What is a CSM® Certification?

In an ideal Scrum project, teams would be responsible for their own workflows, managing their processes and tools smoothly.  

However, reality is quite different and teams that are transitioning to Agile are often lost without a leader to guide them along the way.  

This responsibility falls on the Scrum Master, who is relied upon as the owner of the transition to the Scrum framework.  

The Scrum Master’s Role 

The Agile Manifesto declares the Scrum Master’s role to be critical to the success of an Agile project.  Defined as a servant leader, a Scrum Master is the engine of a well-oiled Scrum team who keeps the project running without any hiccups.   

The importance of a Scrum Master can be gauged by the fact that this role is instrumental to ensure that quality is maintained over each sprint, conflicts are managed, and collaboration is improved—all by implementing scrum principles and values.  

How Does a Certification Help? 

Because the Scrum Master’s role is so crucial to the success of an Agile team and an Agile product, it is natural that organizations look for Scrum Masters who have the background and expertise to reflect their understanding and experience of Agile and Scrum values and principles.  

This has put certifications such as the Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) in high demand as they reflect the holder’s expertise in Scrum values, principles, and practices and proficiency in implementing the Scrum framework. A CSM has the demonstrable capability of performing at the highest level and leading the team along the path to success.  

What does CSM® stand for?  

The CSM or Certified ScrumMaster® is a certification issued by the world-renowned Scrum Alliance®, which is dedicated to helping foster an agile world through trainings, education and research.   

Scrum Alliance memberships are highly sought after as they provide an excellent platform for professionals to network with other like-minded scrum enthusiasts and progress in the agile journey of continuous improvement.  

With a Scrum Alliance membership, you will be privileged to get access to local user groups, online social networks, discounts on gatherings, and other additional member-only resources.   

Definition of CSM® 

CSM®, which is an acronym for the Certified ScrumMaster®, is a credential from Scrum Alliance that is obtained on completing the two-day training delivered by Certified Scrum Trainers® or CSTs, and successfully passing the CSM exam.  

A Scrum Master is considered to be a servant-leader for the Scrum Team, who is responsible for promoting and facilitating Scrum practices across the course of the project.  

He or she is required to be well versed in Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values in order to oversee successful implementation of the Scrum framework at every step, maximizing the value created.  

What is CSM® certification?  

The CSM course and certification imbibes in the professional the must-have skills that are needed to succeed as a Scrum Master, including the ability to facilitate, collaborate, remove impediments, coach, and solve problems.  

With the CSM, a professional will be able to perform the primary responsibilities of a successful Scrum Master namely: 

• Be a servant leader who encourages self-organization 
• Act as a facilitator among team members 
• Ensure Scrum practices are followed 
• Remove obstacles so that the team can maximise performance 
• Protect the team from internal and external distractions 
• Ensure a good relationship between the product owner, the team and external stakeholders 
• Set up an environment where the team can perform more effectively 
• Manage the scrum process in coordination with the scrum team 
• Conduct retrospective meetings 
• Address team progress 

A Scrum Master is a servant leader, a coach and mentor, a teacher, facilitator, manager and change agent, as well as someone who skilfully removes impediments....all rolled into one!  

Requirements of a CSM® certification: The path to becoming a Certified ScrumMaster® 

It’s easy to gain the Certified ScrumMaster certification if you fulfil the prerequisites and work towards clearing the exam.  

1. In order to be eligible to give the exam, Scrum Alliance requires you to attend a 16-hour face-to-face course, or a 14 hour online course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST®). Courses are available at Scrum Alliance registered education providers. These courses help you understand the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles and implement them as a Scrum Master or Scrum team member.  
2. On completion of the training you need to successfully clear an online CSM exam.  
3. Once you have received the CSM certification you need to maintain it, which means that you have to keep it active. This can be done by earning Scrum Education Units® (SEUs) and renewing your certification every two years. Along with the certification, you also earn a two-year membership with Scrum Alliance. If you have a Scrum Alliance membership, you get a specially designed logo to highlight your credentials which you can use as your signature.  

Pricing of CSM® Certification 

Most registered education providers include the CSM Certification cost for the first attempt in the course fee. Before you decide to enrol make sure to enquire about the course fee, exam fee and other associated benefits that you would receive from enrolling with a registered education provider.  

CSM® Exam Layout and Passing Grade 

The CSM test contains 50 multiple-choice questions based on the CSM Learning Objectives, and candidates will have one hour to complete it. The passing score is 74%. You will not be able to pause the test, but questions can be bookmarked to answer later during the 60-minute time limit. 

Can the CSM® course be taken online? 

Many registered education providers are now providing the Scrum Master certification online due to the pandemic. The exam too can be taken online.  

Once you complete the CSM course and get instructed by Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs), Scrum Alliance will send you a link to create login credentials. Click on the link received from Scrum Alliance and create your own login credentials.  

You can then take the 1-hour online CSM® test using those credentials. 

What is the Need for a CSM® Certification? 

The CSM designation demonstrates to your employers that you have what it takes to lead a Scrum project through to successful completion. It shows that you have in-depth knowledge of Scrum terminology, practices, and principles and can take on the role of a Scrum Master or a Scrum team member.  

This credential can be your first step on the path to a successful Agile career. 

Benefits of being a CSM® 

Certified Scrum Masters increase the likelihood of a project’s overall success by implementing Scrum principles and techniques in the right way. They can act as servant leaders who facilitate challenging Scrum projects, removing obstacles that stand in the way of smooth progress and guiding the team members to achieve project goals.  

Who can do the CSM®? 

There are no specific prerequisites to attend the CSM Certification course and attempt the exam. Novices on their Scrum journey, or professionals who wish to further their understanding of Scrum can get the CSM certification.  

Advantages of gaining a CSM® credential  

• A CSM credential highlights your proficiency not just in Scrum but also in applying it within different Scrum environments. 
• It highlights and validates your core Scrum knowledge. 
• Gives you the confidence and ammo to successfully lead agile teams 
• Helps you get ahead in your career 
• Gives you the expertise to lead and motivate the team to success 
• Certified ScrumMaster salaries are likely to be higher than those of non-certified peers.  

How to get Certified as a CSM® 

To gain access to the CSM test, you must mandatorily attend an in-person two day (16 hour) or live online (14 hour) Certified ScrumMaster® course that is delivered by a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST). Without attending the course, you will not be able to gain access to the online CSM test.  

Having successfully completed the Certified ScrumMaster course, you will receive a welcome email with a link to activate your Scrum Alliance® certification account, and can then sit for the CSM test. 

Here’s how to become a Certified Scrum Master: 

• Visit the Scrum Alliance website. 
• Your login credentials from the "Welcome CSM" email can be used to create an account. 
• Answer 'yes' or 'no' to the question on Marketing opt-in  
• Accept the CSM License Agreement  
• Select My Dashboard and click on "Take CSM test". 
• You will be prompted to select your language. 
• You will then be redirected to the test.com site, and can start the exam. 
• The 1-hour exam comprises 50 MCQs, out of which 37 must be answered correctly to pass. 
• On passing the test, you can receive your CSM certificate. To download your certificate from Scrum Alliance: 
  • Login to Scrum Alliance 
  • Go to Settings (top right-hand corner) 
  • Select 'Certification Dashboard' 
  • Under 'Actions,' select 'Print Certificate' 
  • Select 'Size' 
  • Click 'Generate ScrumMaster / Scrum Product Owner Certificate' 

Choosing a good CSM® Training Course Provider 

Choose a reputed training provider who has the experience and expertise to help you understand the learning objectives and pass your exam at the first attempt. For this, it is important that the training institute should be an authorised REP of Scrum Alliance, and the training must be delivered by Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs).  

They should be able to provide you with an immersive learning experience and the learning collateral you need, such as practice tests and reference courseware, to refresh your knowledge and practice your competencies. They should also be open to clearing your doubts and providing exam prep support in case you are having any last-minute pre-exam jitters! 

Maintaining your CSM® certification 

Scrum is a journey of continuous learning—and keeping an active Scrum Alliance certification is very important to your professional practice.  

In order to maintain your CSM certification in good standing, every two years you will need to renew your credentials. To renew your CSM, you should obtain 20 Scrum Education Units® (SEUs) which can be obtained in any of several ways: by participating in events, learning or volunteering, for example.  

Once you have the required SEUs, visit the Scrum Alliance portal, submit the SEUs certificate and pay the US$100 renewal fee. 

Ready to start your Scrum journey? Visit this link to make a start!