The present work was carried out in order to determine suitable methods to evaluate annatto seed germination. For this purpose were used the varieties Bico de Calango, Casca Verde, Casca Vermelha and Grão Preto, harvested in 1988 at the Paraíba State. The seeds were placed on the substrates rolled paper and filter paper placed in a Gerbox. The germinators were adjusted to constant temperatures of 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and alternating temperatures of 20-30°C and 20-35°C. The sowing was made too on trays containing washed and sterilized sand in a natural environment. The estatistical desing was a completely randomized arranged a fatorial system 4 x 2 x 5 with four replications containing 50 seeds each one, besides an aditional treatment (sterilized sand). The germination evaluation was made in the twelveth (first count) and sixteenth (final count) days after sowing. In general, for the four varieties the substrat roll under 20-35°C proportioned higher percentual of germination.