diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/api/ExperienceAPI.java b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/api/ExperienceAPI.java
index 8217584b9..ec4ea18d9 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/api/ExperienceAPI.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/api/ExperienceAPI.java
@@ -15,9 +15,40 @@ import com.gmail.nossr50.util.player.UserManager;
 public final class ExperienceAPI {
     private ExperienceAPI() {}
 
+    /**
+     * Returns whether given string is a valid type of skill suitable for the
+     * other API calls in this class.
+     * <br>
+     * This function is designed for API usage.
+     *
+     * @param skillType A string that may or may not be a skill
+     * @return true if this is a valid mcMMO skill
+     */
+    public static boolean isValidSkillType(String skillType) {
+        return SkillType.getSkill(skillType) != null;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns whether the given skill type string is both valid and not a
+     * child skill. (Child skills have no XP of their own, and their level is
+     * derived from the parent(s).)
+     * <br>
+     * This function is designed for API usage.
+     *
+     * @param skillType the skill to check
+     * @return true if this is a valid, non-child mcMMO skill
+     */
+    public static boolean isNonChildSkill(String skillType) {
+        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
+
+        if (skill == null) return false;
+
+        return !skill.isChildSkill();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Adds raw XP to the player.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to add XP to
@@ -27,18 +58,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void addRawXP(Player player, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).applyXpGain(skill, XP);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).applyXpGain(getSkillType(skillType), XP);
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds raw XP to an offline player.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to add XP to
@@ -49,18 +74,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidPlayerException if the given player does not exist in the database
      */
     public static void addRawXPOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        addOfflineXP(playerName, skill, XP);
+        addOfflineXP(playerName, getSkillType(skillType), XP);
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds XP to the player, calculates for XP Rate only.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to add XP to
@@ -70,18 +89,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void addMultipliedXP(Player player, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).applyXpGain(skill, (int) (XP * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).applyXpGain(getSkillType(skillType), (int) (XP * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds XP to an offline player, calculates for XP Rate only.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to add XP to
@@ -92,18 +105,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidPlayerException if the given player does not exist in the database
      */
     public static void addMultipliedXPOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        addOfflineXP(playerName, skill, (int) (XP * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
+        addOfflineXP(playerName, getSkillType(skillType), (int) (XP * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds XP to the player, calculates for XP Rate and skill modifier.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to add XP to
@@ -113,18 +120,14 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void addModifiedXP(Player player, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
+        SkillType skill = getSkillType(skillType);
 
         UserManager.getPlayer(player).applyXpGain(skill, (int) (XP / skill.getXpModifier() * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds XP to an offline player, calculates for XP Rate and skill modifier.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to add XP to
@@ -135,18 +138,14 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidPlayerException if the given player does not exist in the database
      */
     public static void addModifiedXPOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
+        SkillType skill = getSkillType(skillType);
 
         addOfflineXP(playerName, skill, (int) (XP / skill.getXpModifier() * Config.getInstance().getExperienceGainsGlobalMultiplier()));
     }
 
     /**
-     * Adds XP to the player, calculates for XP Rate, skill modifiers and perks. May be shared with the party.
-     * </br>
+     * Adds XP to the player, calculates for XP Rate, skill modifiers, perks, and child skills. May be shared with the party.
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to add XP to
@@ -156,18 +155,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void addXP(Player player, String skillType, int XP) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).beginXpGain(skill, XP);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).beginXpGain(getSkillType(skillType), XP);
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the amount of XP a player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get XP for
@@ -178,22 +171,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getXP(Player player, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillXpLevel(skill);
+        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillXpLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the amount of XP an offline player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get XP for
@@ -205,22 +188,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getOfflineXP(String playerName, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillXpLevel(skill);
+        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillXpLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the raw amount of XP a player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get XP for
@@ -231,22 +204,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static float getXPRaw(Player player, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillXpLevelRaw(skill);
+        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillXpLevelRaw(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the raw amount of XP an offline player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get XP for
@@ -258,22 +221,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static float getOfflineXPRaw(String playerName, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillXpLevelRaw(skill);
+        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillXpLevelRaw(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the total amount of XP needed to reach the next level.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get the XP amount for
@@ -284,22 +237,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getXPToNextLevel(Player player, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getXpToLevel(skill);
+        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getXpToLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the total amount of XP an offline player needs to reach the next level.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get XP for
@@ -311,22 +254,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getOfflineXPToNextLevel(String playerName, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getXpToLevel(skill);
+        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getXpToLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the amount of XP remaining until the next level.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get the XP amount for
@@ -337,15 +270,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getXPRemaining(Player player, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
+        SkillType skill = getNonChildSkillType(skillType);
 
         PlayerProfile profile = UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile();
 
@@ -354,7 +279,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Get the amount of XP an offline player has left before leveling up.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get XP for
@@ -366,15 +291,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static int getOfflineXPRemaining(String playerName, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
+        SkillType skill = getNonChildSkillType(skillType);
 
         PlayerProfile profile = getOfflineProfile(playerName);
 
@@ -383,7 +300,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Add levels to a skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to add levels to
@@ -393,18 +310,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void addLevel(Player player, String skillType, int levels) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().addLevels(skill, levels);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().addLevels(getSkillType(skillType), levels);
     }
 
     /**
      * Add levels to a skill for an offline player.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to add levels to
@@ -416,11 +327,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      */
     public static void addLevelOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int levels) {
         PlayerProfile profile = getOfflineProfile(playerName);
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
+        SkillType skill = getSkillType(skillType);
 
         if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
             Set<SkillType> parentSkills = FamilyTree.getParents(skill);
@@ -439,7 +346,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Get the level a player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get the level for
@@ -449,18 +356,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static int getLevel(Player player, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillLevel(skill);
+        return UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().getSkillLevel(getSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the level an offline player has in a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get the level for
@@ -471,18 +372,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidPlayerException if the given player does not exist in the database
      */
     public static int getLevelOffline(String playerName, String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillLevel(skill);
+        return getOfflineProfile(playerName).getSkillLevel(getSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Gets the power level of a player.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to get the power level for
@@ -494,7 +389,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Gets the power level of an offline player.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to get the power level for
@@ -515,7 +410,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Get the level cap of a specific skill.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param skillType The skill to get the level cap for
@@ -524,18 +419,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static int getLevelCap(String skillType) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        return Config.getInstance().getLevelCap(skill);
+        return Config.getInstance().getLevelCap(getSkillType(skillType));
     }
 
     /**
      * Get the power level cap.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @return the overall power level cap
@@ -546,7 +435,7 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
     /**
      * Sets the level of a player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to set the level of
@@ -556,18 +445,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidSkillException if the given skill is not valid
      */
     public static void setLevel(Player player, String skillType, int skillLevel) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().modifySkill(skill, skillLevel);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().modifySkill(getSkillType(skillType), skillLevel);
     }
 
     /**
      * Sets the level of an offline player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to set the level of
@@ -578,18 +461,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws InvalidPlayerException if the given player does not exist in the database
      */
     public static void setLevelOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int skillLevel) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        getOfflineProfile(playerName).modifySkill(skill, skillLevel);
+        getOfflineProfile(playerName).modifySkill(getSkillType(skillType), skillLevel);
     }
 
     /**
      * Sets the XP of a player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to set the XP of
@@ -600,22 +477,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static void setXP(Player player, String skillType, int newValue) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().setSkillXpLevel(skill, newValue);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().setSkillXpLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType), newValue);
     }
 
     /**
      * Sets the XP of an offline player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to set the XP of
@@ -627,22 +494,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static void setXPOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int newValue) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        getOfflineProfile(playerName).setSkillXpLevel(skill, newValue);
+        getOfflineProfile(playerName).setSkillXpLevel(getNonChildSkillType(skillType), newValue);
     }
 
     /**
      * Removes XP from a player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param player The player to change the XP of
@@ -653,22 +510,12 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static void removeXP(Player player, String skillType, int xp) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().removeXp(skill, xp);
+        UserManager.getPlayer(player).getProfile().removeXp(getNonChildSkillType(skillType), xp);
     }
 
     /**
      * Removes XP from an offline player in a specific skill type.
-     * </br>
+     * <br>
      * This function is designed for API usage.
      *
      * @param playerName The player to change the XP of
@@ -680,26 +527,11 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
      * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the given skill is a child skill
      */
     public static void removeXPOffline(String playerName, String skillType, int xp) {
-        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
-
-        if (skill == null) {
-            throw new InvalidSkillException();
-        }
-
-        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
-        }
-
-        getOfflineProfile(playerName).removeXp(skill, xp);
+        getOfflineProfile(playerName).removeXp(getNonChildSkillType(skillType), xp);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Add XP to an offline player.
-     *
-     * @param playerName The player to check
-     * @param skillType The skill to check
-     * @param XP The amount of XP to award.
-     */
+    // Utility methods follow.
+
     private static void addOfflineXP(String playerName, SkillType skill, int XP) {
         PlayerProfile profile = getOfflineProfile(playerName);
 
@@ -727,4 +559,24 @@ public final class ExperienceAPI {
 
         return profile;
     }
+
+    private static SkillType getSkillType(String skillType) throws InvalidSkillException {
+        SkillType skill = SkillType.getSkill(skillType);
+
+        if (skill == null) {
+            throw new InvalidSkillException();
+        }
+
+        return skill;
+    }
+
+    private static SkillType getNonChildSkillType(String skillType) throws InvalidSkillException, UnsupportedOperationException {
+        SkillType skill = getSkillType(skillType);
+
+        if (skill.isChildSkill()) {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Child skills do not have XP");
+        }
+
+        return skill;
+    }
 }