About the CSM Certification Exam

What Is the CSM Certification?

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is the most widely recognized entry-level credential for professionals working with Scrum teams. It is issued by Scrum Alliance, one of the oldest agile education organizations, and it validates that a professional understands the Scrum framework and can support agile delivery teams effectively.

Unlike certifications that allow candidates to self-study and schedule an exam independently, the CSM requires completing an official training course first. This requirement is what distinguishes the CSM from the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) from Scrum.org.

Training Requirement

Before receiving exam access, candidates must complete at least 16 hours of live instruction with a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) authorized by Scrum Alliance. The training can be delivered in-person or online via live virtual sessions.

The training course covers Scrum roles, events, artifacts, and values through interactive exercises. Most courses run over two days. After completing the course, candidates receive a link from Scrum Alliance to access the exam.

Exam Format

The CSM exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. Candidates must score 74% or higher — meaning 37 correct answers out of 50 — to pass.

The exam is delivered online through Scrum Alliance's platform. It is an open-book exam, meaning candidates may reference study materials during the test. However, the time limit is tight enough that candidates who rely heavily on looking up answers often run out of time. The questions test applied understanding of Scrum principles, not just recall.

Candidates receive two free exam attempts within 90 days of completing the training course. If both attempts are used without passing, additional retakes cost $25 per attempt.

What the Exam Covers

The exam is based on the Scrum Guide, the official definition of Scrum maintained by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland. Core topic areas include:

• Scrum Roles: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers — their accountabilities, boundaries, and interactions
• Scrum Events: Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective — purpose, timebox, and facilitation
• Scrum Artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment — including the commitments tied to each
• Scrum Values: Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, and Courage
• Applied Scrum: Scenario-based questions testing how Scrum concepts apply in real team situations

Cost of the CSM Certification

The exam itself is bundled with the required training course — there is no separate exam registration fee. The main cost is the training.

CSM training prices range widely: $350 to $2,495 depending on the provider, region, and delivery format. Online courses from newer trainers tend to be at the lower end. In-person courses with established trainers in major cities often run higher. There is no quality guarantee that correlates with price — many excellent courses are available under $700.

Renewal Requirements

The CSM certification expires every two years. To renew, certificate holders must:

• Earn 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) — continuing education credits from agile learning activities
• Pay a $100 renewal fee to Scrum Alliance

SEUs can be earned through webinars, conferences, reading agile books, attending Scrum Alliance events, and community contributions. Many free options are available. See our article on earning SEUs without spending a fortune.

Who Should Get the CSM?

The CSM is most valuable for professionals entering or transitioning into agile delivery roles — project managers moving into scrum master positions, product managers who work closely with development teams, and developers taking on leadership responsibilities.

The certification is also widely recognized on job postings for Scrum Master roles, which makes it a useful credential for candidates actively job searching. See our full article on who should and shouldn't get the CSM.

CSM vs. PSM — The Key Difference

The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) from Scrum.org does not require a training course. Candidates can self-study and schedule the exam directly. PSM exams are generally considered harder than the CSM, and PSM I costs $200 with unlimited free retakes within a year.

The CSM's training requirement adds cost but provides hands-on learning in a structured environment. Many hiring managers recognize both credentials equally. Read the full comparison: CSM vs PSM — which should you choose?