A. Must be a current South Carolina Beekeeping Association Member.

B. Must have held the Journeyman Beekeeper level 2 years and should have been a practicing
beekeeper for a minimum of 4 years.

C. Must demonstrate/document 10 additional Public Service Credits beyond that required for the
Journeyman Beekeeper level (see APPENDIX B Public Service Credit Requirements).
Two items of supporting documentation are required for EACH Public Service Credit. The Public
Service Credit Documentation Form is only a supporting document and should not be
the only evidence of a completed PSC. All PSCs are to be submitted prior to testing.

D. Declare a Core Major (see APPENDIX C Major Core Credit Requirements and
demonstrate/document expertise in 3 credits within that declared major. We refer to these as “major
core credits.” All credits are to be submitted prior to testing.

It is expected that candidates both document and provide content to demonstrate a reasonable amount of effort in their Major/Minor Core Credits to the MBP Committee. Major/Minor Core Credits should reflect substantially more demonstration of the candidate’s knowledge of the material. Example: It is not enough to document that you presented a lecture, provided a service, or attended an event. Your documentation of core credits should, whenever possible, document any content provided and reflect your mastery of the content.

E. Must demonstrate/document expertise in 5 Core Credits outside your major. We refer to these
as “minor core credits.” These credits may be chosen from APPENDIX D Minor Core Credits OR from
other majors (other than the declared major) to fulfill the core credits requirement. A single
submission may only be counted ONCE and may not receive dual credit within multiple areas (PSC,
Major/Minor Core credits, or credits earned on the Journeyman Level). All credits are to be submitted
prior to testing.

F. Must score 80% or higher on a written examination (see APPENDIX F Examinations and Fees)
administered by the MBP Committee which will include a lab portion. The written examination may
include but is not limited to material covered on previous levels, material listed in the Master Study
Guide (located in the SCBA Member Resources), presentations from previous levels and/or advanced
lecture series, plus books/other literature on the Beekeeper Reading List (see APPENDIX A Suggested
BEEKEEPING READING LIST).

G. Must pass a Practical Field Hive Assessment conducted by two Master Beekeepers or Apiculture
Experts approved by the SCBA MBP Committee scoring an 80% or higher by both examiners. Hive
assessment exams will only be conducted at SCBA Summer Conferences. The candidate is required to
give written notice to the SCBA MBP Director of his/her desire to test no later than June 1st in order to
insure the availability of an expert review board. The MBP Committee will provide an outline of the
field hive assessment testing to the candidate in advance.

H. Must pass an oral examination conducted by three Master level or beekeeping academics
approved by the SCBA MBP Committee scoring an 80% or higher by two of the three examiners. Oral
exams will only be conducted at SCBA Summer Conferences. The candidate is required to give written
notice to the SCBA MBP Director of his/her desire to test no later than June 1st in order to insure the
availability of an expert review board. The MBP Committee will provide an outline of the oral testing to
the candidate in advance. The candidate must answer oral questions to test his/her ability to present
on one question provided by the Master Beekeeper Committee in advance of the testing, one question
based on the candidate’s Major, and two impromptu questions on general honey bee and/or
beekeeping knowledge at the Master Beekeeper level. Early written notice of a candidate’s desire to
test is encouraged and of benefit to the candidate as it provides the candidate opportunity to
adequately prepare.

Prior to written and oral testing:
Candidates are strongly encouraged to send digital copies of Public Service Credit Forms and Major/Minor Core Credit Forms to the Master Beekeeping Program Director prior to application for written, oral, and field testing. The MBP Director will share the candidate’s submission with the MBP Committee and after review, the candidate will receive feedback. Completed hardcopy portfolios including supporting documentation for ALL credits earned should be brought to the testing site at the time of testing for submission and final review by the MBP committee. Failure to submit a completed portfolio prior to testing may result in the postponement of testing..

I. Successful completion of any testing component (written, practical, oral) of the requirements
does not have to be repeated if the candidate finishes all components within five years from the
declaration of his or her intent to progress to Master level. Any Core Credits and Public Service Credits
earned will remain valid pending review by the MBP Committee.