EAS Master Beekeepers Certification Program
Oral Exam Protocol

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1. A team of three examiners will sit on a panel to question the participant.
2. The exam will consist of having the participant respond to three hypothetical situations concerning bees and beekeeping situations of types that they may be called upon to answer as an experienced beekeeper.
3. Participants will be graded independently by each of the three examiners on a 0 to 4.0 basis for three aspects of their response; 1) their response or presentation style, 2) knowledgeable response, and 3) correct interpretation of facts given on each question asked. An average score of 3.0 or better in each area is required for exam certification.

Example Questions:

1) Call from a beekeeper. I went down to my yard this fall and as soon as I entered my yard, I smelled a very strong odor. We've had a good summer with a fair amount of rain and the weather this fall has been warm and dry. At all of the hives, the bees seemed active and busy. Do I have American foul brood?

Good answers should include points of:

• You need to examine the brood area to really know but probably not.
• Odors can come from a number of sources. Some fall nectar flows can be described as having strong odors. (such as goldenrod).
• Since the bees appear to be doing well, you have no indication of disease yet.
• Signs of AFB - sunken & perforated cappings on brood, killed in capped stage, ropiness test, scale. Lab test for confirmation unless scales are seen.
• "Smelly socks" is an often used description of this odor.

2) Your neighbor lodges a complaint about your beekeeping activities with the local village board. In his written complaint the neighbor states, "Honeybees are hanging around my porch, they're a nuisance. They're building nests in my garage and I can't go out there anymore!" How should a Master Beekeeper handle this situation?

A proper response should include concerns for public relations.