Which Scrum Master Certification Is Best in 2024?

As more organizations move from traditional methodologies to Agile methodologies, the need for trained and professionally certified Scrum Masters is also on the rise. In today's fast-paced business landscape, Agile methodologies like Scrum have become essential for teams striving to deliver high-quality products and services efficiently. 

Betanews statistics state that almost 97% of enterprises today have started practising and adopting Agile development methods. Almost 54% of survey participants adopted the Scrum framework, and another 10% used the Scrum or XP hybrid practice.

Why Become a Certified ScrumMaster?

To become a Scrum Master, one must complete multiple professional certifications. Numerous professional courses are offered by organizations that are well-recognized in professional circles. 

Here are the reasons why you should consider doing Certifications, 

• Improved Understanding of Scrum Principles
• Improved Team Collaboration and Communication
• Increased Career Opportunities
• Industry Recognition
• Networking with Agile Professionals

Each of the certification courses helps candidates gain a working knowledge of the skills and attitudes needed to become effective Scrum Masters. 

With many accreditations present, which Scrum certification is the best to choose? In this blog, we will evaluate some of the top and leading Scrum certification courses and, ultimately, conclude the best technique for choosing the right one. 

Why Are Scrum Master Certifications Important?

• Validate Your Skills: This certification proves you have the knowledge and expertise to successfully apply Scrum principles in real-world scenarios.
• Stay Current with Industry Trends: These Certification programs often cover the latest developments in Agile practices, ensuring you remain at the forefront of your field.
• Demonstrate Commitment to Continuous Learning: Earning a Scrum master certification shows your dedication to personal and professional growth.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Scrum Master Certification

1. Reputation and Accreditation: Opt for certifications offered by reputable organizations like the Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org, Scaled Agile and Project Management Institute (PMI). These organizations are widely recognized in the Agile community and ensure that their certifications meet high standards.
2. Curriculum Content: Ensure the course covers the essential elements of the Scrum framework, including roles, artefacts, and events. It should also address practical application techniques like backlog management, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
3. Learning Format: Choose a format that aligns with your learning style and schedule. Options include in-person training, online courses, or hybrid models. Consider the level of interaction you prefer, such as live discussions or self-paced modules.
4. Instructor Qualifications: Verify that the instructors are experienced Scrum practitioners with a proven track record. Their expertise and insights will enrich your learning experience.
5. Exam Hardship: A challenging exam ensures the certification's value and signifies genuine mastery of Scrum concepts. Look for certifications that require passing a comprehensive assessment.
6. Cost: Consider your budget while weighing the value you'll gain from the certification. Some certifications offer early-bird discounts or bundled options with training courses.
7. Renewal Requirements: Some certifications require periodic renewal to stay current with evolving practices. Factor in any renewal fees or continuing education requirements when making your decision.

By evaluating these criteria, you can select a Scrum Master certification that aligns with your career goals and improve your Agile capabilities.

Which certification is best for Scrum Master?

Looking to solidify your expertise as a Scrum Master? These are the most sought-after certifications in the Agile community, trusted by organizations and professionals alike to validate Scrum mastery:

Here is the Top Certifications list: 

1. Certified ScrumMaster or CSM® from Scrum Alliance:

The CSM certification from Scrum Alliance is one of the most sought-after credentials for Scrum Masters. It focuses on the Scrum framework, roles, events, and artefacts.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites: A basic understanding of Scrum fundamentals
• Target audience: Individuals who aspire to work as Scrum Masters in a servant-leader role, development and project teams (both IT and non-IT), Product Owners, Developers, Team Leaders, and Managers.

Certification process:

1. Attend a mandatory two-day Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification course at Simpliaxis from a Certified Scrum Trainer.
2. Pass an online test after course completion.

Renewal:

This Certification is valid for two years. To renew the CSM certification, candidates need to earn 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and pay a fee of $100.

Check out How To Become A Certified Scrum Master (CSM®) in 2024?

2. Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification

The Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification from Scrum Alliance is designed for Scrum Masters who want to take their skills and knowledge to the next level. It builds on the foundation of the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification and focuses on servant leadership, facilitation, coaching, and conflict resolution.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites:
  • Hold an active or expired CSM certification from Scrum Alliance.
  • Have at least 12 months of work experience as a Scrum Master within the past five years.
• Target audience: Experienced Scrum Masters who want to deepen their understanding of Scrum and improve their ability to lead and coach Agile teams.

Certification process:

1. Successfully completed an approved A-CSM course through Simpliaxis.
2. Accept the A-CSM license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

Renewal:

This certification is valid for 2 years. To renew this  A-CSM certification, you must earn 30 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and pay a $175 renewal fee every two years.

3. Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®) Certification by Scrum Alliance

The CSPO Certification from Scrum Alliance is designed for individuals who want to master the role of Product Owner in Scrum. It provides a comprehensive understanding of product ownership, including vision creation, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration, and value optimization.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites: None
• Target audience: Product Owners, Product Managers, Business Analysts, and anyone involved in product development who wants to learn how to manage product backlogs and deliver value to customers effectively.

Certification process:

1. Attend a mandatory two-day Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification course from a Certified Scrum Trainer.
2. Accept the CSPO license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

Renewal:

This certification is valid for two years. To renew CSPO certification, candidates must earn 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and pay a $100 fee.

4.  Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® (A-CSPO®) Certification by Scrum Alliance

The A-CSPO certification from Scrum Alliance is designed for experienced product owners who want further to develop their skills and expertise in product management. This certification focuses on advanced product ownership concepts, including product vision and strategy, stakeholder management, and value optimization.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites:
  • Hold a valid CSPO certification.
  • Have at least 12 months of experience as a Product Owner within the past five years.
• The target audience is experienced Product Owners, Managers, Business Analysts, and anyone responsible for product strategy and delivery who wants to improve their ability to create and deliver valuable products.

Certification process:

1. Attend an approved  Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® (A-CSPO®) Certification, typically a two-day interactive workshop led by a Certified Scrum Trainer.
2. Accept the A-CSPO license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

Renewal:

To maintain the A-CSPO certification, you must earn 30 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and renew it every two years by paying $175. 

5. Certified Scrum Developer® (CSD) Certification 

The CSD Certification from Scrum Alliance is designed for software developers and engineers who work in Scrum teams. It validates their understanding of Scrum principles and practices and their ability to apply Agile engineering practices to deliver high-quality software increments.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites: At least two days of formal training from a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP), such as Simpliaxis, and passing a CSD assessment.
• The target audience is software developers, engineers, programmers, and testers working in Scrum teams who want to improve their Agile development skills and knowledge.

Certification process:

1. Attend at least two days of formal Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) certification training from an approved CSD educator.
2. Demonstrate understanding of Agile practices by passing a CSD assessment/evaluation provided by the trainer.

Renewal:

This certification is valid for two years. To renew CSD Certification, candidates must earn 30 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and pay a $175 renewal fee.

6. Advanced Certified Scrum Developer® (A-CSD) Certification 

The Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (A-CSD) certification from Scrum Alliance is designed for experienced software developers who want to deepen their understanding of Agile engineering practices and improve their ability to deliver high-quality software increments in Scrum teams.

Details of the course:

• Certifying body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites: Hold a valid Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) certification.
• Target audience: Experienced software developers, engineers, programmers, and testers working in Scrum teams who want to master advanced Agile development techniques and practices.

Certification process:

1. Attend an approved A-CSD course, typically a two-day interactive workshop led by a Certified Scrum Trainer or an approved A-CSD educator.
2. Successfully complete any required course assessments or assignments.
3. Accept the A-CSD license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

Renewal:

To renew this A-CSD certification, you must earn 30 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and renew it every two years by paying USD 175.

7. Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) Certification

The Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certification from Scrum Alliance is the highest level of Scrum Master certification offered by the organization. It recognizes individuals with advanced proficiency in Scrum and a proven track record of success in leading and coaching Agile teams.

Details:

• Certifying Body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites:
  • Hold an active Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification from Scrum Alliance.
  • Have at least two years of work experience specific to the Scrum Master role within the past five years.
• Target Audience: Experienced Scrum Masters who want to further their expertise in Scrum, improve their leadership skills, and guide organizations in their Agile transformation.
• Certification Process:
  • Complete an approved CSP-SM course, including any required pre- or post-course work.
  • Accept the CSP-SM license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

This CSP-SM certification is a prestigious credential that distinguishes Scrum Masters as leaders in the Agile community.

8. Certified Scrum Professional® - Product Owner (CSP®-PO) Certification

The Certified Scrum Professional - Product Owner (CSP-PO) certification from Scrum Alliance is the organisation's highest level of Product Owner certification. It recognizes individuals with advanced proficiency in product ownership and a proven track record of success in creating and delivering valuable products.

Details:

• Certifying Body: Scrum Alliance
• Prerequisites:
  • Hold an active Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) certification from Scrum Alliance.
  • Have at least two years of work experience specific to the Product Owner role within the past five years.
• Target Audience: Experienced Product Owners who want to further their expertise in product management, improve their leadership skills, and guide organizations in their Agile transformation.
• Certification Process:
  • Complete an approved CSP-PO course, including any required pre- or post-course work.
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of product ownership principles, practices, and values through a series of assessments and exercises.
  • Accept the CSP-PO license agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

The CSP-PO certification is a prestigious credential that distinguishes Product Owners as leaders in the Agile community.

Read more, Different Scrum Master Certification Levels from Scrum Alliance

9. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certifications from Scrum.org

Scrum.org offers three levels of Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certifications:

1. PSM I: Entry-level certification focused on foundational Scrum principles and methodologies from the Scrum Guide.
2. PSM II or PSM Advanced: This is an intermediate-level certification for those who want to deepen their understanding of Scrum and its application in complex projects.
3. PSM III: This is another advanced-level certification for Scrum practitioners with significant experience who want to master Scrum and demonstrate their expertise in leading and coaching Agile teams.

Details:

• Certifying body: Scrum.org
• Target audience: Existing team members (including Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Developers, and Testers), Managers, and anyone interested in learning the Scrum framework.
• Prerequisites (PSM I): There are no formal prerequisites, but a thorough understanding of the Scrum Guide is recommended before attempting the assessment.
• Certification process:
  • Review the Scrum Guide and recommended resources.
  • Pass the online PSM assessment with a minimum score of 85%.
• Benefits: Lifetime certification, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.

Check out Is CSM More Popular Than PSM? A Comparative Analysis

10. Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) Certification

The Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) certification from Scrum.org validates the knowledge and skills of software developers working in Scrum teams. It demonstrates their understanding of how to effectively apply Scrum principles and practices to create high-quality software products.

Details:

• Certifying body: Scrum.org
• The target audience consists of software developers, engineers, programmers, and testers working in Scrum teams who want to demonstrate their proficiency in Scrum development practices.
• Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites, but a thorough understanding of Scrum and software development practices is recommended.
• Certification process:
  • Review the Scrum Guide and recommended resources, including the Professional Scrum Developer Learning Path.
  • Pass the online PSD certification assessment with a minimum score of 85%.

Earning the PSD certification validates your expertise in Scrum development practices and sets you apart as a highly skilled and knowledgeable Agile developer.

11. SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM) by Scaled Agile:

The SAFe® 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM) course prepares candidates to take on the Scrum Master role at an enterprise level, equipping them to lead and coach Agile teams across all levels of the organization. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to build high-performing teams while acting as servant leaders and mentors.

Details:

• Certifying body: Scaled Agile
• Target audience:
  • Current Scrum Masters
  • Senior Scrum Masters
  • Agile Coaches
  • Product Owners
  • Agile Project Managers
  • Directors
• Prerequisites: While there are no formal prerequisites, it is recommended that candidates have a working knowledge of Agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban and familiarity with software and hardware development processes.

Renewal:

Generally, the SAFe certifications are valid for one year. To renew SAFe® 6.0 Scrum Master certification, candidates must earn 10 continuing education hours) and pay a $100 renewal fee.

12. SAFe 6.0 Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) by Scaled Agile

The SAFe® 6.0 Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) course is designed for experienced Scrum Masters who want to elevate their skills and knowledge within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®). It builds upon the foundational SAFe® Scrum Master course. It delves deeper into advanced facilitation, coaching, and leadership techniques, enabling participants to effectively guide Agile teams and Agile Release Trains (ARTs) in complex enterprise environments.

Details:

• Certifying body: Scaled Agile, Inc.
• Target audience: Experienced Scrum Masters with a solid understanding of SAFe® who want to improve their ability to lead and coach Agile teams at scale.
• Prerequisites:
  • SAFe® 4.6 or 5.1 Scrum Master certification
  • Minimum of 12 months of experience applying SAFe® in a leadership role

This certification validates advanced SAFe® Scrum Master skills, improving the ability to coach and facilitate Agile teams and ARTs in large-scale environments, and prepares individuals for senior Scrum Master roles.

Certification:

Upon successful completion of the course, participants are eligible to take the SAFe® 6.0 Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) exam to earn their certification.

Conclusion

Deciding which certification is best for a scrum master is not easy. All the above certifications mentioned here are the top ones and command high respect in the professional agile domain. As someone interested in Scrum and wanting to pursue a career as a scrum master, it is important first to understand the course that perfectly matches your eligibility, preference, and budget. Simpliaxis, in partnership with Scrum Alliance, Scaled Agile, and Scrum.org, offers various levels of Scrum Master certification courses based on your career goals.

Explore more: How Valuable is Scrum Master Certification in 2024?