Frequently Asked Questions

CatechismClass.com is an online Catholic education provider founded in 2004 by Fr. James D. Zatalava. We serve individuals, families, homeschoolers, parishes, schools, catechists, and adults seeking faithful Catholic formation.

Our programs include Baptism and godparent preparation, OCIA/RCIA, RCIC, First Confession, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage Preparation, Natural Family Planning, K–12 religious education, adult faith formation, catechist training, and many other Catholic courses.

Yes. CatechismClass.com is fully committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our lessons draw upon Sacred Scripture, Catholic catechisms, approved Catholic commentary, the writings of the saints, and other faithful Catholic sources.

Our staff—including writers, editors, and programmers—sign an Oath of Fidelity. We exclusively produce Catholic educational materials.

Yes. Individuals may purchase courses directly, parents may manage children through a family account, and parishes or schools may register and oversee groups of students.

Parishes may use CatechismClass.com as a primary curriculum, as a supplement to in-person instruction, for individual students with special circumstances, or as a program to which they refer families. Visit our Parish Page to learn more.

No. CatechismClass.com provides education and formation, but it does not replace the sacramental, liturgical, and communal life of a Catholic parish. Students should attend Mass, receive the Sacraments when properly disposed, maintain contact with their parish, pray regularly, and live the Catholic Faith.

Those preparing to enter the Church or receive a Sacrament must work with a Catholic parish, which determines readiness and arranges the applicable rites and Sacraments.

CatechismClass.com is an interactive online educational platform rather than a printed catechetical textbook submitted through the conventional book-review process. Our online curriculum therefore does not bear an Imprimatur.

Our materials are nevertheless developed to conform to Catholic teaching. CatechismClass.com has received support and endorsements from individual Catholic bishops, and Bishop Robert Vasa serves as our Episcopal Advisor. Visit our About Us page for more information.

Use our Course Selector to identify the appropriate course based on the student's age, religious background, and sacramental needs.

If a parish instructed you to complete a particular course, follow its directions. When acceptance or a certificate is required, confirm the selected program with the parish before purchasing.

We offer courses for children, teenagers, and adults, including Baptism and godparent preparation, OCIA/RCIA, RCIC, First Confession, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage Preparation, Natural Family Planning, K–12 religious education, adult faith formation, catechist training, and specialized Catholic studies.

Browse our complete catalogue or use the Course Selector.

OCIA means the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and is the name now commonly used for the process formerly called RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Both terms remain widely used for formation of adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church.

RCIC commonly refers to Christian initiation adapted for children who have reached the age of reason. Our Young Adult Faith Formation Program is primarily intended for students ages 8–15 who need comprehensive instruction for Baptism, Confirmation, entry into the Church, or missed religious education.

Our comprehensive Adult Faith Formation Program is commonly used by adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church through OCIA/RCIA, Catholics returning to the Faith, and adults seeking an extensive study of Catholic teaching.

Adult Confirmation preparation is intended for a baptized Catholic who needs formation specifically for Confirmation. Requirements depend upon the student's sacramental history and parish instructions. Use the Course Selector before purchasing.

Our courses are self-paced and available online 24 hours a day. Lessons commonly include written instruction, Scripture, Catholic catechism passages, prayers, activities, audio narration, selected video content, and quizzes.

No special software download is required. Students may use a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or compatible mobile device with an internet connection.

No. Some lessons include videos, but our courses are not entirely video-based. CatechismClass.com uses a blended approach that includes written instruction, Scripture, catechism passages, prayers, activities, audio narration, selected videos, and quizzes.

Many lessons follow our time-tested format: Introduction; Opening Prayers; Scripture and Commentary; Catechism Passages; Integration of the Lesson Topic; an Activity; and a Closing Prayer. A quiz is generally provided to assess the student's understanding.

Course length varies. A short sacramental-preparation course may take one or several hours, while a complete grade-level, OCIA, RCIC, or adult formation program contains many lessons and may take weeks or months.

Review the applicable product page for its estimated length. Because programs are self-paced, students may generally proceed faster or slower according to their needs and parish deadlines.

Individually purchased courses are generally self-paced and do not have a fixed completion deadline. A parish, school, parent, or institutional license may establish its own schedule or deadline.

Individually purchased courses generally remain available to the purchaser after completion. Access provided through a parish, school, or institutional license is governed by that license and may be limited to a particular enrollment period.

Yes. CatechismClass.com is entirely online and has served students in more than 25 countries. Additional fees apply when a printed certificate must be mailed internationally.

Yes. Every adult participant must register individually, purchase or receive an individual copy of the required course, and complete it through his or her own account. This is especially important when a Certificate of Completion is required.

No. A course purchase is for one individual participant and may not be shared. If two parents, godparents, sponsors, or engaged persons each need proof of completion, each must register separately, obtain a separate course copy, and complete the quiz individually.

Create the child as a student under the parent or guardian's adult account. After logging in, go to My Students and select Create a New Student. Enter the child's information carefully because the student's name will be used for progress records and certificates.

Yes. A parent or guardian may manage multiple children under one adult account. Each child has a separate student profile, login, progress record, quiz history, and certificate eligibility.

Each child must have an individual copy of every course completed. One purchased course copy may not be shared among siblings.

A parent may purchase a course directly for a child or purchase it through the adult account and assign one copy to a student under My Students. Go to My Lessons, locate the course, and use the assignment option to select the student.

Assigning a course allocates that copy to one child; it does not create additional copies.

A certificate documents the work of one identifiable student. The account name, course record, and requested certificate name must therefore match. Verify the name in My Profile or the student profile before requesting a certificate.

Use the Forgot Username form or the Password Reset form. Usernames and passwords are case sensitive. A child's login must be managed by the parent, guardian, or parish coordinator responsible for the student.

Most general courses require at least 70%. Baptism preparation requires 100% on the final quiz. First Confession, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and NFP courses generally require at least 90%. The Adult Faith Formation final examination requires at least 85%.

Certain fundamental doctrinal questions must also be answered correctly. Review the Certificate Program Requirements for complete details.

Review the lesson before trying again. Fast-track programs have built-in retakes. A parent administers retakes for a child under a parent account, and a parish coordinator administers retakes for parish students. Independent students in other programs should complete every required lesson at least once and then contact support if a retake is needed.

Fast-track certificate programs include unlimited built-in retakes. Students in other programs may continue retaking required lessons as permitted by the applicable parent, parish, or CatechismClass.com review process.

Fast-track programs: Complete and pass the course; go to My Account and My Lessons; open the final Quiz Results; click See Details; follow the green certificate prompts; pay the fee; submit the official Certificate Request Form; and confirm that you receive the submission email.

Comprehensive programs: Complete every required lesson and elective, then submit a support ticket requesting Administrative Review. Include the User ID and exact program name and follow the instructions provided after review.

See the Certificate Program Requirements for full instructions.

Passing the course, paying the certificate fee, and submitting the official request are three separate steps. Paying the fee does not submit the request automatically.

For a fast-track program, go to My Account, My Lessons, and the final Quiz Results. Click See Details and follow the green button to submit the official Certificate Request Form. A confirmation email is sent after successful submission.

Do not intentionally purchase it again. Return to the final quiz results, click See Details, and follow the green certificate button. The system should recognize the prior payment and direct you to the request form.

If another payment is still requested, submit a support ticket with the User ID, program name, payment date, and receipt information.

Current options include a $10 electronic certificate; expedited 24-hour processing for an additional $15; a printed certificate mailed within the United States for an additional $20; or international mailing for an additional $30. Applicable fees are displayed before submission.

Standard electronic certificates are generally prepared within 2–3 business days after a complete and valid request is submitted. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and generally provides preparation within 24 hours. Mail delivery time is separate and depends upon the destination and postal service.

CatechismClass.com certificates are used by Catholic parishes in the United States and internationally. Acceptance, however, is determined by the receiving parish, pastor, or diocese and cannot be guaranteed by CatechismClass.com. Confirm acceptance before enrolling when the program must satisfy a specific local requirement.

Every person named on a certificate must register individually, obtain an individual course copy, complete the coursework separately, and qualify for a certificate.

After both individuals qualify, a manually prepared dual-name certificate may be requested for certain programs. Additional processing fees apply.

Submit a support ticket with the User ID, program name, incorrect certificate, and correct full name. A correction fee generally applies when the error resulted from information submitted by the student. Verify the profile name before submitting a certificate request.

CatechismClass.com does not place an expiration date on its certificates. A parish or diocese may nevertheless require recently completed preparation. Ask the receiving parish before purchasing or repeating an older course.

A standard Spanish certificate is available for students who complete the applicable Spanish-language course. A student who completed an English course may contact support to ask whether a manually prepared Spanish certificate is available. Additional processing fees may apply.

A letter or certificate from CatechismClass.com documents education completed through CatechismClass.com. It is issued by CatechismClass.com as an educational provider and is not a parish membership, good-standing, sponsor-eligibility, or sacramental record issued by a Catholic parish.

The course is designed for Catholic parents preparing to have a child baptized and Catholics preparing to serve as godparents. It covers the theology and effects of Baptism and the responsibilities of parents and godparents. Parish requirements vary, so confirm whether each participant must complete preparation.

Yes, if each participant needs proof of completion. Every adult must register separately, obtain an individual course copy, complete the course, and request a certificate through his or her own account.

Yes. Because the course is online and self-paced, parents and godparents may complete individual copies from different cities, states, or countries.

A Catholic godparent must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who practices the Faith and otherwise meets the Church's requirements for serving as a sponsor. The parish conducting the Baptism makes the final determination concerning eligibility.

A non-Catholic may not serve as the Catholic godparent or sponsor. A baptized non-Catholic Christian may be permitted to participate as a Christian witness alongside a qualified Catholic godparent. Confirm the arrangement with the parish.

CatechismClass.com provides comprehensive online formation for OCIA/RCIA study, parish-supported preparation, supplemental instruction, or circumstances in which regular classes are difficult.

Online coursework does not itself receive someone into the Church or confer a Sacrament. A person preparing to become Catholic must work with a Catholic parish, which oversees the rites, determines readiness, and arranges reception into the Church.

Our Young Adult Faith Formation Program provides comprehensive instruction primarily for children and teenagers ages 8–15 preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, entry into the Church, or missed religious education.

Use the Course Selector and consult the parish before purchasing.

Our Marriage Preparation Program provides approximately 4–5 hours of Catholic Pre-Cana formation covering the Sacrament of Matrimony, the permanence and purposes of marriage, duties of husbands and wives, Natural Family Planning, contraception, communication, finances, family goals, and the sanctity of human life.

Each participant must register and complete an individual copy to receive a certificate. Because requirements are established locally, confirm acceptance and additional requirements with the priest, deacon, or parish marriage coordinator.

Yes. We offer separate Confirmation preparation options for children and adults. The appropriate program depends upon age, prior formation, sacramental history, and parish requirements. Use the Course Selector.

Yes. Families may use our K–12 Catholic curriculum as their primary religion program or as a supplement. We also offer separate sacramental-preparation courses.

Yes. A parent may manage student profiles and review the progress and quiz records associated with children registered under the parent's account.

The best placement depends upon age, previous formation, sacramental history, and current needs. A child may need a regular grade-level course, a sacramental capstone, or Young Adult Faith Formation. Use the Course Selector and consult the parish when applicable.

Because courses are self-paced, a family may generally establish its own schedule for independently purchased coursework. When a child is enrolled through a parish or preparing for a Sacrament, follow the parish's placement and schedule requirements.

Parishes and schools may use CatechismClass.com as a primary online curriculum, a supplement to classroom instruction, for absent or late-enrolling students, for individualized sacramental preparation, or by referring participants directly to particular courses.

Visit our Parish Page for options and licensing information.

No. A parish may use CatechismClass.com only for individual exceptions, supplemental work, make-up lessons, or one ministry such as Baptism, OCIA, Confirmation, or Marriage Preparation.

Yes. Parish accounts provide tools for managing students, monitoring lesson progress, reviewing quiz scores, administering retakes, and generating reports. See the Parish Coordinator Manual.

Yes. Parish license agreements provide access for groups of students over a defined period and may offer substantial savings. Visit the Parish Page for current programs, enrollment limits, pricing, and terms.

Yes. Our Catechist Training Program provides more than 125 lessons across 12 areas of Catholic formation for volunteer catechists, teachers, homeschooling parents, OCIA and RCIC instructors, and adults preparing for catechetical ministry.

CatechismClass.com uses Stripe and PayPal to process payments securely. Customers may generally pay by credit card, debit card, or an available PayPal method. CatechismClass.com does not directly store complete card information.

Most individual course purchases are one-time purchases rather than recurring subscriptions. Parish licenses and specialized access programs are governed by the terms displayed for those products.

Do not begin or assign an incorrectly purchased course. Submit a support ticket promptly with the User ID, order information, course name, and explanation. Eligibility for a correction, transfer, credit, or refund is determined under the applicable terms and circumstances.

After logging in, go to My Lessons and scroll down. If a newly purchased course does not appear, refresh or log out and back in. If it remains missing after 30 minutes, verify that you received a payment receipt and submit a support ticket with the User ID and order information.

Refresh the page, confirm the internet connection, verify browser sound permissions, and try a current version of another major browser. Temporarily disabling an aggressive content blocker for CatechismClass.com may help.

If the problem continues, identify the lesson, device, browser, and exact error in a support ticket. Include a screenshot when available.

Do not repeatedly submit the quiz. Refresh the results page and confirm that you are logged into the correct student account. If the result remains incorrect, submit a support ticket with the User ID, lesson name, approximate completion time, and screenshot.

Check spam, junk, promotions, and deleted-email folders. Confirm that the account email is correct and the mailbox is not full. If an expected email still does not arrive, submit a support ticket with the User ID and type of email expected.

CatechismClass.com provides online support rather than telephone support. Submit a support ticket with the User ID, program name, and detailed explanation. Include relevant screenshots, receipts, and error messages.

See the New Customer Manual, Parish Coordinator Manual, and Certificate Program Requirements.