The following is a listing of general objectives to serve as a study guide for the Apprentice level examination in the Alabama Master Beekeeper Program.  It is not to be considered an exclusive list of topics that may appear on the examination. 

Alabama Law

Upon completion of the Apprentice Level, candidates should be able to discuss Alabama laws governing beekeeping and the agencies that are responsible for registration and enforcement of those laws.  The candidate should also be able to discuss all Alabama laws concerning the processing, sale and labeling of honey or other products of the hive.

Hive Components

Upon completion of the Apprentice Level, candidates should be able to name the components of a honey bee hive and explain the location and function of each component within the hive using proper nomenclature.  (For purposes of examination, all product names and nomenclature contained in the most recent version of the Mann Lake supply catalog will be acceptable responses.)    

Products of the Hive

Upon completion of the Apprentice Level, candidates should be able to name all common products of the hive, generally describe each product, how the bees make it and how it is rendered.

Honey Bee Anatomy

Upon completion of the Apprentice level, candidates should be able to identify the basic external parts of a honey bee and discuss the function of each. 

The Colony and the Hive

Upon completion of the Apprentice level, candidates should be able to:

• Discuss the life cycle of honey bees from egg to adult bee.
• Discuss common honey bee behavior and how those behaviors may differ among gender, caste and stage of life.
• Describe the characteristics of a common bee hive, including typical locations of brood, cluster, nectar, pollen, etc.
• Discuss swarming and its purpose.  Also, discuss conditions that encourage swarming and manipulations that may mitigate swarming.
• Discuss the basic roles that different pheromones play within a colony.
• Name all products produced by honey bees and how they are produced (honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly, etc.)

The Queen

Upon completion of the Apprentice level, candidates should be able to:

• Discuss the development and life cycle of the queen.
• Discuss when and why a colony may need to replace a queen.
• Discuss the queen’s role in swarming.
• Recognize queenless colonies.
• Discuss optimal and non-optimal conditions for production of queens.

Practical Examination

Upon completion of the Apprentice level, candidates should be able to:

• Identify common beehive equipment using proper nomenclature.
• Describe the role of hive components in a basic Langstroth hive.
• Identify castes of bees in an active hive.
• Identify visible pests in an active hive.
• Identify honey, pollen and brood in an active hive.
• Assess the general health and status of an active hive.
• Light and maintain a lit smoker.