Requirements
Each type of exam has its own requirements. Please review the requirements for the type of exam you wish to take. If you do not meet the requirements for an exam, you either will not be seated, your exam will not be graded, or your score will not be recorded, depending on when the error is detected. In all cases, your exam fee will not be refunded.
Registering
Examinees register with a site exam administrator, not with the BJCP. So the first step is to find a suitable exam location by checking the BJCP Exam Calendar. Next, contact the Exam Administrator for that location. Exam seats are limited and some exams may be over-subscribed. If a seat is not available, you may be placed on a waiting list. Walk-ins are rarely accepted.
Do not register for more than one tasting exam. We have a policy that prohibits an examinee from taking another exam of the same type while prior results are pending.
Exam administrators frequently conduct exam preparation sessions for a number of weeks prior to the exam, so early registration can be a big advantage. Note that exam administrators cannot require you take their training class in order to secure a seat for the exam.
Preparing
Refer to the BJCP Study Guides for each examination for more detailed information on the format, questions, and subject matter.
Some exams require payment in advance. Check with the exam administrator for specifics.
Examinees with physical disabilities or limitations should contact an Exam Director prior to registering for an exam to see if their limitations can be reasonably accommodated. Disabilities that prevent a potential examinee from performing the core duties of a judge (i.e., assessing the sensory aspects of a beer, mead, or cider and conveying the information in a limited amount of time using handwriting on a BJCP scoresheet) are unlikely to be accommodated.
Taking the Exam
With the exception of the online qualifying exams, the examinations are closed book. BJCP Style Guidelines cannot be used during tasting and written examinations.
For written proficiency exams, most essay questions can be answered in about 1.5 to 2 pages. Partial credit is given for incomplete answers, so do not to skip any questions.
For judging (tasting) exams, the exam beers, meads, and ciders are to be evaluated as if they were entered in an AHA/BJCP sanctioned competition.
Good time management is needed to complete the exam in the time allotted.
Protesting a Result
If you feel your exam was not graded accurately, you may file a protest and request that your exam be regraded. Note however, that there is a fee involved and that your score may decrease.
Questions
If you have any questions about this process, or if you feel that exam administrators are not following BJCP policies, please contact the Exam Directors.