---
title: "Lesson Access Settings"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/lesson-access/"
description: "The Lesson Access Settings control when learners can view a lesson, whether a lesson is offered as a sample, and how it connects to a course. These settings hel…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2019-04-13"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# Lesson Access Settings

The **Lesson Access Settings** control when learners can view a lesson, whether a lesson is offered as a sample, and how it connects to a course. These settings help course creators control pacing, offer previews, and manage course content more efficiently.

## Locating Lesson Access Settings

![LearnDash lesson access settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-lesson-access-settings.jpg)To locate the access settings for a lesson:

1. Go to **LearnDash LMS > Lessons** in the WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on the lesson you want to edit.
3. Select the **Settings** tab.
4. Scroll to the **Lesson Access Settings** section.

## Associated Course

In order for a lesson to show up within your course content, you need to associate it with a course. Next to Associated Course, click the dropdown menu, and choose the course to which this lesson belongs

**NOTE**: If you’ve enabled [Shared Course Steps](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/shared-course-steps/), this field will be disabled, as lessons can be associated with more than one course.

## Sample Lesson

Sample lessons are visible to **all visitors**, even if they are not enrolled in the course. This is a helpful way to showcase content before someone purchases or enrolls.

To enable a sample lesson:

- Toggle **Sample Lesson** to **ON**.

Once enabled, this lesson becomes publicly accessible and clearly marked as a preview.

![LearnDash sample lesson frontend example](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-sample-lesson-frontend-example.jpg)**NOTE**: See the [Sample Lessons User Guide](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/sample-lessons/) for more information and examples.

## Lesson Schedule

The lesson schedule allows you to make a lesson available at a specific time. A lesson can become available immediately, or at some point in the future. You have the following options:

- **Immediately** (default) – The lesson is made available as soon as the user is enrolled in the course
- **Enrollment-based** – The lesson will be available `X` days after the user enrolls in the course
- **Specific date** – The lesson will be available on a specific date

These options also applies to the topics below these lessons. If a topic is associated with a lesson and that lesson is scheduled to be available at a certain date, the topics will also be available at that time. If a topic is not associated with that lesson, you can set the[ Topic Release Schedule](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/topic-display-content/#topic-release-schedule) for that topic separately.

By default, all lessons are available immediately. Use the **Lesson Schedule** options to delay access based on time or enrollment.

Choose from the following scheduling options:

- **Immediately (default):** The lesson is available as soon as a learner enrolls.
- **Enrollment-based:** The lesson becomes available a set number of days after the learner enrolls in the course.
- **Specific date:** The lesson becomes available on a calendar date that you select.

**Important:** “1 day” means **24 hours** after enrollment, not the next calendar day. Topics linked to a scheduled lesson will follow the same release schedule. Unlinked topics can be scheduled independently.

## External Lesson

External lessons occur **outside LearnDash**, either virtually (like Zoom) or in person. They can still be part of a course and tracked for progress.

### Select a Delivery Type:

- **Virtual** – For online sessions such as Zoom or Google Meet
- **In-Person** – For lessons held in a classroom or physical location

### Require Attendance:

Decide whether learners must be marked as present before continuing:

- **Yes** – Students must be marked as attended by an **Admin or Group Leader**
- **No** – Students can continue the course without being marked present

**Note:** Use this option for compliance, certification, or regulated training that requires proof of participation.

## Associated Content (Course Association)

To display a lesson within a course, it must be **assigned to a course**. This association ensures the lesson appears in the course structure and student navigation.

- Use the **Course Switcher** in the Lesson editor to select or change the course.

**Note:** This setting has moved to the **lesson page editor**, not the course builder. If **Shared Course Steps** is enabled, this setting will be **disabled**, since a lesson can be used in multiple courses.

Associating a lesson correctly ensures students see it in their course and can track progress.

## Next Steps

After configuring Lesson Access Settings, consider the following:

- Schedule future lessons to pace content over time
- Use sample lessons to promote your course
- Track attendance for external sessions when needed
- Ensure every lesson is properly assigned to a course

For more information on course structure, see the [Course Builder](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/course-builder/) tutorial.