Exams & Certificates
Making the world better, managing change for
The Project Management for Social Good (Social Good DPro) guide is designed to support anyone involved in managing or contributing to projects that aim to create positive social impact.
Why Social Good DPro?
Project management isn't just for projects in the developing world: it's just as important for community-led change, social enterprises, and indeed any project delivering social benefit in higher-income countries.
Social Good is built on the trusted foundation of Project DPro but tailored to meet the needs of those working in higher-income countries. It speaks to changemakers who might not call themselves “project managers,” but still lead projects every day to improve lives, protect rights, and strengthen communities.
With practical tools, inclusive examples, and accessible language, Social Good DPro makes project management more relevant than ever; for volunteers, campaigners, social innovators, and frontline service teams.
- Already using Project DPro? You’ll find familiar tools and a shared structure.
- New to project management? Social Good DPro meets you where you are, and helps you go further.
Two guides. Two certifications. One shared goal: to help you plan better, deliver better, and do more good.
To see how the DPro certifications compare in terms of focus, level, and target audience, explore the full comparison table.
Why Become Certified?
In an industry that relies upon projects to complete its work, certified project managers are ready to more effectively manage their projects around the world. The PM4NGOs certifications are internationally recognized and serve as an evidence of acquired DPro skills and competences.
Social Good DPro Certification
The Project Management for Social Good (Social Good DPro) certification is designed to support anyone involved in managing or contributing to projects that aim to create positive social impact in higher-income countries. This includes:
- Individuals working in not-for-profit organizations;
- Community-based organizers and team members implementing a grant-funded program;
- Social entrepreneurs;
- Impact-driven for-profit ventures;
- Project Managers and team members who are new to project management;
- Students who want to develop a career in the social good sector or project management;
- Consultants/contract staff operating in the social good sector.
Our goal is to make project management accessible and relevant not only to professional project managers, but also to project teams, volunteers, coordinators, and anyone who plays a role in planning and delivering social change initiatives.
The examination is available online on the PM4NGOs Exams Platform and requires candidates to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the Social Good DPro Guide. The exams are multiple-choice with 75 questions. The pass mark is 65% – or 49 correct answers. There is no ‘negative’ marking so an incorrect answer does not lose your marks. The learning objectives for the Social Good DPro Foundation examination are found in the Appendix of the Social Good DPro Guide.
From 2026, all DPro exams are reviewed and audited to ensure the highest standards. Certificates are released within 7 days after successful validation. Find out more about how this process works here.
As of October 1, 2022, all DPro Exams are open book with the duration of 2h (120 minutes). Please check our FAQ to check what an open-book exam is.
Project DPro Foundation Pricing
Not sure which fee applies to you? Use our exam fee selector below to find out:
Exams have the same composition, content, and recognition regardless of the price. The different prices have been set to benefit local and community-based organizations, students, and volunteers. PM4NGOs implement auditing processes periodically, requesting proof of status (e.g., student cards) of candidates who selected local or in-country organization pricing.
Important note: All exams are valid for 1 (one) year after purchasing. Fees are non-refundable once the candidate starts the exams, regardless if the candidate completes the exam or not.
Become anProject Manager
Project DPro provides project managers with the skills needed to deliver effective, transparent results to donors and communities. The courses and certifications are valuable to all development professionals, from people who work with the communities to project and program managers.
Why Project DPro?
– Provides a comprehensive and participatory approach to project management.
– Common and contextualized vocabulary and framework specifically for managing development projects.
– Develops professionals’ understanding of the value of a standard project management language and tools.
– Provides a practical toolkit that can be adapted to any organizational project environment.
– Enhances professionals’ ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, and within scope.
To see how the DPro certifications compare in terms of focus, level, and target audience, explore the full comparison table.
Why Become Certified?
In an industry that relies upon projects to complete its work, a certification helps ensure that project managers are ready to effectively manage their projects around the world. The PM4NGOs certifications are internationally recognized and serve as an evidence of acquired skills and competences.
Project DPro FOUNDATION Certification
The Project DPro Foundation certification (level 1) is intended for those new to project management, those with experience working in a project-based environment who are looking for a refresher, and for experienced project managers who are new to working in the international development sector.
Requirements: there are no professional or knowledge prerequisites to take the Project DPro Exam. However, candidates must have basic IT knowledge (use a computer, access emails, browse and fill out an online assessment).
The goal of the Project DPro Foundation is to:
- confer a professional certification status for project managers in the sector
- provide certification and learning resources that are comprehensive, accessible and appropriate to professionals working in the sector
- integrate content that is contextualized to the international development sector with other internationally recognized certifications.
The examination is available online on the PM4NGOs Exams Platform and requires candidates to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the Project DPro Guide. The exams are multiple-choice with 75 questions. The pass mark is 65% – or 49 correct answers. There is no ‘negative’ marking so an incorrect answer does not lose your marks. The learning objectives for the Project DPro Foundation examination are found in the Appendix of the Project DPro Guide.
From 2026, all DPro exams are reviewed and audited to ensure the highest standards. Certificates are released within 7 days after successful validation. Find out more about how this process works here.
As of October 1, 2022, all DPro Exams are open book with the duration of 2h (120 minutes). Please check our FAQ to check what an open-book exam is.
Project DPro Foundation Pricing
Not sure which fee applies to you? Use our exam fee selector below to find out:
Exams have the same composition, content, and recognition regardless of the price. The different prices have been set to benefit local and community-based organizations, students, and volunteers. PM4NGOs implement auditing processes periodically, requesting proof of status (e.g., student cards) of candidates who selected local or in-country organization pricing.
Important note: All exams are valid for 1 (one) year after purchasing. Fees are non-refundable once the candidate starts the exams, regardless if the candidate completes the exam or not.
Continuing
Project DPro PRACTITIONER Certification
The Practitioner Certification is not an exam. It is an activity based examination that allows continuing professional development. Activities are designed to be performed over a period of time (not a few hours or even the same day).
The Practitioner Examination is currently being offered by PM4NGOs Training Partner only. The PM4NGOs Training Partners offering are:
Please contact them to confirm their course agenda, fees, and other details.
Become a Project Manager with
The MEAL DPro certification is targeted at practitioners at all levels who wish to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental aspects of MEAL systems and activities needed by all practitioners in development contexts. The MEAL DPro Certification is designed for all program and project management staff with MEAL-related responsibilities. The certification exam is taken online and requires test-takers to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the MEAL DPro Guide.
Why MEAL DPro ?
Strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) are critical to project success.
- Monitoring is the continuous and systematic collection and analysis of data about project progress and changes in the project context.
- Evaluation is the user-focused assessment of an ongoing or completed project’s design, implementation and results.
- Accountability is a commitment to respond to and balance the needs of all project stakeholders (including beneficiaries, donors, partners and the organization itself).
- Learning is about embedding processes for internal reflection – using data and raising questions to make smarter project decisions.
When taken together, these four components are the basis of a MEAL system. Each component is both independent and interrelated. It is helpful to consider them as puzzle pieces, each having its unique place and purpose. But, in order to create a functioning MEAL system, these pieces must be aligned, connected, and work together.
To see how the DPro certifications compare in terms of focus, level, and target audience, explore the full comparison table.
Why Become Certified?
In an industry that relies upon projects to complete its work, a certification helps ensure that project managers are ready to effectively manage their projects around the world. The PM4NGOs certifications are internationally recognized and serve as evidence of acquired skills and competences.
MEAL DPro Certification
The MEAL DPro certification exam is available online on the PM4NGOs Exams Platform. The certification requires the candidate to successfully complete the MEAL DPro certification examination. The 75-question examination is taken online and requires test-takers to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the MEAL DPro Guide. The pass mark is 65% – or 49 correct answers. The learning objectives for the MEAL DPro examination are found in the Appendix of the guide.
From 2026, all DPro exams are reviewed and audited to ensure the highest standards. Certificates are released within 7 days after successful validation. Find out more about how this process works here.
As of October 1, 2022, all DPro Exams are open book with the duration of 2h (120 minutes). Please check our FAQ to check what an open-book exam is.
MEAL DPro Pricing
Not sure which fee applies to you? Use our exam fee selector below to find out:
Exams have the same composition, content, and recognition regardless of the price. The different prices have been set to benefit local and community-based organizations, students, and volunteers. PM4NGOs implement auditing processes periodically, requesting proof of status (e.g., student cards) of candidates who selected local or in-country organization pricing.
Important note: All exams are valid for 1 (one) year after purchasing. Fees are non-refundable once the candidate starts the exams, regardless if the candidate completes the exam or not.
Become anProgram Manager
Program DPro is the definitive certification to learn and confirm you have the skills to help realize non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) ambitions through exemplary program management.
Please note that, in order to take the Program DPro exam, we strongly recommend becoming Project DPro (PMD Pro) or Social Good DPro certified, as the Program DPro guide and exam refer to many of the Project DPro content.
Why Become Certified?
In an industry that relies upon projects to complete its work, a certification helps ensure that project managers are ready to effectively manage their projects around the world. The PM4NGOs certifications are internationally recognized and serve as evidence of acquired skills and competences.
Program DPro Certification
The Program DPro Foundation certification is intended for those with experience working in a project/program-based environment who are looking for program level best practices and tools contextualized to the international development sector.
The Program DPro Foundation aims to provide evidence of your ability to:
- perform as a fully fledged program manager – able to offer leadership to project managers and their teams
- align projects with the goals and overarching strategy of an organization
- deliver high quality humanitarian, development and environmental programs
- conquer the challenge of coordination, creating synergies between projects and maximizing the impact of programs
- thrive in a dynamic sector – able to innovate with solutions that allow country and regional teams to be responsive
- play an essential contributing role in helping NGOs address poverty, disease, violence, social injustice, environmental degradation and humanitarian disaster
To see how the DPro certifications compare in terms of focus, level, and target audience, explore the full comparison table.
The examination is available online on the PM4NGOs Exams Platform and requires candidates to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the Program DPro Guide. The exams are multiple-choice with 75 questions. The pass mark is 65% – or 49 correct questions. There is no ‘negative’ marking so an incorrect answer does not lose your marks. The learning objectives for the Program DPro Foundation examination are found in the Appendix of the Program DPro Guide.
From 2026, all DPro exams are reviewed and audited to ensure the highest standards. Certificates are released within 7 days after successful validation. Find out more about how this process works here.
As of October 1, 2022, all DPro Exams are open book with the duration of 2h (120 minutes). Please check our FAQ to check what an open-book exam is.
Program DPro Pricing
Not sure which fee applies to you? Use our exam fee selector below to find out:
Exams have the same composition, content, and recognition regardless of the price. The different prices have been set to benefit local and community-based organizations, students, and volunteers. PM4NGOs implement auditing processes periodically, requesting proof of status (e.g., student cards) of candidates who selected local or in-country organization pricing.
Important note: All exams are valid for 1 (one) year after purchasing. Fees are non-refundable once the candidate starts the exams, regardless if the candidate completes the exam or not.
Become a Project Manager with
The Finance DPro (FMD Pro) certification improves the financial management skills of non-financial managers – running projects for development and humanitarian organizations. This supports the goal of maximizing the impact of these organizations’ endeavors. The certification focuses on several unique factors which impact the way finances in international development and relief projects.
Why Finance DPro (FMD Pro)?
The content of the Finance Pro (FMD Pro) is tools-focused and designed to provide actionable learning. Increased consistency and quality in professional development will translate into increased consistency and quality service delivery to communities.
To see how the DPro certifications compare in terms of focus, level, and target audience, explore the full comparison table.
Why Become Certified?
In an industry that relies upon projects to complete its work, a certification helps ensure that project managers are ready to effectively manage their projects around the world. The PM4NGOs certifications are internationally recognized and serve as evidence of acquired skills and competences.
Finance DPro Certification
The Finance DPro (FMD Pro) certification exam is available online on the PM4NGOs Exams Platform. The certification requires the candidate to successfully complete the Finance DPro certification examination. The 75-question multiple-choice examination is taken online and requires test takers to demonstrate that they know and understand the content of the Finance DPro Guide. The pass mark is 65% – or 49 correct answers. The learning objectives for the Finance DPro examination are found in the Appendix of the guide.
From 2026, all DPro exams are reviewed and audited to ensure the highest standards. Certificates are released within 7 days after successful validation. Find out more about how this process works here.
As of October 1, 2022, all DPro Exams are open book with the duration of 2h (120 minutes). Please check our FAQ to check what an open-book exam is.
Finance DPro Pricing
Not sure which fee applies to you? Use our exam fee selector below to find out:
Exams have the same composition, content, and recognition regardless of the price. The different prices have been set to benefit local and community-based organizations, students, and volunteers. PM4NGOs implement auditing processes periodically, requesting proof of status (e.g., student cards) of candidates who selected local or in-country organization pricing.
Important note: All exams are valid for 1 (one) year after purchasing. Fees are non-refundable once the candidate starts the exams, regardless if the candidate completes the exam or not.
Countries-Specific Processes
Profile approval and exam access are restricted in selected countries.
Candidates from China and Saudi Arabia must follow country-specific processes to create their profiles and
complete their exams. Please review more details by reading the Terms of Use.
