Non-Profit Professional Director Certification

For those who have completed the NPPD.d designation (or equivalent training)
and want to deepen their expertise by gaining practical experience. 

In addition to the coursework required for the NPPD.d designation, candidates must complete approximately 100 hours of applied governance work and continuing education.

This typically includes a mix of

• board service experience (serving as a board director of a non-profit organization),

• officer experience (taking on a leadership role such as Board Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer)

• and additional approved governance training.

The certification track is designed to ensure that graduates not only understand governance theory but have also demonstrated their skills in real-world settings.

Requiring actual board experience is a hallmark of high-level director credentials, for example, in the UK (Institute of Directors – IoD & Chartered Director) and in Australia (Australian Institute of Company Directors  – AICD – FAICD certifications), these institutes expect candidates to be current directors as part of their qualification. Similarly, the NPPD.c certification validates that the holder has both the knowledge and the hands-on experience to be an effective non-profit board director or officer. Those who fulfill the requirements earn the “NPPD.c” designation, signifying Certified Non-Profit Professional Director status. This certification reflects a higher level of commitment, demonstrating that the individual has invested and engaged meaningfully in substantial practical governance leadership beyond the classroom.

Other options