Approved Credit Counseling Providers for Bankruptcy

Both the pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education courses must be completed through providers specifically approved by the U.S. Trustee Program (or the Bankruptcy Administrator in Alabama and North Carolina). Using a non-approved provider means your certificate will not be accepted by the court, and you will need to retake the course.

The Official Provider Lists

The U.S. Department of Justice maintains two separate searchable directories:

Credit counseling agencies (pre-filing): justice.gov credit counseling list
Debtor education providers (post-filing): justice.gov debtor education list

Both lists are searchable by state and judicial district. When you search, you will see the provider's name, contact information, available formats (online, phone, in person), fee information, and languages offered.

Important: Make sure you search the correct list. Credit counseling providers and debtor education providers are approved separately. An agency on one list is not necessarily on the other. Some agencies offer both courses, but always verify approval for each course independently.

What to Look For in a Provider

All approved providers meet minimum standards set by the U.S. Trustee Program, but quality and service can vary. Here is what to consider when choosing:

Approval status: Confirm the agency appears on the official justice.gov list for your judicial district. This is the single most important criterion.
Cost transparency: Legitimate providers clearly state their fees upfront. Most charge $15-50 per course. If the fee is not clearly disclosed before you start, that is a red flag.
Fee waiver policy: Approved agencies are required to provide services to filers who cannot afford to pay. Ask about fee waivers or reduced fees if cost is a concern.
Format availability: Choose a provider that offers the format you prefer (online, phone, or in person). Online is the most convenient for most filers.
Certificate delivery: Most providers deliver certificates electronically within minutes of completion. Ask how and when you will receive your certificate.
Language options: If English is not your primary language, the justice.gov list shows which providers offer courses in Spanish and other languages.
Reviews: A quick internet search for the provider's name can reveal other filers' experiences.

Red Flags and Scams to Avoid

Unfortunately, some companies take advantage of people in financial distress. Watch out for these warning signs:

Fees above $75 per course: If a provider charges significantly more than $50 for a single course, you are likely overpaying. Shop around.
Pressure to buy additional services: Some agencies use the counseling session as a sales pitch for debt management plans, credit repair services, or other paid programs. The counseling session should stand on its own -- you are not obligated to purchase anything else.
Not on the official list: If you cannot find the provider on the justice.gov directory, do not use them. Their certificate will not be accepted by the court.
Requests for unnecessary personal information: The provider needs basic financial information and your name/address for the certificate. They should not need your credit card number for unrelated services, detailed bank account information, or access to your online banking.
Guarantees of case outcomes: No credit counseling agency can guarantee that your bankruptcy case will be successful, that your debts will be discharged, or that you will qualify for a particular chapter. These claims are false.
Confusing "credit counseling" with "credit repair": Bankruptcy credit counseling is a specific legal requirement. Credit repair services are an entirely different industry and do not satisfy the bankruptcy requirement.

Warning: If your attorney recommends a specific credit counseling provider, that is generally fine -- attorneys often have providers they have worked with successfully. But if a provider pressures you to use a specific attorney in return, that is an improper referral arrangement and should be reported to the U.S. Trustee Program.

Online vs. Phone vs. In Person

All three formats satisfy the legal requirement equally. Choose based on your personal preference:

Online is the most popular option. You can complete the course at any time, from any location, at your own pace. Most online courses include interactive modules, quizzes, and a built-in timer to ensure minimum engagement. Certificates are delivered by email within minutes. This is the fastest and most convenient option for most people.

Phone sessions connect you with a live counselor. This can be helpful if you prefer talking through your financial situation with a real person, have questions you want answered in real time, or do not have reliable internet access. You will need to schedule an appointment during the provider's business hours.

In-person sessions are offered by some providers in major metropolitan areas. These provide the most personal interaction but require travel and scheduling during office hours. In-person options have become less common since the COVID-19 pandemic, as most providers shifted to online and phone delivery.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

Verify approval first. Before paying anything, confirm the provider appears on the official justice.gov list for your judicial district.
Ask about bundle pricing. If the same provider offers both courses, purchasing them together usually saves $10-25.
Have your financial information ready. The pre-filing credit counseling session will go faster if you know your approximate income, expenses, and debts. See Pre-Filing Credit Counseling for a detailed list.
Save your certificate. Keep a copy of every certificate you receive. Email it to yourself, save the PDF, and provide a copy to your attorney. Certificates that are lost or corrupted can be reissued by the provider, but having your own backup avoids delays.
Coordinate with your attorney. Let your attorney know when you complete each course so they can file the certificate promptly.

Before hiring an attorney: Check any bankruptcy attorney's track record before signing a retainer. 1328f.com's free attorney checker shows how their clients' cases actually turned out across all 94 federal districts.