Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM) vs Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM) vs Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

In my previous post, I outlined the differences between Scrum.org and the Scrum Alliance.

In this post, I will outline the differences between the Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM) vs Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certifications.

One of the reasons Ken Schwaber left the Scrum Alliance and started Scrum.org was that he saw a lot of bad Scrum being done by Certified Scrum Masters. It used to be the case that if you attended a 2 day Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master course, you automatically gained the CSM certification.

Lots of organisations then misinterpreted this to mean that these people were experts with Scrum, when in fact all it meant was they had attended a 2-day course. The naming of the “Scrum Master” role and the associated connotations of “Master” also contributed to much misunderstanding around what it all meant.

The Scrum Alliance has since introduced an assessment, but this hasn’t made much difference as it is so easy, that almost no one ever fails it.

The Scrum.org PSM certification is different. Attendance at a course is not mandatory. It is much tougher to achieve the PSM certification, so it guarantees a certain level of understanding of Scrum.

Scrum.org assessments are based on the Scrum Guide created by Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland.

Scrum.org’s course material is standardised, created and maintained by Ken Schwaber and 200+ Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainers. Each individual Scrum Alliance trainer creates their own material, so the quality is subject to significant variation.

Here is a summary of the differences between the 2 major certifications:

Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Training Requirement Attendance at a course is mandatory Attendance at a course is optional
Learning Materials Availability Supplied at the course Free Scrum Guide created by Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland + additional materials at the course
Quality of Course Material Varies in content and quality dependant on instructor Standardised course material created by Ken Schwaber and 200+ Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainers
Assessment Difficulty Level Superficial. The test is almost impossible to fail Intermediate / Advanced. Tests your true understanding of Scrum
Assessment Details 35 questions, 68% pass mark, no time limit. Multiple resits possible 80 questions, 85% pass mark, 60 minute time limit
Certification Renewal Policy Every 2 years at a cost of $150 Lifetime Certification. No renewal needed

Do You Want To Learn Scrum?

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Simon Kneafsey TheScrumMaster.co.ukHi, my name is Simon Kneafsey and I am a Professional Scrum Trainer with Scrum.org & TheScrumMaster.co.uk. I am on a mission to simplify Scrum & Agile for 1 million people. I have helped 10,000+ people so far, and I can help you too. Find out more & get in touch.

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Comments 18

    1. Post
      Author

  2. The Scrum master certifications from Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org seems to be same and it doesn’t make any sense to go after both.

    PSM certifications from Scrum.org looks better in comparison if we see on all the parameters.

    No consistent course material(Trainers quality)and renewal required every 2 years are big negative for CSM.

    Reply

  4. Simon,

    This is helpful. I was wondering if you had any insight in the different levels of PSM – and how these compare to the CSM; perhaps including the A-CSM and CSP-SM.

    PSM I is (in my view) relatively straightforward – I was able to comfortably pass it with a bit of reading and working on the practice exams (in parallel, I’m trying to move my organisation to a more pure Scrum model). Anyone who knows a little bit about scrum and takes the exam seriously – and on it’s own terms (i.e. in accordance with the Scrum.org interpretation of Scrum) – should be able to pass.

    I’m now preparing for PSM-II – but I plan to tackle that in the same way (although there are not the same practice exams and the questions are less amenable to rote learning). PSM-III seems even more challenging – so this is where I might look to doing a course.

    I don’t have any practical experience of CSM – so I can’t compare them to the PSM certifications.

    Thanks,
    Geoff.

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

  5. 1 comment, 1 question.

    Comment: I’ll echo Simon’s answer to DJ — almost no one ever fails the CSM. I took it and passed a number of years ago; it would have been possible to pass with only a couple hours of self-study. Plus, the whole renewal process appears to be just an annuity scheme for the Scrum Alliance (I’ve let my CSM lapse for this reason).

    Question: I’m looking to recertify with the PSM from Scrum.org and am interested in one of your courses. Some are flagged with a red icon, some are gray. Am I right in assuming the gray ones are not fully booked but the red ones are?

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Scott,

      If you’ve been doing Scrum for some time and are familiar with the Scrum Guide my course may not be necessary. You are of course welcome to join. However, I would love to meet you and help you to learn what Scrum is really all about of course. Try the Scrum Open assessment and see you how do and then decide for yourself if you should come along.

      Red means the course is filling (but not full) Grey means less busy, but things change quickly, so don’t wait too long if you plan to attend.

      Regards

      Simon

      Reply

  6. Hi,

    Wanted to know any attempts are given for clearing the exam for each levels?
    Or each level should be cleared in one attempt.

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Aruna,

      1 payment secures 1 attempt. The only exception to this is if you attend a Scrum.org course in which case your course fee includes 2 attempts at the level I assessments under certain circumstances.

      Regards

      Simon

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author

  9. Hi Simon,

    Interesting article.

    A couple questions regarding “The Scrum Alliance has since introduced an assessment, but this hasn’t made much difference as it is so easy, that no one ever fails it.”…

    1. When was the assessment introduced?
    2. How do you know if anyone has failed the assessment?

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Hi,

      1, It was introduced in September 2012.
      2. Perhaps that statement is a little too literal. However, my source for “almost no one failing” is here. I have also heard similar from CST’s and many CSM candidates.

      Regards

      Simon

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author

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