The maximum amount any bankruptcy credit counseling agency can charge for counseling is set by law. No bankruptcy credit counseling agency can charge more than $50.00 for the credit counseling. Once bankruptcy credit counseling sessions have been completed, debtors are given a certificate of completion from the credit counseling agency to be filed with the bankruptcy court upon filing of the debtor's bankruptcy petition. Bankruptcy credit counseling is a requirement of the new bankruptcy law effective October 17, 2005. The bankruptcy abuse prevention and consumer protection act of 2005 requires court approved bankruptcy credit counseling to be completed by debtors prior to filing for bankruptcy within the 180 days immediately preceding the filing of a bankruptcy petition.