7 In-Demand Scrum Master Certifications 2026

Key Takeaways

• A Scrum Master certification is a credential that recognizes your competency in Scrum project management principles and can qualify candidates to become Scrum Masters.

• Popular Scrum certifications include the Certified ScrumMaster, Certified Scrum Product Owner, Professional Scrum Master I, Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster, SAFe Scrum Master, Professional Scrum Product Owner I, and Certified Scrum Developer.

• You can consider your career goals as you browse available certifications to determine which Scrum certifications are worth getting for your next role.

Read on to compare seven of the most frequently requested Scrum Master certifications and what each one requires. You may also consider enrolling in a certificate program that includes in-demand AI training, such as Google's Project Management Professional Certificate program, in which you'll learn to implement Scrum events, build Scrum artifacts, and master Agile project management foundations. Upon completion, you'll gain access to an exclusive job board hiring for Google Career Certificate holders.

What is a Scrum Master certification?

A Scrum Master certification, or Scrum certification, is a credential that recognizes your competency in Scrum project management principles. It can qualify candidates to become Scrum Masters—a type of project manager who uses Scrum to complete projects.

Though Scrum certifications aren’t always necessary to become a project manager, they’re often requested—and sometimes required—in positions that heavily emphasize Scrum. Consider your career goals as you browse the following list to determine which Scrum certifications are worth getting for your next role.

Frequently requested Scrum master training and certifications

We researched over 20 Scrum certifications to see how many times each was mentioned in job postings across LinkedIn, Indeed, and Simply Hired. The results show the seven most-mentioned certifications in job listings in May 2025.

*The full name of each certification was used in searches to avoid confusion with overlapping acronyms.

Scrum Master certifications: CSM, PSM, and more

The following list compiles seven of the most mentioned Scrum certifications from various job search sites.

Is Scrum Master certification worth it?

Whether a Scrum Master certification is worth pursuing depends on your career goals and the roles you're targeting. Certifications like the CSM and PSM I are frequently listed in job postings, which can make them a practical asset when applying for Scrum-heavy positions. Some roles require them outright, while others simply prefer candidates who have one. Beyond job applications, the training involved can help you build a stronger foundation in Scrum principles, whether you're new to the framework or looking to formalize knowledge you've already gained on the job. If Scrum plays a central role in the work you do or want to do, a certification can be a worthwhile investment of your time and resources.

1. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is administered by the Scrum Alliance, the first organization to offer a Scrum certification. It’s recommended for current and aspiring Scrum team leaders across industries, or anybody who expects to work on cross-functional teams and solve complex problems.

More advanced certifications from the Scrum Alliance on the Scrum Master track include the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM) and Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certifications.

• Cost: $250 to $2,495, depending on the course [1]

• Requirements: Becoming a CSM entails taking a course of at least sixteen hours of training and passing an exam at the end.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification, also offered by the Scrum Alliance, validates your training and knowledge in being a product owner. You’ll learn the basics of Scrum in the CSPO, plus receive product-specific training, like how to balance multiple stakeholders’ requests and create a product vision. The CSPO is recommended for product owners and project managers, as well as business analysts and data analysts.

On the product owner track, you can go on to become an Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) or Certified Scrum Professional Product Owner (CSP-PO).

• Cost: $220 to $1,950, depending on the course [1].

• Requirements: You’ll have to take a Scrum Alliance-approved CSPO course to become certified.

3. Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)

The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is a Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org, an organization founded by one of the co-creators of the Scrum Alliance, Ken Schwaber. The PSM I validates your understanding of the Scrum framework, as well as how to apply it. 

The PSM I is the first level of Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org. You can go on to take the PSM II or PSM III, which will test you on more complex Scrum processes.

• Cost: $200 per attempt [2]

• Requirements: You’ll need to pass the PSM I assessment to get certified. Courses are available but aren’t required.

Which certification is best for Scrum Master?

Given the various Scrum Master positions you might pursue and the different tracks available based on your specialty, what will be best for you is pretty subjective. When you’re choosing between different Scrum certification options, consider your career goals, experience, and preferences. For example, if you like working with people and are early in your career, you might opt for the CSM credential. Or, you could pursue the Advanced Certified Scrum Master accreditation after gaining some experience. However, if you prefer focusing on products rather than teams, the CSPO track may be more aligned with your needs.

4. Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM)

The Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-PM) is the highest-level certification on the Scrum Master track offered by the Scrum Alliance. Distinct from the CSM, the CSP-SM is unique to those with the highest level of Scrum Master proficiencies, and is designed to help you become a professional who improves the way Scrum and Agile principles are put into action on your team.

You can start on the path to becoming a CSP-SM by becoming a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and an Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) first.

• Cost: $250 to $2,495, depending on the course [1]

• Requirements: In order to be CSP-SM certified, you’ll have to have an A-CSM certification, a minimum of twenty-four months of Scrum Master work experience in the last five years, complete an approved course of at least 16 hours, and complete Scrum Education Units to maintain active credentials. 

5. SAFe Scrum Master (SSM)

If you’re considering being a Scrum Master in an organization where Agile, Lean, or DevOps concepts are practiced at a large scale, getting SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certified might be what you’re looking for. The certification is administered by Scaled Agile, the organization that oversees the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). In addition to getting acquainted with Scrum, you’ll learn the tools you need to work with teams that are fully remote.

• Cost: $674 [3] 

• Requirements: You’ll have to take a required two-day course approved by Scaled Agile, in addition to passing an exam.

6. Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I)

The Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO) certification from Scrum.org will certify your ability to maximize the value of a product created by a development team. The certification tests your understanding of the Product Owner Learning Path ascribed by Scrum.org, as well as your capacity to apply and interpret the Scrum Guide.

If you want to advance your credentials, you can go on to get the PSPO II and PSPO III from Scrum.org.

• Cost: $200 per attempt (exam only) [4]

• Requirements: Passing the PSPO I exam is required to earn the credential. A course is not required but highly recommended.

How to get a Scrum Master certification

While each certification has its own requirements, most follow a similar path: choose the credential that aligns with your role and goals, complete any required training, and pass the associated exam. Some certifications, like the CSM, require a minimum number of training hours upfront, while others, like the PSM I, let you sit for the exam without a formal course. Once certified, keep in mind that certain credentials like the CSP-SM require ongoing education units to stay active.

To register, head directly to the certifying body: Scrum Alliance (scrumalliance.org) for the CSM, CSPO, CSD, and CSP-SM; Scrum.org for the PSM I, PSM II, and PSPO; and Scaled Agile (scaledagile.com) for the SSM.

7. Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)

The Scrum Alliance’s Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) is designed for product developers working in Scrum environments. Through the training required to become a CSD, you’ll familiarize yourself with the core concepts of Scrum and Agile in the context of product development. 

The CSD is a prerequisite for both the Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (ACSD) and the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP). The Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) is a similar offering from Scrum.org.

• Cost: $695 to $2,250, depending on the course [1]

• Requirements: Becoming a CSD requires you to take a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD course of at least 16 hours. 

Build skills to prepare for Scrum Master certification with Coursera

Learning Scrum concepts can be beneficial to project managers, product owners, business analysts, and any number of other professionals who work on Scrum teams. If you want a comprehensive introduction to Scrum, including in-demand AI training, consider enrolling in the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)