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updated 1 January 2009

The Scrum Alliance certification program bridges the gap between theory and practice.

The journey to mastery begins with a Certified ScrumMaster or Certified Scrum Product Owner course. These courses provide a solid foundation to help you make the paradigm shift to managing a project using Scrum.

As shown in the flow chart, a CSM or CSPO course is essential for moving toward the more advanced certifications of Certified Scrum Practitioner, Certified Scrum Coach, and Certified Scrum Trainer®. Details of the program are shown below.

Upcoming Changes to CSM Certification

Click here for info on upcoming changes to the CSM certification.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the current certification program and upcoming changes to CSM certification.

Already certified and need to renew?

Click here for a list of fee payment links.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Prerequisites Students are expected to attend the CSM course with a working knowledge of Scrum. This knowledge can be obtained by reading books, articles, and web info about Scrum.
Intended For Individuals who will work on a Scrum development team. The course has a strong emphasis on the role of the ScrumMaster.
Certification Process Currently, an individual is certified when he or she has attended, participated in, and completed a Certified ScrumMaster course.

Beginning 1 April 2009, attendees also will be required to pass a CSM certification exam. Click here for the 2008 CSM exam objectives.
Certification Duration Two years, effective 1 April 2009.
Renewal Process

Currently, to maintain your CSM designation, you pay an annual membership/renewal fee. 

Effective 1 April 2009 a new recertification process will be implemented. Details will be announced here soon.

Cost

Currently, the first year's fees are included in the cost of attending a CSM course. Beginning 9 April 2009, the first two years of fees will be included in the course cost.

Subsequent membership fee and certification renewal fee is currently $50

This fee will increase to $60 on 1 April 2009.

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Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Prerequisites Students are expected to attend the CSPO course with a working knowledge of Scrum. This knowledge can be obtained by reading books, articles, and web info about Scrum.
Intended For Individuals who will perform the Product Owner role on Scrum projects, such as sponsors, stakeholders, and business analysts.
Certification Process Attend, participate in, and complete a Certified Scrum Product Owner course
Certification Duration Two years, effective 1 April 2009.
Renewal Process

Currently, to maintain your CSPO designation, you pay an annual membership/renewal fee. 

In Spring 2009 a new recertification process will be implemented. Details will be announced here soon.

Cost

Currently, the first year's fees are included in the cost of attending a CSPO course. Upon the launch of the certification exam, the first two years of fees will be included in the course cost.  

Subsequent member fee and certification renewal fee is currently $50.

This fee will increase to $60 in Spring 2009 with the launch of the CSPO certification exam.

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Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP)
Prerequisites Must be an active Scrum Alliance CSM or CSPO and provide evidence of at least one year of Scrum practice.
Intended For Any individual participating on a Scrum project, including ScrumMasters, Product Owners, analysts, developers, testers, and project managers.
Certification Process
  • Download and complete CSP application package illustrating hands-on Scrum experience. (Please note: If your application is approved, it will be published on the website and accessible to all active site members.)
  • Send the completed application to the Certification Review Committee. You will be notified of the review results. This process may take up to two months. Upon approval and annually thereafter, you must pay a $125 membership renewal fee.
Certification Duration Two years.
Renewal Process

To maintain your CSP designation you must pay an annual membership/renewal fee.

Effective April 1, 2009 a new recertification process will be implemented. Details will be announced here soon.

Cost

$125 annually. Renewal of CSP certification automatically incorporates lower-level certifications such as CSM and CSPO.

For renewal only, click here. This link will not activate your initial certification.   

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Certified Scrum Coach (CSC)
Prerequisites
  • Be a Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP).
  • Be able to demonstrate (through a comprehensive application) at least 1,500 hours of Scrum coaching over the past 5 years.
  • Must have two client references who can verify your coaching experience.
  • Must have been actively engaged in the Scrum Community over the past 3 years.
  • Be an active contributor to the Scrum Community
Intended For

Individuals who are working successfully with Scrum teams and are applying Scrum coaching skills with one or more current teams and/or organizations.

 

Certification Process
  • Login to download your CSC application.
    • Please complete this entire application. Enter your responses in the provided Microsoft Word document. 
    • You must submit two client reference letters (download form here) specifying your experience in helping others learn and use Scrum.
    • Include any other documents along with your application package that provide evidence of your qualifications.
  • Submit your complete CSC application package to the Certification Review Committee. 
  • Pay your $100, non-refundable application fee. The approval process can take as long as three months.
  • The Certification Reveiew Committee recommends candidates to the Scrum Alliance Board for final approval. 
  • Once you have been approved as a coach, you will be asked to pay a one-time fee of $750.
Certification Duration Three years.
Renewal Process

Must obtain 60 PDUs over three-year certification period. PDUs may be earned for Scrum coaching, professional activities, self-directed learning, professional education, and Scrum community involvement.

Cost

$100 non-refundable application fee.

Initial fee of $750. Subsequent annual renewal fees of $750. Renewal of CSC certification automatically incorporates lower-level certifications such as CSM, CSPO and CSP.

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Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST)

Certified Scrum Trainers® play a vital role within the Scrum Alliance. Only CSTs are licensed to teach CSM and CSPO courses. CSTs, therefore, stand in the spotlight on the Scrum Alliance stage, providing guidance to those seeking a basic understanding of Scrum, wishing to refresh their Scrum knowledge, or desiring to advance their application of Scrum. Stringent certification requirements are imposed on perspective CSTs to make certain that only those who are qualified to meet this commitment are entrusted to engage in this role on behalf of the Scrum Alliance.

Prerequisites
  • Must be a CSP for at least one year before applying
  • Must also be an active contributor in the Scrum community.
  • To teach CSM courses, you must hold a CSM designation (in addition to CSP).
  • To teach CSPO couses, you must hold a CSPO designation or have written approval from the Scrum Alliance (in addition to CSP). 
  • While not yet a prerequisite, those pursuing the CST designation are urged to co-train with at least two CSTs before submitting an application. Documented evidence of successful co-training with CSTs will weigh favorably in receiving a positive recommendation for CST status from the Certification Review Committee. The Certification Review Committee recommends candidates to the Scrum Alliance Board for final approval.
Intended For Individuals who have guide-level knowledge and skills as wells as the ability to teach Scrum-related concepts to groups in a classroom setting.
Certification Process
  • Login to download and complete a CST application.
    • Complete this entire application using the Microsoft Word document to enter your responses. 
  • Your application package must contain:
    • A completed application
    • A Scrum resume
    • A detailed description of training experience
    • Examples of training materials
    • References from co-trainers and testimonials from trainees.
    • Include other documents with your application package that provide evidence of your qualifications.
  • Submit your completed CST application to the Certification Review Committee using the link provided.
  • Pay your $100 application fee.

Please note: The board is reviewing the next round of CST applications in March 2009. New CSTs will be announced by 1 April 2009.
Applications submitted by Midnight EST January 23, 2009 will be considered at the March 2009 Scrum Alliance Board Meeting.

Upon notification of approval of CST status you will be required to pay a one-time fee of $7,500.  To maintain your active CST status, you will pay annual renewal fees of $7500. Renewal of CST certification automatically incorporates lower-level certifications such as CSM, CSPO and CSP. It does not include a CSC certification.

Certification Duration Two years.
Renewal Process

Must obtain 40 PDUs over the two-year certification period. PDUs may be earned for Scrum coaching, professional activities, self-directed learning, professional education, and Scrum community involvement (the same PDU units may count for both CSC and CST).

Must train at least 30 CSMs or CSPOs every year.

Cost

$100 non-refundable application fee.

$7500 upon acceptance of application.

$7500 for second and subsequent years.

Renewal of CST certification automatically incorporates lower-level certifications such as CSM, CSPO and CSP. It does not include a CSC certification.

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