6 Best Scrum Master Certifications in High Demand for 2024

Are you an Agile Beginner looking to build a successful career as a Scrum Master? With the rising demand for Agile Scrum Masters, this career path is an excellent choice for you! However, you must prepare for the best opportunities by choosing the proper certification for a Scrum Master. But with many available options, how do you discern which certifications stand out? We are here to help you by giving insights about the best 6 certifications for scrum master trending in 2024!

1. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) by Scrum Alliance

The CSM certification, offered by Scrum Alliance, stands as the best of all certifications for aspiring Scrum Masters. Priced between $250 to $1,000, CSM equips professionals with foundational Scrum principles and Agile practices. 

Exam Pattern: The CSM exam comprises multiple-choice questions and assesses candidates' understanding of Agile Manifesto, Empiricism, Scrum Accountabilities, Events, Artifacts, and core values.

How to Apply: To apply for the CSM certification, candidates must attend a two-day training course facilitated by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and complete the Scrum Alliance membership registration.

This certification is ideal for current and future Scrum Masters who want to upscale their Scrum career; Product Owners, Developers, organizational leaders or any professional who is looking to transform their career to greater heights.

Become Certified Scrum Master

2. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) by Scrum.org

Scrum.org presents the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification, tailored for individuals keen on mastering Scrum methodologies. With a cost ranging from $150 to $1,000, PSM emphasizes Scrum framework nuances, servant leadership, and empirical process control. 

Exam Pattern: The PSM exam evaluates candidates through a rigorous assessment of their comprehension of the Scrum framework via multiple-choice and scenario-based questions.

How to Apply: Prospective PSM certification candidates can undergo an optional training program from Scrum.org or its affiliated training partners. Following the training, individuals must register for the PSM exam through the Scrum.org platform to demonstrate their proficiency in Scrum methodologies.

This certification mainly benefits a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or an Agile Practitioner aiming to deepen their expertise in Scrum practices and principles.

3. SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM) by Scaled Agile

Scaled Agile introduces the SAFe 5.0 Scrum Master (SSM) certification, targeting individuals aspiring to lead high-performing Agile teams. Priced between $995 to $1,295, SSM focuses on scaling Scrum practices, Lean-Agile principles, and enterprise transformation. 

Exam Pattern: The SSM certification examination assesses candidates' proficiency in implementing Lean-Agile practices for scaling Scrum across large enterprises. The exam format typically includes real-world application assessments with scenario-based queries.

How to Apply: Individuals aiming to acquire the SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM) certification must undergo specific training provided by Scaled Agile or its accredited training partners. Post-training, candidates are eligible to take the SSM certification exam by registering through the official Scaled Agile website or affiliated platforms.

This certification is highly recommended for Agile Practitioners, Scrum Masters, and Agile Leaders looking to navigate complex Agile transformations within large-scale enterprises.

4. Agile Certified Scrum Master (ACSM) by ICAgile

The International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) offers the Agile Certified Scrum Master (ACSM) certification, emphasizing Agile principles and Scrum practices. With costs ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, ACSM equips professionals with adaptive leadership, team facilitation, and organizational agility. 

Exam Pattern: The ACSM certification assessment typically includes multiple-choice questions, case studies, and practical scenarios. It aims to gauge candidates' proficiency in Agile methodologies and Scrum frameworks.

How to Apply: To pursue the ACSM certification, candidates must engage in the requisite training programs of ICAgile-approved education providers. Upon completing the training, individuals can register for the ACSM certification exam through the ICAgile platform or its authorized affiliates.

This certification is particularly beneficial for Agile Practitioners aspiring to become Scrum Masters or Organizational Leaders.

5. Scrum Master Certification (SMC) by Scrum Study

Scrum Study's Scrum Master Certification (SMC) caters to individuals eager to validate their Scrum expertise. Priced between $150 to $500, SMC delves deep into Scrum framework intricacies, team dynamics, and empirical process control. 

Exam Pattern: The examination typically comprises multiple-choice questions, true/false queries, and real-world scenario-based assessments.

How to Apply: Prospective candidates seeking the Scrum Master Certification must participate in Scrum Study's accredited training programs or Workshops. After completing the Training, individuals can register for the SMC exam via the Scrum Study’s official website or authorized training providers.

Tailored for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Agile Developers, SMC ensures proficiency in Scrum principles, practices, and value-driven delivery.

6. Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, targeting professionals keen on Agile principles and practices. Priced between $435 and $495, PMI-ACP emphasizes adaptive project management, value-driven delivery, and stakeholder engagement. 

Exam Pattern: The PMI-ACP examination assesses candidates on their comprehensive understanding of Agile principles. The exam typically comprises diverse scenario-based queries and interactive tasks to evaluate candidates' proficiency in Agile methodologies.

How to Apply: To attain the PMI-ACP certification, individuals must fulfill specific eligibility criteria set by PMI, including requisite Agile project management experience and mandatory Agile training hours. Upon meeting the prerequisites, candidates can submit their application through the official PMI website.

This certification is ideal for Agile Practitioners who aim to expand their Agile knowledge and enhance their project delivery capabilities.

Let’s Rewind:

It’s time to propel your Agile journey forward by prioritizing getting a valid Scrum Master Certification. You can opt for any of the above-renowned certifications such as Scrum Alliance CSM and invest in Continuous Learning and Professional Development. As 2024 unfolds, keep your spirits high to ace driving organizational excellence with a highly lucrative Scrum Master certification!