Master Melittologist Apprentice Program

$325; subsidies available for students with financial need and underrepresented groups.

Please note that student manuals, supply kits, and certificates can only be mailed to addresses within the United States and Canada.

Students are asked to purchase “The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation” by Bryan Danforth et. al. 2017, and “The Bees in Your Backyard” by Joseph Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril 2015. An optional but recommended text is “Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide” by Paul Williams et al 2014.

• Complete six self-paced online training modules
• Attend a minimum of one field training event covering native bee survey techniques, record keeping, and specimen curation led by certified Master Melittologist instructors, or virtual equivalent
• Attend a minimum of one microscope training day, or virtual equivalent
• Attend a minimum of one collection day group outing - accommodations available upon request
• Earn 20 public service points

• 18 years or older
• Access to a computer and reliable internet connection
• Killing bees is an unfortunate aspect of the work that we do. Bees must be collected in this manner for educational purposes and to gather scientific information. If you wish to earn your certification, there are mandatory assignments demonstrating your ability to collect, prepare, and document a bee record. We welcome you to the program if you would like to take the course without collecting specimens.
• Ability to travel up to 150 miles one way for the field training course. Students are responsible for transporting themselves to all training events.
• Please note that student manuals, supply kits, and certificates can only be mailed to addresses within the United States and Canada.

Our program is now open enrollment, which means that you may register and begin at any point in the year.

2024 Microscope Trainings
Generally September through December each year, both at the OSU campus in Corvallis and in other areas and states/provinces around the region.

2024 Field Trainings
Generally March through September each year at many locations around the region

Collection Events
These are determined by individual students and members and will be added to the Calendar as they are submitted

There are considerations for participating in the program if you live outside Oregon.

1. Specimens collected through the Apprentice level can be submitted to the Atlases in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho or British Columbia. You can contact those regional coordinators for information about the submission process. If you live outside those locations, not to worry. While your bees may not presently go towards an Atlas, the training gives you the tools needed to create a private native bee collection along with an accompanying specimen database. Properly prepared bees that are databased can readily be integrated into a natural history museum for long-term preservation. Consequently, museums in many states and provinces will welcome your collection and it may serve as the basis for the creation of an Atlas in the future.

2. ONLINE MENTOR SESSIONS (SUBSTITUTION FOR IN-PERSON TRAINING): We strongly encourage you to take in-person field and microscope trainings (there really is no substitute for working through practical tasks of melittology with a trained instructor!). For individuals unable to attend in-person events, virtual sessions will be offered providing students with alternative instruction. Led by staff members, these events will rely on laboratory and field event checklists to ensure all students minimally review key foundational skills. The Calendar of Events in Canvas will indicate available dates and times.

Please note that student manuals, supply kits, and certificates can only be mailed to addresses within the United States and Canada.

Contact us if you have additional questions.

Once you are certified, your “active” status in 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. We collect fees in March of each year to correspond with our annual conference. 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.

The Bee Steward Program might be a better fit for you!

This program is designed for those interested in the Master Melittologist Program who aren’t willing or able to kill bees for collection and curation, or who aren't yet ready to begin surveying for bees. If your interest in wild bee surveying is piqued after completing the Bee Steward course, you are eligible to enter the Master Melittologist Apprentice Program for a reduced fee ($200).