South Carolina Beekeepers Association

Educating Beekeepers

About Us

South Carolina Certification Program

 

 

The SC Certification program will follow the NC certification program model.  There will be 4 levels (Certified, Journeyman, Master, and Master Craftsman) , with written and practical tests at each level.  Certified level provides a consistent beginning beekeeping course/experience for the entire state.

 

 The SC program will be administered by members of the SC State Beekeepers Association and self sustaining.  A SC Association board member will be assigned to oversee the program’s administration, implementation, and daily activities in concert with the Clemson State Apiculturist. 

 

The Clemson State Apiculturist will be responsible for defining the technical content  for all 4 levels with input from the state and local associations. 

 

We charge :

 

                $5 for first level

                $10 for second

                $15 for third

                $15 for the fourth

 

This is a very modest amount.   The beekeeper can take the tests twice for this charge. 

 

All money is  forwarded to the State Beekeepers Association with a specific account set up for these fees.

 

Printing, Certificates, patches and travel costs will be reimbursed from this fund.   

 

 

 Implementation for South Carolina

 

1. At state meetings - administered by Clemson / Agricultural Extension Agents / Senior experienced beekeepers

                - written testing for all levels

                                - "top" certification levels taught by Clemson only (Master & Master Craftsman)

                - practical / hands on testing

                                -  "top" certification levels taught by Clemson only (Master & Master Craftsman)

 

2. Bee associations (Certified & Journeyman)

                      Practical tests will be administered by Senior experienced beekeepers.

· All Certified practical tests will be done at the local association level.   The participant must bring their own veil, smoker, smoker fuel, and  hive tool to complete the test. 

 

3. To teach, the instructor must be one level higher than the level he is teaching.  For instance, to teach the Certified Level, the instructor must be a Journeyman Level beekeeper; to teach the Journeyman Level class, the instructor must be a Master Level beekeeper.

 

4. A person must complete the prior level (e.g. certified), before advancing to the next level (e.g. Journeyman).   Applications of people holding Other Master Beekeeper Program Certifications  are required to take all the test for the previous levels + all the public service requirement + years of experience.  One BIG thing that sets the SC program apart from other programs are the public service credits.  These are important to rounding out a person to deal with the many things that being a beekeeper entails.