates to provide any such materials, and no technical assistance can or will be provided by the exam panel.
Yes, you are required to register for a minimum of three days (Monday-Wednesday) of the conference in order to attend and participate in the exams. We certainly encourage everyone to take advantage of every learning opportunity they are able.
Candidates will have five (5) consecutive years to pass all exams, beginning with the year of the first attempt. If not completed during this time period, candidates must re-apply and begin the entire examination process from the beginning.
If that’s your preference, then the EAS program is probably not for you. The EAS certification program is one of the oldest and most highly respected in the world. There are no structured training classes on which candidates will be tested. Our certification program attracts those who are motivated to educate themselves. Whether they do so by independent study or by formal classwork at universities or elsewhere is up to them. Our goal is to assess if their level of knowledge and experience meets our high standards.