The accelerated aging test was studied as a vigor test for bean seeds. Five beans cultivars (Goiano Precoce, Rosinha Precoce, Bico de Ouro, Carioca e Rico 23) were selected for this study. They were stored under two different environmental conditions: room without any control for temperature and moisture, and controlled conditions of temperature (23°C) and moisture (35% R.H.). Three aging periods of 72, 96 and 120 hours under 42°C and 100% of relative humidity conditions in accelerated aging chamber were evaluated. Along with laboratory tests, a field emergence experiment was conducted during two crop seasons. The accelerated aging test showed to be efficient for evaluating vigor levels of bean lots and its variations throughout the storage period. An aging period of 72 hours was required to rank vigor levels of seed lots stored under non controlled conditions; therefore a 96 hours period was necessary for seed lots stored under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture.