PMP vs CSM Certification: What are the Differences?

There has always been some degree of ambiguity about PMP Vs CSM certifications in the project management domain. Over the past few decades, many new project management certifications have emerged, often causing confusion for aspiring project management professionals as to which one is best suited for their career aspirations.

The answer to this question is not that simple. Every credential is important in its own right because it serves a specific purpose. So, which is better will be determined by an individual’s particular circumstances and career goals. Professionals are often curious about the PMP and the CSM certifications as they are among the most popular ones.  

Let us look at the PMP vs  CSM certifications and all that they entail, including the benefits and how they make a difference to the certification holder as well as the organization they work with. PMP bootcamps online offer a diverse array of training programs to cater to the varying needs and preferences of individuals seeking PMP certification.

Read this article to know which certification is better for you - PMP or CSM.

What is PMP Certification and Why It's Useful?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a globally recognized, widely accepted credential in the domain of project management. It is provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a professional organization based in the United States. PMP is a well-known and acknowledged certificate considered vital for project managers. Especially for those looking to advance in their careers. So, it is important to enroll in a project management professional certification course.

What is CSM Certification and Why It's Useful?

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certificate is an entry-level credential meant to provide professionals new to Scrum with a grasp of the project management approach. The certification process teaches applicants about Scrum concepts such as cooperation, responsibility, and incremental progress toward a well-defined objective.

Key Differences Between CSM vs PMP: Tabular Differences

Aspect	CSM	PMP
1. Eligibility	The CSM exam doesn’t require any specific qualification	The PMP examination requires you to have a degree as well as professional experience
2. Certifying Body	Scrum Alliance	Project Management Institute (PMI)
3. Relevance	For those who want to lead Scrum teams and progress their career in Scrum	Those who want to take up project management opportunities
4. Examination pattern	There are 50 questions in the CSM exam	The PMP examination contains 200 questions – 25 of which are not evaluated
5. Pass Criteria	37 correct answers out of 50	141 correct answers out of the 175 being evaluated
6. Exam Duration	1 hour	4 hours
7. Examination difficulty	The CSM Exam is considered to be easy or moderately difficult	The PMP Exam is considered difficult and requires more practice
8. Cost	The CSM certification costs around 1000 – 1450 USD	The PMP certification costs around 1290 – 1800 USD
9. Renewal Cycle	To be renewed every 2 years	To be renewed every 3 years

PMP vs CSM Certification: Detailed Comparison

Here are some aspects to consider before deciding on which certification is better CSM or PMP:

1. PMP vs CSM Certification: Prerequisites

Whether you have a four-year degree or a high school diploma, you will require expertise in managing and supervising projects.

With a four-year degree, you will need 36 months of project management experience. With a high school certificate or an associate degree, you will need 60 months of project management experience.

PMP: You must have project management expertise.

If you want to upskill yourself in project management, you can explore these Project Management Certification courses. Learn the contemporary way, from a curriculum aligned with official PMI-PMP® and acquire tools and techniques to achieve project goals.

CSM: There is no prerequisite for CSM.

2. PMP vs CSM Certification: Eligibility

PMP Eligibility  

The PMP exam eligibility is as follows:

• A secondary education degree
• 7,500 hours of project management and direction
• Project management education for 35 hours

Alternatively, if the individual has a four-year bachelor's degree:

• a four-year diploma
• 4,500 hours of project management and direction
• Project management training for 35 hours

CSM Eligibility

Although there are no defined qualifying requirements for Certified Scrum masters, it is recommended that you have a basic awareness of the concepts and hands-on experience of the broader Scrum process. The candidate must be familiar with the duties of the product owner and the development team.

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3. PMP vs CSM Certification: Exam details

To take the exam, both courses use an electronic mode with multiple-choice questions that have one question and four alternative responses. Both tests, however, are significantly distinct from one another.

PMP Exam Specifications

The PMP exam is a four-hour examination with 200 questions. Twenty-five of the 200 questions are not scored. However, you won't know which 25 questions aren't scored until the exam is over, so make sure to take all of them carefully.

To pass the PMP exam, you must answer 141 or more questions correctly out of 175 total, which equates to 81 percent.

CSM Exam Specifications

The CSM test may be taken from any location (home or workplace) with a reliable internet connection. The candidate must answer 37 questions in one hour, with a 74% score to pass (37 questions out of 50 should be correct). The CSM test is simpler than the PMP exam. In addition, the exam allows you to pause it and resume it later. Most of applicants pass the test on their first try.

4. PMP vs CSM Certification: Certification Costs

PMP Certification Costs

The PMP certification cost varies from country to country and depends on the mode of learning, like online classes or instructor-led training.

The following chart covers the basic PMP certification cost across different countries. 

Country	PMP certification cost
India	14k-18k INR
South America	600-650 USD
UK	990-1300 USD
USA	1,290-1800 USD
Arabian Countries	1950-2,000 USD

CSM Certification Exam Cost 

The CSM certification cost differs from country to country and also depends on the mode of learning, like online classes or Instructor-led training. 

Here we have CSM certification costs for five countries:

Country	CSM certification cost
Australia	1,600-1,700 AUD
Canada	1195-1500 CAD
India	25,000-30,000 INR
UK	950-1095 GBP
US	1000-1450 USD

5. PMP vs CSM Certification: Career Progression 

Career Progression Post PMP 

The increasing demand for project managers across industries has grown over the past few years. The first step after earning the PMP certification is to move ahead as a project manager. Once you’ve earned enough experience as a project manager, you can pursue the role of Project Lead. For those who have pursued the path of project management, one of the highest roles is that of a Project Director. When comparing PMP vs CSM certification, professionals aiming for structured leadership roles in traditional and hybrid projects usually benefit more from the PMP track, as it opens pathways toward senior management and strategic decision-making.

Career Progression Post CSM 

The widespread adoption of Scrum and other Agile frameworks has created various opportunities for CSM-certificate holders. The first step after the CSM certification is to step into the role of a Scrum Master. Your understanding of the Scrum framework will help you step up and lead a Scrum team. 

Scrum masters can go ahead and step up as Senior Scrum Masters and Chief Scrum Masters over time. CSM-certificate holders can also pursue advanced certifications such as the A-CSM or those offered by Scaled Agile. 

Benefits of Doing a PMP Certification

While there are several tangible and intangible benefits of getting a certification like PMP, here are the benefits of PMP Certification for professionals and organizations:

1. Industry Recognition

Project management professional certification is widely accepted. PMP is worldwide and can be used in any business or location. So, irrespective of your professional background or sector, adding the qualification to your cv can help you.

2. Enables Crucial Project Management Skills

PMP certification has stringent requirements. As a result, passing this exam without substantial study is difficult. Furthermore, it necessitates that you grasp the material's actual application. Obtaining the PMP certificate will necessitate the acquisition of several hard and soft skills. It increases understanding of essential project management processes, tools, and methods.

3. Contributes to Higher Pay cheques

The most appealing aspect of Project management professional certification is the better salary it offers to project managers. Certified project managers earn significantly more than the industry average. According to a recent PMI survey, the average median income for a project manager with certification is $108,000. A non-certified project manager, on the other hand, earns $91,000 a year on average. This is why it is important to enroll in a project management professional training course.

4. Demonstrates Your Commitment to the Profession

An employee that invests in their education is an asset to the organization. A PMP certification represents your commitment to improving your professional talents, skills, and expertise. It also assists you in earning the respect of your superiors and team members. Know more about the characteristics of project management.

Benefits of doing a CSM Certification 

1. Upgrades Your Mindset

The CSM certification ensures that the applicant is up to speed on the latest Scrum developments and has an open learning mentality. The certification teaches individuals to stay current and to have a learning attitude in which they are constantly open to acquiring new skills and studying more about Scrum ideals and principles.

2. Makes You an Asset at the Workplace

When a company applies a new technique, it impacts its processing, management, personnel, and clients. The CSM course provides students with the practical expertise needed in circumstances when all of these components work well together and the firm transitions to an Agile environment.

3. Enables You to Advance Professionally

The CSM certification provides individuals with a reputable certificate recognized by the worldwide renowned organization, Scrum Alliance. This provides professionals with many chances and propels them to grow in their professions.  

4. Improves Teamwork and Collaboration

The CSM certification teaches people about team management and helps them comprehend the principles of team building. Candidates are trained on teamwork and the value of working as a team to achieve success in product development. As a Scrum Master, they understand their duties and responsibilities, as well as different techniques and methods for working with a Scrum Team.

Pros and Cons of PMP & CSM Certification

Let us look at the pros and cons of CSM certification vs PMP certification before you jump to any conclusions.

Pros of PMP Certification:

• It proves your experience.
• Hike in Salary
• Focus on both Theoretical concepts and practical knowledge.
• Opens the door to job opportunities.
• Ease in using PMP software.

Cons of PMP Certification:

• It is expensive.
• Preparation for Exam is Time Consuming

Pros of CSM Certification:

• Improvement in Return on Investment
• Much easier than the PSM exam. Concept-Based exam
• Globally recognized program

Cons of CSM certification:

• Only focus on theoretical concepts
• It is expensive.
• Preparation for Exam is Time Consuming

CSM or PMP: Which One to Choose?

Which one to choose, which is better PMP or CSM? It all depends on what you want to accomplish.

The PMP is the most widely recognized credential in project management. It assesses people's understanding of project management terminology, methodologies, and strategies.

A Scrum Master leads and guides their team, whereas a project manager concentrates on projects and handles associated timeframes. A CSM indicates that you have mastered roles and responsibilities, activities, and artifacts. A CSM is a project manager who specializes in agile project management.

When comparing PMP vs CSM certification, it’s important to consider your career goals and industry. If you're already working in Agile Project Management, the CSM certification will most certainly come in handy. The PMP certification, on the other hand, is a terrific way to establish your passion and career as a project manager.

Make sure to thoroughly explore all your prospects to obtain the ideal certification for you.

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Final Thoughts 

Choosing between the CSM and PMP certifications can be a difficult choice, but there are some factors which can help you. The PMP certification is accepted across all industries, while the CSM certification is more valuable in companies that follow Scrum and Agile frameworks. 

Considering your future prospects and the career path you want to pursue, is the best way to choose between these certifications. It is difficult to objectively compare and call one certification better than the other.