All individual debtors are required to obtain a certificate from an approved credit counseling agency prior to filing for bankruptcy.  This requirement was added by the changes made to the bankruptcy laws in 2005, and it applies to all individual cases (including under Chapters 7, 11, and 13).  The usual cost for the course is around $20.

The Department of Justice maintains a list of approved credit counseling agencies, which can be accessed at the following link:  http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm.  On rare occasions, courts may allow for the waiver of the credit counseling requirement – after a showing of “exigent” circumstances.  But don’t count on it.