Scrum Alliance · Professional Certification · Foundational
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Crydd Score 58
Demand Stable
Career Value Moderate
Recognition High
CSM at a glance
- Provider
- Scrum Alliance
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Project Management
- Level
- Foundational
- Cost
- About $1,000 including the mandatory two-day course
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Time to earn
- 1 month
- Validity
- 2 years (renewal fee plus education units)
- Format
- 50 questions, 60 minutes, following a required course
- Prerequisites
- Attendance at an accredited two-day course is mandatory
What is CSM?
The most widely-held Scrum credential. Its distinguishing feature is that you cannot sit the exam without attending a paid two-day course, which is both its quality control and its main criticism.
Skills it covers
- Scrum framework
- Facilitation
- Agile ceremonies
- Team coaching
Is CSM worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 58Choose it if
Your employer is paying, or your target job listings name CSM specifically — many still do.
Consider alternatives if
You are paying yourself. Scrum.org's PSM I tests the same framework, has no mandatory course, and costs around a fifth as much.
Why we say so
Very high name recognition, undercut by a cost structure that exists to sell training rather than to test competence.
Market demand
Widely recognised by HR and named in agile job listings. The mandatory-course model means the credential proves attendance as much as ability, which is why many practitioners prefer PSM I.
Where CSM takes you
- Scrum Master
- Project Manager
- Agile Coach
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to CSM, so you know why it’s here.
