The two required bankruptcy courses
You take two short courses — one before you file, one after.
- Course 1 is credit counseling. You take it from a court-approved provider before you file.
- Course 2 is debtor education. You take it after you file but before your discharge.
- Each takes an hour or two and costs a small amount.
- Can't pay? Providers must offer a waiver or a lower fee for low income.
- The catch: skip either course, and your case can stall or be dismissed.
Why bankruptcy comes with two courses
Federal law builds two required courses into every personal bankruptcy. One sits before you file. One sits after. Both come from a court-approved provider, and both end in a certificate you file with the court. Miss a certificate and the court can hold up your case.
The idea is simple. The first course makes sure you looked at other options before filing. The second sends you out with a plan for what comes next. Here is what each one covers.
Course 1: pre-filing credit counseling
You take this within 180 days before you file. A court-approved counselor walks through your budget and your debts. Together you look at whether another tool — a payment plan, a settlement, or waiting — fits better than bankruptcy.
At the end you get a certificate. You file it with your bankruptcy petition. Without it, the court usually won't accept your case.
Treat it as more than a checkbox. It is a genuine last look at your options before you commit. If a cheaper path exists, this is where it shows up.
Course 2: debtor education (financial management)
You take this after you file, before the court grants your discharge. It covers the basics of running your money: building a budget, using credit with care, and managing what you have from here.
Again you get a certificate. You file it with the court to receive your discharge — the order that wipes out the debts your case covers. No certificate, no discharge.
What the courses cost
Each course costs a modest fee — often around $10 to $50. So the two together usually run under $100.
If money is tight, you have a right to relief. A court-approved provider must offer a fee waiver or a reduced fee when your income is low. Ask before you start. The same nonprofit agencies that do credit counseling often run both of these courses, so you can line them up in one place.
Both certificates are mandatory, and the timing is strict. Course 1 comes before you file. Course 2 comes after you file and before discharge.
Miss the window, or use a provider that isn't court-approved, and your case can be delayed or dismissed. Confirm the provider is on your court's list before you pay. To see where these courses fit in the wider process, read how bankruptcy works.