The Brain Bee Competition involves three levels: The Local Chapter, Regional and World Levels. Any student who is 13 to 19 years of age is eligible. (Note: Certain Regions, such as the Australian Region, may have additional levels depending on their circumstances.)

The Local Chapter Competitions are conducted by each of the 160 Brain Bee Chapters, and are the first qualifying round. They are held annually at any time, but most often occur in January or February. The Local Chapter Brain Bee Competitions are sponsored by organizations like colleges, museums, neuroscience associations, pharmaceutical companies and others. The winner from each Local Chapter Brain Bee will be invited to his or her Regional Brain Bee later that year.

The Regional Competitions are the second qualifying round. The winner of each Region's Bee is invited to the International Brain Bee World Championship.

The International World Championship is the highest level in the IBB Competition. Participation in the World Championship is reserved only for Regional Brain Bee Champions (or their runner-up if the Champion cannot make it), and is therefore a very distinguished event. Young men and women from all over the world compete to determine who has the "best brain" on such topics as intelligence, memory, emotions, stress, aging, sleep, neurological and psychological diseases and brain research. In order to be eligible to participate in the International World Championship, competitors must win in their respective Local Chapter and Regional Bees. The International World Championships are held in a different city every year. Past venues and the hosting organizations are as follows: