7 Must-Have Niche-Specific Disclaimers for Your Training Course Terms and Conditions
Are you selling a training course? I’m sharing the crucial niche-specific disclaimers you MUST include in your training course terms and conditions for your specific type of courses!
Creating a training course is a lot of hard work, and you can now finally reap the profits, but if you’re anything like me, you want to ensure you don’t run the risk of getting sued or even having to delete your entire training course. As a lawyer myself who drafts terms and conditions for course creators like you in different niches, I am giving you all the crucial niche-specific disclaimers you must include in your training course terms and conditions for your specific type, of course, to fully protect yourself.
You will learn about the crucial disclaimers you need in your training course terms and conditions, including general disclaimers every training course terms and conditions template must include, so you’ll have all the protections you need in your online course terms and conditions template.
After learning about all these niche-specific (and general) disclaimers, you will avoid major risks in your niche and enjoy the profits of your hard work.
This post is all about the key niche-specific disclaimers for your training course terms and conditions to protect against major risks in your specific niche.
Niche-Specific Training Course Terms and Conditions
General disclaimer for any training course terms and conditions template
Before we get into all the niche-specific disclaimers you need for your specific type of course, make sure you have all the general disclaimers any training course terms and conditions should include, like the following:
An access disclaimer for students who have problems accessing your course for reasons outside of your control
A description disclaimer for if your course’s content does not exactly match the description on your website or SM
An incompatibility disclaimer for students who simply do not have the skill level, capabilities, or commitment to finish your course (and want a refund)
A professional relationship disclaimer that makes clear that the purchase of the course does not mean the students get you personally as their professional advisor
A product availability disclaimer that makes clear that you are not responsible or liable if a student does not have access to the products used in your course
The crucial results and outcomes disclaimer for if your students do not achieve the outcomes or results they expect to achieve with your course
And more crucial disclaimers!
Learn more about all the key general disclaimers your training course terms and conditions must include in this blog post on the 10 Must-Have Disclaimers for Any Online Course Terms and Conditions.
Niche-specific disclaimers for your online course terms and conditions template
Now, let’s get into all the niche-specific disclaimers for every type of online course. Here’s the list of disclaimers, which I’ll discuss in the following order:
Disclaimers for courses that cover topics related to physical health, fitness, or nutrition, including a crucial disclaimer for content related to supplements, vitamins, herbal products, or health-related services
Disclaimers for courses that cover content related to personal development, self-improvement, or mindfulness
Disclaimers for courses that cover content related to finances or business
Disclaimers for courses that cover recipes, cooking, baking, mixology, or culinary arts education
Disclaimers for courses that involve physical activities, DIY projects, or other potentially risky activities
Disclaimers for courses that include sensitive, controversial or provocative topics, like religion, manifestation, politics, ideologies, etc.
Disclaimers for courses that may be in some way influential
1. Health & Fitness Disclaimer
Does your course cover topics related to physical health, fitness, or nutrition?
Then, you must include a disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions stating the following:
The use of the course does not substitute professional medical, fitness, nutritional, or health advice, care, or treatment.
You disclaim all responsibility and liability for injuries or health complications arising from the use of the course.
The student represents and warrants that they do need to undergo any (professional) medical, health, or nutritional treatment, counselling, or support.
This disclaimer protects you from liability if students experience injuries or health problems as a result of following your course (or if it turns out that they should have consulted a doctor for their health problems).
If your course relates to fitness, (physical) health, or wellness topics, your course will likely include content related to supplements, vitamins, herbal products, or health-related services.
In that case, you must include a comprehensive disclaimer specifically for those kinds of products and services in your training course terms and conditions. You don’t want to be held responsible or even liable for any negative consequences your students experience from supplements you may mention in your course. You’re not a doctor!
If you don’t have such a disclaimer, and one of your students experiences bad side effects or health complications from any supplements they used that are mentioned in your course... You could be slapped with major legal claims and hefty lawsuits.
2. Mental Health Disclaimer
Does your course cover content related to personal development, self-improvement, or mindfulness?
You must include a disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions stating the following:
The course does not substitute (professional) mental health, psychological, psychogeriatric, or therapeutic advice, counselling, treatment, support, or services.
You disclaim all responsibility and liability for any mental health or emotional issues that may arise from the use of the course.
The student represents and warrants that they do need to undergo any (professional) mental health, psychological, psychogeriatric, or therapeutic treatment, counselling, or support.
This disclaimer is essential for protecting against liability if a student experiences emotional distress or worsens their mental health after taking your course. More importantly, this disclaimer protects you from the major legal implications it could have if it turns out that your customer actually should undergo mental health treatment from a licensed professional.
Since your course falls in the mental health category, you might also need the ‘influence disclaimer’, so make sure you check out paragraph 7!
3. Financial & Legal Disclaimer
Does your course cover content related to finances or business?
Changing people’s lives is an incredible endeavour. However, some students might make bad financial or business decisions (even decisions that may be illegal) and blame you for them. And you don’t want to get sued for financial losses because of their poor decisions.
That is why you need a disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions that states the following:
The course does not constitute or substitute for (professional) financial, tax, or legal advice, support, or services.
You do not guarantee relative to (business) earnings, success potential or any measurable (financial) outcomes.
The student is solely responsible for legal compliance, and you disclaim any liability for any penalties, fines, or other damages that the student may incur due to breach of any laws.
4. Culinary Arts Disclaimer
Does your course cover recipes, cooking, baking, mixology, or culinary arts education?
Then, you don’t want someone to hold you liable for food poisoning or an allergic reaction...
That is why you need a specific culinary arts disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions. It ensures that:
You are not liable if students have different experiences with the recipes or products used in the course.
You can’t be held responsible for not strictly following all product labels, packaging inserts, instructions, and manufacturer directions and warnings regarding the products used.
You can’t be held liable for any allergies, dietary restrictions, or reactions related to the products.
5. (DIY) Risk Disclaimer
Does your training course involve DIY projects, physical activities, or other potentially risky activities?
Then, you need a specific risk disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions that states the following:
The students agree to use and execute the course at their own risk.
You specifically do not guarantee the safety, suitability, or effectiveness of any of the products, tools, methods, or techniques used in the course.
You are not responsible or liable for any injuries, damages, losses or other consequences arising out of or resulting from the use of your course (including any injuries resulting from misuse, misunderstanding or failure to follow your instructions).
With this disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions, you ensure that students understand the risks involved in following your course and that they take full responsibility for their own safety.
6. Offence & Controversy Disclaimer
Does your course cover sensitive, controversial or provocative topics, such as religion, manifestation, politics, ideologies, etc.?
I can assure you that not every student will take every part of your course well and may take some things personally. Some students may even find your course to be offensive or distressing for reasons you have not even considered.
Without a proper disclaimer, such high emotions can lead to hefty lawsuits.
That is why you need a specific disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions stating the following:
You do not intend to harm, offend, distress, or in any way adversely impact your students or any other third parties.
You are not responsible or liable for how such topics are received by the student or for the student’s emotional or psychological response.
7. Influence Disclaimer
If your course covers (1) sensitive, controversial or provocative topics or (2) content related to personal development, mindset, self-improvement, or mindfulness, this disclaimer is for you!
Because when your course covers these kinds of topics, you run the risk of students accusing you of trying to influence them in some way. They could even blame you for brainwashing them or their bad choices.
That is why you need a specific disclaimer in your training course terms and conditions stating the following:
The course is not intended to influence, persuade, alter, or change the student’s personal views, beliefs, opinions, values, or decisions.
The course is not designed to impose any (personal or external) agendas, views, opinions, or ideologies upon the student.
You disclaim any responsibility or liability for any decisions, actions, or changes in behaviour that the student may choose to pursue as a result of the course.
Any shifts in these areas are a result of the student’s own internal process.
You disclaim any responsibility or liability for any attempts to influence, persuade, alter, or change Your views, opinions, values, beliefs, or decisions.
This disclaimer clarifies that any changes in perspective are the student’s own responsibility, preventing accusations of undue influence or manipulation.
These are all the niche-specific disclaimers to include in training course terms and conditions.
The perfect training course terms and conditions example for your course
Want a training course terms and conditions template that includes all the disclaimers for your specific course (in your specific niche)?
I have created an online course terms and conditions template that is fully customisable to your specific niche! It includes all the niche-specific disclaimers discussed in this blog post, plus all the general disclaimers any training course terms and conditions template must include.
Learn more about my training course terms and conditions template on this page of my contract shop!
This post was all about the key niche-specific disclaimers you must include in your training course terms and conditions to protect your business in your specific niche.
Learn about all the vital protections to include in terms and conditions for classes, including training payments terms and conditions, in this blog post on the 10 Key Protections Course Creators Must Have in Terms and Conditions for Online Courses.
To learn all about the basics any paid or free training course terms and conditions must include, read this blog post on the 11 Essentials All Course Terms and Conditions Must Have for Course Creators.
Looking for a training course terms and conditions template that includes all the disclaimers you need for your niche? Learn more about my template on this page of my contract shop!
