Best Beekeeping Courses and Books for Beginners: Free, Paid, and What to Try First
Disclosure: First Hive Gear may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This includes links to the Beekeeping Made Simple course. We list free options alongside paid ones.
The cheapest piece of beekeeping gear is knowledge, and the best time to buy it is before the bees arrive. NC State Extension says that before you buy a hive, “it’s critical that you first understand what you’ll be getting yourself into,” and that there are many ways to learn, “ranging from self-study to formal courses.”
This guide compares the options we could verify: free university extension courses, one paid online course, and three widely sold books. We have not taken the paid course or read these books cover to cover, so we describe what each seller or institution says about itself, with prices as listed on Oct 1, 2026 (ET), and we say where we couldn’t check something.
The short answer
- Start free. Take an extension course (details below) and join a local club.
- Add one general book to keep next to the hive.
- Consider a paid video course if you want a guided path and someone to email questions.
- Ask a local mentor before you buy gear. Climate and local rules change the advice.
Why local help matters
NC State Extension recommends joining a local beekeeping club “so that you’re not learning in a vacuum.” It says clubs are a good way to find a mentor, get in-hive experience before buying your own colonies, and get early questions answered. In North Carolina, most chapters meet monthly with instructional programs, and many clubs offer new-beekeeper classes. NC State also describes winter “bee schools,” run by local beekeepers and extension agents, with single-day or multi-week formats.
Your state will have its own version. Search your state’s beekeepers association or cooperative extension office. If you want hands-on experience, NC State suggests offering to help a local beekeeper when they work their bees.
Free courses from extension programs
| Course | What it is | What we could verify |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Cooperative Extension, Beekeeping Basics | Free, self-paced, 12 modules aimed at new beekeepers’ first year | Each module ends with a quiz, and passing all of them earns a Certificate of Completion (Alabama Extension, Oct 2024 post) |
| University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UA Extension), Complete Beekeeping Short Course | Free video series on YouTube by apiculture specialist Dr. Jon Zawislak | Covers hive components, tools and protective clothing, bee biology, seasonal tasks, laws, honey production, and bee health; 17 printable handouts |
| NC State Apiculture Program, BEES | Virtual courses, each about 1–2 hours of lectures with an online quiz | Beginner and advanced levels; passing at 80% or better earns an eCertificate. We couldn’t confirm cost or access rules, so check the program page |
Free doesn’t mean you’ll agree with every recommendation. NC State warns that free online videos vary in quality and that different beekeepers manage hives differently. Compare what you hear with your local club.
Links: Alabama Beekeeping Basics · Arkansas Short Course · NC State guide
A paid option: Beekeeping Made Simple
Beekeeping Made Simple sells an online video class, Beekeeping for Beginners. Here is what its pages say:
- Content: “5 hours” of video, plus guides, checklists, quizzes, a certificate of completion, and live monthly chats. Seven chapters cover the hive, preparing for bees, basics (including buying and installing bees and inspecting), pest management, harvesting honey, advanced strategies, and overwintering. It says it covers both warm and cold climates.
- Mentorship: The page says students can email their instructor and get a response within 48 hours.
- Prices listed: $19 per month, $185 per year, or $380 for lifetime access. The page also advertises a free trial, but it states two lengths (“30 day” in one place and 14 days in the FAQ). The FAQ says that after the trial you are billed $19 per month until you cancel, so set a reminder if you try it.
- Refund: Annual and lifetime plans can be refunded within 30 days, per the page. The monthly plan isn’t covered by that wording.
- A shorter class: A separate introductory class is listed at $27 for about 2 hours. That page is labeled “Updated for 2020,” so check it’s current.
Reader discount: First Hive Gear readers can use code COREY for 20% off eligible offers. Check at checkout which plans the code applies to.
Prices and descriptions on the Beekeeping Made Simple site vary by page, and we couldn’t find independent evidence on outcomes, so the testimonials on its pages are the seller’s marketing, not our assessment. Course page — Beekeeping Made Simple
Who it may suit: a beginner who wants one structured path, video lessons, and a person to ask, and who is willing to pay for it. Who may skip it: someone happy with free extension courses and a local club.
Books
NC State Extension offers three tests for picking a book: it covers bee biology (not only “how-to”), it has enough pictures or videos to identify hive parts, and you pair it with a local club. These three are widely sold, and both Beekeeper’s Handbook and Beekeeping for Dummies are cited in Oklahoma State Extension’s reference list. Prices below are Dadant listings, Oct 1, 2026.
| Book | Listed price | What the listing says | Possible fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Beekeeper’s Handbook, 5th ed. (Sammataro & Avitabile) | $29.95 | 368-page paperback; hand-drawn step-by-step diagrams; updated varroa information; “for both beginner and veteran beekeepers” | A reference you’ll keep using |
| Beekeeping for Dummies, 5th ed. | $24.99 | Softcover, 480 pages; covers medications, nutrition, bee health, winter survival, and what to do in your first and second seasons | A first-year walk-through |
| The Backyard Beekeeper, 5th ed. | $26.99 | 256-page softcover; covers setting up colonies, locations, swarm control, top bar hives, honey harvest, and bee problems | Beginners curious about natural techniques |
Betterbee’s assembled beginner kits include a book, and its 10-frame kit page lists Beekeeping for Dummies, The Beekeeper’s Handbook (add $3), or Storey’s Guide to Keeping Bees as options. If you’re buying a kit, check the book before buying another. See best beekeeping starter kits.
Links: Beekeeper’s Handbook · Beekeeping for Dummies · The Backyard Beekeeper — more beekeeping books at Dadant
How to judge any course or book
You don’t need a perfect pick, but a few checks help:
- Does it explain “why,” not just “how”? NC State says books that only cover how-to rarely explain why a task is done, and understanding what bees naturally do helps you make sense of the work.
- Is it written for a climate like yours? Beekeeping Made Simple says its course covers warm and cold climates, and extension courses are written for their own regions. Ask a local club whether the timing matches.
- What are the billing and cancellation terms? Read them before entering a card number.
- Who answers questions? A mentor, an instructor email, or a club all count, but know which one you have.
Free vs paid at a glance
| Option | Cost listed | Format | Support | Check before you commit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extension courses | Free (Alabama, Arkansas) | Self-paced modules or videos | Varies | Climate fit; local rules |
| Beekeeping Made Simple | $19/mo, $185/yr, $380 lifetime; $27 intro class | Video, checklists, live chats | Email mentorship | Trial and billing terms |
| Books | $24.99–$29.95 | None | Edition, climate, and your hive type | |
| Local club or bee school | Varies | In person | Mentors | Meeting dates, class fees |
A simple plan before your bees arrive
- Now: Start a free course and look up your local club.
- This winter: Attend a bee school or club meeting if one is offered, and read your book.
- Before you spend on gear: Confirm what your club recommends. See beginner beekeeping equipment checklist.
- Winter: Reserve bees early. See when to order bees & gear.
- Budget: first-year budget.
Mistakes to avoid
- Learning only from videos. NC State warns quality varies.
- Buying a course and skipping local rules. Check regulations and registration where you live.
- Assuming one climate’s advice fits yours. Look for regional guidance.
- Ignoring subscription terms. Check the trial and renewal wording before you sign up.
- Treating a book as a medical or legal reference. Sting reactions need a doctor. NC State says about 1 in 200 people has a true allergic reaction to venom that needs immediate medical attention.
FAQ
Do I need a course before buying bees?
No source says it’s required, but NC State says to understand what you’re getting into first, and Betterbee says to order bees months ahead, so there’s time to learn.
Are the free courses enough?
They cover the basics. Alabama’s is aimed at first-year beekeepers and Arkansas’s covers equipment through honey production. A local mentor adds regional detail.
Which book should I buy first?
Use NC State’s three tests, read a few listing descriptions, and ask a club which book members recommend. If your kit includes a book, start there.
Sources
- NC State Extension, “How to Become a Beekeeper in North Carolina”: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-become-a-beekeeper-in-north-carolina
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Beekeeping Basics Online Course”: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/bees-pollinators/beekeeping-basics-online-course/
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UA Extension), “Complete Beekeeping Short Course”: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/beekeeping/beekeepingshortcourse.aspx
- Beekeeping Made Simple, “Beekeeping for Beginners” and introductory class pages (read Oct 1, 2026): https://www.beekeepingmadesimple.com/beekeeping-for-beginners and https://www.beekeepingmadesimple.com/intro-beekeeping-class
- Dadant book listings (read Oct 1, 2026): https://www.dadant.com/catalog/the-beekeeper-s-handbook-5th-edition, https://www.dadant.com/catalog/beekeeping-for-dummies-5th-edition, https://www.dadant.com/catalog/the-backyard-beekeeper-5th-edition
- Betterbee 10-frame beginner kit page (read Oct 1, 2026): https://www.betterbee.com/wooden-hive-kits-10-frame/bk10a-10-fr-beginners-assemb.asp
- Oklahoma State University Extension, “Beginning Honey Beekeeping Equipment and Associated Costs”: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/beginning-honey-beekeeping-equipment-and-associated-costs.html
This article is general information, not professional, medical, or legal advice.