Hive Registration – It’s the LAW

All beekeepers in Maryland MUST register their colonies with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

It is EASY and it is FREE and it HELPS stop the spread of bee diseases.
Step 1: Download the registration form by clicking the link below
Step 2: Fill out the form - it can be filled out then printed or printed and then filled out by hand
Step 3: Sign the form
Step 4: Use your phone to photograph the front and back of the registration form
Step 5: Email photos of both front and back to cybil.preston@maryland.gov

If you registered last year, you should receive a pre-printed form in the US Mail. Update, then follow steps 3, 4 & 5 above.

Application for Registration of Honey Bee Colonies - Fillable MDA-D-204 (REV 2-2022)Download REGISTRATION form

Why is Registering Important?

Top Reasons

  • You can request a free disease inspection for your apiary
  • You'll be notified about big events that could affect your apiary - i.e. pesticide spraying, disease outbreaks, etc.
  • You can choose to have your name listed as a local honey seller
  • You can choose to have your name listed as a swarm retriever (free bees!), or in-wall nest remover, or wasp nest remover
  • You'll remain a law abiding citizen

State Apiary Inspector Cybil Preston and her K9 are certified in American Foulbrood detection. At no charge to the beekeepers, they inspect hives throughout the entire state, along with just a handful of other inspectors.

Go a Step Beyond to Keep Maryland Bees Healthy

Like many government units, the Apiary Inspection team is underfunded for supplies like testing kits and even gasoline to traverse the entire state.

Supplement their budget by donating to the Apiary Fund. A reasonable donation might be $5 per colony, or $25 per yard per year. All donations directly support Apiary Inspections across Maryland. 
For your TAX purposes, MSBA's non-profit tax ID is 52-1887350

CLICK to DONATE
Apiary Inspection Funbd