Do I Need to Register My Hives?
Similar to many rules and regulations regarding keeping and maintaining beehives, the requirement of registering beehives varies by state. Some states like Florida require beekeepers to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), while other states like Colorado don’t require registration. Keep in mind that even if a state government doesn’t require registration, certain municipalities or counties might. Registration may be needed for each apiary owned by the beekeeper or it may cover all their bee yards, and fees may vary per apiary or per hive.
Registering beehives strives to ensure the health of local honey bee populations by tracking and mitigating the introduction of diseases (including and especially American Foulbrood), parasites, and unwanted honey bee species.
State Apiary Inspection
Typically, before registration, an apiary inspector inspects the hives to make sure that they’re free from any diseases and pests. The resources of the state apiary inspection department varies by state.
For example, Florida has 14 apiary inspectors, which is the largest state apiary inspection program in the country, where other states may have only one to two inspectors. The range of services also are not consistent across state programs, and often, inspectors have other responsibilities in addition to inspecting apiaries.
Registration Process
Once inspection is successfully completed, beekeepers submit an online or mail application for registration that is processed. There can be a fee that varies based on the number of hives registered—however, some states offer free registrations and inspections. In Florida, the cost for one to five colonies is $10 and 6-40 colonies is $20, but in states such as Tennessee and West Virginia, there are no fees. If the registration is approved, beekeepers receive certificates of registration.
Registration is usually renewed annually on or before the anniversary date of the certification, but some states require registration every few years.
Benefits of Registration
Although not all states need registration, there are several benefits. Once your beehives are registered, the state will continue to send notifications and information regarding events that could impact your beekeeping, such as disease outbreaks, pesticide and herbicide applications, free inspections, and in some instances, compensation.
Because the health of honey bee colonies are jeopardized by climate change and disease, registering your hives is just one small step to promote a healthy community.
50-State Guide to Registering Hives
Alabama
Alabama registration requires an online application between August 1 and July 1 and an application fee according to how many hives you’re registering, starting at $4. Renewals start on August 1 of each year.
Alaska
Alaska registration requires an online or mailed hive application.
Arizona
Beekeeping was deregulated in Arizona in 1994, so cities and municipalities dictate beekeeping regulations. Each city has different rules around if you can keep bees and how.
Arkansas
Arkansas requires beekeepers to register their apiaries within 10 days of ownership or 20 days before setting up a new site. Registration is free, and the application can be sent online or by mail.
California
California requires beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application is free, but country fees may apply.
Colorado
Colorado doesn’t require state registration of beehives, but certain municipalities do.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires beekeepers to apply for registration online before or on October 1. The registration application is free.
Delaware
All beekeepers in Delaware must register their hives (and renew) with the state on or before January 30 or within 10 days of acquiring bees. Registration can be submitted online or by mail.
Florida
Florida requires all beekeepers to register their hives and undergo an apiary inspection by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The registration application can be submitted online or by mail, and the fee starts at $10 for one to five hives.
Georgia
Georgia requires that all beekeepers selling bees need to be licensed, but other beekeepers including hobbyists, pollinators, and honey producers do not need to be licensed or inspected.
Hawaii
Hawaii encourages but doesn’t require registration of beehives.
Idaho
Idaho requires all beekeepers to apply for registration, except for hobbyist beekeepers. The initial fee is $10 and $0.10 for every additional colony over 50 colonies. The registration application must be submitted on or before July 1.
Illinois
Illinois requires beekeepers to register their colonies by mail. The registration application and inspection are free.
Indiana
Registration can be submitted by mail.
Iowa
Iowa requires beekeepers to register their hives and renew them after December 31.
Kansas
Kansas does not require beekeepers to apply for state registration, but certain cities such as Kansas City may. Cities including Wichita do not require registration.
Kentucky
Here is more information on registering your hives in Kentucky.
Louisiana
Louisiana requires registration of hives on or before October 1. The registration fee is free for one to ten hives for residents,and the registration application is submitted by mail.
Maine
Maine requires registration of all hives. Registration fee begins at $10 for one to ten hives, and the registration application is submitted by mail.
Maryland
Maryland requires all beekeepers to register their hives within 30 days of obtaining colonies. Registration is free and can be submitted online or by mail.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not require beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application is free and can be submitted online.
Michigan
Michigan does not require beekeepers to register their hives. Beekeepers can register for Bee Check, a voluntary program that sends alerts about pesticide applications.
Minnesota
Minnesota requires beekeepers to register their hives.
Mississippi
Mississippi does not require beekeepers to register their hives.
Missouri
Missouri does not require beekeepers to register their hives.
Montana
Montana requires beekeepers to register their hives. The one-time application fee is $10, and site registration fee varies by whether you are a hobbyist, landowner, or commercial beekeeper. The registration application can be submitted by mail.
Nebraska
Nebraska has an Apiarist available to inspect hives.
Nevada
Nevada requires all beekeepers to register their hives every January. Registration fee starts at $10 if you have 10 or more hives, and the registration application can be sent by mail.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire encourages but does not require beekeepers to apply for registration. The registration application is submitted by mail.
New Jersey
New Jersey requires all beekeepers with bees that overwinter must register their hives. The registration application can be submitted online.
New Mexico
New Mexico requires that all commercial apiaries, “any location or single bee yard North of I-40 where 15 or more colonies are located or South of I-40 where 25 or more colonies are located,” must be registered. Registration fee is $3 per apiary per year.
New York
New York requires all beekeepers to register their hives
North Carolina
North Carolina registration is required for all beekeepers. The application can be submitted by mail, and it requires a $10 registration fee.
North Dakota
North Dakota requires all beekeepers to apply for a beekeeper’s license and apiary registration. The forms can be submitted online by email, fax, or mail.
Ohio
Ohio requires all beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application is to be submitted by June 1, and the fee is $5 per apiary.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires beekeepers to register their hives. Registration fee is $10.
Oregon
Oregon requires beekeepers with five or more hives to register with the state. The registration application fee is $10, with an additional $0.50 per hive.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires all beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application can be submitted online or by mail, and it requires a $10 registration fee. The registration covers all apiaries and hives owned by the beekeeper.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires all beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application can be submitted by mail.
South Carolina
South Carolina does not require beekeepers to register their hives, but the state encourages voluntary registry for pesticide warnings.
South Dakota
South Dakota requires all beekeepers to register their hives. Registration must be submitted by February 1, and the registration fee is $11 per apiary, with an additional $1 per hive.
Tennessee
Tennessee requires all beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application is free and can be submitted by mail or online.
Texas
Texas does not require you to register your beehives, but if you engage in commercial activity there are other permits that you will need to get.
Utah
Utah requires all beekeepers to register their hives. Registration can be submitted online, and the registration application fee starts at $10 for one to 20 hives.
Vermont
Vermont requires all beekeepers to register their hives. Registration starts on July 1, and the renewal period is from June 1 to June 30. The registration fee is $10, and the registration application can be submitted by mail.
Virginia
Virginia does not require registration of apiaries but does require a clean bill of health through an inspection of bees for sale.
Washington
Washington requires all beekeepers to register their hives by April 1 each year. The registration application can be submitted by mail, and the registration fee starts at $5 for one to five hives.
West Virginia
West Virginia requires all beekeepers to register their hives. The registration application is free.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers free apiary inspections from May through October. Their other beekeeping regulations do not include registration for hives.
Wyoming
Wyoming requires all beekeepers to register their hives. Hobbyist beekeepers, beekeepers with five or less hives, do not need to pay a fee. The registration application can be submitted by mail, and registration must be renewed by March 31.