PSM I vs. CSM: Which Certification Is Right?

The PSM I from Scrum.org and the CSM from the Scrum Alliance are the two most widespread Scrum Master credentials. Both are recognized by employers — but they differ fundamentally in philosophy, cost, and what you commit to long-term.

The short version

• PSM I (Scrum.org): a pure knowledge assessment. No course required, $200 exam fee, valid for life.
• CSM (Scrum Alliance): a training product. A mandatory two-day course with a Certified Scrum Trainer comes first; the exam follows. Renewal every two years.

Neither is "fake" or worthless. But they are built for different candidates.

Cost: $200 vs. a course price

The PSM I costs $200 per attempt — that is the entire mandatory spend. Add preparation if you want it; add nothing if you don't.

For the CSM, the exam is bundled into the course, and course prices vary widely by provider and country — typically several hundred dollars, often over a thousand. The exam fee itself is not the expense; the mandatory training is.

The exam: 85% vs. 74%

• PSM I: 80 questions, 60 minutes, 85% to pass — at most 12 mistakes, 45 seconds per question.
• CSM: 50 questions, 60 minutes, 74% to pass (37 correct answers), with two attempts typically included in the course price.

The PSM I is widely regarded as the harder exam. The CSM exam follows a two-day class that explicitly prepares you for it; the PSM I stands alone and tests the Scrum Guide in depth.

Course requirement: freedom vs. guidance

Scrum.org sells assessments, not training — nobody forces you into a classroom. That suits self-directed learners and keeps the total cost low.

The Scrum Alliance requires the course by design. If you learn best live, with exercises, discussion, and a trainer answering questions, that structure has real value — especially for career changers who have never worked in an agile team.

Renewal: lifetime vs. every two years

The PSM I never expires. No fees, no education credits, no paperwork.

The CSM must be renewed every two years — currently a $100 renewal fee plus Scrum Education Units (SEUs) you collect through courses, events, or self-study. Over a ten-year career, that is several hundred dollars and recurring administrative effort.

Recognition in the job market

Both credentials appear in job postings worldwide, and many ads simply ask for "a Scrum Master certification" without naming an issuer. The CSM has a long history in North American job listings; the PSM I carries a reputation for rigor precisely because no course is bundled — everyone who holds it passed the same demanding exam. At entry level, either one gets you past the HR filter.

Which one should you choose?

• You are self-directed or budget-conscious: PSM I. $200, lifetime validity, study at your own pace.
• Your employer pays for training, or you want live instruction: CSM — the course is the product, and it can be worth it.
• You want maximum signal per dollar: PSM I first. You can always add the CSM later if a specific employer asks for it.

If you go the PSM I route, test yourself first with our free 10-question practice exam, then prepare with realistic simulations from the PSM I package. Questions we haven't answered here? See the FAQ.