CSM® Certification Renewal

All you need to know about the CSM renewal process to keep your certification current

You need to maintain your certification to continue your CSM® journey. Your CSM® certification credential lasts for only two years. This informative article discusses all that you should keep in mind to maintain your CSM® credential.

FAQs

KnowledgeHut Support On Your CSM Journey

Here is why you should choose KnowledgeHut to help you get CSM certified:

  • Experiential learning with real-world simulations, in-class activities, and industry case studies
  • Live Instructor-led training sessions from trainers certified by the Scrum Alliance 
  • Flexible schedules (half-day and full-day workshops) to help busy professionals balance work and learning 
  • Exclusive focus on each learner with limited seats 
  • Batches are guaranteed to run, ensuring higher availability and choice 
  • 20 additional PDUs/SEUs through webinars, blogs 
  • Weekly doubt-clearing sessions for better concept clarity 
  • 4 Mock tests that help you gain the confidence to ace the exam in first go 

Looking to know everything about CSM certification training with KnowledgeHut? Check out this blog!

At KnowledgeHut, we pride ourselves on having some of the best trainers in the industry. Our trainers are not just experts in their respective fields but also hold the Certified Scrum Trainer certification from Scrum Alliance. Dedicated, and invested in understanding the unique challenges that different enterprises face, these highly skilled professionals with vast experience in delivering courses, are keen to impart their real-world wisdom in high-energy workshops replete with activities.

The venue will be listed on the KnowledgeHut website under the selected workshop. If it is not, then you can please contact our supporting team.

We provide the hard copy of the courseware for our classroom participants.

KnowledgeHut is a leading Registered Education Ally (REA) of Scrum Alliance offering good knowledge to corporate organizations and professionals across the globe. It is the fastest growing CSM certification training firm, with footprints in 70+ countries. We frequently conduct CSM training in all the cities across the globe and here are a few listed for your reference:


Bangalore  Hyderabad Mumbai
Delhi Kolkata Gurgaon
Noida Chennai Cochin
Pune New York Chicago
San Francisco Atlanta Washington
Houston Austin Los Angeles
Dallas Boston Seattle
San Jose Singapore Kuala Lumpur

Our CSM training is live and is available in both Live Instructor-Led Virtual and Classroom Training formats. The batches at KnowledgeHut are guaranteed to run, so you can enrol in the earliest available batch easily.

Yes, but this needs to be done at least 10 days prior to the training start date.


Note: In some instances, it also depends on the location, trainer, discounts/offers availed.

We do not provide transportation. Yes, refreshments and lunch will be provided by KnowledgeHut.

We offer a variety of discounts with the dates and time that fits your requirements. The larger the group*, the larger the overall discount. Our discounts vary depending on various factors such as size of the group, training location, etc.

Apart from this, we also provide a discount coupon which you can avail to enrol for another course on KnowledgeHut and fast-track your career. 

*Note: Not applicable for Singapore region

The process of enrolling for CSM classroom training is simple. The payment can be made through different options by using a debit/credit card which includes MasterCard, Visa Card, American Express or through PayPal. Acknowledgment will be issued automatically via email to the candidates once payment is done.

You can cancel your enrolment and receive refunds in line with our Cancellations and Refunds policy.

To ask further questions, please send in an email to support@knowledgehut.com, and we will answer any queries you may have!

How to renew CSM® Certification?

After working hard to earn your CSM® certification, you need to avoid its lapse by renewing it every 2 years. You are required to earn a certain amount of Scrum Education Units® (SEUs) in order to validate your participation and continued proficiency in the fundamental principles and practices of Scrum. All the SEUs must be earned within the past 2 years. You also need to pay a renewal fee.

The SEU requirements and renewal fees that you need to pay for renewing your CSM® certification are as follows:

CertificationSEUs requiredFee Per Term
CSM® 20$100

These 20 SEUs can be earned by you in the following ways:

  • By watching community webinar
  • Giving back to the Agile community by volunteering in some way
  • Participating in a local user group
  • Attend a Scrum Gathering at a global or regional level
  • Write a Scrum or Agile blog
  • Read a book on Scrum or Agile

You need to be within 6 months of your current CSM® certification date. Further, you need to follow these steps in order to renew your CSM® certification:

Step 1: Log in to your certification account.

Step 2: Click on the ‘certification dashboard’ which you can find in the settings.

Step 3: Pay your renewal fee by scrolling to the ‘Actions’ window and click the renewal link. 

You can reap the following benefits by renewing your CSM® certification:

  • Get your knowledge, abilities, and skills endorsed by the largest, most established, and influential Agile certifying body to differentiate yourself from others in your field.
  • Increase your opportunities for career advancement and potential for increasing your earnings.
  • Influence the future of Scrum to participate in volunteer opportunities.
  • Open your path towards obtaining more advanced certifications.
  • Promote your achievements by displaying a digital badge.

Why should you go for a CSM certification?

Scrum, an Agile framework has been picking up momentum in creating innovation and improving productivity across organizations. A high-performing Scrum team always contributes to the success of an Agile project and the Scrum Master is the main person responsible for steering the project in the right direction. The Certified ScrumMaster course boosts your confidence in implementing the Scrum framework effectively in organizations.

CSM® certification- Adding value to your career

As a Certified ScrumMaster, you will be known as a part of an elite group engaged with Scrum Alliance. The members of Scrum Alliance are meant to be Scrum specialists, guiding the project teams to success. Here is why CSM® certification should be a part of your skill set:

  • Based on the recent salary survey by Ziprecruiter, the average annual salary for the Certified ScrumMaster is $116,659 a year.
  • CSM® certification enables you to work across major companies like IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, CapGemini, Honeywell, BOSCH, Accenture, Deloitte and many more in several job roles, such as:
    • Scrum Master
    • Delivery Lead
    • Agile Scrum Master
    • Program Manager
    • Project Manager
    • Agile Coach
    • Automation Engineer
    • Project Lead

Today, most of the IT as well as non-IT industry majors are hiring candidates who are familiar with the Scrum framework. The Certified ScrumMaster® can upscale an organization in the following ways:  

  • Guide the team members throughout the product development
  • Help the team deliver quality products
  • Participate in the team activities with ease and also learn how to own a task
  • Resolve the impediments and enhance the team’s collaboration
  • Act as a change agent and enable a culture in which teams can flourish
  • Become a servant leader for Scrum teams that are involved in developing high-end products

Scrum framework believes in ‘self-organization’. Making a career in Scrum as a Scrum Master will help an individual to-

  • Gain a high degree of proficiency in executing Scrum
  • Contribute in creating a healthy work environment
  • Earn the skills that make an individual immune to internal and external distractions
  • Become self-motivated to escalate the performance of the team
  • Get more job opportunities in IT as well as non-IT organizations with a good pay

Process to become a Certified Scrum Master

Your Path to CSM® Exam Success

  • LEARN with Live, Instructor-led Sessions

    Learn with interactive live training sessions from accredited CSTs who also have years of experience as active Scrum practitioners across domains. upGrad KnowledgeHut a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 450,000+ Agile professionals, and you can get the best of this experience by learning with upGrad KnowledgeHut.  

  • STUDY with Scrum Alliance-Approved Curriculum

    Study with a curriculum crafted by Professionals licensed by Scrum Alliance and understand the core concepts of Scrum events- Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective.

  • PRACTICE with Case Studies, Role-Play, and Scrum Activities
    With the knowledge gained through experiential workshops, you can practice the concepts learnt with real-life case studies, role-play exercises where you replicate work-like environments, and participate in Scrum activities to embrace the role of a Scrum Master across enterprises. Clear all your doubts with mentors in weekly Scrum enablement sessions, which are vital in your exam success.

  • GET EXAM-READY with 4 CSM Mock Exams
    After mastering the knowledge learnt through ample practice, you can opt for 4 CSM mock exams that follow the exam pattern thoroughly and help you gain the confidence to crack the exam in your first attempt.

  • TAKE THE EXAM and Ace it in the Very First Go!
    Take the exam confidently and crack the 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions in 60 minutes. You will need to pass with a score of 74%. We're by your side through every step of your CSM exam preparation. With us, you'll ace your exam on the very first go and gain a Certified ScrumMaster certification!

Prerequisites for CSM Certification Training

There is no set of eligibility requirements to attend this Scrum Master Certification course and it can be taken by freshers or professionals who want to:  

  • Further their career in project management
  • Deepen their understanding of Scrum

Our experienced CSTs deliver training in such a way that is suitable for both novice and experienced professionals. However, it is beneficial if you have basic Scrum knowledge in a real-world context, in order to get the most from the training. Explore our 1-day Agile and Scrum foundation training for establishing solid groundwork. 

Who Usually Attend CSM Training

  • Software Engineers
  • Product Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Team Leaders
  • Business Analysts
  • Development team members
  • Testers
  • Anyone who would like to build a career as a Scrum Master

upGrad KnowledgeHut Experience for CSM Certification Training

EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS

Learn in an engaging and interactive session with real-world simulations, in-class activities, and industry case studies.

ELITE PANEL OF CSTs

Get trained by Scrum Alliance-accredited CSTs with more than a decade’s experience as Scrum practitioners.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP

Hone your CSM exam readiness and bolster your confidence by practicing with 4 meticulously crafted high-quality mock exams.

SCRUM ENABLEMENT AMAs

Get all your doubts about the exam or how to implement Scrum effectively in continual weekly Ask-Me-Anything sessions with expert CSTs.

ACCESS 5,000+ HIRING PARTNERS

Access our diverse hiring partners, providing a vast array of career advancement and placement opportunities.

MENTORSHIP BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Get mentored by Scrum Alliance-accredited professionals and get real-world tips and industry-proven techniques.

GLOBAL REA OF SCRUM ALLIANCE

We are a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 250,000+ Agile professionals.

GATEWAY TO SCRUM COMMUNITIES

Join a Global Network of Agile and Scrum Practitioners certified through upGrad KnowledgeHut across the world.

EFFORTLESS CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

Earn 20 SEUs upon completion of our complimentary Agile and Scrum course worth $300 for seamless certification renewal.

CONTINUE YOUR LEARNING

Redeem a discount coupon on your next course enrollment with KnowledgeHut and fast-track your career! 

COMPREHENSIVE JOB SUPPORT

Benefit from comprehensive job support, including LinkedIn assistance, resume refinement, and mentorship.

CSM Certification Course Curriculum from Scrum Alliance

Learning Objectives:

Get familiar with the 12 principles and 4 values stated in the Agile Manifesto through our popular in-class activity- “Draw and demonstrate”. Herein, you will be asked to form groups and illustrate all 12 principles pictorially.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the 12 principles and 4 values listed in the Agile Manifesto.
  • Demonstrate the benefits of “responding to change” in Agile over “following a plan” in traditional project management.
  • Describe how the Scrum values (courage, focus, commitment, respect, openness) relate to the Scrum artifacts, events, and roles.
  • List and explain the three pillars in Scrum ― Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation.
  • Explain the differences between framework and methodology and understand why Scrum is called a framework.
  • List 5 ways to develop an Agile mindset.
  • Illustrate 2 differences between Agile and Scrum and explain why these two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

Topics Covered:

  • Agile Manifesto
  • 12 Principles
  • 4 values
  • Scrum Foundations (5 Scrum Values)

Learning Objectives:

Learn more about the three roles in Scrum with role-based activities. Each group will play a simulation game called “candy catch” that will have three iterations. The Scrum Master and Product Owner (chosen by group members) will coordinate and help the team achieve the highest target within the shortest time.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Conduct a retrospective to list 3 techniques to improve the performance and turnaround time.
  • Explain the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master and a Product Owner.
  • List 3 differences between a Scrum Master and a Product Owner and understand why these two roles should not overlap.
  • Discuss how a product owner acts as a bridge between the development team and the stakeholders.
  • Understand why a Scrum Master is not an active participant but a facilitator in the Scrum events and ceremonies.
  • List 3 demerits of having a development team of less than 3 members or greater than 10 members.

Topics Covered:

  • Scrum Master roles and challenges
  • Product Owner roles and responsibilities
  • Development team roles and responsibilities

Learning Objectives:

Take part in the Scrum Paper Plane game and learn how the 5 Scrum ceremonies work. There will be 3 sprints, each lasting 15 minutes. You need to prepare the user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the “why” and “how” of sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and retrospective.
  • Understand why the scope and duration of a sprint are fixed.
  • List 3 ways to avoid sprint backlog spillover.
  • Define sprint goals and discuss 5 benefits of having a sprint goal.
  • Understand how the Scrum Master and the Product Owner should coordinate with the team and list 5 points to improve such communications.
  • Discuss 3 damaging impacts of sprint cancellation and how to avoid it.
  • List 10 sprint anti-patterns (E.g. sprint cancellation, variable sprint length) and understand how these impact the delivery and turnaround time.

Topics Covered:

  • Sprint planning
  • Daily Scrum
  • Sprint Review
  • Sprint Retrospective

Learning Objectives:

Experience how Scrum works in real projects with our simulation game “Crime Teller”. The activity will be divided into 3 sprints, wherein the participants will actively employ Product backlog refinement among other scrum artifacts to solve a given “crime” story.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List and demonstrate 5 salient features of a well-formed product backlog (E.g. estimated, prioritized).
  • Discuss 2 responsibilities of the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the Development team in creating and maintaining a product backlog.
  • The objective of having a product backlog and best approaches to product backlog refinement.
  • Analyze and discuss the ideal time and capacity to be dedicated to product backlog refinement.
  • Demonstrate 3 activities (E.g. budget and timeline, release schedule) that take place during a sprint review.
  • List 5 sprint review anti-patterns (E.g. delayed   acceptance) and their negative impacts

Topics Covered:

  • Product Backlog
  • Sprint Backlog
  • Product Increment

Learning Objectives:

Learn about Scrum life cycle by taking part in the “coin game”. The participants will be linking ceremonies to create effective sprint goals. This module will focus on the common challenges in sprint execution and enable team members to improvise.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between resolution meetings and daily standups.
  • Explain the benefits of collaborations with product owners.
  • List 3 demerits of over collaboration of the product owners.
  • Demonstrate 3 ways to break the barriers and collaborate
  • Demonstrate creation of sprint burndown chart
  • Explain 3 approaches to increase efficiency in the team

Topics Covered:

  • Sprint Execution Planning
  • Flow management
  • Resolution meetings
  • Communication (Taskboard, Sprint burndown chart using story points, hours effort)

Learning Objectives:

Play the “Marshmellow Tower” game and learn more about daily scrum and sprint retrospective in real scrum projects. The tallest tower built with the minimum raw materials and in the shortest time frame will win. Acceptance criteria will be defined by the instructor.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of 15-minute timebox for daily scrum meetings.
  • List 3 differences between traditional meetings and daily stand-ups.
  • Describe 2 roles played by the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team in daily scrum.
  • List the 3 critical questions pertaining to the daily scrum agenda.
  • List 2 responsibilities of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team during the sprint retrospective.

Topics Covered:

  • Activities in daily scrum
  • Activities in sprint retrospective

Learning Objectives:

Familiarize yourself with Definition of Done (DoD) and Acceptance Criteria with the “Crazy Juggler” game wherein you need to pass a fixed number of balls to non-adjacent team members within a certain time frame and collect them in a paper bag once marked as “Done”.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain Definition of Done at three levels ― user story (e.g. writing code), sprint, and release (e.g. preparing release notes).
  • List 3 benefits of Definition of Done and explain why it can evolve over a certain period of time.
  • Prepare a checklist (with a minimum of 7 entries) of an ideal DoD.
  • Mention 3 risks associated with an ill-formed DoD.
  • List 5 characteristics of good acceptance criteria.
  • Understand who all should be involved in drafting the acceptance criteria.
  • List 3 negative impacts of not following the acceptance criteria.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of Done for a feature (user story or product backlog item)
  • Definition of Done for a sprint
  • Definition of Done for a release
  • Definition of Done vs. Acceptance criteria
  • Done vs. Done-Done.

Learning Objectives:

Acquaint yourself with the Definition of Ready with our Lego blocks game wherein the attendees will be asked to build a city out of Lego building blocks. The “definition of ready” checklist for the final deliverable will be determined by the instructor.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Create an ultimate checklist of Definition of Done.
  • List 3 negative impacts of an ill-formed Definition of Done.
  • Identify at least 3 benefits of a shared Definition of Done for multiple teams working on the same product backlog.
  • List 2 ways to improve Definition of Done.
  • Clearly understand the differences between “done” and “done done”.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of Ready for user story
  • Definition of Ready for sprint

Learning Objectives:

Play the self-organization game “Human Knots” by forming teams of 5-6. Groups where team members can untie themselves first win. The time frame for this activity will be decided by your instructor. Each team will have a Scrum Master and Product Owner chosen by group members.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and understand the steps involved in release planning.
  • List 3 benefits of a well-organized release planning.
  • List 3 outputs of release planning.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of release planning
  • Who takes part in release planning
  • Steps in Release planning
  • Output of Release Planning

Learning Objectives:

Acquaint yourself with the Sprint Burndown Chart concepts by taking part in the ball point game. There will be 5 iterations and the number of points being expected at the end of the release will be communicated to the team.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and understand sprint burndown chart.
  • List 3 primary reasons to use a burndown chart.
  • Learn how to create and calculate a burndown chart.
  • Explain how to adjust upcoming sprints based on the burndown.
  • List 3 critical information obtained from a burndown chart.
  • List 5 merits and 2 demerits of using a burndown chart.
  • Understand 5 common errors that lead to misleading information in burndown charts.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Why and when to use a sprint burndown chart
  • Information obtained from sprint burndown chart

Learning Objectives:

Take part in the ball point game and understand the in-depth concepts of release burn-up charts and why Scrum teams use them. There will be 5 iterations and once the sprint is completed, the team will put a mark on the release burn-up as to how many points are completed.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of having a release goal (based on historical data and agreement).
  • Demonstrate the importance of release burn-up in understanding the current status.
  • List 2 differences between burndown and burn-up charts.
  • Explain how to adjust release planning (if needed) based on the burn down.
  • Tell one primary advantage of a burnup chart over a burndown chart.  

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Features
  • How to create a release burn-up chart (steps)

Learning Objetives:

Explore the fundamentals of product planning, including understanding stakeholders and prioritizing features aligned with organizational goals. Delve into crafting a clear and inspiring product vision statement that guides decision-making throughout the development process. Learn practical techniques for creating and managing a product backlog effectively, ensuring continuous alignment with customer needs. Finally, understand the concepts of product roadmap, minimum releasable features, and minimum viable products to drive value-driven development in Agile environments.


Topics Covered:

  • What is product planning
  • What is product vision
  • How to create a product backlog
  • Product Roadmap 
  • Minimum Releasable features (or) Minimum Marketable Features 
  • Minimum Viable Products

Learning Objectives:

Be a part of the Lego Building Blocks game wherein participants will be asked to write user stories for every activity involved. The game will entail 3 iterations and attendees will prepare user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria. 


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and explain user stories and understand the importance of user stories in real-time projects.
  • Explain the 3 Cs in user stories.
  • Discuss the importance of acceptance criteria and list 3 scenarios that might arise when the acceptance criteria are not met.

Topics Covered:

  • What are user stories?
  • Structure/format of user stories
  • INVEST criteria

Learning Objectives:

Learn more about the “what” and “how” of Agile estimation with our in-class Agile board game “Scrumble”. In an interactive setting, this game will let you analyze the common challenges faced by Scrum team members during implementing different estimation techniques in Agile.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List and demonstrate 5 benefits of Agile estimation.
  • Understand the 7 popular Agile estimation techniques and decide which one is the best for your project.
  • Discuss 3 benefits of Relative Estimation and Planning Poker.
  • List and explain 3 common mistakes made while using Relative Estimation and their negative impacts.
  • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Benefits of Agile Estimation
  • Agile estimation techniques

Learning Objectives:

Know everything about planning poker from our popular poker card estimation game. Team members/estimators have to privately select one card and the value on each card would represent the story point. Once all cards are revealed, the values need to be discussed.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List 5 benefits of planning poker estimation technique.
  • Decide the best sequence for the values (story points) on cards for your real-time projects.
  • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 
  • List 3 points to heed for employing planning poker for distributed teams.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Benefits
  • Participants
  • How to play planning poker
  • Planning Poker rules

What You Will Learn in This CSM Workshop

JOURNEY OF A CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTER PROFESSIONAL


CSM Training and Certification FAQs

Certified ScrumMaster®

A Certified ScrumMaster is a professional designated by Scrum Alliance as a Scrum practitioner who can skillfully lead project teams. A Scrum Master is not a project leader or project manager but instead, a Servant Leader who assists the team to succeed with the Scrum framework.

When it comes to being a successful Scrum Master, there are certain roles and responsibilities that need to be performed. Following are the primary roles and responsibilities of a scrum master:

  • Act as a facilitator and servant leader who encourages self-organization
  • Remove obstacles so that the team can focus more on work and follow practices of Scrum
  • Protect the team from internal and external distractions
  • Ensure a good relationship between the product owner and the team along with the members outside the team
  • Set up an environment where the team can perform more effectively
  • Manage the scrum process in coordination with the scrum team
  • Conduct retrospective meetings
  • Address team progress

The most important skills that every Scrum Master should have are as follows:

  • Systems Thinking: This skill helps the Scrum Master to build a comprehensive perspective towards the whole organization as a system. 
  • Facilitation ability: The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum events for the team members to reach a high-end decision.
  • Complex Problem Solving: The Scrum Master will be able to handle various complex situations while undertaking product development.
  • Coaching: Team members need someone to guide and coach them to follow Scrum principles properly, which the Scrum Master does.

A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) training workshop is conducted by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and teaches the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles that will enable the participant to act as a Scrum Master or Scrum team member. This credential is a first step on the path to a successful Agile career.

If you intend to become a Scrum Master, you should know that it's a great career option, especially if you’re looking for a role in leadership. However, to do well in the role that requires Scrum qualifications, you should have strong people skills and a deep understanding of Agile principles. You must also be able to handle ambiguity and changing priorities. Scrum master career can be quite rewarding as long as you have no issues with these challenges. The benefits include higher earnings, being a valuable asset to the organisation, and a chance to drive successful projects. Having certifications for Scrum Master is a badge of honour which showcases your expertise and leadership qualities. 

The exponential growth of Scrum, combined with the rising Scrum adoption in 65% of IT enterprises globally indicates the need for Certified ScrumMasters who can facilitate complex project execution. A CSM certification from any Global REP (Registered Education Provider) helps reinforce your industry identity as an Agilist who can lead projects to successful execution.

A Scrum Master certification is an official recognition of your Certified scrum master skills. It is a designation given by organisations like Scrum Alliance and demonstrates your expertise in Scrum. 

This certification focuses on important things like, the foundation of Scrum, team performance, and accountability. Having a CSM credential shows that you can be an efficient leader, guide teams in product development, and help in achieving organisational goals. It proclaims your understanding of Scrum principles and practices, like working in short cycles with cross-functional teams and implementing improvements based on feedback. 

The Scrum Master role is created to be a part of the Scrum framework. The name itself indicates that a person is an expert at Scrum and ensures that his/her team is also following the Scrum framework correctly. Scrum Master is responsible for creating a culture of trust, self-organizing teams, and transparency while removing the obstacles that are inhibiting the project’s progress.


List of Scrum Master Certifications along with the certification bodies:


Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®)
Scrum Alliance
Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM I)
Scrum.Org
SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM)
Scaled Agile, Inc.
Disciplined Agile® Scrum Master (DASM)
Project Management Institute (PMI)®
Registered Scrum Master™(RSM)
Scrum Inc.™
Scrum Master Certified (SMC®)
SCRUM Study

Scrum Alliance, the renowned Agile membership and certification organization for the professionals offers various levels of certification to become proficient in Scrum. The certifying body always believes in a high level of personal interaction to understand Scrum. The newly designed course model of Scrum Alliance fosters collaboration, increased productivity, and success among the team members.


Membership of the Scrum Alliance community offers you a networking platform if you are interested in your Agile journey and lets you connect with other Scrum practitioners. It aids you to get future growth through certification, knowledge sharing, and community support, which is very rare in the IT domain.

Scrum Master training provides numerous opportunities for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in different fields that employ individuals with Scrum qualifications. The course is known for its inclusiveness, and caters to both newcomers and experienced professionals. The well-designed content of this course consists of interactive activities, group discussions, quizzes, case studies, and polls. These activities promote active learning and enhance understanding. It also makes the learning journey enjoyable and impactful, promoting a better hold of knowledge. Scrum Master training from upGrad KnowledgeHut will equip you with the necessary skills to excel in any role that you choose.

Through the 2-year membership with Scrum Alliance, you can join local user groups, online social networks, gain access to deep discounts on gatherings, and additional member-only resources.  In addition, CSMs can use a specially designed logo to highlight their credentials.

According to Scrum Alliance, a Certified ScrumMaster course helps increase the likelihood of a project’s overall success by applying Scrum principles and techniques in the right way. By understanding the values, practices, and applications, you can act as a ‘servant leader’ rising above and beyond an average project manager and helping your organization achieve meaningful goals

The certifications offered by Scrum Alliance provide several ways of proving yourself as a competent and skilled Scrum and Agile practitioner. Here are the three Scrum Master certification levels by Scrum Alliance:


1. CSM (Certified Scrum Master)

Introductory course for those wishing to become a Scrum Master or play a role as a Scrum team member.

2. A-CSM (Advance – Certified Scrum Master)

Advanced course for those who have work experience as a Scrum Master.

3. CSP (Certified Scrum Professional)

Pinnacle/Expert-level course for individuals wishing to build mastery in the Scrum Master role.

We've laid out a sure path for anyone interested in fast-tracking their Agile and Scrum career to get the CSM certification:

  1. Learn Scrum with live, instructor-led sessions from accredited CSTs who are active practitioners across domains.
  2. Study with a Scrum Alliance-approved curriculum crafted by licensed professionals.
  3. Practice with real-life case studies, role-play exercises, and Scrum activities. Get mentored in weekly Scrum enablement sessions to clear your doubts and prepare for the exam.
  4. Get exam-ready and gain confidence with 4 CSM mock exams that follow the exam pattern thoroughly.
  5. Take the CSM exam confidently and crack the 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions in 60 minutes. You will need to pass with a score of 74%.

We're by your side through every step of your CSM exam preparation. With upGrad KnowledgeHut, you'll ace your exam in the very first go and gain a Certified ScrumMaster certification!

Anyone interested in working in an Agile way of working will find the CSM training and the Certified ScrumMaster credential useful. Scrum is now used across all industries at various levels. Scrum gives a framework to do work and solve problems in a way that can accommodate other factors in a changing environment. 

Project managers, software engineers, business analysts, or any professional working in a Scrum team will find the training to be valuable and the certification will give a boost to their career.  

Yes, there is an online/virtual course for CSM. 

CSM course is a two days online course conducted by Certified Scrum Trainers (CST) who help aspirants in getting certified in Scrum, which is a popular agile framework. The training programme is specially designed for busy people who are looking for a leadership career-oriented journey. You can get 16 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and 16 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) from Scrum Alliance from PMI by participating in the Certified Scrum Master course, which adds value to your professional growth. This CSM online course also includes all the necessary training necessary to become Certified Scrum Master

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a certification that can be acquired by completing the CSM course and passing the CSM exam. There isn’t any requirement you need to fulfil to take the course. While anybody can pursue the certification, the most frequent background of people who pursue this certification are:

  • Software Engineers 
  • Product Managers 
  • Project Managers 
  • Team Leaders 
  • Business Analysts 
  • Developers 
  • Testers 

Before earning your certification, there are a few things to consider if you want to become a Scrum Master. Since Scrum is not for beginners, you should first have a basic knowledge of its concepts and methods. Second, be prepared to devote two days to the 16-hour course in order to get the certification. Spending the time and effort is crucial. 

Consider if you enjoy leading and managing a Scrum team, as the Scrum Master trainings focuses on these skills. If you've considered these factors and remain inspired to become a Scrum Master, enrol in the certification program. 

Becoming a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master opens myriad opportunities for you:

  1. It is a prestigious Agile certification which helps you to showcase your expertise. 
  2. By using Scrum and understanding its important values, you can lead your team better than ever.
  3. It opens up entirely new career options for you, which lets you connect with a wide range of professional networks. 
  4. More importantly, by enhancing your leadership abilities, it lets you influence positive changes throughout your organisation. 

In all, you can become a more effective and knowledgeable Scrum Master with a deep understanding of the question, “Who is a Scrum Master in Agile” and what their role is. 

There are multiple benefits of scrum master certification as CSM. Firstly, it allows you to participate actively in team activities and to take ownership. Secondly, it boosts self-motivation, which helps in enhancing the team's overall performance. Thirdly, it provides you with the ability to create a working environment which ultimately promotes the company's growth. 

Lastly, it provides you with indispensable knowledge and skills to protect the team from any kind of distractions, which could be internal or external. In a gist, the Scrum Master Accredited Certification empowers you to be an effective leader, fostering a productive and focused team environment, ultimately benefiting both yourself and the organisation.

The Scrum Alliance is the organisation responsible for providing the CSM certification, which makes them the pioneers of Scrum certifications. This certification is recommended for specific individuals who are eager to be a leader or aspire to lead Scrum teams and teams which are tackling intricate challenges. It equips them with the necessary skill sets that are much needed to succeed in such environments.

Moreover, for those looking to amplify their expertise, the Scrum Alliance offers more advanced certifications like the A-CSM and CSP-SM. These advanced certifications are built upon imparting knowledge on Agile and further evaluating one's knowledge and abilities in implementing Scrum, thereby benefiting professionals seeking to excel in their desired roles.


Sure, beginners can also learn to become a Scrum Master by following these five steps: Firstly, you have to practise Scrum principles in a variety of roles, such as planning events or home renovations. Secondly, you should build a professional network by joining agile groups to gain advice and attending agile conferences or Certified Scrum Master jobs opportunity. Thirdly, develop relevant skills like interpersonal abilities and technical expertise through education and CSM online programs. All the above is only possible after you get CSM certification from an authorised CSM institute, which can be done by completing training and passing the CSM exam. 

The CSM course is not challenging at all! In fact, it’s quite fun and will make you job-ready in no time. Once you enrol in the course provided by upGrad KnowledgeHut, you will gain a better understanding of Scrum principles and how to lead a team effectively. However, once you get on track, you will have to study and upskill to become a certified Scrum Master.  The CSM certification from upGrad KnowledgeHut will ensure that you have the knowledge required to excel in any role that you choose to pursue.


Certifications for Scrum Master such as the CSM are considered relatively achievable . The CSM exam is entirely based on multiple-choice questions. There will be 50 questions which will be based on the CSM course, and you will be given 1 hour to complete the exam.

To clear the exam, you will need to score 74% or higher than that. Paying attention during the CSM course will prepare you well for the exam, and the multiple-choice format makes it easier to navigate. However, it's essential to manage your time efficiently within the 1-hour period.

In order to complete the ScrumMaster evaluation and to receive your certificate from upGrad KnowledgeHut (affiliated to Scrum Alliance), you have to take their certification test. This test will evaluate your understanding of the Scrum framework and its application. Scrum Alliance certificates are based on Professional Scrum Competencies, ensuring high credibility and value.

Unlike just attending a Certified Scrum Master course, the test genuinely validates your knowledge. To pass and get certified, you must achieve a score of 74% or higher on the test. Furthermore, offers various certifications such as Scrum fundamentals, accountabilities, and also additional topics that complement Professional Scrum, which allows you to demonstrate your Scrum expertise and helps you identify areas for improvement in your skills.

The CSM certification exam consists of 50 questions. You will have one hour to finish it, aiming for a passing score of 74% (37 correct answers). The test is an open book, allowing you to refer to the Scrum Guide, course handout, and your notes from the course. 

Make sure to complete the exam within 90 days after taking the Scrum Master certificate course. If you accidentally close the exam window, you can reopen it immediately. In case of internet connection issues or extended access problems, you may need to contact support@scrumalliance.org to set up a new test. 

The best place to get Scrum Master certification depends on what you're looking for. Some popular options are

  • Scrum Alliance: They offer the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification, which is great for beginners with no prior Scrum experience.
  • Scrum.org: They provide the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification, which is more challenging and suitable for experienced Scrum Masters who want to show their skills.
  • Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe): Their SAFe Scrum Master certification is ideal for Scrum Masters in complex organizations, learning how to apply Scrum at scale.

In the CSM training, you will learn about things like the Scrum framework, team responsibilities, events, and artifacts which will also be useful in the future. The course guides you on how to lead your team by applying Scrum effectively. It offers an interactive and engaging learning experience which promotes valuable insights into team collaboration and project planning. 

With the help of this training, you will develop a strong understanding of Scrum methodologies, which will enable you to lead agile teams and drive successful projects with efficient knowledge. This training equips you with the skills and knowledge to become a proficient Scrum Master.

There are two objectives of CSM Training: first, is to teach you the Scrum framework's methodology, and the second, is to educate you about its core beliefs and values. 

Scrum is an Agile framework, and it is very different from traditional project management like Waterfall. It emphasises self-organising, cross-functional teams delivering value to end-users. Therefore, Scrum training also focuses on a cultural shift, where participants learn and embrace Scrum's values and principles. 

Agile's four values exemplify this shift in mindset during the training: prioritizing individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan.

The CSM certification cost can vary based on the country and the organization providing the training. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the approximate cost of CSM certification in top countries was as follows:

  • Scrum Master certification costs the United States: Around 1,000 to 1,400 USD.
  • Scrum Master certification costs the United Kingdom: Around 800 to 1,200 GBP.
  • Scrum Master certification costs Canada: Around 1,195 to 1,495 CAD.
  • Scrum Master certification costs Australia: Around 1,600 to 1,700 AUD.
  • Scrum Master certification cost India: Around 25,000 to 30,000 INR.

Yes, the certifications for Scrum Master are worth it. They are highly sought after in the industry and offers skilled and enthusiastic trainers who create rich interactive learning experiences. To ensure the best education, the course can also be personally designed to fit individual requirements. Individuals gain practical skills in the training that can be implemented immediately at work, which can lead to new career opportunities. The certification provides assurance in your abilities boosting your chances to pass it successfully. The CSM online certification is undeniable proof of your valuable and enhanced skills that can help enhance your career in Agile.

The 2-day Certified Scrum master cost is between $800 and $1500 in US and between INR 18,000 to INR 25000 in India. The cost of the exam is included in this. Apart from this, you will also have to pay $100 every 2 years to renew the CSM certification.

When you sign up for the upGrad KnowledgeHut course, the cost of CSM certification is already covered, so no extra payment is required for the exam. The course fee includes training, two free exam attempts, digital course materials, and two years of Scrum Alliance membership. In short, you'll have everything necessary to become a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) at no extra cost. This certification holds significant value in the Agile community, making it a fantastic deal for you.

To have a clear understanding of what is a CSM, you can check our different resources that give you detailed information about our Certified Scrum Master cost and everything that is included in the training package.

Yes, practice tests are provided to strengthen your preparation for your Certified ScrumMaster exam. It is also a part of the CSM online certification course. These practice tests, also called CSM practice tests, are designed in a way that helps you to check on your knowledge of Scrum and agile methodologies.

They are crucial in comprehending how to use Scrum for the benefit of your organisation. To have a clear understanding of what is a Scrum Master certification, the question patterns, what to expect in the exam, it is very essential that you go through these practice tests.


If you’re interested in knowing when to take the CSM certification test, the answer is right now! The moment you finish your training, you can take the exam and test your skills. Remember, the training consists of at least 14 hours of sessions and the actual test is an hour long with 50 multiple-choice questions. In order to pass the exam, you must answer 37 questions accurately. 

Once you do that, you can become a Certified ScrumMaster and get a chance to demonstrate your knowledge of Scrum's concepts and practices. You will also receive a professional certification that will improve your job options in project management and agile industries.

To enrol yourself for the Scrum Master trainings, you need to take an in-person or live online course for two days. These generally last 16 hours and 14 to 16 hours, respectively. In this course, attendance is mandatory, as skipping the training will not allow you to access the CSM online test. 

You can find the CSM course near you by visiting the 'course search page'. Once you finish the Certified ScrumMaster course, you'll get a welcome mail with the link through which you can activate your Scrum Alliance certification account. In your account, you can take the CSM test, which you have to clear in order to get CSM certification.

The CSM exam is not conducted on a specific date, but is conducted after you complete the required CSM training. You can join the course at any time, as it usually lasts only two days. It covers the fundamentals of Scrum, including the responsibilities, roles, and the organisational framework. You can take the test online by joining through a link, which you will receive after completing the CSM training. The exam is 60 minutes long consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you must score at least 74%.

You will receive a completion certificate from upGrad KnowledgeHut after completing the CSM course, but this is not the official CSM certification. You will need to successfully pass the CSM exam offered by the Scrum Alliance in order to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). 

The CSM certification is well-known internationally and may provide access to improved job opportunities. The true recognition, then, comes from passing the CSM exam, even if upGrad KnowledgeHut will still give you credit for finishing the course.

An account will be created for you on the Scrum Alliance website after you complete your certification course. After that, you will receive a welcome email from Scrum Alliance, which will contain your CSM login information. This email will allow you to do a few things, such as set up your profile, take the CSM test, and access the membership benefits. Remember that first, you have to complete the CSM course with a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) in order to take the CSM test and earn the certification. The test cannot be taken directly without completing the required Scrum Master trainings. 

At upGrad KnowledgeHut, the CSM online training classes are taught by a team of skilled and Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs). There are three types of trainers that you will find at upGrad KnowledgeHut - Accredited CSTs (instructors approved by the Scrum Alliance), Active Scrum practitioners (individuals with hands-on Scrum experience), and Industry experts (individuals who know how to use Scrum in various industries).

These trainers are experts in Scrum and have real-life experience in different fields, providing the best Scrum Master certification. They love to share their knowledge and make learning fun by using things like real-world practice, class activities, and advice from industry experts.

Although there are no free additional courses offered in complementary with the CSM, meaning the Certified ScrumMaster course, there is an interesting benefit: following your training, you receive 60 days of free mentor support at no extra charge. How does that help? It allows you to discuss any Scrum-related questions you have with an experienced mentor. 

They'll guide you through applying what you've learned in the Scrum Master trainings. It's like having a helpful friend by your side. So, if you need some assistance or have doubts while using Scrum, just reach out to your mentor for help and support. 

To become a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), the candidate has to have an active and ethical Scrum Alliance certificate. They need an active CSP-SM (Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster) certification, which should be visible on their Scrum Alliance profile. If applying as a product owner, they should have an active CSP-PO (Certified Scrum Professional Product Owner) certification. At least five training events must have been delivered within the last 60 months using the latest version. Each event must be taught for at least 50% of the Scrum Master course duration, and the candidate should demonstrate how they adapt based on student and co-trainer feedback. Meeting these requirements allows the candidate to become a Certified Scrum Trainer. 

CSM and PMP are both in-demand certifications from reputed accreditation bodies. CSM certification is offered by Scrum Alliance, while the PMP certification is offered by PMI (Project Management Institute). 

A CSM certification is best suited for a professional who is interested in the Scrum Master role or wants to get a better understanding of the Scrum framework. This certification is beginner friendly, and anyone interested in the Scrum Master role can pursue this certification. You can get certified by passing the CSM exam after completing the course.

PMP certification is more difficult to acquire. You need to fulfill certain academic and work experience requirements to even attempt the PMP exam. PMP is a certification for professionals with at least three years of project management experience. You will also need to invest some time and effort into preparing for the PMP exam.

Both certifications are valuable and whether one is better than the other depends on your context. You can decide on which certification you want to pursue depending on your profile, background, and career goals. 

Agile refers to a mindset on how to approach software development. Scrum is the most widely used Agile framework, amongst others such as Kanban and Extreme Programming.

The term Agile was coined in 2001 when the "Manifesto for Agile Software Development" was created. The authors were the two creators of the Scrum famework, together with 15 others who had a similar mindset on how to approach software development. The manifesto stresses the need to deliver software that customers value early and continuously during development. This way, that what is delivered can be changed rapidly during development, based on customer feedback. To make this possible, close collaboration is needed between developers amongst each other, and with their clients.

Scrum provides a structure on how to work from an Agile mindset. While originating from software development, Scrum is defined in a more generic manner. It is also applied in other domains than software, such as marketing. The framework helps a self-organizing team to get things done frequently and in close collaboration. There will be many opportunities during development to inspect what has been delivered so far, and to improve the way the work is conducted.

For the Scrum team and the entire organization, the Agile Scrum master works as a supportive coach and facilitator. They make sure everyone is correctly using the Scrum methodology, a set of principles that guide Agile project management. Their main role is to remove any obstacles that can prevent the team from succeeding. They instruct the group on how to operate more efficiently and systematically on their own. The Scrum master is a leader who supports the team and is not a boss. Running Scrum events and serving as a link between the team and stakeholders are just a few of the important duties they do.

CSM and PSM certifications focus on the software development process. Neither is better than the other. The certificate that you should go for depends on your current knowledge and your goals. Here are some differences between CSM and PSM that will help you make the decision:

  • Getting the certification

You can get the CSM certification by attending the 2-day training. You will need to enroll yourself in an institute and undertake the training. You will have free 2 attempts to pass the exam, within a 90 day period after completion of the course. If you fail the test twice or take it up only after 90 days, you will be required to pay a $25 USD test attempt fee. PSM certification from Scrum.org has three certification levels - PSM I, II, and III. You need to purchase the password from scrum.org for enrolling yourself. For taking the PSM I exam, you must have a deep understanding of Scrum.

  • Passing rank

You need at least 74% marks in the exam to get the CSM certification exam. For PSM, you need at least 85%.

  • Exam pattern

CSM only has multiple choice questions while PSM might have multiple choice questions, true/false type questions, multiple answer questions, and essay type questions depending on the level.

  • Cost

The cost of the CSM certification ranges between $800 and $1500 in US and between INR 18,000 to INR 25000 in India depending on the training institute. PSM certification costs differ depending on their levels. The cost of PSM I, II, and III is $150, $250, and $500 respectively.

  • Need for renewal

CSM certification is valid for only 2 years. You will be required to pay $100 every two years to renew your certificate. For PSM, on the other hand, there is no need for renewal. Once you have passed the exam, the certification will be valid for life.

CSM certification is in high demand in the job market, as it is a very important skill to develop an agile business environment that a Scrum Master possesses. Corporate companies highly seek Scrum Masters because of their unique skills, making it a lucrative job opportunity for those who are interested. With the increasing focus on agile practices, having the CSM online certification opens up tons of Certified Scrum Master jobs opportunity. 

And the aspirants who are looking to excel in fields of project management, software development, and other related fields, this course is very lucrative for them. The importance of this certification is very high as it can significantly boost your career in the desired field.

After obtaining a CSM certification, you can pursue the role of an Agile Coach in organizations implementing Agile and Scrum. As an Agile Coach, you can guide team members in the process of Agile evolution within the industry. Transitioning from coaching teams to coaching organisations, this role offers a secure future by providing a Scrum master career advancement opportunity. You can also become certified as an Agile Coach if you have a few years of work experience. It will be easier to step up to the role of an Agile Coach for professionals like Scrum Masters, Product Owners, or Development team members.

Job opportunities are continuously increasing in number which in turn is raising the demand for professional and skilled scrum masters. Our training will give you an edge in your job search and help you to get a high-paying job that will set you up to go in a new direction in your Scrum master career path.

The pay scale of CSM professionals varies based on their experience levels. As experience and expertise grow, so do the salary opportunities for CSM professionals across the world. Scrum master salary for beginners is around USD 79,309 per year, which can be increased with more experience and skills. Intermediate Scrum Masters with seniority earn around USD 103,566 yearly, with the potential to grow through promotions or upskilling. 

Advanced-level Scrum Masters receive an average salary of USD 140,000 annually, and their top-notch skills are highly valued by top industry recruiters like Cognizant, Accenture, or Capgemini. 

Scrum methodology has diverse use in various industries, as it is used for simplifying tasks through collaborative efforts. Sectors like education, construction, automotive, marketing, and much more are adopting this. The use of this methodology may vary according to the institution, the universities use this for better organisation and collaboration. 

While the construction sector uses this for real-time decision-making and to improve communication. Event planners have the necessity for real-time adaptability, which they are getting, and product development achieves faster innovation with the help of this methodology. Financial services meet customer expectations, and the military seeks efficient communication through scrum methodology. 

Not just software companies but many other industries are offering Scrum Master jobs to improve their organizational processes. Here is the list of top industries and companies that have hired Certified Scrum Masters:


Information Technology:

  • Philips
  • Dell
  • Honeywell
  • Allstate India
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Siemens
  • Informatica
  • Capgemini
  • Intel
  • Zensar Technologies
  • Accenture
Telecom:
  • Vodafone India Services Private Limited
  • Techstar Software Development India Pvt
  • Nokia Siemens Networks Ltd
  • France Telecom
  • NewWave Telecom & Technologies
  • ENGIE Insight
  • Rockwell Automation
  • Synacor
  • Frontier Communications Corporation
Federal:
  • First Tech Federal Credit Union
Manufacturing companies:
  • Applied Materials India Private Limited
  • Applied Materials
  • Johnson Controls

CSM Course  is in demand, and many scrum master companies are actively hiring for this role. Among the top-rated companies looking for Scrum Masters are Cognizant Technology Solutions, Tata Consultancy Services, Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, and more. These companies are highly sought after based on positive feedback like employee reviews, average salaries, and available job openings. 

If you are seeking new opportunities, you can explore their profiles to find job openings near your location. These employers offer both remote and local positions based on the company’s needs. Take the chance to apply and grow your career as a Scrum Master with us. 

Congratulations on successfully passing the CSM certification exam! To receive your CSM certificate, log in to your Scrum Alliance profile, accept the Licence Agreement, update your contact details, and complete your profile. Once these steps are done, you can print your CSM certificate. Additionally, you have the option to privately access your test details through a link on your dashboard. 

This way, you can review your performance and learn more about your skills. Completing these necessary steps ensures you can proudly showcase your well-deserved CSM certification. Enjoy the recognition of your accomplishment, and continue your Agile journey with confidence! 

After you finish the Certified ScrumMaster exam and submit your answers, you will receive the results almost instantly. It won’t take very long for you to find out whether you passed the CSM exam or not. Additionally, you will also be given the opportunity to review the questions you answered incorrectly. 

However, keep in mind that the correct answers will not be disclosed at that time. This prompt feedback is very important as it will allow you to evaluate your performance and figure out areas for improvement. As an efficient and convenient process, it ensures that you receive your results instantly and gain a better perspective on your answers.

Yes, it is possible to add a certified Scrum Master badge to your profile. There are two ways to display your badge (Certified Scrum Master) on your LinkedIn page. Start with searching for the badge URL in your email, then add the badge to your LinkedIn profile, log in to the website, choose the badge you want to show and then follow some easy steps as instructed in LinkedIn. With this, your badge will be on display in the LinkedIn certifications area to reflect your achievement as a Scrum Master.


After earning the CSM course certification, it remains valid for two years. But, if you want to keep your course active, then you have to apply for Certified ScrumMaster(CSM) renewal every two years. In order to renew it, you need to collect a specific number of Scrum Education Units (SEUs) within that period of two years. These SEUs can be used for continuous learning and building further proficiency in Scrum principles and practices. 

To renew, you will incur an additional $100 on your Scrum Master certification cost. By staying current and renewing your certification, you showcase your dedication to staying up-to-date with the evolving Scrum knowledge. 

Your next step toward a Certified Scrum Professional after earning your CSM certification and a year of experience working as a CSM on a Scrum Team is to achieve your Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM℠) Certification certification.

If you miss a CSM class, you need not worry because you can still access your class recording. You can also choose to attend another live batch and make up for the missed session for no extra charge. But it is essential that you attend all the mandatory training sessions to cover the CSM Learning Objectives. The certified Scrum Master training is a live online class conducted by industry experts. Attending all the training sessions is a requirement that is set up by Scrum Alliance. After finishing the training, an online account will be created for you, where you can access the online test to complete your certification process.

You only have two attempts to pass this exam without any additional cost. In case you fail to succeed even after the second attempt or you are willing to take the test after the initial 90-day period, a test attempt fee of 25 USD will be required. 

Therefore, it is crucial for you to take advantage of your free attempts very wisely by passing the exam without failure within the given time frame. By doing so, you can avoid the extra fee and demonstrate your expertise as a Certified ScrumMaster, which can lead to better career opportunities and professional growth in the agile and Scrum domain.

In case you fail the CSM Certification exam on your first try, you will have up to 90 days to retake it after completing the first CSM exam for zero cost. On the contrary, failing a second time incurs you an exam fee of $25 to attempt it again. 

If you still don't pass on the third attempt, the Scrum Alliance recommends re-enrolling in the CSM course. Therefore, to avoid additional fees and to have a smooth certification journey, it is crucial to prepare thoroughly and aim for success on your first or second attempt.

No, once you complete the certified Scrum Master certification exam, you can review your answers but you can’t apply for a re-evaluation. In fact, there isn’t any option to even request a review or reassessment of your performance, as the exam results are deemed to be final. 

However, if you wish to earn the certification, you will have the option to retake the exam. To do so, you have to register again and pay the CSM exam fee once more. If you do fail on your first attempt, don't worry, as it doesn't disqualify you from trying again.

If you want to apply for the CSM Certification re-examination, you have to start by visiting the website and registering for the exam. The examination fee will be taken during registration, which you have to pay to move forward. Now, even if you did not pass the previous attempt, you don't need to worry, as you can retake the test by going through the same registration process again. 

The procedure for Certified ScrumMaster Certification re-examination is a rather simple and separate procedure. However, it is crucial to learn from your mistakes and identify areas where you can improve, which assures you a better result on your next exam.

Scrum Masters are important in various industries, and Scrum and Agile training offers many advantages like better work quality and transparency. Here are 7 books to enhance expertise for the CSM, meaning the Certified ScrumMaster Certification:

  • Geoff Watts’ Scrum Mastery: From Good to Great Servant-Leadership
  • Chris Sims & Hillary Louise Johnson’s The Elements of Scrum 
  • Janice Garrison’s Certified Scrum Master (CSM) 83 Success Secrets
  • Guide to Scrum Methodology (eBook)
  • Chris Sims & Hillary Louise Johnson’s Scrum: A Breathtakingly Brief and Agile Introduction
  • Paul Vii’s Scrum, Mega Pack 
  • Mitch Lacey’s The Scrum Field Guide: Practical Advice for Your First Year

There are plenty of useful Scrum tools available to enhance your management capabilities. Here's a list of the top tools you can use to take leaps in your career

Tool Name

Features

Cost

Jira

The most popular and widely used cloud and subscription-based software for Agile teams.

$10/month for up to 10 users

$7/month for 11-100 users

Vivify Scrum

A well-balanced tool with an appealing UI and useful Scrum features.

Offers free version for 14-days

$8/user/month

ScrumDO

This is the tool built and priced to scale your Agile projects.

$8.99/month for up to 10 users

Manuscript

A new tool built for the real-world barriers that exist in a software development environment.

$62/month for 5 users

Axosoft

This scrum tool offers organization and structure to many components of Scrum project management.

$25/month for 5 users

Targetprocess

This Scrum tool enables software development teams to speed up product delivery at all levels of the organization.

Offers free Team version

$20/user/month

Yodiz

It offers a greater degree of visibility into your team’s progress and increases overall efficiency.

Offers free version for up to 3 users

$3/user/month

Quickscrum

This Scrum tool helps your team to collaborate better, reach goals, and improve continuously.

$3/user/month

Scrumwise

It allows you to focus on your project, improve communication, enhance teamwork and gives you faster results.

$7.50/user/month

ScrumDesk

Designed for teams implementing Scrum or Kanban and supports Agile practices like root cause analysis or retrospectives.

Free for up to 4 users

$9/month for up to 5 users

ClickUp

It helps to make projects more productive with a well-designed and intuitive platform.

$5/user/month

Zoho Sprints

A tool that helps Agile teams plan and track their work.

Offered as a free tool for up to 3 users and 2 projects

$8.30/user/month for up to 10 users

If you wish to learn more about the most recognized scrum master certification, called the Certified Scrum Master training program, you can visit our website. Our aim is to provide you with comprehensive information about the CSM course, including course objectives, curriculum, duration, fees, and the benefits of getting certified. 

In addition to this, our CSM training will also equip with a deep understanding of the Scrum framework. Our experienced trainers will guide you through interactive sessions, practical exercises, and real-world case studies to ensure that you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a Certified Scrum Master. 

Meet top CSTs and active practitioners

Become an Instructor
Naveen

Naveen Nanjundappa

Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Coach and Mentor

I work with organisation and teams who struggle to accomplish everything they want to in product and people development. The clients I work with generally understand the value of agile and are ready to learn how to build self-organizing teams and transform to effective ways of product development, but find it challenging to do it themselves, without hampering their releases.

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Raj

Raj Kasturi CST

CST

Raj Kasturi is an IT Professional with 30 years of experience in global application development and leadership. Raj started his career as a developer and wore several hats as an architect, DBA, App Dev Manager, Project Manager, Scrum Master, Scrum Trainer, Enterprise Agile Coach and Agile Team Coach to name a few.

Raj has helped various organizations transition from waterfall to agile. Raj is an adjunct faculty at Penn State University and has taught several technology, Project Management, Agile and Scrum courses for the past 21 years. Raj is a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST® ) from Scrum Alliance and has co-trained and coached with some of the industry’s leading thought leaders. Raj has been a speaker at international conferences, author and also a facilitator for User Groups. Raj has traveled throughout the US, Europe and India to deliver agile classes and to speak at conferences.

Raj has helped various organizations transition from waterfall to agile. Raj is an adjunct faculty at Penn State University and has taught several technology, Project Management, Agile and Scrum courses for the past 21 years. Raj is a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST® ) from Scrum Alliance and has co-trained and coached with some of the industry’s leading thought leaders. Raj has been a speaker at international conferences, author and also a facilitator for User Groups. Raj has traveled throughout the US, Europe and India to deliver agile classes and to speak at conferences.

Raj lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three teenage kids. He uses Scrum at home and always works from an ordered product backlog that his wife is constantly refining.

 

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Rafael

Rafael Sabbagh

Trainer

Rafael Sabbagh is a co-founder of K21, where I've been working with agile and digital transformations of companies ranging from startups to multinationals. I'm a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), an Accredited Kanban Trainer (AKT) and was a member of the Scrum Alliance Board of Directors from 2015 to 2017. I have a Master’s in Business and a Computer Engineering degree. I've been working with Agile and Scrum since the mid 2000’s.

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Joanne

Joanne Perold CST

Trainer

Joanne is a globally acclaimed Agile Coach, trainer, keynote speaker and facilitator. She’s held senior leadership roles for many years and uses this experience in her work with executives. She leverages her deep understanding of complexity and systems thinking to bring holistic perspectives to the organisations she partners with. She has been coaching and training agile methods for over a decade and combines her experiences as an internal coach and facilitator with her experiences as a consultant. She loves to learn and keeps learning; recently, she has deepened her coaching skills with a Satir coaching course. She brings the human aspects of Virginia Satir’s work to many of the elements of her coaching, training and her work with leadership. She also has the cutest (and possibly neediest) lab cross ridgeback, who adds a little extra sunshine to calls with Jo. In her spare time, you will find her cooking, wine tasting, reading, or running in the part with Harley.

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Fadi

Fadi Stephan

CST

Fadi Stephan is a technology consultant, Certified Scrum Trainer (CST®), and Agile coach with more than twenty years of experience at startups, government agencies, non-profits, and Fortune500 companies across various sectors including financial, hospitality, and homeland. Fadi's focus is on transforming and building high performing innovative organizations and teams that deliver impactful products early and maximize ROI. Fadi trains and coaches clients on agility, leadership, product management, user-centered design, Agile engineering and DevOps.

Fadi is a technology executive that led Excella Consulting’s software development practice growing the team of UX designers, software developers and DevOps engineers from 35 to 120 in 3 years. He also led Excella’s digital service delivery solutions growing it to more than 30 million dollars per year. At client engagements, Fadi led digital transformation efforts by combining lean discovery, with Agile Delivery and a DevOps mindset to deliver impactful digital experiences.

Prior to joining Excella, Fadi was director of Product Development at Databasics leading the development of SAAS enterprise ERP applications.

Fadi is a recognized Agile thought leader frequently presenting at conferences worldwide. Fadi is also the founder and organizer of DC’s largest Scrum User Group.

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Madhavi

Madhavi Ledalla

CST

Madhavi Ledalla is an Agile enthusiast, and brings her real-world experience and perspectives of both traditional and agile methodologies while coaching organizations and teams during transformation engagements. She is a sought-after trainer, mentor and counselor in varied agile methods including Scrum and Kanban, and in Scaling frameworks such as SAFe and LeSS. As an acclaimed agile expert, she has led large scale agile transformations across multiple domains. She is passionate about building teams that are focused on outcome instead of output. Madhavi takes keen interest in doing customized training workshops on agile, retrospectives and innovation games. She holds a B.E. qualification from Osmania University and has worked with leading organizations as an advisor during their agile implementation.

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Knowledgehut upGrad’s training is truly world-class. I had enrolled for CSM® training and what I experienced was more than I ever expected. The classes were very engaging, and the concepts were explained with examples for ease of understanding. I recommend Knowledgehut upGrad to anyone interested in getting CSM training and other certifications.

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Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Enrolling for the CSM® training was one of the best decisions that I had made. The service right from enrolling to certification was excellent. The training was filled with real-time Scrum activities and simulations which made the concepts easy to understand. This helped me clear the exam with confidence.

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Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Confidence is necessary to take advantage of opportunities. Kudos to KnowledgeHut upGrad for boosting my confidence with their training and helping me grab new opportunities in my career and reach new highs. Lavanya Mohan Kumar

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Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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It was a great start and an awesome experience to get (CSM)® certified through KnowledgeHut. I appreciate the good management and coordination of the team. Thanks a lot.

Praneetha Kotha

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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This 2-day training session helped me widen my knowledge of Scrum methodologies and Agile principles. Everything was well-organized, though it was an online session. My trainer explained the concepts with real-life examples and ensured every participant was on the same page. I highly recommend this course to everyone who wants to become a Certified Scrum Master. Kudos to the team efforts behind this!

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Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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Wonderful workshop for beginners .A great learning experience. Thank You Knowledge Hut. Instructor made it a interactive session which helped us to understand, learn. Completed successfully CSM course wit good grade!!

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Senior Software Engineer
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in January 2022
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Interactive and with enough activities to make the course interesting. Handle time well according to 2 differrent timezones Allocate enough time for each activities. Love the Q&A session Improvement: Answers provided by coach Give more real live scenarios and how to handle

Lea Keng Chua

IT
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in December 2020
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The lecturer is very knowledgeable and very clear in explaining the concepts. The workshop experience was great. This is a very helpful course in providing more clarity on how the Scrum framework works in real life situations.

Vanessa Wong

Customer Relationship Manager
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in November 2020

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