Four bacterium extration techniques and two inoculation methods were compared for detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (common bacterial blight) transported by bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed throught the indicator plant test. Specificity, sensibility and inoculum quantification were also determined. The extration techniques included ground or whole seeds, with or without superficial desinfestation, soaked in sterile destilled water or liquid medium (3g yeast extract/l), during 2 hours, at room temperature (ground seeds) or 18-24 hours at 5°C (whole seeds). The bean cultivars ?CNF0010?, ?Rosinha G-2? and ?Cornell 49-242? were inoculated as indicator plants thought ?multiple needles? and ?scissors incision? methods. The most appropriated detection method was the pathogen extration by soaking whole seeds in sterile distilled water for 18-24 h., at 5°C and the extract inoculation of the primary leaves of cv. ?CNF0010? throught scissors incision. This method showed high specificity, low cost, easy execution, with a sensibility of 0.1%, and allowing analysis of 10 samples/technician/day, requering 8-10 days for results obtention. Its application in a routine seed health testing is therefore recommended. A survey Brazil from 1988 dry and winter seasons and 1988/89 rainy season showed most of the samples carrying the pathogen (levels varying from 0.1% to 1.1%).