Right, and we've established six pages back that you don't "need" it in the sense that they won't ask for it. But wetb4igetinthewater seemed to be saying you shouldn't take the course, even if you're nervous, and I'm trying to understand why. It's not clear to me whether OP has a trusted friend/mentor with night diving experience, and certainly he's not the only new diver reading this. I didn't have any friends who were willing and able to show me the ropes, and I was a little nervous about surf entries in the dark, which is why I took the course. I found it worthwhile. My night diver card went right into my desk drawer (probably could've gone right into the garbage), but I've done a bunch of night dives now that I feel comfortable.