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Why it Matters if a Credit Counseling Agency is NFCC Certified

Sarah Brady, NFCC October 7, 2025

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) has been around since 1951. It’s the nation’s first and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving people’s financial well-being!

There are many credit counseling agencies in the U.S., but not all of them are certified by the NFCC. Why does this certification matter? Because it means you can trust that the counseling you get will be professional, non-predatory, and best in class. 

There’s a reason the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends our member agencies to anyone seeking credit counseling. Here’s what sets NFCC-certified agencies apart.

What sets NFCC-certified credit counseling agencies apart

Membership with the NFCC shows a commitment to providing the gold standard of financial counseling. 

If you go to an agency that isn’t NFCC certified, there’s no guarantee of what you’ll get. For example, you may end up speaking to a counselor who isn’t trained to discuss financial topics or who pressures you to sign up for expensive services without asking you any questions about your financial situation. 

When you see that an agency is NFCC certified, you know their counselors are different. They’re financial professionals who are trained to offer judgement-free advice and assist you through a multitude of financial circumstances, from paying off debt to buying your first home.

In order to maintain membership, agencies are required to certify their counselors through the NFCC Certification program. As a result, their counselors are trained to deliver exemplary services to the clients and communities they serve.  

Certified credit counselors you can trust 

Working with an NFCC member agency means getting one-on-one, professional support from counselors who are certified and held to the highest standards in the industry.

The NFCC Certification program is exclusive to NFCC members and ensures each counselor is empowered to support you through a variety of financial milestones and challenges, including (but not limited to):

  • Budget support: Developing a budget or helping you revise your budget during financial emergencies.
  • Homebuyer education: Providing counseling and workshops to help you prepare your finances and credit for a home purchase, as well as helping you navigate special homebuyer programs.
  • Debt management resources: Determining if you qualify for special programs like a Debt Management Plan (DMP), which involves the counselor working with some of your creditors to come up with a more affordable debt payoff plan.
  • Navigating student loans: Helping you understand student loan options and repayment programs.
  • Local referrals: Identifying community resources and offering referrals to local agencies that can help meet your immediate needs.
  • Financial knowledge: Answering questions about any personal finance issue, from how to approach debt settlement to determining whether or not bankruptcy is the right option for dealing with your debt.
  • Credit insights: Reviewing your credit reports and offering expert insights on how to improve your credit scores.

Even after counselors are trained to assist you in each of these areas, they are required to participate in ongoing education and professional development in order to maintain certification.

What do credit counseling sessions entail? A typical appointment includes a review of your goals and obstacles and along with a thorough analysis of your situation. 

When your session is over, you’ll have worked with your counselor to pinpoint the best action steps to improve your overall financial well-being. Depending on your circumstances, the counselor may also recommend additional services. 

How to schedule an appointment with an NFCC-certified credit counselor

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial difficulties because of life’s circumstances, you can rest assured knowing that NFCC-certified agencies are experienced, knowledgeable and can provide professional support and resources to help you improve your finances. 

Our member offices serve all 50 states and U.S. territories. For expert guidance and advice, locate an NFCC member agency near you today!

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