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Apprentice Level 10-Week Course

February 23 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Course Information

Starting beekeeping can feel overwhelming. Conflicting advice, online opinions, and trial-and-error mistakes make it hard to know if you are doing things right. Our goal with the Texas Master Beekeeper: Apprentice Course is to give you clear, science-based guidance you can trust as you build your foundational beekeeping skills.

In this 10-week online course, you will work through the essential building blocks of successful beekeeping. We will cover foundational topics like honey bee biology and colony inspections to nutrition, pest and disease management, and more. Each session builds on the last, helping you move from uncertainty to confidence with a structured learning path designed specifically for Texas conditions.

This Apprentice level course provides a strong foundation for long-term success as a beekeeper, honey bee advocate, and mentor. It also prepares you to sit for the in-person Texas Master Beekeeper Program Apprentice Exam. If you plan to continue in the program, this course serves as the required starting point before advancing to the Advanced Level.

Course Objectives 

Upon completing the course, you will be able to:  

  • Know the different castes and understand the life cycle of the honey bee.
  • Understand the importance of nutrition and feeding and its effect on the honey bee colony.
  • Be aware of the various treatments for varroa mites and understand how to use them in treating for mites.
  • Understand the various methods to reduce swarming in your apiary.
  • Be aware of the various products of the hive, how the bees use them, and how you can collect and use them.
  • Be prepared to pass the in-person TMBP Apprentice Exam.

Course Modules 

  • Module 1: Understanding Honey Bees Pt. 1
  • Module 2: Understanding Honey Bees Pt. 2
  • Module 3: Getting Started Beekeeping
  • Module 4: Colony Inspections & Yearly Management
  • Module 5: Nutrition & Feeding
  • Module 6: Parasites, Pests, Pathogens, & Diseases
  • Module 7: Swarming & Bee Removal
  • Module 8: Products of the Hive
  • Module 9: History of Beekeeping
  • Module 10: Overview, Special Topics, & Preparing for the Apprentice Exam

What Participants Are Saying 

“I learned so much from this course and would recommend it to brand new beekeepers and experienced beekeepers alike. I felt prepared for my test and am a better beekeeper in the yard after completing it.” 

  • Mali Ivey, TMBP Apprentice Beekeeper

“I found the staff very supportive, welcoming, and always available to assist you. They are committed to my success as a beekeeper. Throughout the 10-week course, they did an awesome job in blending both the science and the craft of beekeeping. In short time, I felt a sense of community from the staff and the other students.” 

  • TMBP Advanced Beekeeper

“A few words from me to those just now thinking about starting beekeeping: Though the first steps of TMBP may first appear a bit overwhelming, let me express that even if you believe at this time that progressing through those various levels of the program may not be a good fit for you, signing up for the first-level apprentice coursework will give you a solid foundation of information, skill, and confidence to be a good beekeeper.” 

  • Brian Skelly, TMBP Apprentice Beekeeper

Live Virtual Session Schedule 

This course includes weekly live virtual sessions. Recordings are available for participants who cannot attend live.

  • Session Day: Mondays
  • Time: 9 a.m. – noon
  • Dates: February 16 – April 20, 2026

Additional Course Details 

  • Course Format: Weekly virtual, lecture-based sessions with opportunities for questions. Recordings are available after each session.
  • Course Length: This is a 10-week long course. Progress is saved, and recorded sessions may be viewed if you miss a live class.
  • Prerequisites: None. This course is designed for beginner and early-stage beekeepers.
  • Program Pathway: Completion of this course prepares participants for the in-person Texas Master Beekeeper Program Apprentice Exam and serves as the entry point to the Advanced Level course.

Ready to build a strong foundation in beekeeping? 

Enroll today and take your first step in the Texas Master Beekeeper Program.

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