Approaching the recently released CDFW Survey Considerations for California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Candidate Bumble Bee Species, can be a prickly task for consultants not familiar with invertebrate/pollinator survey methodology. We discuss our previously successful approaches to surveying for Crotch bumble bee in coastal and inland California from a consultant’s perspective, and how to approach your habitat assessments and presence/absence surveys with the greatest probability of success and agency approval. Additionally, we will highlight basic bumble bee identification and provide refence to materials to further sharpen your bumble bee and common pollinator identification skills.