Start Learning Social Innovation — Two Paths

How certification works

1 · Learn

Read the Social Innovation Manual — by yourself or with an accredited trainer.

2 · Take the exam

Book the proctored exam through certN at vds.certn.global.

3 · Get certified

Receive your ADP-issued credential. Valid for life, no renewal.

Two ways to learn

Both paths use the same reference material — the Social Innovation Manual — and both prepare you for the same SIPC exam. Choose based on how you learn best.

Path A

Self-study with the Manual

Read the Manual, work through the framework on your own, and book the exam when you're ready.

What you need

The Social Innovation Manual — free, CC BY 4.0
Around 25 hours of focused study spread across a few weeks
A real or hypothetical project to apply the methodology to

Best for

Experienced practitioners who learn well from reading
Anyone who wants flexible, self-paced preparation
Candidates with strong self-discipline and 2–3 years of relevant practice

Book your exam at certN

Path B

Train with an accredited trainer

A structured course delivered by an ADP-accredited trainer in your region, language, and preferred format.

What you need

An accredited trainer matching your country, language, and format
About 25 hours of training time, structured by the trainer
The training fee (set by the trainer)

Best for

Practitioners who learn better in a cohort
People who want instructor feedback on applying the framework
Anyone who prefers structure, accountability, and a faster path to exam readiness

Find an accredited trainer

What you study (the same either way)

Both paths cover the same content: the Social Innovation framework as described in the Manual. The four phases (Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver), the underlying theory, the management of innovation work, and the practitioner’s role across the full ecosystem.

The reference text for both paths is the Social Innovation Manual.

The exam at a glance

Whichever path you choose, the SIPC exam has the same structure:

50 multiple-choice questions over 60 minutes
Open-book — you can refer to the Manual during the exam
Around 80% of questions are application-based, not definitional
70% passing score
Online proctored or in-person, delivered by certN

For the full syllabus, question distribution by topic, and learning outcomes, see the certification page.

After you pass

Your SIPC credential is valid for life. There’s no renewal fee.

You can display it on your CV, your professional profiles, and your professional materials. Employers can verify your credential through certN.