The 8 best scrum master certifications

Scrum is a widely used Agile project management framework. As one of the most popular Agile methodologies, Scrum is commonly used by software development teams; however, it can be applied to any industry. Organizations that use the Scrum framework benefit from higher productivity, improved product quality, reduced risk and happier team members.

The Scrum framework requires three key team roles, including the Product Owner, the Scrum Master and the development team. The certified Product Owner and Scrum Master roles are often sought after by aspiring Scrum leaders who wish to lead teams to project success. And if you’re one of them, you must consider obtaining a Scrum certification.

There are many Scrum certifications out there to choose from, depending on your goals. Here, we break down some of the best certifications available to you.

Employees per Company Size

Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)

Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise

Features

Agile Development, Analytics / Reports, API, and more

Employees per Company Size

Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)

Any Company Size Any Company Size

Features

Analytics / Reports, API, Budget / Expense Tracking, and more

Employees per Company Size

Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)

Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Medium, Large, Enterprise

Features

Agile Development, Analytics / Reports, API, and more

There are many benefits to earning a Scrum certification. First, certification provides the knowledge you need to lead teams through successful initiatives. In addition, many organizations looking to take advantage of Scrum are searching for certified Scrum Masters and Product Owners to fill open roles. Obtaining a certification can help you remain competitive in your job search or solidify your place in your current organization. You will also learn how to apply the Scrum techniques to project management tools such as Kanban boards.

The Agile Scrum Certification by Master of Project Academy is designed to teach Agile and Scrum project management foundation. The course is designed to be easy-paced, so you can complete the training even if you are working full-time.

There are no specific qualifications needed; however, it is recommended that the candidates have some knowledge of and experience with Scrum and Agile methodologies.

The training is 10 hours long and consists of 150+ practice questions to help prepare for certification exams. There is no exam in this course, though there is a sample Agile Scrum certification exam.

You can choose from different types of subscriptions ranging from $67 for a monthly subscription to $527 for lifetime access.

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification is considered to be the gold standard. This certification was developed for those new to Agile as well as the more seasoned, including software engineers and project managers.

During the certification course, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the Scrum framework, including Scrum theory and how to plan sprints. Once you complete the CSM certification, additional courses are available such as the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster certification course.

CSM is an introductory course for aspiring Scrum Masters and individuals that are already leading Scrum teams. Therefore, there are no eligibility criteria or experience required for CSM certification.

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) by Scrum Alliance training which runs for two days is estimated to be around 16 hours. The duration of the certification exam is two hours. The format of the exam is 50 multiple-choice questions.

The cost of Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) by Scrum Alliance certification is between $405 and $695, depending on date, time, and instructor. There is also a $25 charge for each additional attempt at the exam.

Scrum.org offers three levels of Professional Scrum Master: PSM I, PSM II and PSM III. The Professional Scrum Master certification solidifies your knowledge of the Scrum framework and how it’s used. While the Professional Scrum Master I certification is perfect for Scrum beginners, PSM II and PSM III are best for those with more advanced skills.

Scrum.org offers the Professional Scrum Master certification exams to professionals with or without previous Scrum training. However, they also offer training courses for those just getting started with Scrum. PSM I is required to obtain the PSM II and III certifications.

There are no formal eligibility criteria or required skills to obtain the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) by Scrum.org. However, you must have completed the previous level of PSM to progress to the next. For example, to get the PSM III certification, you must have completed PSM I and PSM II.

The skills taught in this certification depend on the level of the program:

The training lasts for two days and goes for eight hours each day for a total of 16 hours of training. The format and duration of the exam depend on the level of the program. The duration varies from 60 to 150 minutes, and the number of questions varies from 30 to 150.

The cost of training depends on the level of the program. It varies from $150 to $500.

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a leading framework for scaling Agile according to Gartner. SAFe is provided through Scaled Agile, which also provides the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certification for SAFe-specific organizations.

During the training course, you’ll learn how to lead Agile teams in a SAFe environment, how to conduct iteration planning and more. Once you complete the training program, you’ll be prepared to take the SAFe Scrum Master certification exam, which is best for those with intermediate-level skills.

There is no formal requirement for the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) by Scaled Agile; however, it is recommended that the candidate has basic Scrum and Agile experience.

The training takes place over the course of two days, lasting eight hours each day for a total of 16 hours of training. The exam for SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) by Scaled Agile consists of 45 multiple-choice questions, and the duration is 90 minutes.

The cost of training depends on several factors, including location and mode of delivery. You can expect the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) by Scaled Agile training and certification to cost between $500 to $2000.

The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification is for those wanting to learn how to bring new products to life. During this course, Product Owners, project managers and other Agile team members can dive deeper into the Scrum framework as well as the principles required for success.

The CSPO certification is one of the most popular options for Product Owners simply due to its benefits. For example, according to a survey completed by Indeed, 39% of the CSPO-certified Product Owners stated that the certification helped them achieve a higher salary.

The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) by Scrum Alliance does not have specific required skills.

There is no exam required to earn a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification.

Expect to spend around $399-$780 for training and certification for the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) by Scrum Alliance. There is also a $100 certification fee paid upon the successful completion of the program.

The Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) certification is similar to the PSM certification as there are three distinct certifications depending on your skill level: PSPO I, PSPO II and PSPO III.

This certification is built on the professional Scrum competencies, including understanding the Scrum framework, developing teams and managing products from plan to launch. PSPO I is required to be able to obtain the PSPO II and III certifications.

There is no specific eligibility criteria or required skills for the Professional Scrum Product Owner certification. However, each level of the PSPO builds on the previous level, so you will need to pass each level to proceed.

The entry-level PSPO I has two days or 16 hours of live training. The duration and format of the exam depend on the level of certification. The exam for the PSPO ranges from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the certification level.

The Professional Scrum Product Owner certifications are typically priced between $1000 to $1500. You also have a test attempt fee in the range of $200 to $500, though the training course includes a free attempt at the exam.

The SAFe Product Owner/Manager (POPM) certification is specifically for Product Owners who wish to learn how to build products using the Scaled Agile Framework. Inside the course, you’ll learn how to thrive in your role as a Product Owner, how to test projects and how to collaborate with others on your Scrum team.

Candidates for the SAFe Product Owner/Manager must have attended a SAFe PO/PM or LEADIng SAFe course. If they don’t fulfill this requirement, then they must have a minimum of one year of experience in a PO/PM role in a SAFe environment.

The training duration for this certification is two days. The duration of the SAFe Product Owner/Manager (POPM) exam is 90 minutes. It consists of 45 multiple-choice questions.

The cost of the SAFe Product Owner/Manager (POPM) ranges from $1000 to $1500 depending on the instructor, location, study materials and other factors.

The Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) is an advanced and immersive course for the Scrum Master role. The program is designed to use real-world examples and encourage a collaborative learning experience. The course teaches attendees practical tools and techniques that can be applied to their work.

The candidate must meet all the following requirements for the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster:

The training takes place over the course of two days, lasting eight hours each day for a total of 16 hours of training. There is no exam for the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM).

The cost of training for the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) varies from $1000 to $2000 depending on availability, location, instructor and other factors.

The Scrum Master by Scrum Inc. (RSM) is developed by the co-creator of Dr. Jeff Sutherland. The course is designed to be highly interactive and includes a variety of exercises and games. Attendees will get to experience the Scrum Master role first-hand. This includes how to create a product backlog and manage a burndown chart.

There are no prerequisites or specific eligibility criteria for the Scrum Master by Scrum Inc (RSM).

The Scrum Master by Scrum Inc. (RSM) is a two-day course including training and certification. There is no separate exam for this certification. However, the attendees must demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of Scrum and their ability to apply their learning to their work.

The Scrum Master by Scrum Inc. (RSM) certification costs range from $1200 to $2000.

Scrum certifications provide attendees with the knowledge, hands-on experience and confidence to apply Scrum techniques and frameworks to their work. Here are some of the key benefits of scrum certifications in project management:

With Scrum certification, you get a solid knowledge base of core Scrum principles and best practices. This helps you to guide teams and remove impediments in various situations. This can help you boost your team’s effectiveness.

One of the major goals in project management is to anticipate problems and events before they occur. With Scrum certification, you will strengthen your risk-assessment skills. This will help you eliminate any impediments or bottlenecks that threaten to stall your project.

Whether you are a project manager, IT professional or business executive, you can prepare yourself for more career opportunities with Scrum certifications. It can also increase your earning potential and make your résumé stand out.

Scrum certifications teach you skills and tools that enable you to improve project outcomes by applying Scrum learning. This is achieved through better management of processes, enhanced collaboration and communication, and increased productivity.

As mentioned above, getting Scrum certifications in project management offers several benefits. However, you need to choose the right program to fully benefit from Scrum certification. Fortunately, there is a variety of certifications to choose from. To pick the best Scrum certification for project management, you need to evaluate your current needs, experience level and future goals.

If you are new to the Scrum methodology and want an introduction to the framework, you will be better suited to choose a basic certification program. On the other hand, if you already have experience with Scrum, you can choose a more advanced certification program. There are some certifications that offer multiple levels of training, providing a clear progressive path from basic to advanced level.

This list of best Scrum certifications was compiled through extensive research and analysis of several certifications. We looked at the different parameters, including the usefulness of the certification and skills taught in the program.

Free Scrum Master Certification Training And Prep Courses

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If you’re considering a career as a scrum master, but you’re not sure if it’s the right path for you, you can learn more by taking a free scrum master certification training course. These courses typically offer short videos and basic information, and some are less than an hour long.

Organizations provide these programs to expose you to scrum principles, typically with an option to enroll in a paid course after completing the free version. While you cannot earn an actual scrum master certification for free, free scrum master certification training programs may help you decide whether pursuing certification is the right path for you.

The outlook for scrum master jobs is excellent. According to a report published by the World Economic Forum, scrum master jobs and other project management roles are listed among the top nine emerging product development jobs for the future economy.

If you’re new to the concept of scrum, or if you already work on a scrum team and want to advance into a leadership role, earning a scrum master certification may be your next step. Scrum master certification can open doors for you to develop and build your skills within the scrum framework.

A few organizations offer official scrum master certifications. These credentials attest to your ability to lead teams through product and project completion using the scrum framework. The training programs are rigorous, and the exams are comprehensive.

Other organizations offer free scrum master certification training, but you should note that these training programs do not include certification. These training programs may come with a certificate of completion at the end, but not always. A certificate of completion shows that you have completed the free course, but it’s not the same thing as a scrum master certification.

If you don’t end up with a certification, why would you take a free scrum master training course? The scrum master certification process can take some time. Cost varies significantly depending on the program, with most courses costing between $150 and $1,995.

Free courses provide a sample of what you would learn in a paid program. If you aren’t sure whether you want to commit time and money to a full training program, a free course can help you decide if earning a scrum master certification is right for you.

Below are some options for free scrum master training courses. If you’re on the fence, check out these free options to see if working on a scrum team or as a scrum master is what you want to do. These free courses may provide you with the information you need to decide whether you should move forward with a paid scrum master certification program.

Course Description: This course may be a good option for team leaders, project managers and those who are considering becoming a Professional Scrum Master (PSM®). It includes sample lectures, downloadable sample handouts and study materials, information on scrum and agile methodologies and information on the PSM certification. This free course is just a sample of what the paid coursework would be like.

Time Commitment: This free scrum master training is about 30 minutes long.

Cost: The 30-minute sample lectures are free. If you enjoy the material, you can sign up for the paid course options, which cost $67 per month, $297 annually or $527 for lifetime access to the course materials. These paid courses can help you prepare for your certification exam, but you will not be certified upon completing the course.

Course Description: In this course, offered by LearnQuest through Coursera, you learn the fundamentals of scrum, including terminology, managing events, working in sprints and risk management. You earn a certificate of completion at the end. While this certificate is not an official certification, the course can prepare you for your certification exam or help you determine whether you want to pursue a career as a scrum master.

Time Commitment: The full course takes approximately nine hours to complete.

Cost: There is a seven-day free trial, and after that, the cost is $39 per month. If you enjoy the introductory coursework, you can continue on to three other modules in LearnQuest’s scrum master certification specialization. In total, the specialization takes about 28 hours.

Course Description: This is not specifically a scrum master course. It’s a course on agile methodology, including scrum. Scrum is one framework that follows agile principles, and the course touches on scrum, along with other agile fundamentals.

Time Commitment: This course is 12 hours.

Cost: You can access the full course at no charge, but you will not receive a certificate of completion with the free option. If you want to earn a certificate of completion, you can purchase the course for $49. This certificate of completion is not a scrum master certification.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the foundational principles of scrum. It provides students with a basic understanding of the scrum framework. It is not a scrum master certification course.

Time Commitment: This is a five-hour virtual training course.

Cost: This initial course is free and may be followed up with a more intensive, two-day Scrum Master Certified™ course. The fee for this course is $450, which covers study materials and the exam fee.

Course Description: This course focuses on the basic fundamentals of agile and scrum. It covers how to use agile and scrum principles in real-world situations, and it prepares you to take the Foundational Certification in Agile Scrum (FCAS) exam.

Time Commitment: This course comprises about 3 hours of training videos.

Cost: In this case, the actual test is offered free with the purchase of the FCAS course, which costs around $20. Upon completion of the paid course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Course Description: This course introduces the Scrum Body of Knowledge®, which provides information on the scrum framework, scrum principles and the phases of the scrum process.

Time Commitment: This course consists of 58 minutes of video lectures.

Cost: This brief introduction is free, but it does not provide certification or a certificate of completion. This free training offers insight into what you would find in one of Udemy’s more comprehensive paid courses. If you choose to take a paid course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Paid courses range from $17 to $189.

Course Description: This course focuses on agile fundamentals, touching on the traditional waterfall process and scrum. It is not a scrum master certification class, and it does not prepare you to take a scrum master exam, but it may provide you with the insight you need to make a decision about moving forward with a scrum master certification.

Time Commitment: This course includes two hours and 44 minutes of training.

Cost: If you sign up for this course, you’ll have a 10-day free trial period. After that, the cost is $29 per month.

Agile Scrum Online Training

Agile Scrum Online Training

Are you a professional working in a project management role and curious about Agile Scrum? Or maybe you are already using Agile project management with Scrum training but want to get a refresher or expand your knowledge. Whether you are new to Agile or have been running sprints, Drexel’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies offers paths and courses to get up to speed about Agile Scrum:

Drexel's Agile courses are aligned with the goals of the Project Management Institute's Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® credential. By enrolling in these courses, you can prepare for the certification exam and earn the PDUs needed to maintain your status as an Agile pro. Along with the courses listed below, we also offer training in related areas like Lean Six Sigma, information technology and business analysis.

According to the State of Agile Survey, approximately 60 percent of projects are Agile—a project management approach based on delivering requirements iteratively and incrementally throughout the life cycle. Scrum is an Agile methodology that includes a simple set of principles and practices that help teams deliver products in short cycles, enabling fast feedback, continual improvement and rapid adaptation to change.

Scrum has the power to transform project management across every industry and every business. By using Scrum, you become more Agile, discovering how to react more quickly and respond more accurately to the inevitable change that is associated with projects.

When companies become Agile, they have a greater chance of project success. If your company is using waterfall and exploring adopting Agile, consider about Agile project management with Scrum training for your employees. Talk to us about getting a complimentary training skills gap analysis and our multiple employee discount.

For further details upcoming course dates and information, please contact: goodwin.ce@drexel.edu or call 215.895.2154

Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

This two-day Agile Scrum training utilizes an immersive learning approach which allows you to practice the Agile Scrum techniques as you learn them. You will create Agile teams and simulate an actual sprint using a chosen project. You will also conduct five scrum ceremonies while creating user stories, product backlogs, scrum boards, burn down charts, and participate in a daily meeting, demo and retrospective—all while using your chosen project as a case study for the exercises.

Register Now

Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

Learn how to define and manage high-level requirements effectively and demonstrate alternative ways of documenting requirements and managing changes using the Agile Scrum methodology. Topics will also cover product backlog management including epic decomposition, acceptance criteria (Gherkin & Bullet technique), story point estimation, and prioritization.

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Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

As you move through the disciplines promoted by Scrum, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of the Product Owner. Specifically, you will focus on the behaviors expected of this important Agile team member. Though many are familiar with the practice of establishing value and priority across projects, the Product Owner needs to consider value and priority across the features of a single project. This two-day course will explain the Product Owner’s role, responsibilities, prioritization consideration, commitment to the team, velocity and story points, and many other tips and tricks for helping the Agile team to succeed.

For further details upcoming course dates and information, please contact: goodwin.ce@drexel.edu or call 215.895.2154

Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

This two-day course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the Scrum methodology while specifically reviewing the behaviors expected of a Scrum Master. This course is suitable for those practicing or looking to practice the art of the Scrum Master, but is highly valuable for others as well. The course specifically address, setting & adjusting the team’s velocity, facilitating the daily meetings, motivating the team, handling impediments, etc.

For further details upcoming course dates and information, please contact: goodwin.ce@drexel.edu or call 215.895.2154

Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

In this two-day course, you gain an understanding about Agile business analysis. You will learn the similarities and differences of business analysis on an Agile project versus business analysis performed on Waterfall projects. Furthermore, you will understand how the business analysis role changes on an Agile team. A number of business analysis techniques suited for supporting Agile teams will be introduced as will the various standards available to the community to help make the transition from Waterfall to Agile. Since few organizations are purely Agile, you will also learn about delivery approaches that use a combination of practices from Waterfall and Agile. Throughout your learning, you will be introduced to the important concept of business analysis tailoring—the key skill used to adapt business analysis skills to all environments—regardless of the delivery life cycle selected.

For further details upcoming course dates and information, please contact: goodwin.ce@drexel.edu or call 215.895.2154

Duration: 2 days

Dates: To be determined

Cost: $1,100

CEUs: 1.6

PDUs: 16

This two-day Agile for Testers course looks at the Agile team issues that drive the need for a fully functional testing process and describes the components of such a process. It is designed to help Agile teams with an understanding of their role, the process and the deliverables associated with lighter-weight testing.

For further details upcoming course dates and information, please contact: goodwin.ce@drexel.edu or call 215.895.2154

Duration: 1 day

Agile Scrum Basics for Professionals is a seven-hour non-credit course designed for leaders and practitioners across a variety of industries to learn how the Agile Scrum methodology and framework can streamline your projects.

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There are many job opportunities for professionals with experience and certification in Agile Scrum. When you start as a Certified Product Owner, Certified Scrum Master or Certified Scrum Developer, you can then move on to Certified Scrum Professional. Once you are that level, you then have teaching and coaching capabilities as a Certified Scrum Trainer, Certified Enterprise Coach or a Certified Team Coach.

Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)