diff --git a/app/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator.rb b/app/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator.rb
index 026dd6ea9..9c751cf02 100644
--- a/app/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator.rb
+++ b/app/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,16 @@
 class RegistrationTicketCalloutDecorator < ApplicationDecorator
+  # For the editor's amber warning badge: when this published built-in callout can
+  # never reach the ticket because the event isn't configured for it (free event →
+  # no payment card, no scholarship form → no scholarship card, no CE hours → no CE
+  # card, no videoconference link → no videoconference card), the reason to show;
+  # nil when it will show (or it's hidden/custom). Shares BuiltinCalloutCards.config_gap
+  # so the badge and the ticket guard can't drift.
+  def ticket_suppression_reason
+    return unless published? && builtin?
+    gap = BuiltinCalloutCards.config_gap(event, builtin_key)
+    "Won't show on the ticket — #{gap}" if gap
+  end
+
   # This callout's linked resources as cards, in display order, each reading its
   # subtitle from the materialized join row and linking to the resource's own
   # page. Shared by every surface that lists a callout's resources (the handouts
diff --git a/app/services/builtin_callout_cards.rb b/app/services/builtin_callout_cards.rb
index 88346c126..284ba9f32 100644
--- a/app/services/builtin_callout_cards.rb
+++ b/app/services/builtin_callout_cards.rb
@@ -74,6 +74,26 @@ def self.editor_cards(event)
     "videoconference" => :videoconference_card
   }.freeze
 
+  # Why a built-in card with this builtin_key can never appear on the given event's
+  # ticket because the event lacks the config the card depends on (a free event
+  # has no payment card, an event with no scholarship form has no scholarship
+  # card, an event that offers no CE hours has no CE card) — or nil when the event
+  # is configured for it. The card builders below enforce these same gaps at
+  # render time; the editor surfaces the phrase as an amber "won't show" badge so
+  # admins know a published callout still won't reach the ticket.
+  def self.config_gap(event, builtin_key)
+    case builtin_key
+    when "payment"
+      "this event is free" if event.cost_cents.to_i <= 0
+    when "scholarship"
+      "this event has no scholarship form" if event.scholarship_form.blank?
+    when "ce_hours"
+      "this event offers no CE hours" unless event.ce_eligible?
+    when "videoconference"
+      "this event has no videoconference link" if event.videoconference_url.blank?
+    end
+  end
+
   def initialize(event_registration)
     @registration = event_registration
     @event = event_registration.event
@@ -131,7 +151,7 @@ def skip_in_fallback?(builtin_key)
   # in full. Its page lists every allocation with the running balance, plus the
   # linked documents (the W-9, and the invoice/receipt) for paid events.
   def payment_card
-    return if event.cost_cents.to_i <= 0
+    return if self.class.config_gap(event, "payment")
     due = registration.remaining_cost.to_i.positive?
     Card.new(icon_class: "fa-solid fa-credit-card", color: due ? "orange" : "blue",
              title: due ? "Make your payment" : "Payment",
@@ -158,6 +178,7 @@ def certificate_card
   # pending shows an amber "$X · Tasks outstanding" badge (action needed); fully
   # met shows a fuchsia amount badge.
   def scholarship_status_card
+    return if self.class.config_gap(event, "scholarship")
     return unless registration.scholarship_requested?
     # Awarded is display-only: the scholarship record exists earlier, but the award
     # is only shown as awarded once the recipient signs the agreement. Until then
@@ -194,6 +215,7 @@ def scholarship_badge(awarded, tasks_outstanding)
   # they have, becoming a reference card once requested with hours and a license
   # number on file. Shown when the event offers CE or the registrant asked for it.
   def ce_hours_card
+    return if self.class.config_gap(event, "ce_hours")
     return unless registration.ce_registered?
     complete = registration.ce_license_provided?
     # An outstanding CE balance turns the card orange (an action card), matching
@@ -264,7 +286,7 @@ def event_details_card
 
   # Shown only when the event has a videoconference URL set.
   def videoconference_card
-    return if event.videoconference_url.blank?
+    return if self.class.config_gap(event, "videoconference")
     Card.new(icon_class: "fa-solid fa-video", color: "blue",
              title: "Videoconference",
              subtitle: "Join link and how to add it to your calendar",
diff --git a/app/views/events/_registration_ticket_callout_fields.html.erb b/app/views/events/_registration_ticket_callout_fields.html.erb
index 7da76d907..9733f0a88 100644
--- a/app/views/events/_registration_ticket_callout_fields.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/events/_registration_ticket_callout_fields.html.erb
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@
       <% end %>
 
       <span class="text-gray-800 font-medium truncate max-w-xs" title="<%= f.object.title %>"><%= f.object.title %></span>
+
+      <%# Warns when this published built-in is set up but the event isn't
+          configured for it, so it still won't reach the ticket (free event → no
+          payment card, no scholarship form / CE hours → no scholarship / CE card). %>
+      <% if (suppression_reason = f.object.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason) %>
+        <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-full bg-amber-100 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium text-amber-800 shrink-0">
+          <i class="fa-solid fa-triangle-exclamation" aria-hidden="true"></i>
+          <%= suppression_reason %>
+        </span>
+      <% end %>
     </div>
 
     <%# Editable content — hidden when the Published checkbox is unchecked.
diff --git a/spec/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator_spec.rb b/spec/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator_spec.rb
index c795b2f32..daea66853 100644
--- a/spec/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/decorators/registration_ticket_callout_decorator_spec.rb
@@ -25,4 +25,46 @@
       expect(handouts.href).not_to include("callout_id")
     end
   end
+
+  describe "#ticket_suppression_reason" do
+    def builtin_callout(builtin_key, event:, hidden: false)
+      create(:registration_ticket_callout, event:, builtin_key:, hidden:,
+             title: builtin_key.humanize)
+    end
+
+    it "warns when a published payment callout is on a free event" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("payment", event: create(:event, cost_cents: 0))
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to eq("Won't show on the ticket — this event is free")
+    end
+
+    it "warns when a published scholarship callout's event has no scholarship form" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("scholarship", event: create(:event))
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to include("no scholarship form")
+    end
+
+    it "warns when a published CE callout's event offers no CE hours" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("ce_hours", event: create(:event, ce_hours_offered: nil))
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to include("offers no CE hours")
+    end
+
+    it "warns when a published videoconference callout's event has no join link" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("videoconference", event: create(:event, videoconference_url: nil))
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to include("no videoconference link")
+    end
+
+    it "is nil when the event is configured for the callout" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("payment", event: create(:event, cost_cents: 5_000))
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "is nil when the callout is unpublished" do
+      callout = builtin_callout("payment", event: create(:event, cost_cents: 0), hidden: true)
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "is nil for a custom (non-built-in) callout" do
+      callout = create(:registration_ticket_callout, builtin_key: nil, hidden: false)
+      expect(callout.decorate.ticket_suppression_reason).to be_nil
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/services/builtin_callout_cards_spec.rb b/spec/services/builtin_callout_cards_spec.rb
index 8a7ff97ae..0dbb5c9b8 100644
--- a/spec/services/builtin_callout_cards_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/builtin_callout_cards_spec.rb
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ def card(reg, title)
     described_class.new(reg).cards.find { |c| c.title == title }
   end
 
+  def add_scholarship_form(event)
+    create(:event_form, :scholarship, event:)
+  end
+
   describe "#cards" do
     it "shows the payment card for a bare paid, non-training registration" do
       expect(card_titles(registration)).to eq([ "Make your payment" ])
@@ -73,12 +77,24 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "shows the CE card only when the registrant requested CE credit" do
+      event.update!(ce_hours_offered: 6)
       expect(card_titles(registration)).not_to include(event.ce_hours_details_label)
       license = create(:professional_license, :placeholder, person: registration.registrant)
       create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
       expect(card_titles(registration.reload)).to include(event.ce_hours_details_label)
     end
 
+    it "omits the CE card when the event offers no CE hours, even with a CE registration" do
+      license = create(:professional_license, :placeholder, person: registration.registrant)
+      create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
+      expect(card_titles(registration.reload)).not_to include(event.ce_hours_details_label)
+    end
+
+    it "omits the scholarship card when the event has no scholarship form, even when requested" do
+      registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
+      expect(card_titles(registration)).not_to include("Scholarship")
+    end
+
     it "turns the CE card orange while a balance is due, teal once paid" do
       event.update!(ce_hours_offered: 6, ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000)
       license = create(:professional_license, :placeholder, person: registration.registrant)
@@ -106,14 +122,14 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "names the CE request deadline on the license-needed badge" do
-      event.update!(ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_hours_request_deadline: Date.new(2026, 7, 1))
+      event.update!(ce_hours_offered: 6, ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_hours_request_deadline: Date.new(2026, 7, 1))
       license = create(:professional_license, :placeholder, person: registration.registrant)
       create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
       expect(card(registration.reload, event.ce_hours_details_label).badge).to eq("$150 · License number needed by Jul 1")
     end
 
     it "appends the CE payment deadline to the amount-due badge, dropping it once paid" do
-      event.update!(ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_payment_due_deadline: Date.new(2026, 8, 15))
+      event.update!(ce_hours_offered: 6, ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_payment_due_deadline: Date.new(2026, 8, 15))
       license = create(:professional_license, person: registration.registrant, number: "LIC123")
       ce_reg = create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
       expect(card(registration.reload, event.ce_hours_details_label).badge).to eq("$150 due by Aug 15")
@@ -123,6 +139,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "shows the scholarship card only when requested, without an amount chip until awarded" do
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       expect(card_titles(registration)).not_to include("Scholarship")
       registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
       scholarship_card = card(registration, "Scholarship")
@@ -132,6 +149,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "prompts to accept the agreement, without an amount chip, until it is signed" do
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
       scholarship = create(:scholarship, amount_cents: 25_000, tasks_completed: true, agreement_signed: false)
       create(:allocation, source: scholarship, allocatable: registration, amount: 1000)
@@ -142,6 +160,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "turns the scholarship card amber while award tasks are outstanding" do
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
       scholarship = create(:scholarship, recipient: registration.registrant, tasks_completed: false, agreement_signed: true)
       create(:allocation, source: scholarship, allocatable: registration, amount: 1000)
@@ -150,6 +169,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "flags an awarded scholarship with outstanding tasks in an amber chip" do
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
       scholarship = create(:scholarship, amount_cents: 25_000, tasks_completed: false, agreement_signed: true)
       create(:allocation, source: scholarship, allocatable: registration, amount: 1000)
@@ -159,6 +179,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "shows a fuchsia amount chip once the agreement is signed and tasks are complete" do
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       registration.update!(scholarship_requested: true)
       scholarship = create(:scholarship, amount_cents: 25_000, tasks_completed: true, agreement_signed: true)
       create(:allocation, source: scholarship, allocatable: registration, amount: 1000)
@@ -173,6 +194,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
                     ce_hours_details: "6 hours", ce_hours_offered: 6,
                     videoconference_url: "https://example.zoom.us/j/123",
                     start_date: 3.days.ago, end_date: 2.days.ago)
+      add_scholarship_form(event)
       registration.update!(status: "attended", scholarship_requested: true)
       license = create(:professional_license, :placeholder, person: registration.registrant)
       create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
@@ -220,7 +242,7 @@ def card(reg, title)
     end
 
     it "keeps the live CE deadline badge on a materialized CE row" do
-      event.update!(ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_payment_due_deadline: Date.new(2026, 8, 15))
+      event.update!(ce_hours_offered: 6, ce_hours_cost_cents: 15_000, ce_payment_due_deadline: Date.new(2026, 8, 15))
       license = create(:professional_license, person: registration.registrant, number: "LIC123")
       create(:continuing_education_registration, event_registration: registration, professional_license: license)
       callout = create(:registration_ticket_callout, event:, builtin_key: "ce_hours", title: "CE credit")