Bankruptcy Credit Counseling & Education Course Guide

Filing for bankruptcy requires you to complete two mandatory courses. You need a credit counseling course before filing. You need a debtor education course after filing. The first course helps you explore debt relief alternatives. The second course teaches money management skills for your fresh start. Both courses must come from approved providers. You cannot get your discharge without submitting completion certificates to the court.

What Are the Two Bankruptcy Courses and Why Are They Required?

You must take two required courses when filing bankruptcy.

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The first course is credit counseling. It helps you understand your debt relief options and decide if bankruptcy suits you. The second course is debtor education. It teaches you how to manage money and rebuild finances after bankruptcy.

You must take the credit counseling course before filing your case.

You can complete it anytime in the 180 days before filing with the bankruptcy court. You must file your certificate of completion with your other bankruptcy paperwork.

The second is a debtor education course.

You take it after filing your bankruptcy case but within 60 days of your 341 meeting of creditors. The course teaches financial management skills. It’s designed to maximize your fresh start.

Both courses are required to get the bankruptcy discharge. The discharge is the court order that wipes out your eligible debts.

What Is the Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Course?

The pre-filing credit counseling course is the first bankruptcy step. Though called a course, it’s really a session with a certified counselor. You review your finances and explore debt relief options together.

The session helps you understand your financial situation. It helps you decide whether bankruptcy is right for you. That’s why it’s required before filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You must file within 180 days of taking the course.

The course must come from an approved agency. More on this below.

Credit Counseling Basics: Cost, Time, and Where to Take It

Here’s what you need to know about completing credit counseling:

Cost: Most providers charge $20–$50. If you can’t afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver. Ask about this option when you sign up.
Time: The session usually takes 1–2 hours to complete.
Where to take it: You can complete the course online, by phone, or in person.

You must take the course from a U.S. Trustee-approved credit counseling agency. You can find approved agencies on the U.S. Trustee Program’s website. The program is part of the Department of Justice.

If you’re in Alabama or North Carolina, check the bankruptcy administrator’s website instead. Choose a provider approved for your state and judicial district.

How to Get Your Credit Counseling Certificate

After completing the credit counseling session, you receive a certificate of completion. The approved provider issues this certificate. The certificate proves you met the pre-filing requirement.

The certificate is valid for 180 days (six months). If you don’t file your bankruptcy case within that time, you must retake the course. You must include this certificate when filing your bankruptcy paperwork with the court.

Most people take the credit counseling course close to their filing date. Taking it close to filing prevents the certificate from expiring.

Is It Worth Taking if You’re Not Sure About Filing Bankruptcy?

Yes, many people find it worth taking even without filing. The credit counselor gives you personalized insights into your financial situation. They can also help you pursue other debt relief options. Options like a debt management plan might work if you don’t want bankruptcy.

Knowledge is power. The session helps you decide if bankruptcy is right for you. It shows you if there’s a better path to financial recovery.

Want to explore your options? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to discuss your situation.

What Is the Pre-Discharge Debtor Education Course?

Before the court grants your bankruptcy discharge, you must complete debtor education. The discharge is the order that wipes out your eligible debts.

People also call this course a personal financial management course.

The course teaches practical skills to manage money and rebuild finances. It covers key topics like:

How to budget and manage your income
How interest rates work
How to rebuild your credit
How to use credit cards responsibly

People file for bankruptcy for many different reasons. Often it’s due to circumstances outside their control. Job loss or major medical bills cause many bankruptcies, not poor financial management. Even so, all filers must take this course.

Financial Management Course Basics: Cost, Time, and Where to Take It

The debtor education course must be completed after your case is filed. Here’s what you need to know:

When to take it: You need your bankruptcy case number to sign up. You can only take the course after filing. Many people complete it before their 341 meeting to avoid forgetting later.
Time and cost: The course takes about two hours to complete. Courses usually cost between $10–$50, depending on the provider. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you can’t afford this.
Where to take it: You can complete the course online, by phone, or in person. You must choose an approved provider.

When you finish, the provider issues a certificate of completion. You must submit this certificate to the court within 60 days of your 341 meeting. Missing this deadline could get your case dismissed without a discharge.

How to Find Approved Providers for Required Bankruptcy Courses

You must take both required courses from U.S. Trustee-approved course providers. If you live in Alabama or North Carolina, use bankruptcy administrator-approved providers instead.

You can find approved providers for both courses on the U.S. Trustee Program’s website. When searching for a provider, make sure you’re on a .gov website. Government websites ensure the information is trustworthy and accurate.

Many people take their courses through DebtorCC, but you can pick any nonprofit on the approved list. If you live in a large state, double-check the provider is approved for your specific judicial district.

Key Points About Bankruptcy Education Requirements

You must complete two required courses: credit counseling before filing and debtor education after filing. The first course must be taken within six months before you submit your forms. For the second course, you have up to 60 days after your 341 meeting to finish it. Many people complete it earlier to avoid missing the deadline. Both courses are offered by nonprofit providers approved by the U.S. Trustee or bankruptcy administrator.

Ready to start your bankruptcy journey? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to understand your Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education?

Credit counseling is taken before filing bankruptcy and helps you explore debt relief options. Debtor education is taken after filing and teaches financial management skills to help you rebuild after bankruptcy.

How much do the bankruptcy courses cost?

Credit counseling typically costs $20-$50, while debtor education costs $10-$50. Both courses offer fee waivers if you cannot afford the cost. Ask about fee waiver options when you sign up.

Can I take the bankruptcy courses online?

Yes, you can complete both courses online, by phone, or in person. Most people choose online courses for convenience. You must use a U.S. Trustee-approved provider regardless of format.

What happens if I miss the deadline for the debtor education course?

If you don't submit your debtor education certificate within 60 days of your 341 meeting, your bankruptcy case may be dismissed without a discharge. You would not get your debts wiped out.

How do I find approved bankruptcy course providers?

Visit the U.S. Trustee Program's website at justice.gov to find approved providers. If you live in Alabama or North Carolina, check the bankruptcy administrator's website instead. Make sure the provider is approved for your judicial district.

Bankruptcy Credit Counseling & Debtor Education Course Guide