Companies increase their dynamic development processes by building Scrum teams that strengthen individual team members. Scrum Masters lead Scrum teams to deliver sustainable value to customers. In order to do this properly, you must choose the right Scrum Master certification to understand and perform this role effectively. To help you, here are some popular training courses and companies that offer certification exams for aspiring Scrum Masters. Scrum is an increasingly popular project management framework that helps companies and organizations manage large projects, increase team accountability, and reduce costs.
What is a Scrum Master Certification?
A Scrum Master certification, or Scrum certification, is a credential that recognizes your competency in Scrum project management principles. It can qualify candidates to become Scrum Masters – a type of project manager who uses Scrum to complete projects. While Scrum certifications aren’t always necessary to become a project manager, they are often required—and sometimes required—in positions where there is a strong emphasis on Scrum. A Scrum Master is a trained professional who helps organize and scale teams of all sizes to apply Scrum methodology. Becoming a certified Scrum Master not only increases credibility; it also makes Scrum Masters more in demand and increases their earning potential. We review the top two Scrum Master Certifications—Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM)—and other valuable Scrum certifications, as well as the best training and certification providers for each.
Why is Scrum Framework important?
Organizations are increasingly using the Scrum framework to carry out their agile projects. This framework helps teams tackle complex problems by developing adaptive solutions. Companies can use Scrum to create added value for customers and increase their productivity. The Scrum framework was developed by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland in the early 1990s and enables iterative product development. Agile project management often goes hand in hand with changing requirements or goals. Iterative product development works well for the agile framework. This makes Scrum suitable for agile projects. Organizations need to train teams if they want to build successful Scrum teams capable of working within the Scrum framework. Scrum Masters lead these small teams. A Scrum team needs a product owner. The goal of a Scrum Product Owner is to maximize the value of the product and ensure that the Scrum Team meets the agreed requirements. A Scrum team must have team members with the required skills. For example, a Scrum development team in a software development project may consist of architects, UI designers, programmers, testers, and DevOps engineers. The role of a Scrum Master shares many similarities with a traditional Project Manager (PM). Scrum Masters need to empower their teams, which is the key to success. Efficient Scrum teams work closely with customers. They demonstrate collaboration and ownership, and effective Scrum Masters work as enablers.
What does a Scrum Master certification include?
CSM and PSM certifications differ in their focus on how the certification is delivered. However, both focus on a Scrum Master demonstrating their knowledge and mastery of Scrum principles and practical applications through a rigorous examination. Note that Scrum Master training is separate from a Scrum Master exam. CSM training courses typically take place over two or three days, with each day lasting between 4 and 8.5 hours. Training is often offered online in addition to on-site training. Although Scrum training is required to take the CSM exam, there are no prerequisites to take the PSM certification exam.
What Is the Cost of a Scrum Master Certification?
CSM training and certification can cost anywhere from $570 to $1,300, including the cost of the exam. Individuals are required to recertify every two years for a $100 recertification fee. In addition to the fee, the Scrum Alliance requires 20 SEUs for CSM recertification. Fortunately, there are many free ways to earn SEUs. PSM certification through Scrum.org costs $150 for the PSM I certification, $250 for the PSM II, and $500 for the PSM III. PSM certificates do not require renewals or continuing education credits. For renewal costs and requirements for the PMI-ACP and SAFe Scrum master certifications, see the Project Management Institute and Scaled Agile assessments above.
How Much Do Scrum Masters Earn?
Scrum Masters in the United States make an average of $99,500 per year, with most salaries ranging from $72,000 to $137,000. For comparison, a traditional uncertified project manager makes an average of $89,000 per year with salaries ranging from $57,000 to $138,000.
Best Scrum Master Certifications
While there are many organizations that offer Scrum Master training, there are only handfuls that offer certification. We’ve reviewed the providers of the most coveted and recognized Scrum certifications, and broken down the cost, requirements, and participation options for each.
1. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is administered by the Scrum Alliance, the first organization to offer Scrum certification. It is recommended for current and prospective Scrum team leaders from any industry—or anyone expecting to work in cross-functional teams and solves complex problems. More advanced Scrum Alliance certifications on the Scrum Master track include the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM) and Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certifications.
Cost: Depends on the course. Offers ranged from about $450 to $1000 as of August 2021. The courses include examination costs.Requirements: To become a CSM, you must complete a minimum 14-hour course and pass an exam at the end.
2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification, which is also offered by the Scrum Alliance, confirms your training and knowledge as a product owner. It’s a sought-after field; Product Owners are named among the nine emerging product development jobs of 2020 in a report by the World Economic Forum. You will learn the basics of Scrum in CSPO and receive product-specific training, e.g. How to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and create a product vision. The CSPO is recommended for product owners and project managers, as well as business and data analysts. On the Product Owner Track, you can become an Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO) or a Certified Scrum Professional Product Owner (CSP-PO).
Cost: Depends on the course. The offers ranged from about $450 to $1000.Requirements: You must complete a Scrum Alliance-approved CSPO course to be certified.
3. A-CSM (Advanced Certified ScrumMaster): An advanced CSM training and certification program from the Scrum Alliance
Already a Scrum Master? You may consider the Scrum Alliance’s Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM). The organization offers this continuing education and certification program second in its CSM learning roadmap. Cost: Depending on your region, you will need to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for A-CSM certification.
4. Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)
The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is a Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org, an organization founded by one of the co-founders of the Scrum Alliance, Ken Schwaber. The PSM I validates your understanding of the Scrum framework and its application. It is the first level of Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org. You can then complete the PSM II or PSM III, which tests you on more complex Scrum processes.
Cost: $150Requirements: You must pass the PSM I exam to be certified. Courses are available but not required.
5. PSM II (Professional Scrum Master II)
Scrum.org offers Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II), the second certification in its Scrum Master training path. Learners who achieve this certification gain advanced Scrum skills. Cost: The PSM II assessment will cost you $250. Although not mandatory, Scrum.org recommends attending the Professional Scrum Master II training. With this course, you will receive a free voucher to complete the PSM II assessment. If you take part and complete the PSM II exam within 14 days, the second attempt is free of charge for you.
6. PSM III (Professional Scrum Master III)
The third certification program in the Scrum Master training roadmap offered by Scrum.org is the Professional Scrum Master III (PSM III) certification. Learners must acquire expert-level expertise to earn this certification.
Cost: You need to pay $500 for the PSM III certification assessment. You get a 40% discount if you have completed the Professional Scrum Master II training.
7. Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
The Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) is the highest certification in the product development track of the Scrum Alliance. Unlike the CSP-PO and CSP-SM, the CSP is uniquely designed for developers and is designed to help you become a professional improving the way Scrum and Agile principles are implemented in your team. You can begin the CSP journey by first becoming a Certified Scrum Developer (CSD).
Cost: $100 application fee, plus $150 certification feeRequirements: To be CSP certified, you must have an active CSD certification, at least thirty-six months of Agile or Scrum work experience in the last five years, and seventy Scrum training units from the last three years. You then fill out an application, which must then be approved.
8. SAFe Scrum Master (SSM)
If you are considering becoming a Scrum Master in an organization where Agile, Lean, or DevOps concepts are widely practiced, the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certification may be what you are looking for. The certification is administered by Scaled Agile, the organization that oversees the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). In addition to learning about Scrum, you will learn the tools you need to work with fully remote teams.
Cost: Depends on the course. A sample of prices in August 2021 ranged from $600 to $800. Course fees usually include exam fees.Requirements: In addition to passing an exam, you must complete a two-day mandatory course approved by Scaled Agile.
9. Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I)
The Scrum.org Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO) certification validates your ability to maximize the value of a product created by a development team. The certification tests your understanding of the Product Owner Learning Path attributed by Scrum.org and your ability to apply and interpret the Scrum Guide. If you want to improve your skills, you can get PSPO II and PSPO III from Scrum.org.
Cost: $200 (exam only)Requirements: Passing the PSPO-I exam is a prerequisite for acquiring the authorization. A course is not required but highly recommended.
10. Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
The Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) is aimed at product developers who work in Scrum environments. Through the CSD training, you will familiarize yourself with the core concepts of Scrum and Agile in the context of product development. The CSD is a prerequisite for both the Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (ACSD) and the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP). The Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) is a similar offering from Scrum.org.
Cost: Depends on the course. August 2021 offers were around $1000.Requirements: To become a CSD, you must attend a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD course of at least two days.
WHO should take the Certified ScrumMaster course?
Anyone new to agile working will benefit from the concepts covered in the CSM course. Scrum is applicable across industries and potentially across cross-functional teams, so marketers, data scientists, HR representatives, and other professionals looking for a better way to solve complex problems are encouraged to participate.
WHY should I become a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master?
As a Certified Scrum Master, you have the opportunity to:
Demonstrate your knowledge through the gold standard of Agile certification.Guide your team to use Scrum effectively and understand why Scrum values are so important.Increase your career opportunities and expand your professional community.Improve leadership skills and influence organizational change.
Is it worth becoming a certified Scrum Master?
As more companies adopt Agile and Scrum methodology for project management, there is a growing demand for trained and experienced Scrum Masters. Due to their training in specific proven methods, Scrum Masters have expertise that goes beyond that of conventional project managers. No training can replace hands-on experience, but certification adds an extra layer of credibility and professionalism to a Scrum Master’s experience, making him or her more attractive to potential employers.
Conclusion
Becoming a Scrum Master is an efficient way to advance your career. Finding a Scrum Master certification that’s right for you and the changes you want to make to your job is easier than ever with all of the online options. In addition, mastering Scrum will give you a good introduction to agile project management and how it works. Introducing sprints and scrums into your high-priority projects could have great results for your organization. Leading these initiatives with a Scrum Master certification would be a great step forward in your career. Learning Scrum concepts can be beneficial for project managers, product owners, business analysts, and any number of other professionals working on Scrum teams. If you want a basic introduction to Scrum, consider signing up for the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate. It has an entire course dedicated to agile project management where you will also go through Scrum concepts.
