Are you confused about all the different Scrum Master Certification providers out there and unsure which one to choose? Well, this article will shred some light. We’ll explore everything you need to know about the popular Scrum Master Certifications: CSM by Scrum Alliance, PSM by Scrum.org, and SSM by Scaled Agile Inc. While all of them can help you launch your career, there are some key differences you’ll want to be aware of in order to make the right choice for your needs and certification goals.
💡 Why do I need a Scrum Master Certification?
A Scrum Master Certification is a credential that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the Scrum framework – an Agile project management methodology. It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s proficiency in the Scrum framework and their ability to lead Scrum teams.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Career Opportunities: A Scrum Master Certification opens up new career opportunities for professionals in the field of Agile project management. It helps them to stand out from the competition and get hired by top companies that use the Scrum framework.
- Increased Earning Potential: A Scrum Master Certification can lead to higher salaries and better job prospects for professionals. According to Forbes, certified Scrum Masters earn an average salary of $100,000 per year.
- Improved Scrum Knowledge and Skills: A Scrum Master Certification provides professionals with a deep understanding of the Scrum framework and its principles. It equips them with the skills to lead Scrum teams, facilitate Scrum events, and resolve impediments within the team.
🔎 Popular Scrum Master Certification Providers
There are several certification providers available in the market, and each has its own unique offerings. In this section, we will discuss some of the most popular Scrum Master Certification providers.
Scrum Alliance
Scrum Alliance is one of the most established organizations in the agile community. It was founded in 2002 by Mike Cohn, Esther Derby and Ken Schwaber, who are renowned figures in the world of Scrum and agile methodologies. Scrum Alliance offers the primary Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification, as well as the advanced Scrum Master program Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM).
Scrum.org
Scrum.org is another popular Scrum Master certification provider. It was founded in 2009 by Ken Schwaber, one of the co-founders of Scrum Alliance. Scrum.org offers the Professional Scrum Master Certification (PSM) program from foundational (PSM I) to advanced (PSM II) to Scrum mastery level (PSM III).
Scaled Agile, Inc.
Scaled Agile, Inc. is the provider of the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®), a publicly available framework for applying Lean-Agile and DevOps practices at enterprise scale. Founded in 2011 by Dean Leffingwell, Scaled Agile, Inc. has established itself as a leader in Scaled Agile Transformation. They offer the Scrum Master certification course SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) and SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM).
📋 Comparison of CSM vs. PSM vs. SSM
Choosing the right Scrum Master certification can be a daunting task, especially with the variety of options available from different certification providers. To help you make an informed decision, let’s explore some key considerations for each certification:
| Certification Provider | Certification Name | Training Duration | Training Course Fee | Exam Fee | Renewal | Exam Details | Difficulty Level |
| Scrum Alliance | Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | 2-day course | $1,000 – $1,500 | Included in training course fee | Every 2 years | 50 multiple-choice questions, passing score of 74% | Moderate |
| Scrum.org | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) | Self-paced or 2-day course | $900 – $1,200 | $200 | No renewal required | 80 multiple-choice questions, passing score of 85% | Challenging |
| Scaled Agile, Inc. | SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) | 2-day course | $995 – $1,295 | Included in training course fee | Every 1 year | 45 multiple-choice questions, passing score of 73% | Moderate |
💎 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Scrum Alliance:
- Exam Difficulty: The CSM exam is typically considered moderate in difficulty, consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions.
- Renewal Rule: Scrum Alliance requires CSM certification holders to renew their certification every two years by earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and paying a renewal fee.
- Learning Outcomes: CSM certification emphasizes practical application and hands-on learning, equipping professionals with the skills needed to effectively lead Scrum teams in real-world scenarios. It focuses more on the “how” of Scrum implementation.
💎 Professional Scrum Master (PSM) – Scrum.org:
- Exam Difficulty: The PSM I exam is known for its challenging nature, featuring 80 multiple-choice questions that assess deep understanding of Scrum principles and underlying practices.
- Renewal Rule: Unlike Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org does not require renewal for PSM certification. Once certified, professionals maintain their certification indefinitely.
- Learning Outcomes: PSM certification focuses on a comprehensive understanding of Scrum theory and principles. It provides more conceptual depth on the “why” behind Scrum practices.
💎 SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) – Scaled Agile, Inc.:
- Exam Difficulty: The SSM exam is typically moderate in difficulty, with 45 multiple-choice questions that assess understanding of Scrum principles within the context of the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®).
- Renewal Rule: Scaled Agile, Inc. requires SSM certification holders to renew their certification every year by paying a renewal fee. Renewal ensures that certified professionals stay up-to-date with the latest developments in SAFe.
- Learning Outcomes: SSM certification focuses on applying Scrum principles within the context of SAFe. It is designed for individuals who are looking to work in a large-scale Agile environment.
Overall, each certification has its own unique features and benefits, and the choice of certification depends on your personal learning preferences and certification goals.
🚀 Which Certification is right for?
Choosing between the different Scrum Master certifications can be a daunting task. Each certification has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Here are some considerations to help readers determine which certification aligns best with their goals and preferences:
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified ScrumMaster certification provides a practical focus on Scrum principles, emphasizing hands-on learning and soft skills development. One of the main benefits of the CSM certification is that it is widely recognized and accepted by organizations. However, it requires certification renewal every two years, which involves earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and paying a renewal fee. The CSM exam is moderately difficult, consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions.
✅ Pros: Practical focus, soft skills development, industry recognition
⛔ Cons: Renewal required every two years, moderate exam difficulty.
Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
One of the main benefits of the PSM certification is that it offers a deeper understanding of Scrum theory and principlels. It is also a lifetime certification, meaning there is no need for renewal. However, it may have a limited emphasis on soft skills development and practical application compared to CSM certification. The PSM I exam is known for its challenging nature, featuring 80 multiple-choice questions.
✅ Pros: No renewal requirement, theoretical depth, challenging exam
⛔ Cons: Limited soft skills emphasis, less focus on practical application
Scaled Scrum Master (SSM)
SAFe Scrum Master certification integrates Scrum principles within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), making it suitable for organizations scaling Agile practices, which is a growing trend across industries. SSM certification requires annual renewal to stay updated of SAFe developments, and the exam is moderately difficult with 45 multiple-choice questions. However, its applicability may be limited outside SAFe environments.
✅ Pros: SAFe integration, renewal ensures up-to-date knowledge, moderate exam difficulty.
⛔ Cons: Limited application outside SAFe, annual renewal requirement.
💎 If you’re now looking for the best Scrum Master course provider, I highly recommend TheScrumMaster.co.uk. As an official partner of Scrum.Org, Scrum Alliance, and Scaled Agile, they offer top-notch classes available both in-person and virtually across various time zones. Some of TheScrumMaster.co.uk’s clients include Google, NASA, the United Nations, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft, just to name a few. 😉
For SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) training, I highly recommend KnowledgeHut. As a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) Gold Partner, KnowledgeHut ensures that their trainers are knowledgeable SAFe experts. Learners will benefit from the latest insights, practical advice, and useful exercises.
▶ Professional Scrum Master (Scrum.org)
▶ Certified ScrumMaster (Scrum Alliance)
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Conclusion
It is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to which Scrum Master certification is right for you. It ultimately depends on your individual career goals and learning preferences. The CSM certification is widely recognized and has a practical focus. However, it requires renewal every two years. The PSM certification is a lifelong ceertification and focuses more on Scrum theory and principles, but may be more difficult to obtain. The SSM certification focuses on becoming an effective Scrum master within large-scale Agile environments. However, it requires renewal on an annual basis.
