SBA Microscopy Exam Oct 2026

SBA Microscopy Examination

This will be held in Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn EH52 5LH on Saturday 3rd October 2026 from 10am to 1pm but please arrive before 9.50am to set up your equipment.

This examination lasts 3 hours and the candidate will need to provide suitable microscopes and equipment necessary to complete the examination. As of 2026, the Microscopy Certificate is required to enter the Scottish Apiarian Examination.  

The candidate’s knowledge and skill will be put to the test through a series of practical tasks along with an oral examination.  

Please study the Microscopy Syllabus (Issue Dec 2025), via the link below

https://scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SCOTTISH-MICROSCOPYSyllabus-CERTIFICATE-2025.pdf

Applicants must be members of the SBA and have passed their Basic Beekeeping (BB) or Junior Beekeeper (JB) exam. It is also advisable that you should have attended an SBA 2-day microscopy workshop. Please can those who attended the Microscopy two-day Workshop in 2025 or earlier try for the exam. The exam fee is £75.

The exam will be administered by Dr Mark Barnett (Roslin Institute) mwbarnett@me.com

Please apply by 12th September 2026 either online 

OR

By post, on an Exam Application form – Link on SBA website, Exams - enclosing a cheque for £75 made out to the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association and send this to Mark Barnett, 8 Greenknowe Farm Cottages, Gordon, TD3 6LA.

You’ll need your SBA membership number and your BB or JB certificate number.

Applicants will receive an email acknowledgement by the 19th of September, if you have not heard by this date please contact Mark to ensure you are registered for the exam.