CSM · ● Active · Associate · Scrum Alliance
The Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) validates understanding of Scrum framework fundamentals and the Scrum Master role in empirical process control. Requires completion of a 16-hour, in-person or live-online training course delivered by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), followed by a proctored exam. Current status: active and widely recognized across North American and European organizations.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $395–$1,995 (varies by trainer; includes 16-hour course + exam voucher) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice |
| Passing | 74% (37/50 correct) |
| Format | Multiple choice |
| Delivery | Online proctored (Scrum Alliance testing platform) |
| Languages | English (confirmed for 2026) |
| Valid | 2 years |
| Renewal | 20 SEUs (Scrum Education Units) per 2-year cycle |
| Prerequisites | Mandatory: completion of CSM 16-hour training course from Certified Scrum Trainer |
| Released | 2001 (original Scrum Alliance launch; ongoing active credential) |
| Retiring | N/A |
Vendor source — Scrum Alliance CSM Certification ↗
Official exam guide — CSM Exam Study Guide ↗
Exam objectives — Scrum Master Certification Exam Details ↗
About
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is Scrum Alliance's flagship entry-level Agile credential, introduced in 2001 as part of the original Scrum framework publication. It certifies practitioners in Scrum Theory (empirical process control), the three Scrum roles (Product Owner, Development Team, Scrum Master), five Scrum events (Sprint, Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective), and three artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment). The CSM is designed for Scrum Masters, Agile coaches, project coordinators, and technical leads entering Agile-based organizations. It remains one of the most widely recognized Agile credentials globally, particularly in North America, and serves as a prerequisite foundation for advanced Scrum Alliance credentials (A-CSM, CSP-SM).
Domain context — Project Management / Agile
Project Management / Agile encompasses frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, LeSS) and practitioner roles (Project Manager, Scrum Master, Product Owner) for iterative delivery in software, infrastructure, and cross-functional teams. The CSM anchors the Scrum framework specifically and is foundational for all Scrum Alliance role-based certifications.
Read full deep dive — Scrum Alliance Ecosystem → (file not yet created)
Topics covered
- Scrum Theory and Empirical Process Control — Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation; origins in complex work
- Scrum Framework Overview — Three roles, five events, three artifacts; timeboxing
- Scrum Roles — Product Owner (backlog management, prioritization), Development Team (cross-functional delivery), Scrum Master (servant-leader, impediment removal, process facilitation)
- Sprint Planning — Goal definition, capacity planning, Sprint Backlog creation
- Daily Standup — 15-minute timeboxed synchronization; tracking progress toward Sprint Goal
- Sprint Review — Inspection of product increment; stakeholder feedback; backlog refinement
- Sprint Retrospective — Team reflection; continuous process improvement; action items for next Sprint
- Product Backlog Management — Refinement, estimation (story points), ordering; relationship to Sprint Backlog
- Definition of Done — Quality criteria; consistency across Sprints
- Scaling Scrum — Multi-team coordination; dependencies; enterprise patterns (referenced, not deeply tested at CSM level)
- Scrum Master Coaching Skills — Conflict resolution, stakeholder management, servant-leadership
- Impediment Removal and Facilitation — Identifying blockers; organizational change; working agreements
Source: Scrum Alliance CSM Exam Study Guide ↗
Common skills at Project Management / Agile · Associate
Shared content for the Project Management / Agile domain at Associate level — not specific to this cert.
- Backlog prioritization and refinement
- Sprint planning and capacity estimation
- Stakeholder communication and status reporting
- Team facilitation and conflict resolution
- Iterative delivery and continuous feedback loops
- Basic financial concepts (ROI, burn-down, velocity)
- Change management and process adaptation
- Requirements elicitation and user story writing
Recommended courses at Project Management / Agile · Associate
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrum Alliance (Official) | CSM Certification Course (16 hours, live or online) | $395–$1,995 | ↗ |
| Mountain Goat Software | Certified ScrumMaster Training | $995–$1,495 | ↗ |
| Scrum.org (Ken Schwaber) | Professional Scrum Master (PSM) I (alternative vendor; not CSM) | Free (self-paced) to $149 (exam) | ↗ |
| Udemy | Scrum Master Certified (CSM) - Practice Exams & Course | $14.99–$79.99 | ↗ |
| LinkedIn Learning | Becoming a Scrum Master | Free (with subscription) | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: The official Scrum Alliance 16-hour course is mandatory; external providers (Udemy, LinkedIn) supplement only.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrum Alliance Official | CSM Practice Exam (provided with cert prep) | Free (with course enrollment) | ↗ |
| Whizlabs | Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Practice Exams | $19.99–$39.99 | ↗ |
| Udemy | CSM Practice Tests (multiple providers) | $9.99–$49.99 | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrum: A Pocket Guide | Gunther Verheyen | Addison-Wesley | 2021 (2nd ed.) | 978-0137654871 | ↗ |
| The Scrum Guide | Ken Schwaber, Jeff Sutherland | Scrum.org (free) | 2020 | N/A | ↗ |
| Agile Estimating and Planning | Mike Cohn | Prentice Hall | 2005 | 978-0131479418 | ↗ |
| Essential Scrum | Kenneth S. Rubin | Addison-Wesley | 2012 | 978-0137043293 | ↗ |
Typical job titles at Project Management / Agile · Associate
Scrum Master · Agile Coach (entry-level) · Project Coordinator (Agile) · Team Lead · Agile Delivery Manager · Release Manager (Agile-focused teams)
(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings and LinkedIn searches that list CSM as required or strongly preferred.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $65,000–$95,000 | Glassdoor: Scrum Master ↗ · Robert Half 2026 IT Salary Guide ↗ |
| ZAR | R480,000–R720,000 | Pnet: Scrum Master South Africa ↗ · PayScale ZA ↗ |
| GBP | £45,000–£65,000 | IT Jobs Watch: Scrum Master ↗ · Hays Salary Guide 2026 ↗ |
| EUR | €48,000–€72,000 (DE/FR/NL) | Glassdoor Europe ↗ |
| AUD | A$85,000–A$120,000 | PayScale Australia ↗ |
Salary note: Ranges reflect mid-level Scrum Master roles in organizations with active Agile transformation. Entry-level roles (Agile Coordinator, Assistant Scrum Master) may fall below these ranges; Principal / Head of Scrum Master functions may exceed them. Regional variation driven by cost of living and Agile adoption maturity.
Skills validated
Cert-specific — what this exam actually tests, distinct from the shared "Common skills" above.
- Scrum event facilitation (Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, Retrospective)
- Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog management
- Definition of Done creation and enforcement
- Servant-leadership and Scrum Master coaching patterns
- Identifying and removing impediments
- Working agreements and team synchronization
- Velocity tracking and capacity planning
- Empirical process control fundamentals
- Conflict resolution in Agile teams
- Organizational change and buy-in for Scrum adoption
Related certifications
- Stacks with: AWS Certified Agile Practitioner (AAP) ↗ (file not yet created) · Product Owner Certification (Scrum Alliance) (file not yet created)
- Prerequisite for: Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) ↗ (file not yet created) · Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) (file not yet created) · Certified ScrumMaster with Portfolio (CSM-SP) (file not yet created)
- Alternative at this level: Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) ↗ (file not yet created)
- Vendor overview: Scrum Alliance Vendor Overview ↗ (file not yet created)
Sources
- Scrum Alliance CSM Certification: https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified/scrum-master-certification
- Scrum Alliance CSM Exam Study Guide: https://www.scrumalliance.org/learn/scrum-framework/scrum-master-study-guide
- Scrum Alliance CSM Exam Details: https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified/scrum-master-certification
- The Scrum Guide (free, official): https://scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
- Glassdoor Scrum Master Salary: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/scrum-master-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.htm
- Robert Half 2026 IT Salary Guide: https://www.roberthalf.com/salary-guide/it
- Mountain Goat Software CSM Training: https://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/training/scrum-master
- Scrum.org PSM I (alternative): https://www.scrum.org/professional-scrum-master
- IT Jobs Watch (UK): https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/jobs/scrum,master.html
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Scrum Alliance Ecosystem — file not yet created
Parent domain: Project Management / Agile — file not yet created
Vendor overview: Scrum Alliance Overview — file not yet created