Scrum Alliance Certification
CSM
Certified ScrumMaster
Issued by Scrum Alliance · the most widely held Scrum credential in the world — entry point into the Scrum Alliance certification pathway
$400–$1,500 course fee
Scrum Alliance
50 questions · 60 min
74% pass mark
No prerequisites
Renews every 2 years
Overview
What is the CSM?
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is issued by Scrum Alliance and is the most widely held Scrum credential globally. It validates foundational knowledge of the Scrum framework — the three roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team), five events (Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective), and three artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment), along with the values and principles that give them meaning.
Unlike most certifications, the CSM is inseparable from training. You cannot sit the exam without first completing a 2-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) — a credential that Scrum Alliance awards to experienced Scrum practitioners who have demonstrated teaching ability. This mandatory training model is what distinguishes CSM from self-study alternatives like PSM I from Scrum.org: the credential comes with a live instructor, interactive exercises, and practical application — not just reading and an exam.
The CSM is deliberately accessible. There are no prerequisites — no prior experience with Scrum or agile, no degree requirement, no minimum work history. This makes it the standard entry point into agile certification for professionals from all backgrounds: developers, testers, project managers, business analysts, product owners, and career changers. The course is designed to take you from zero Scrum knowledge to exam-ready in two days.
CSM is valuable as both a standalone credential and as the foundation for the full Scrum Alliance path — which progresses to A-CSM (Advanced Certified ScrumMaster), then CSP-SM (Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster), the highest-level Scrum Master credential in the Scrum Alliance ecosystem. For product-focused professionals, the parallel track offers CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner) and A-CSPO. For enterprise agile contexts where organisations use SAFe, the SAFe POPM is the next relevant credential alongside or after CSM.
Eligibility
Requirements for CSM Certification
The CSM has one of the simplest eligibility structures of any professional certification — there are essentially no barriers to entry beyond attending the required training.
Prerequisites — There Are None
- No prior Scrum or agile experience required
- No degree or educational requirement
- No minimum work experience required
- Open to anyone who can attend a 2-day CST-led course
Mandatory Course Requirement
- Attend a 2-day (16-hour) course taught by a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer (CST)
- Available in-person or live-online — both qualify
- Course fee varies by trainer: typically $400–$1,500 for the 2-day course, which includes exam access
- After completing the course, the CST registers you with Scrum Alliance and you gain access to the online exam
Exam Access After Course
- Scrum Alliance emails your exam access link within 90 days of course completion
- 50-question online exam, open book, 60 minutes
- Pass mark: 74% (37 correct out of 50)
- Unlimited free retake attempts within the 90-day window
- After 90 days, a fee applies for additional attempts
Key Facts
At a Glance
Course fee (typical)
$400–$1,500
Set by each CST · exam included in fee
Renewal fee
$100
Paid to Scrum Alliance every 2 years
Exam format
50 Qs
60 minutes · multiple choice · open book
Pass mark
74%
37 of 50 correct · unlimited retakes in 90 days
Prerequisites
None
Open to anyone — no experience required
Validity
2 years
Renew with 20 SEUs + $100 fee
Issuing body
Scrum Alliance
Founded 2001 · global non-profit
Training format
2-day live
In-person or live-online · taught by a CST
Exam Breakdown
What the CSM Exam Covers
The CSM exam tests foundational Scrum knowledge aligned with the Scrum Guide and the content taught in the 2-day course. It is not a deep framework comparison test — it focuses specifically on Scrum. The 50 questions draw from the following topic areas:
| Topic Area |
~Qs |
Focus |
Scrum Theory and Values
Empiricism, transparency, inspection, adaptation; five Scrum values (commitment, courage, focus, openness, respect) |
~8 |
~16% |
Scrum Roles
Scrum Master accountabilities, Product Owner accountabilities, Developers accountabilities, Scrum Team as a whole |
~12 |
~24% |
Scrum Events
Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective — purpose, timebox, attendees, outputs |
~13 |
~26% |
Scrum Artifacts
Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment; Definition of Done; commitments for each artifact |
~10 |
~20% |
ScrumMaster Role in Practice
Servant leadership, coaching the team, facilitating events, removing impediments, supporting the Product Owner |
~7 |
~14% |
Application Process
4 Steps to CSM Certification
Step 1 · Find a Certified Scrum Trainer and Register for a Course
- Visit scrumalliance.org and use the trainer search to find a CST offering a CSM course
- Choose between in-person or live-online — both result in the same CSM credential
- Compare pricing: courses typically range from $400 to $1,500 depending on the trainer and location
- Register and pay the course fee directly to the trainer or training provider — this includes your exam access
Step 2 · Complete the 2-Day Course
- Attend all 16 hours of the CST-led course — attendance is mandatory, not optional
- The course covers Scrum theory, roles, events, artifacts, and ScrumMaster practice through interactive exercises and discussion
- After completing the course, the CST registers you with Scrum Alliance within a few days
- You receive an email from Scrum Alliance with your exam access link and a 90-day window to complete the exam
Step 3 · Take the Online Exam
- 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes, taken online via your Scrum Alliance account — open book
- Pass mark: 74% (37 correct out of 50)
- Unlimited free retake attempts within the 90-day window from course completion
- Results shown immediately — you either pass and proceed to certification, or retake within the window
Step 4 · Accept the License Agreement and Receive Your Credential
- After passing, review and accept the Scrum Alliance License Agreement online
- Scrum Alliance activates your CSM membership — 2-year validity from date of acceptance
- Digital badge and certificate available via your Scrum Alliance profile; shareable on LinkedIn
- Renewal at 2 years requires 20 SEUs + $100 renewal fee — no retake of the exam or course required
Who Should Get It
Is the CSM Right for You?
Scrum Alliance positions the CSM as appropriate for anyone who works on or with Scrum teams, regardless of background. You will benefit most if you are:
- New to Scrum and want structured, instructor-led training rather than self-study
- A developer, tester, or engineer moving into a delivery leadership or ScrumMaster role
- A project manager or business analyst transitioning into an agile team environment
- A product manager who wants to deepen Scrum fluency or qualify for CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner)
- Someone who needs a recognised Scrum credential to satisfy a job requirement or demonstrate agile literacy to employers
- Planning to pursue the Scrum Alliance career path (A-CSM → CSP-SM) over time
CSM is most commercially valuable in software, digital product, and technology organisations where Scrum is the default delivery model. In regulated industries where SAFe is used, CSM provides the Scrum foundation that underpins SAFe team-level roles — often a prerequisite to pursuing the SAFe POPM. For those seeking a broader, more rigorous agile credential recognised across multiple frameworks, the PMI-ACP is the natural next step after CSM.
Study Tips
How to Prepare for the CSM Exam
Read the Scrum Guide before your course. The 2020 Scrum Guide is 13 pages and free at scrumguides.org. Reading it before the 2-day course means you arrive with context rather than encountering everything for the first time. You will absorb the instructor's explanations more deeply if the vocabulary is already familiar.
Engage fully during the 2-day course — it is the exam prep. The CSM course is not just a checkbox — it is the primary vehicle for learning. Participate in the exercises, ask questions, and discuss edge cases with your trainer. The exam tests exactly what the course covers. Passive attendance is the main reason candidates struggle with the exam.
Take notes on the roles, events, and artifacts — including timeboxes. Exam questions frequently test specific details: who attends which event, what the purpose of each event is, who owns each artifact, and how long each event is timeboxed in a 2-week Sprint. These details are precise in the Scrum Guide and examinable.
Attempt the exam within a few days of the course — while it is fresh. You have 90 days, but the knowledge is most accessible immediately after the course. Candidates who delay by weeks often find themselves re-studying from scratch. Treat the exam as the final session of the course, not a separate future event.
Use Scrum Alliance's practice questions and third-party mock exams. The official Scrum Alliance exam questions test comprehension and application, not just recall. Practice exams from platforms like Udemy or free CSM quizzes online help you identify gaps. Focus on understanding why wrong answers are wrong — the exam often includes plausible distractors that test your depth of understanding.
Plan your SEUs from the start — renewal is easier than you think. You need 20 SEUs every 2 years. Scrum Alliance accepts a wide range of activities: attending Scrum Alliance events, watching webinars, reading books, teaching Scrum, or contributing to the community. Logging activities in your Scrum Alliance profile as you go means renewal takes minutes, not months of catch-up.
Exam FAQ
CSM Certification — Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CSM certification validate?
CSM validates foundational knowledge of the
Scrum framework — the three roles, five events, three artifacts, Scrum values, and the theory of empiricism that underpins Scrum. It certifies that you have completed a 2-day instructor-led course from a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer and passed a 50-question online exam. It does not validate experience with agile frameworks beyond Scrum — for multi-framework agile credentials, see the
PMI-ACP.
How much does CSM cost in 2026?
There is no single fixed price. Each Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) sets their own course fee. Typical pricing in 2026 ranges from $400 to $1,500 for a 2-day course, which includes exam access and a 2-year Scrum Alliance membership. Online live courses tend to be cheaper than in-person. There is no separate fee paid directly to Scrum Alliance to sit the exam — it is bundled into what you pay the trainer.
What is the CSM exam format and pass mark?
50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, taken online through your Scrum Alliance account. The exam is open book — you can reference materials. The pass mark is 74% — you need at least 37 correct answers out of 50. You have unlimited free retake attempts within 90 days of completing your course. After 90 days, a fee applies for additional attempts.
How long is CSM valid and what does renewal require?
CSM is valid for 2 years. Renewal requires earning 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) over the 2-year period and paying a $100 renewal fee to Scrum Alliance. SEUs are earned through continuing education, events, teaching, volunteering, or community contributions — logged in your Scrum Alliance profile. No exam retake or course repeat is required for renewal.
CSM vs PSM — which is better?
CSM (Scrum Alliance) requires a 2-day instructor-led course, is more expensive, and provides hands-on training with a certified practitioner. PSM I (Scrum.org) is exam-only ($200), has no mandatory course, and has a harder pass mark (85%). PSM is better if you already know Scrum well and want a rigorous self-study path at lower cost. CSM is better if you want structured training and are newer to Scrum. Both are well recognised — the choice often comes down to how you learn best.
CSM vs PMI-ACP — which should I pursue?
CSM and
PMI-ACP are complementary. CSM is Scrum-specific, accessible, and a great first agile credential. PMI-ACP requires documented project and agile experience, covers seven agile frameworks, and requires a rigorous scenario-based exam — making it more credible in enterprise contexts. If you are new to agile, start with CSM. If you hold a CSM and want to formalise multi-framework agile expertise, PMI-ACP is the natural next step.
CSM vs SAFe POPM — which matters more?
CSM is broadly applicable across any Scrum team.
SAFe POPM is specifically for professionals working within SAFe organisations and covers both the Product Owner and Product Manager roles on Agile Release Trains. If your employer uses SAFe, POPM is often explicitly required and outweighs CSM in job descriptions. If you are in the general market, CSM has wider applicability. Many SAFe practitioners hold both — CSM as the Scrum foundation, POPM as the SAFe-specific credential.
What comes after CSM on the Scrum Alliance path?
The Scrum Alliance Scrum Master track progresses:
CSM → A-CSM (Advanced Certified ScrumMaster) → CSP-SM (Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster). A-CSM requires 12 months of ScrumMaster work experience after CSM. CSP-SM requires A-CSM plus additional experience and continuing education. On the product side, CSPO and A-CSPO are the parallel track. For those wanting to move beyond Scrum into enterprise agile leadership, pairing the Scrum path with
PMI-ACP or
SAFe POPM broadens the credential stack significantly.
Level Up
A certification might open the door — quality training keeps you there.
CSM validates your Scrum foundations. But leading agile product delivery — building AI-powered products, making data-driven backlog decisions, working fluently with engineers — requires a different kind of training. The AI PM Intensive is 6 weeks of hands-on technical product management: AI/ML product thinking, APIs, tech stacks, analytics, agile delivery, and roadmapping. Built so you can perform, not just credential. Join the next cohort.
Join the Next Cohort →