Benefits of taking the Basic:

  • The Basic’ is a recognised BBKA qualification, which leads to a ‘Proficiency in Apiculture certificate’ & a cloth badge to wear on your bee suit
  • Taking the Basic is a way of validating your abilities to manage a colony of bees and is also useful if you want to prove this to others, as well being a source of personal satisfaction
  • Many Local Authorities & some landowners will ask to see your qualifications / training records, if you ever wish to keep bees on one of their allotments or land
  • It is the entry part of the wider BBKA Education program, if you’d like to educate yourself further and improve your beekeeping skills e.g. go on to study for Module exams and husbandry assessments
  • Taking  the Basic gives candidates the opportunity to have an hour of coaching time at the assessment, with a fully qualified, experienced beekeeper who holds the General Husbandry or Master Beekeeper certificate. A good opportunity to pick up additional tips and knowledge!
  • Finally, passing the Basic confirms not only to you, but most important to your bees who are in your care, that you are a competent beekeeper

Syllabus

There is a syllabus for the BBKA Basic assessment & whilst at first glance it may seem comprehensive, it really lists all the things a beekeeper will or should know with 1 or more years experience.  See useful documents below, to download the syllabus

Study notes

A fantastic set of Study notes, courtesy of  Mid Bucks beekeeping association, who have made these available to our Members.
A Good BBKA article by Ivor Davis, about taking the Basic assessment. Ivor is a Master beekeeper & ex President of BBKA, one of the few beekeepers who hold a National Diploma in Beekeeping.
Other BBKA recommended reading which supports the Basic, you don’t need to read them all, one of the Guides below and the diseases leaflets will help you prepare

All Ministry disease leaflets 

www.nationalbeeunit.com

Beekeeping Study Notes for the BBKA Examinations in 6 volumes

J.D. & B.D. Yates

BBNO

Guide to Bees and Honey (5th. edition) (2010)

Ted Hooper

NBB

Haynes Bee Manual (2011)

A & C Waring

Haynes

Practical Beekeeping (1997)

Clive de Bruyn

Crowood Press

The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping

I Davis/R Cullum- Kenyon

Bloomsbury