Beekeeping Courses and Exams

Training Beekeepers for the future

Ormskirk Beekeepers provides a range of training courses tailored to suit every level of beekeeping experience.  These courses and training sessions range from introductory courses for people interested in beekeeping right through to advanced beekeeping courses for the more experienced of our members. Bees are living creatures and it is the responsibility of beekeepers to manage their colonies in a safe and healthy environment, and above all to be able to enjoy their beekeeping.  These training courses enable everyone to get the maximum from their beekeeping and rise to whatever level they choose. By and large the courses offered by the branch follow the BBKA programme of Course in the Case (competency model) and formal examinations, which cover 7 Modules (see below).

If you are interested , why not have a look at the BBKA website and familiarise yourself with the relevant syllabus.

General Husbandry initiative:  The course tutors and dates will be communicated when known. In addition, the BBKA magazine will advertise courses as details are confirmed.

Advanced Husbandry initiative :  If you are interested in taking the preparatory advanced husbandry course please contact the BBKA office direct.

Distance learning:  The BBKA run a number of correspondence courses for those unable to attend evening courses. Details can be found on the BBKA web site: www.bbka.org.uk/correspondence-courses, 

Beekeeping clubs :  We are endeavouring to coordinate courses in the Lancashire area, but for those members who are situated close to other regional areas please reference other club web sites. A link can be found on the BBKA web site: www.bbka.org.uk/find-beekeeping-near-you

Healthy Bees, Happy Beekeepers 2026

Brief on the changes and opportunities for 2026, an emphasis on Bee Diseases hopefully leading to ‘Healthy Bees and Happy Beekeepers’

Ormskirk BBKA has a long tradition of beekeeping education and this is something the Team at Ormskirk is keen to develop even further in the future. The Team at Ormskirk and in cooperation with Lancashire County is offering assistance to members and new comers in the following coursework, other Modules and Assessment are available from BBKA. Please go to the following site to get an overall picture of the BBKA Exam Framework.

https://www.bbka.org.uk/pages/site/beekeepers/category/examinations?srsltid=AfmBOoqyJqfi7P9N7cIUL5lXQtr_ipLSSQcD0IG-5lqILfco2kkd8XUm

BBKA also provides Correspondence courses, details on BBKA Website.

1. Pest & Diseases Module & Assessments and M8:Honeybee Management

For the year 2026, the BBKA has made some concessions on a trial basis for 2026 in the fee structure of the following:

Module 3 – Honey Bee Diseases, Pests and Poisoning - Registration fee 2025 £45, concession fee for 2026 £10.

Honey Bee Health Practical Assessment: Registration Fee 2025 £45, concession fee for 2026 £25.

If you are a relatively newcomer to beekeeping or have kept bees for many years and have always pondered at some point in time taking a Module/Practical Assessment, this year is a great opportunity to have the above qualification/practical assessment under your belt. Knowledge of the diseases and pests is an excellent way to improve your beekeeping skills.

Ormskirk & Croston Branch in conjunction with Lancashire County are offering, free of charge, an additional coordinated programme for you to avail this opportunity. You have two opportunities to master the module M3/M8; either at March 2026 or November 2026 exam cohort and Honey Bee Health Assessment during Summer of 2026.

Please note you do not have to take the Exam/Assessment to attend the following courses. The lead tutors are happy to see members joining in to gain the beekeeping knowledge and have made it free of cost to joining members.

A. Module 3 – Honey Bee Diseases, Pest & Poisoning.

For the March 2026 exam cohort, supplemental preparations and guidelines to take the Module 3 with exam preparations guidelines etc. on weekly Zoom sessions with Diane Drinkwater starting Jan 2026 for a 10 weeks session program. Please contact her at di@mogga.com for further details to enrol in the M3 Zoom sessions.
Cost: BBKA Registration for M3 Module for 2026: £10
Additional support in preparation is provided free of cost to members by the tutor.
In addition, if you do pass the exam for M3 the branch will refund you £10 registration fee
Prerequisite: Recommended to have kept bees for 1 year.
Registration Deadline for 2026: Registration starts Jan 1, 2026. 21st March 2026 Exam Date with a registration deadline date of 8th February 2026. 21st November 2026 Exam Date with a deadline closing date of 30th September 2026.
Results Announcement: March examinations results are normally available by 3rd week May.
November examinations results are normally available by 3rd week January.

B. Practical Assessment: Honey Bee Health Assessment (HBH)

A practical assessment suitable for members who wish to advance beyond their Basic Assessment, but don’t want to take written assessments. Viki Cuthbertson, L&NWBKA chair will run 4 Zoom Sessions starting Jan 2026- March 2026. In addition, 2 practical sessions will be offered at Fir Tree Farm apiary for association members in early summer. Please contact Viki Cuthbertson at v_cuthbertson@hotmail.co.uk to enrol for the sessions.
Cost: BBKA Registration for Assessment: £25
Additional support for the Assessment is provided free of cost to members by the tutor.
If you do pass the exam for Bee Health Assessment, BBKA Ormskirk will refund you £25 registration fee.
Prerequisite: Must have passed Basic Assessment. Recommendation is to have kept bees for 3 years.
Registration Deadline for 2026: Registration starts January 1st, 2026, 30th April 2026 registration deadline, formal Assessment before August 31st, 2026
Results Announcement: Results are usually announced within 6 weeks of the formal Assessment.

C. Module 8 - Honeybee Management, Health & History

For the March 2026 Exam cohort, this is the last of the series of the Modules, supplemental preparations and guidelines to take the Module 8 with exam preparations guidelines etc. on weekly Zoom sessions with Viki Cuthbertson starting January 2026 for a 10 weeks session program. Please contact Viki Cuthbertson at v_cuthbertson@hotmail.co.uk to enrol for the Zoom sessions.
Cost: BBKA Registration fee for M8 Module for 2026: £50
Additional support in preparation is provided free of cost to members by the tutor.
In addition, if you do pass the exam for M8 the branch will refund you £50 registration fee
Prerequisite: You must have passed M1, M2, M3, M5, M6, and M7 before you can register for M8 Module.
Registration Deadline for 2026: Registration starts January 1st, 2026, 21st March 2026 Exam Date with a registration deadline date of 8th February 2026. 21st November 2026 Exam Date with a closing registration date of 30th September 2026.
Results Announcement: March examinations results are normally available by 3rd week May. November examinations results are normally available by 3rd week January.

2. ‘Improving my beekeeping’

Following the success of the initial course last year, Martin Smith will be running his ‘Improving my beekeeping’ course again this year. This consists of 8-10 weekly sessions on Zoom, followed by a practical session at his apiary later in the season, focusses on improving your practical beekeeping sessions. Whist some of the material is useful for the formal modules and assessments, this course does not, in itself, lead to an assessment, but rather to improve your beekeeping confidence and skills.
Prerequisite: Passed the basic assessment, or have kept bees for 3 years or more. Fee – Nil
Please contact Martin Smith at martin.smith@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk to enrol for the sessions.

3. Basic Assessment

The ‘driving test’ for beekeepers.

This entirely practical and oral assessment is for new beekeepers who obtained their bees in 2024 or 2025 and want to start their journey of improving their beekeeping skills. Over half (56%) of our members who have had bees for over two years have successfully passed this assessment and we would encourage all those who started in or attended the 2025 and in particular the 2024 course to join the course.

Please contact Martin Smith at martin.smith@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk to enrol for the sessions.

Cost: BBKA Registration for Basic Assessment for 2026: £35
Additional support in preparation is provided free of cost to members by the tutor, who this year will be Martin Smith. This consists of 4 practical sessions at the Aughton Apiary during the Spring, covering the syllabus and practical handling skills.
In addition, if you do pass the assessment the branch will refund you £35 registration fee.
Registration Deadline for 2026: Registration starts Jan 1, 2026, 30th April 2026 registration deadline, formal Assessment before August 31, 2026.
Results Announcement: Results are usually announced within 6 weeks of the formal Assessment.

4. Introduction to Beekeeping

A detailed description in provided on the O&C Branch website. Primarily intended for candidates who are just starting out with Beekeeping. Details of schedule, duration, cost etc. Further details are provided on the following website. Places are limited, first come first serve basis.
Ormskirk Beekeepers - Introduction to Beekeeping Course

Please contact Martin Smith at beginners@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk to enrol for the sessions.

Please check the main updated BBKA website for details on syllabus, past exam papers, reading list and other details. Some changes have been made on the main BBKA Website and are expected to be implemented soon.

Easiest way is to go to main BBKA Member Hub. -- Login as a member with your membership number and postcode:

Members Hub -–> Exams and Assessment
For M3 -–> Written Exam -–> M3
For HBH Assessment -–> Assessment -–> Honey Bee Health Assesment

For further details please feel to contact:
Modules: Diane Drinkwater at di@mogga.com OR Viki Cuthbertson at v_cuthbertson@hotmail.co.uk
HBH Assessments: Viki Cuthbertson at v_cuthbertson@hotmail.co.uk
Basic, Improving my Beekeeping Introduction. etc: Martin Smith at martin.smith@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk

Introduction to Beekeeping (Beginners Course) beginners@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk

General Educational Enquiries: Muhammad H Ullah,  Branch Education Secretary,  Email: muhammad.ullah@ormskirkbeekeepers.org.uk