Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Fr. All., known popularly as jacaranda-da-bahia, it is a plentiful species known for the exploration of its wood. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Seed Analysis (CCA/UFPB), in Areia, Paraiba State, with the objective of determining appropriate methodology for testing germination and vigor of D. nigra seeds. The experiment was carried out in an entirely randomized design in a 2 x 7 factorial scheme, with 2 temperatures (25 and 20-30oC) and 7 substrates (between sand, between vermiculite, Bioplant ® , Plantmax ® , between and on paper blotting paper, and towel paper), with four replications with 25 seeds each. The evaluated characteristics were: germination (%), first germination count (%), germination speed index (GSI), length and dry mass of seedlings. The best combinations for conducting germination and vigor tests with seeds of D. nigra were: temperature of 25°C and the substrate between vermiculite, on paper blotting paper and paper towel (roll); temperature of 20-30°C the substrate Bioplant ® and Plantmax ® .