Parenting classes by state · Texas
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes in Texas
In Texas, the court-ordered parenting / parent-education requirement is the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, overseen by Individual Texas district and county family courts, acting under Texas Family Code Sec. 105.009 (the Texas Judicial Branch); there is no single statewide agency that administers the program — the Legislature authorizes it and each court/county implements it, with providers being private.. Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, and how to find a course the family court handling your case (your county's district court or, in some counties, a county court at law) will accept.
Quick answer: parenting classes in Texas
Online classes accepted. Texas Family Code Sec. 105.009 lets a judge order a 4-to-12-hour "Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course" and expressly allows completion "through an electronic medium," so approved online co-parenting courses are widely accepted statewide — but an individual judge or county can require in-person attendance, so confirm before enrolling. Texas publishes no single official statewide approved-provider list: providers are private and acceptance is set by each county/court (county clerks may keep a voluntary registry under Sec. 105.009(j)), so rely on your county's local rules or the specific course your court accepts. the family court handling your case (your county's district court or, in some counties, a county court at law) decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is a parenting class required? | Often — required by many counties/courts (not uniformly statewide) |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | Parents in a Texas divorce or other Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) involving minor children — including custody modifications — when the judge orders it or a county's local rules require it, typically to be completed before the final decree. |
| Typical length | 4 hours (statutory minimum); the statute caps the course at 12 hours, and most court-accepted courses run about 4 hours. |
| In person or online? | Online classes accepted |
| Program name | Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course |
Texas-specific rules to know
- State law (Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 105.009) is discretionary — the court 'may' order the course if it is in the child's best interest — so there is no blanket statewide mandate; instead many counties make it effectively required by local rule (e.g., Harris County's family local rules direct that in divorces joined with a SAPCR the court 'shall require' parents to attend, 'except for good cause shown').
- Both parents can be ordered to take it, but the statute (Sec. 105.009(b)) says the parties may not be required to attend together — each parent completes the course separately, and a family-violence history can bar joint attendance.
- By statute the course must be at least 4 and no more than 12 hours (Sec. 105.009(c)) and may be completed by personal, videotape, or electronic-medium (online) instruction (Sec. 105.009(h)).
- Fee protection: a party may not be required to pay more than $100 for a court-ordered course, and indigent parties must be directed to a sliding-scale or free course when one is available (Sec. 105.009(k)).
- Deadlines and whether the class is required at all vary by county/judge across Texas's 254 counties — many courts require completion within roughly 45-60 days of filing and before the final hearing/decree, but that timing comes from local rules or the specific order, not the statute, so verify with your court.
Find an approved parenting class in Texas
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one the family court handling your case (your county's district court or, in some counties, a county court at law) is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Texas doesn't publish one central approved-course list — the family court handling your case (your county's district court or, in some counties, a county court at law), your clerk of court, or your county's family-law self-help center will tell you which courses are accepted for your case.
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for parenting classes in Texas — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Can you take it online? Texas generally accepts approved online parenting courses. An approved online course can be the fastest way to finish — but confirm the family court handling your case (your county's district court or, in some counties, a county court at law) accepts your specific course first. How court-approved online parenting classes work →
Source & accuracy: compiled from Individual Texas district and county family courts, acting under Texas Family Code Sec. 105.009 (the Texas Judicial Branch); there is no single statewide agency that administers the program — the Legislature authorizes it and each court/county implements it, with providers being private. and official Texas court sources. Requirements change and vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: statutes.capitol.texas.gov/GetStatute.aspx?Code=FA&Value=105.009, statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.105.htm, codes.findlaw.com/tx/family-code/fam-sect-105-009, justex.net/localrules, tarrantcountytx.gov/en/domestic-relations-office/family-court-services/co-parent-education.html.