We hear this quite a bit. Why do I have to buy a book to take a class?
Well, there are a few reasons why.
First – most of the organizations whose programs we provide require that course participants have access to a book. Meaning we’re required to provide it to you or ensure that you have access to one. We do this by selling you a book with a class. For most classes we provide 4 options:
- Buy a paper book that you can pick up in advance or we’ll hand out at the class. We have a book pick up box at our Training Center if you want to pick up your book when we’re not there, just to make this as convenient for you as we can.
- Buy an eBook – you’ll receive an email with your eBook code and directions on how to redeem it.
- Buy a paper book an pay extra to have us mail it to you (please register at least 10 days in advance to have time for it to arrive in the mail before your class).
- You are providing your own copy of the book that you already have. We know some of you keep your book for your next class and this way you don’t have to buy another one. However it must be the current version of the book.
Additionally, with some programs we teach the course materials are linked to the certification card. So in order to issue the card to you we have to buy the book or guide in order to have a card to issue to you.
And then some courses have open-resource exams, like BLS, WFA, or AFA classes. Meaning you can use the book to take the exam. You’ll want the book for that.
Each type of book has a different price point. The costs we charge for the book are roughly the same as it would cost you to buy the book or eBook on your own. We do not upcharge the cost of the book. Which means we’re paying the shipping charge and not passing it off to you.
Sometimes course participants tell us that they have never had to buy a book in any of their previous classes. Honestly we don’t have an answer for that. We’re required to provide books and we follow all program and course requirements.
We do recommend you hold on to your book or eBook. You’ll be able to use it again and that will save you when you renew your certification 2 years later.
As of September 2025 when I write this post – we are using the 2020 Guidelines books.
As of November 2025 we will begin using the new 2025 Guidelines books. Different courses and programs will have new release dates for the new books and we will update each course listing as the new materials become available.