A-CSPO Overview: Complete Guide to A-CSPO Certification 2025

The role of a Product Owner has expanded with the maturity of Agile adoption. It has moved from managing backlogs to beocming the driver of strategic business outcomes. The Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) certification, offered by Scrum Alliance, equips Product Owners with advanced techniques in stakeholder engagement, metrics, and value optimization. 

It’s designed for professionals who already hold a CSPO and want to take their product ownership skills to the next level. The A-CSPO certification deepens your expertise, enhances your leadership influence, and makes you more effective at maximizing product value. In this guide, we’ll explore what the certification entails, its cost, prerequisites, and the benefits it brings to your career. 

What is the A-CSPO Certification?  

The Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) certification is an intermediate credential by Scrum Alliance aimed at experienced Product Owners seeking to enhance their Scrum expertise. It builds upon the foundational CSPO credential, focusing on advanced practices like strategic product visioning, value delivery, stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. 

Unlike the CSPO, which emphasizes the basics of backlog management and Scrum fundamentals, the A-CSPO dives into real-world application and leadership aspects of the Product Owner role. It helps professionals learn how to prioritize outcomes over outputs, align with organizational goals, and measure product success through tangible KPIs. 

The course is typically delivered over two days by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or through a coaching-based learning path. There’s no formal exam, but active participation and completion of all course exercises are mandatory to earn the credentials. 

Differences Between A-CSPO vs CSPO Certification  

The CSPO and A-CSPO certifications cater to different levels of product ownership maturity. Here’s how they differ: 

Aspect	CSPO	A-CSPO
1. Focus	Foundational Scrum principles, backlog management, and stakeholder basics	Advanced product ownership, metrics, and strategic alignment
2. Audience	Beginners or new Product Owners	Experienced Product Owners seeking mastery
3. Exam	None	None, but course completion is required
4. Trainer Requirement	2-day workshop with a CST	2-day advanced course or mentoring program
5. Skills Covered	Scrum framework, backlog prioritization	Product visioning, customer validation, experimentation, and ROI
6. Certification Level	Entry-level	Intermediate
7. Pathway	Leads to A-CSPO	Leads to CSP-PO (Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner)

In essence, the CSPO builds your foundation, while A-CSPO helps you apply and expand it. Professionals who earn A-CSPO demonstrate the ability to translate customer needs into measurable business outcomes and operate effectively in complex, fast-evolving Agile environments. 

A-CSPO Certification Prerequisites  

Before enrolling in the A-CSPO program, candidates must: 

1. Have an active CSPO certification from Scrum Alliance. 
2. Demonstrate at least one year of Product Owner experience working in a Scrum environment. 
3. Participate in an A-CSPO course offered by a certified Scrum trainer (CST or CEC). 

There’s no exam for the certification; instead, learners are evaluated on participation, exercises, and application of advanced Scrum principles throughout the course. 

Although not mandatory, familiarity with Agile product management, Lean thinking, and Scrum metrics significantly enhances the learning experience. It’s also recommended that participants bring real-world challenges to the course to gain personalized insights. 

By meeting these prerequisites, candidates ensure they’re ready to dive deeper into strategic aspects of product ownership — from defining product vision to aligning teams and stakeholders around measurable goals. 

How to Get A-CSPO Certified? (Step-by-Step Process) 

Becoming A-CSPO certified involves a structured process designed to ensure both learning depth and practical application. 

Step 1: Hold a Valid CSPO Certification 

The CSPO is a prerequisite. Your Scrum Alliance membership must be active before enrolling in the A-CSPO course. 

Step 2: Choose an Accredited Training Provider 

Enroll in a course offered by a Scrum Alliance-approved Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC). These sessions are available globally, both in-person and virtually. 

Step 3: Attend the A-CSPO Course 

The training typically spans two days (16 hours) and covers advanced topics such as stakeholder collaboration, data-driven prioritization, product discovery, and release planning. Participation in exercises and discussions is mandatory. 

Step 4: Complete Course Assignments 

Many trainers include real-world projects, reflection activities, or group case studies to demonstrate practical understanding. Completion of all required exercises is essential to earn certification. 

Step 5: Receive Your A-CSPO Credential 

Upon completion, you’ll automatically receive your A-CSPO certification and digital badge from Scrum Alliance. No separate exam is needed. 

Step 6: Maintain and Advance 

Renew your certification every two years and continue earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs). You can later progress toward the CSP-PO (Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner) level for increased mastery. 

A-CSPO Certification Cost  

The cost of A-CSPO certification depends on location, trainer experience, and delivery format. 

Globally, the average price for the A-CSPO training course ranges from USD $900 to $1,500. This fee typically includes: 

• Two days of expert-led training. 
• Access to official course material and exercises. 
• Scrum Alliance certification processing. 
• Two-year membership renewal with Scrum Alliance. 

Some trainers also provide post-course coaching or access to product ownership communities as part of the package, which may increase the overall cost. 

For corporate groups or team training, discounts are often available for bulk enrollment. Virtual classes also tend to cost less than in-person workshops due to reduced logistics. 

While the upfront investment may seem high, professionals report a strong ROI due to higher job visibility, salary growth, and access to senior product roles after certification. 

A-CSPO Certification Cost in India 

In India, the A-CSPO certification cost typically ranges between ₹35,000 and ₹55,000, depending on the provider and training mode. Virtual sessions tend to be on the lower end, while classroom training in major cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad may cost slightly more. 

The fee includes training, certification, and Scrum Alliance membership renewal for two years. Some institutes offer early-bird discounts or bundled pricing for those pursuing both CSPO and A-CSPO certifications. 

A-CSPO Certification Renewal and Continuing Education  

The A-CSPO certification is valid for two years from the date of issue. To maintain active status, professionals must: 

1. Earn 30 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) through continuous learning — such as workshops, webinars, mentoring, or contributing to Agile communities. 
2. Pay the renewal fee of $100 to Scrum Alliance, which also renews your membership and access to updated resources. 

SEUs demonstrate ongoing professional development and keep your understanding of Agile practices relevant. You can log SEUs on your Scrum Alliance profile at any time before renewal. 

Renewing regularly ensures you remain part of the global Scrum Alliance network — connecting you with job opportunities, learning events, and advanced certification pathways like CSP-PO. 

Why Pursue A-CSPO Certification?  

Earning an A-CSPO certification signals your transition from tactical execution to strategic product leadership. It demonstrates mastery over stakeholder collaboration, value maximization, and data-driven product decisions. 

Professionals holding this certification often secure senior roles such as Lead Product Owner, Product Manager, or Agile Coach. The skills learned from the certification directly translate into higher business impact and improved career opportunities. 

Moreover, A-CSPO serves as a stepping stone towards the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-PO). For anyone serious about scaling their product management career in an Agile ecosystem, A-CSPO offers both credibility and career acceleration. 

Final Thoughts 

The A-CSPO certification is more than just an advanced credential — it’s a professional transformation. It helps experienced Product Owners expand their influence from backlog execution to strategic decision-making. 

With global recognition, comprehensive learning, and access to elite Scrum networks, this certification opens the door to leadership opportunities in Agile organizations. Whether you aim to coach teams, lead digital products, or drive value at scale, A-CSPO offers the tools and confidence to make it happen.