Annual Beginning Beekeeping Course Information
Registration for the DCBA 2027 Beginning Beekeeping Course will open for DCBA members on November 28, 2027. Remaining seats will be open to the public on December 12. Registration will close on January 2, 2027.
Sessions will be offered October 20, 22 and 24 2026
The purpose of the DC Beekeepers Alliance Beginning Beekeeping Course is to provide resources, knowledge, and a network needed to begin to keep bees successfully and responsibly in the District of Columbia.
To receive notifications, please join our club or participate in our Facebook or Google groups. Members get priority access to all offerings.
Free Required Prerequisite Session via Zoom
Anyone interested in taking the 2027 Beginning Beekeeping Course must complete a free, 90-minute online class titled "Is Beekeeping Right for Me?" in order to assure that student expectations match the course and that the class is offered to committed and informed community members. This class is open to all at no charge on October 20, 22 and 24 2027 [register here]
After attending the prerequisite class, you will receive a link to register for the Beginner Beekeeping Course along with information about dates and times, cost, location, course materials, and more.
About the DCBA 2027 Beginning Beekeeping Course
This course is offered by the DC Beekeepers Alliance with participation from community members, Certified Master Beekeepers, recognized honey bee researchers, and DC government colleagues. Additional novice and experienced DC beekeepers attend each session as volunteers, auditors, and mentors. This course is an annual for-fee, non-credit bearing course comprised of:
· 8 required 2-hour recorded lectures (16 hours total); and
· 8 optional in person, hands-on classes (12 hours total).
This is a "flipped" course! We will post a recorded lecture each week, supported by an optional in-person, hands-on class meeting the following week. Classes are not offered via Zoom.
Those who complete all class lectures receive a Certificate of Completion, introduction to a mentor, and connections to suppliers of equipment and bees.
Schedule
The course will begin January 13, 2027 with the release of the first recorded lecture for the following week. It will be followed by the first in-person session on January 20, 2027, when students will also receive their textbooks and other course materials. The final course meeting will take place March 10, 2027.
Registered students will receive the recording link and password information each week, as well as access to online class resources.
Each in person session will take place from 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm Wednesday evenings. Though optional, we strongly encourage in person attendance.
Registration
Potential students who complete the prerequisite class will be eligible to register for the course. Course registration will open the weekend after Thanksgiving, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the DC Beekeepers Alliance receive priority access to the course: remaining seats will be offered in mid-December to those who have also completed the prerequisite but are not DCBA members.
There are more local options: to learn more, we suggest that you join our Facebook or Google Group. Both of these are private and your request to join must be approved.