In the dynamic world of project management and software development, Agile methodologies have revolutionized the way teams work. To excel in this landscape, earning the best Agile certification is a strategic move. A Agile Methodology certification will not only enhance your skills but also open doors to lucrative job opportunities.
In this comprehensive guide, I will help you explore the top Agile Certifications 2024, helping you make an informed choice for your career growth. Discover the top 10 Agile certifications for Agile practitioners and the valuable benefits they offer.
Why Agile Certification?
With organizations adopting Agile in their work culture, there is an increase in demand for professionals who are Agile certified and have experience in the field.
According to the 13th Annual State of Agile Report, companies have realized various benefits like 5 whys root cause analysis by adopting Agile, with an increase in improvement in team morale (64% compared to 61% last year), along with an increase in project predictability (52% as compared to 49% last year) and reduction in project risk (50% compared to 47% last year).
The following states a few benefits that you can reap by attaining the Agile certification:
- Better Salary
- Better Credibility
- Better Visibility
- Higher team involvement
- Stay updated on the current market trends
- Increase in Productivity
- High-quality product
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Benefits the organization as well
- Learn techniques for planning as well as estimating the cost of a project in an Agile way
Top Agile Certifications
According to 13th Annual State of Agile Report, when asked about the reasons for adopting Agile, the following response was received:
It was less about an increase in productivity (51% compared to 55% last year), more about increasing the team’s morale (34% compared to last year’s 28%), less about reducing project risks (28% compared to 37% last year) and more about reducing the project costs (41% compared to 24% last year).
A lot of options are available in the market that you can look through and choose from. It is important for you to understand the difference between the available certifications and their importance. The top 8 Agile certifications, along with advanced level certifications that you can look out for, are listed below:
1. ICP-ACC (ICAgile- Agile Certified Coach) Training
The primary focus of ICP-ACC training is the mindset, roles, and responsibilities of being an Agile coach. After completing the training, you can differentiate between and among mentoring, professional coaching, facilitating, and teaching.
You will also get the opportunity to learn the skills needed to create a safe environment within an agile team. An Agile coach acts as a mentor for an Agile team who is responsible for facilitating agile thinking and practices and ensuring that the team reaches the target through better team practices.
Accreditation Body: ICAgile
Prerequisites
It is advisable for you to have a basic idea of Agile Methodology as well as a small working experience as an Agile practitioner. After successfully completing the training, the candidate will receive the designation of ICAgile Certified Coach (ICP-ACC) from an internationally recognized accreditation body, ICAgile.
Who Can Take Up This Training?
The ICP-ACC training that takes place over the course of three days is designed and recommended for the following:
- Currently working or aspiring to be agile coaches
- Product Owners
- Scrum Masters
- Enterprise Agile coaches
- Professionals who play a leadership role in Agile projects
- Iteration Managers
- Project Managers and Team Leaders
Job Opportunities After ICP-ACC Training
After completing the training, you can act as an Agile Coach in different organizations.
Cost: $1795
Average Salary: The average salary of a professional who is ICP-ACC certified is $119,883 per year.
| Certification/Training | ICP-ACC (ICAgile- Agile Certified Coach) Training |
| Accreditation Body | ICAgile |
| Prerequisites | - A basic idea of Agile Methodology
- Small working experience as an Agile practitioner
|
| Career Path | Agile Coach |
| Average Salary | $119,883 |
| Cost of Certification/Training | $1795 |
2. Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training Course
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a methodology adapted by large-scaled Agile project teams so that Agile transformation can be carried out seamlessly. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) synchronizes the collaboration, alignment, and delivery of multiple agile teams, which leads to the success of the enterprise. The Leading SAFe® 5.1 training course is based on version 5.1 of SAFe.
According to the 13th Annual State of Agile Report, the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) continues to grow in adoption as the scaling method of choice and was identified as the scaling method of choice by 30% of respondents.
Accreditation Body: Scaled Agile
Prerequisites
Completing the Leading SAFe training will prepare you to take SAFe Agilist (SA) certification exam. However, the recommended prerequisites are stated as follows:
- A minimum of 5 years experience in software development, testing, product or project management, or business analyst
- Experience in Scrum
Who Can Take Up This Training?
Individuals can take up the training:
- Managers, Directors, CIOs, Executives and Leaders, VPs
- Project and Program Management
- Development, QA, and Infrastructure Management
- Product and Product Line Management
- Enterprise, System, and Solution Architects
Job Opportunities After Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training
Cost: The first attempt for the examination is included as part of the course registration fee, provided the exam is taken within 30 days after the day of completion of the course. If you don't pass the examination, each retake attempt will cost $50.
Average Salary:
| Certification | Leading SAFe® 5.1 Training Course |
| Accreditation Body | Scaled Agile |
| Prerequisites | - A minimum of 5 years experience in software development, testing, product or project management or business analyst
- Experience in Scrum
|
| Exam Information | Answer a set of 45 questions within a duration of 90 minutes; out of which 34 should be answered correctly. |
| Career Path | - Agile Coach
- SAFe Release Train Engineer
- SAFe Program Consultant
|
| Cost of Certification | The first attempt of the exam is included in the course registration fee, provided the exam is taken within 30 days after completing the course. After that, each retake costs $50. |
| Renewal Cost | $100; Every one year from the date of certification earned. |
3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (Exam: PMI-ACP)®
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® helps you recognize your knowledge of Agile principles and techniques, helping you work better with employees, stakeholders, and peers.
Accreditation Body: Project Management Institute (PMI).
Prerequisites
The following are the prerequisites needed:
- 2,000 hours of project experience that is, working on teams.
- In addition to the above-stated hours, either 1,500 hours of working on agile project teams or working with agile methodologies.
- 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
If your organization is adopting Agile practices or working in an agile team, this course will help you grow. Along with the experience and training, this course validates your real-world, hands-on experience and skills.
Job Opportunities After PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
Candidates, after completing their course, will be eligible for the following job opportunities:
- PMP Scrum Master
- Agile Trainer
- Technical Business Analyst
- Project Manager
- Deputy Project Manager
- Business Analyst
- Agile Project Manager
- Digital Channel Planner
Cost: For PMI Members: US$435.00
For non-PMI members: US$495.00
Average Salary: The average salary of a PMI-ACP® is approximately $123,000 per year.
| Certification | PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (Exam: PMI-ACP)® |
| Accreditation Body | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| Prerequisites | - 2,000 hours of project experience that is, working on teams.
- In addition to the above stated hours, either 1,500 hours of working on agile project teams or working with agile methodologies.
- 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
|
| Exam Information | Answer a set of 120 questions within a duration of three hours. |
| Career Path | - PMP Scrum Master
- Agile Trainer
- Technical Business Analyst
- Project Manager
- Deputy Project Manager
- Business Analyst
- Agile Project Manager
- Digital Channel planner
|
| Average Salary | $123,000 |
| Cost of Certification | For PMI Members: US$435.00
For non-PMI members: US$495.00 |
| Renewal Cost | Earn 30 PDUs (professional development units) in agile topics every three years. |
4. Certified Scrum Master (CSM®)
The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the processes while at the same time working with the product owner along with the development team and ensure that the Scrum values and practices are being followed. Scrum Master certification is the highest in-demand Scrum Master certification, where you can about the Scrum framework as well as get a better understanding and functioning of the Scrum team events, roles and artifacts.
Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites
The CSM course is commonly taken up by professionals who are working in IT and non-IT sectors and wish to deepen their understanding of Scrum. Hence, it is recommended that you be familiar with the basics of Scrum, as it will help you understand the overall framework of Scrum in less time.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
The following professionals can take up this certification:
- Professionals who wish to become a Scrum Master
- Managers of Scrum Teams
- Product Owners and Developers
- Teams who are transitioning to Scrum
If the candidate is working as a Scrum Master already, then completion of this course will help them nourish their Scrum skills and knowledge.
Certification Procedure
You will have to first attend a two-day training, after which you must attend an online test. The two-day training is regulated by a Certified Scrum Trainer and authorized by the Scrum Alliance.
Certification must be renewed every two years from the day of certification by paying a $100 fee without additional training or examination.
Job Opportunities After Scrum Master Certification
After completing Scrum master certification course, you can join organizations as a Scrum Master. Apart from this, as a Scrum Master, you can opt to become mentors, product owners, coaches, or managers, or continue with being a Scrum Master working in more challenging situations.
Cost of Certification: Scrum master certification ranges between $700 to $1500 depending on factors like location and trainer.
Average Salary: The average salary for a certified Scrum master falls in the range of $100,00 to $130,000.
| Certification | Scrum Master Certification (CSM®) |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum Alliance |
| Prerequisites | Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in a short duration of time. |
| Exam Information | Answer a set of 50 within an hour, out of which 37 should be answered correctly. |
| Career Path | - Scrum Master
- Mentor
- Coach
- Manager
- Product Owner.
|
| Average Salary | $100,00 to $130,000 |
| Training Cost | $1000 |
| Cost of Certification | $700 to $1500. |
| Renewal Cost | $100; the certification needs to be renewed every two years without any extra training or examination. |
5. Advanced CSM (ACSM)
If you are a certified Scrum Master who has a minimum of one year of working experience as a Scrum Master, then you can apply for this course. This course will help you get a deeper insight into Scrum and its practical use and learn different ways to coach product owners and team members.
Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites
To become an advanced CSM, you need to have a minimum work experience of twelve months. Moreover, you should have a basic understanding of Scrum and its usage and implementation.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
This certification can be taken up by:
- Individuals who wish to work as a Scrum Master and have completed the CSM course
- Teams transitioning to Scrum
- Scrum Team Managers
- Team members like developers and product owners
- Anyone who wishes to get distinguished in the global market
Certification Process
You will have first to attend a training certified by ACSM where you learn techniques and skills beyond the basics of Scrum, such as interaction, coaching, facilitation, and team dynamics. It is necessary for you to have a working experience of 12 months as a Scrum Master in the previous five years.
The certification has to be renewed every two years from the certification date by paying a fee of $175 without additional training or examination.
Job Opportunities After Advanced Scrum Master Certification
Become a more professional practitioner as a Scrum Master and work as a Coach, Mentor, or Product Owner after completing ACSM course.
Cost of Certification: ACSM certification varies roughly between $1295 to $1495.
Average Salary: The average salary of an A-CSM professional varies between $100,00 to $130,000.
| Certification | Advanced Scrum Master Certification |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum Alliance |
| Prerequisites | - Basics of Scrum to understand the framework perfectly in a shorter duration of time.
- Twelve months of working experience as a Scrum Master in the last five years.
|
| Career Path | - Scrum Master
- Mentor
- Coach
- Manager
- Product Owner
|
| Average Salary | $100,00 to $130,000 |
| Cost of Certification | $1295 to $1495 |
| Renewal Cost | $175; the certification needs to be renewed every two years with no extra training or examination. |
6. Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM)
This course focuses on scaling Scrum to big organizations while focusing on lean concepts, coaching, system thinking, emotional intelligence, facilitation, and a deeper understanding of Scrum framework.
Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites
- 24 months of work experience as a Scrum Master in the last five years
- An active A-CSM certification
- Attend a CSP-SM workshop conducted by the Scrum Alliance approved ‘Path to CSP Educator’.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
The following individuals can take up this certification:
- Managers of Scrum teams
- Teams transitioning to Scrum
- Scrum team members, such as developers
Job Opportunities After Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) Certification
Become a professional practitioner of Scrum Master for big organizations and learn to discover the underlying potential of different teams. Work as a Scrum Master, mentor, coach or Product Owner while at the same time getting various opportunities to attend exclusive CSP events along with other leaders from across the globe in Scrum and Agile.
Cost of Certification: CSP-SM certification roughly costs around $1295.
Average Salary: The average salary of a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) is calculated to be roughly $115,000 across the United States.
| Certification | Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum Alliance |
| Prerequisites | - Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in less time.
- An active A-CSM certification
- 24 months of working experience as a Scrum Master in the previous five years.
|
| Career Path | - Scrum Master
- Mentor
- Coach
- Manager
- Product Owner
|
| Average Salary | $115,000 |
| Cost of Certification | $1295 |
| Renewal Cost | $250 |
7. Certified Scrum Product Owner Training®(CSPO)
With CSPO certification, become a Product Owner, enhance your skills to lead Agile teams, and motivate your team members. Learn ways to facilitate smooth and proper communication between the team and stakeholders to increase the scrum functionality.
The Certified Scrum Product Owner training is conducted by the Scrum Alliance Certified Trainers (CSTs), who bring together classroom study, group discussions and hands-on practice sessions. The training is spread over a span of two days.
Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites
It is advised that you have a basic knowledge of Agile. To appear for certification, it is important for you to present a 2-day CSPO course certificate, which is obtained after completing the course successfully.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
Obtaining the Certified Scrum Product Owner certification can be marked as useful for:
- Scrum team members like Developers and Product Owners
- Teams that are transitioning to Scrum
- Scrum Team Managers
- Professionals who wish to pursue Professional Scrum Master™ certification
Job Opportunities After CSPO Certification: Completion of this course will help you grab positions as:
- Product Manager
- General Product Manager
- Senior Product Manager
- Program Manager
Cost of Certification: The course certification starts at a price of $1295.
Average Salary: The average salary for a CSPO-certified professional is $101,459 per year.
| Certification | Certified Scrum Product Owner Training®(CSPO) |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum Alliance |
| Prerequisites | Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework in a short duration of time. |
| Career Path | - Product Manager
- General Product Manager
- Senior Product Manager
- Program Manager
|
| Average Salary | $101,459 |
| Cost of Certification | The course certification starts at a price of $1295. |
| Renewal Cost | The CSPO certification can be maintained by earning SEUs (Scrum Education Units®) every two years. |
8. Certified Scrum Developer® Training
This course will help you strengthen your skills in Agile software development. With certified Scrum developers certification, you can learn specialized Agile engineering skills and properly understand Scrum and Agile principles. The main goal of this training is to expose you to the important tools and techniques needed to build software in an incremental and iterative manner that Scrum requires.
Accreditation Body: Scrum Alliance
Prerequisites
To earn a CSD, it is necessary that you take up at least five days of formal training, which is taught by a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD instructor and Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP®).
If you are already CSM certified, you need not take the first two days of training and can start directly from the technical training session on the third day.
Who Can Take Up this Certification?
The course of Certified Scrum Developer® is designed to be most beneficial for software developers (programmers) who are working on building software in a Scrum environment.
Job Opportunities After Certified Scrum Developers
After attaining the Certified Scrum Developers certification, you can apply for the following job positions:
- Salesforce Developer
- Associate Salesforce Developer
- Senior Developer
- Scrum Master
- Scaled Agile Scrum and Transformation Manager
- Agile Scrum Lead
- Agile Project Manager
Cost: The cost of certification is included in the course tuition.
Certification Process
After completing your five-day training session, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of Agile engineering practices, for which you will have to pass a CSD assessment that the trainer will provide. The trainer will be responsible for uploading and paying the certification fee for the candidates as they take the CSD-track courses.
If you are a member of the Scrum Alliance and a CSM, they can take a 3-day CSD Technical Course. After which, you will receive a notification to accept your CSD license. The CSD certification will be added to your profile, valid for two years.
The CSD certification needs to be renewed every two years. For renewal, 20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years, and a renewal fee of $100.
Average Salary: The average salary of a CSD professional is $71,750 per year.
| Certification | Certified Scrum Developer® Training |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum Alliance |
| Prerequisites | - Five days of formal training, which is taught by a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD instructor and Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP®).
- CSM certification holders can skip the first 2 days of training and directly take the technical training from the 3rd day.
|
| Career Path | - Salesforce Developer
- Associate Salesforce Developer
- Senior Developer
- Scrum Master
- Scaled Agile Scrum and Transformation Manager
- Agile Scrum Lead
- Agile Project Manager
|
| Average Salary | $71,750 |
| Cost of Certification | The cost of certification is included in the course tuition |
| Renewal Cost | 20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years along with a renewal fee of $100. |
9. Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM) PSM™ I
Professional Scrum Master™ training is a two-day training course entailing the basics of Scrum and topics like Scrum frameworks roles of a Scrum Master. The course integrates team-based exercises with instructions, focusing on team dynamics, team motivation, conflict resolution and improved planning and estimation.
Accreditation Body: Scrum.org
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites needed for attending this course or undertaking the examination. The Professional Scrum Master™ training can be attended by any individual interested in attending the training and giving the examination. After course completion, you will receive a password for PSM I assessment which is conducted by Scrum.org. Subsequently, you can opt to proceed and undertake the PSM II and PSM III assessments.
Who Can Take Up This Certification?
Taking up the Professional Scrum Master™ training course will benefit the following individuals:
- Scrum team members such as Product Owners and developers
- Professionals who wish to pursue Professional Scrum Master™ certification
- Teams that are transitioning to Scrum
- Scrum team managers
Job Opportunities After Professional Scrum Master™ Certification
After being a certified Professional Scrum Master, candidates can apply for the following fields:
- Scrum Master
- Associate Scrum Master
- Product Owner
- Coach
- Mentor
Cost: Starts from $150.
Average Salary: The average salary for a certified Professional Scrum Master is $100,500.
| Certification | Professional Scrum Master Training (PSM) |
| Accreditation Body | Scrum.org |
| Prerequisites | Basics of Scrum to understand the overall framework perfectly in less time. |
| Exam Information | - Answer a set of 80 questions within an hour.
- Type of questions asked is multiple choice, multiple answer,s and true/false.
- Passing score: 80 percent.
|
Benefits of Agile Certifications
Earning a best Agile certification offers significant advantages. It enhances your skills with structured learning, deepening your knowledge of Agile principles. Certifications unlock career opportunities in roles like Agile Coach, Scrum Master, and Agile Project Manager, often accompanied by increased responsibilities and salaries. Certified Agile professionals typically command higher earnings due to their expertise and commitment to Agile practices. These credentials also boost your credibility among peers and employers, demonstrating your dedication to excellence. Many Agile certifications are globally recognized, broadening job prospects and enabling collaboration with international teams. Certification programs often provide access to a supportive community of Agile practitioners, facilitating networking and knowledge sharing for ongoing professional growth.
Conclusion
In the rapidly evolving world of Agile methodologies, I believe obtaining the best Agile certification 2024 is a strategic move to secure your career's future. The top-paying Agile certifications outlined in this guide offer not only validation of your expertise but also access to exciting job prospects and increased earning potential.
Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced practitioner like me, top paying Agile certifications can propel your career to new heights. Initiate your Knowledgehut Agile Methodology certification journey today to reap the rewards of enhanced skills, career progression, and financial success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Agile certifications worth it?
Yes, Agile certifications aid employees gain the necessary skills for advanced-level roles. When you sit for a certification exam, you increase your chances of going for higher salaries. Adding Agile certification to your resume will boost your chances of getting your dream job.
2. Which Agile certification is the easiest?
It is recommended that you should go for Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification if you are a beginner and just starting out. CSM certification will help you build your foundation.
3. Which Scrum Master certification pays the most?
The top-paying Scrum certifications that will help boost your career and increase your salary are CSM, CSPO, PSM, A-CSM, PSPO, SAFe Scrum Master Certification and more.
4. What are Agile Certifications?
Agile certification refers to the process of obtaining a recognized credential that validates an individual's knowledge and expertise in Agile methodologies and practices. Agile is an iterative and collaborative approach to project management and product development, emphasizing flexibility, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement.
There are various Agile certifications available from different organizations and institutions, each catering to different roles and levels of expertise. Some of the popular Agile certifications include:
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) Certifications
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Agile Project Management (AgilePM®)
