• Completion of the Apprentice level of the Master Melittologist program.
• Two years of submitting genus-level identification of bees at the Apprentice level (or equivalent experience).
• Completion of at least one year of the 5-day taxonomy course, Bee School, is strongly encouraged.

• $300 fee for enrollment in the Journey program.
• Subsidies are available for people with financial need - please write a short paragraph explaining need, and cases will be individually reviewed
• After certification: as with Apprentice level, a $30 yearly participation fee to keep your Master Melittologist membership current.

Fee Includes:

• A study guide and three mentor study sessions per year to discuss “The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation” (required text).
• A lab test in Corvallis to test your knowledge of the genus-level keys.
• A Journey-level specific badge and certificate awarded after certification.
• Certified students will have opportunities to take on para-taxonomic roles in various affiliated Atlases.

• Pass in-person identification test. Pass an in-person taxonomy test where you need to identify and correctly spell the name of 90% of the bees. You will have 2 hours to identify 30 specimens from Oregon to the level of species (10 bumble bees) or genus (20 other bees). The test is open book (i.e., you can use any print or digital resources you need) and administered in Corvallis by appointment. The test can be taken repeatedly, but only once in a 6-month period.
• Pass an online test. Pass an online, multiple-choice test based on “The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation” with a grade of 80%. The test can be taken at the student’s own pace and is open book. Student’s will need to attend at least two online study sessions with an instructor to discuss the book.
• Service points. Students will be required to earn 40 service points, with at least 10 points in the category ‘Participation in Laboratory Work’ and 10 points in ‘Education/Service to Atlas Participants’. To learn about ideas of how to earn these service points and our point system, visit the Service Point document in Canvas.

• 18 years or older
• Access to a computer and reliable internet connection
• Killing bees is an unfortunate aspect of the work that we do. All Master Melittologist participants will be required to kill specimens for collection and curation. Bees must be collected in this manner for educational purposes and to gather scientific information.

This course is self-paced. Students are encouraged to complete the requirements within two year, but extensions can be granted upon request.

Once you are certified, your “active” status with the Master Melittologist Program is maintained by submitting a $30 annual participation fee.

This fee helps offset recurring website maintenance costs, covers supplies including labels, instructor stipends, and advanced course offerings. Fees will be due beginning March 1^st of each year. We will also require you to complete a new volunteer service form annually. If either of these are not completed, your status will not be considered active.

Interested in joining the Journey level?

Click here to register

If you have not been affiliated with the Master Melittologist Program but are interested in the Journey program, please email [email protected] for more info.