Courses Kickstart your professional journey with the right Scrum Master certification! The guide analyzes different certification options among CSM, PSM, and SSM based on career performance standards, industry direction, and learning mode preferences to support your advantageous choice toward the future.
People think starting their Scrum Master journey and switching careers might have risks. If you start in 2025, it’s not too late. Do you know how many companies are looking for efficient scrum masters? The demand for Scrum masters has skyrocketed; you can see over 28% more job listings in just the US and the UK region; when we compare it globally, there are over 65,000 Scrum Master job openings at any given time.
If these numbers change your mind, we have curated a list of Scrum Master certifications to help you choose not the “best” but the “right” one. We know that there are many options in the market, such as CSM, PSM, PSPO, SSM, and more. We have listed the pros of doing every certification. You need to evaluate what best fits your learning style and preferences if, in the process, you get even more confused. Consult us, and we’ll help you give the best career advice.
The Big Two: PSM vs. CSM
Professional Scrum Master (PSM) by Scrum.org
Ken Schwaber founded Scrum.org. It offers you three levels of certification: PSM-I, PSM II, and PSM II. They started with PSM-1 in 2009, but as they realized while working on it. They understood that many professionals deserve different pay grades, and you can’t generalize it with just certification; in order to break, they gave three levels to their credentials, and they claim each level requires a deeper and more nuanced grasp of Scrum.
This exam is unique and different in a way as it challenges you through multiple assessments just to be sure that the candidate not only understands the “what” but also the “why” behind different Scrum practices. Of all of the exams we’re listing, this is considered to be one of the toughest, which proves its value.
| Pros | Cons |
| No mandatory course is required (though training is recommended)
One-time exam fee with no recertification Viewed as a more challenging and respected certification among professionals |
The exam can be tough if you haven’t done your homework
More self-study is required compared to CSM |
Certified Scrum Master (CSM) by Scrum Alliance
The CSM was launched in 2001; it was a pioneer in the field and was co-founded by a very renowned agile coach, Mike Cohn. This man built high-performing software development teams and organizations through the use of just Agile and Scrum. And he has been doing it for 20+ years. One of the biggest websites is Mountain Goat Software.
Now, the CSM is utilized globally across a range of industries, from Silicon Valley software development to London financial services and beyond, as a reliable benchmark that indicates a professional’s preparedness to enable effective, collaborative teams and drive agile transformations.
| Pros | Cons |
| Widely recognized in the industry
Mandatory in many job postings (especially for junior roles) Hands-on, interactive course required before the exam, which helps build a foundational understanding |
Requires you to attend a two-day course
Recertification fees every two years |
SSM Spotlight: Why UK Companies Are Demanding SAFe Scrum Masters
If you’re looking for jobs in the UK, you’ve probably seen a rising trend: Most of the big companies are now specifically listing SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) credentials on their job portals.
What is SSM?
The SAFe Scrum Master Certification first became popular when companies saw a trend where people were not able to scale their agile practices across larger teams. They saw that people were doing well in small teams, so to tackle this issue, SAFe, another popular Agile framework, came up with their Scrum Master certification, which equips you with the knowledge to lead agile transformation across multiple teams, which makes you a linchpin in an organization with complex, large-scale projects.
UK Market Trends:
- High Demand on Job Portals:
A glance at listings on LinkedIn and Indeed in the UK reveals that over 45% of agile job postings in sectors like finance and tech now mention SAFe Scrum Master as a key qualification. Companies such as Digital Vanguard UK, FutureTech Innovations, and Enterprise Agile Solutions are actively seeking professionals with SSM credentials. - Competitive Salaries & Career Growth:
Employers are not just listing the role as an afterthought. They’re offering competitive packages and fast-tracked career paths to candidates who can demonstrate robust scaling expertise. The statistics speak for themselves: many firms are willing to pay a premium for talent that can bridge the gap between traditional agile teams and enterprise-level agility. - Industry Trends:
Many of these “big name” organizations—even if we’re using placeholder names for illustration are known for their cutting-edge agile practices. Their job portals proudly feature roles titled “Enterprise SAFe Scrum Master” or “Scaled Agile Transformation Leader,” emphasizing that the SSM is a coveted credential for strategic agile roles.
Why Consider SSM?
If you are planning to secure a job in the UK market or any large establishment for that matter, an SSM certification can go a long way. It shows that you are capable of handling not only a single Scrum team but also leading Agile transformations. It makes you look unordinary compared to the other candidates profiling for the same spot.
Other Notable Certifications
PSPO (Professional Scrum Product Owner) by Scrum.org
- Focus:
Professional Scrum Product Owner Certification is specially designed for product owners, managers, and business leaders. This certification enables you to excel at delivering optimal product values. It is an excellent tool for those who need to establish product feature definitions alongside Agile team collaboration.
- Key Point:
As a certified Professional Scrum Product Owner, you will have a deeper understanding of how to balance your stakeholders’ expectations with Agile practices. The certification proves your capability to develop strategic products while enabling decisions that merge business objectives with customer requirements to become a powerful asset for product owners and their colleagues.
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Focus:
PMI-ACP is not considered one of the major Scrum Master Certifications, but it covers some of the most interesting topics of Agile methodologies. These include Scrum, Kanban Certification, Lean, and XP.
- Key point:
If you already have a project management background, then you are all set to discover and showcase your all-rounder Agile skill set with this certification.
How to Choose the Right Scrum Master Certification for You
Consider Your Background and Career Goals
- Entry-Level vs. Advanced Roles:
If you’re new to agile, CSM might be the perfect starting point. Its structured class provides ideal guidance for beginners. People who have existing Agile expertise or learn autonomously should consider the PSM series as their best choice.
- Industry Requirements:
Look for job advertisements along with positions available in company locations where you want to work. Employers tend to have different preferences regarding certifications with SSM in the UK because certain roles explicitly require this specific certification.
- Cost & Renewal:
Take account of all the expenses, from the initial investment to any recurring fee. For certifications like CSM, periodic renewal is required, whereas PSM has a one-time exam fee payment.
Think About Learning Style
- Classroom vs. Self-Study:
People who study by themselves for PSM gain flexibility while bypassing traditional classroom requirements, which are necessary for CSM. Both certifications provide networking benefits. - Hands-on Experience:
Some training providers, like those offering Licensed Scrum Master Training, focus on interactive learning. Consider these if you learn best by doing.
Future Aspirations
- Scaling Agile:
The SAFe Scrum Master certification is important for anyone planning to work in an enterprise where scaling Scrum practices are critical.
- Agile Coaching:
- If your goal is to eventually move into agile coaching or mentoring, certifications such as ICP-ACC can prove helpful for your credentials.
Get Certified with ValueX2
If you are looking for a worthy training and certification provider, you need to look no further. ValueX2 is an exclusive platform that provides Agile and Scrum training and certification, such as PSM-1 and SSM. Get access to exclusive exam simulators, personalized mentor guidance, priority enrolment, and an Agile professional community. These advantages can help you succeed in your certification studies while boosting your Agile project management and career development.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Scrum Certifications, there isn’t one unique certification that can help you master everything. Every certification can help you specialize in some way or another. CSM helps you build foundational knowledge, and advancing to PSM will present you with more challenges. If we especially focus on the UK market, SSM certification is gaining relevance. Thus, if you are aiming for companies like Digital Vanguard UK or FutureTech Innovations, an SSM could set you apart from the competition.
Remember that certifications can only help you demonstrate your knowledge foundation. Being an effective Scrum Master depends primarily on your practical experience along with continuous learning. Select a path that perfectly aligns with your skills, career goals, and learning style.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do Scrum Master certifications require renewal?
Regular renewal of the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification demands payment of a fee every two years. Scrum.org provides Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification through Scrum.org which maintains its validity without renewal throughout the whole life of the practitioner.
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Do employers verify Scrum Master certifications during hiring?
Most hiring organizations check certification credentials when candidates apply for positions that demand specific certification requirements.
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How does the PSM certification differ from the CSM?
Scrum.org provides PSM certification, which does not impose mandatory training, and it remains valid forever with no requirement for renewal or payment of fees. The CSM demands attendance to an educational course while also requiring periodic certification renewal.
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Are there prerequisites for Scrum Master certifications?
Entrants do not need specific qualifications to pursue CSM or PSM certifications at their initial level. Course attendance for CSM needs to be made before candidates take the exam.
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Do I need prior experience before taking the SSM exam?
Any person can take Scrum Master certification courses, although studying Agile, Scrum, and SAFe standards helps applicants prepare. Most experts enroll in Leading SAfe before they start their certification exam.
Bhavna is an Agile Coach and Consultant with over a decade of experience in advisory, corporate finance, IT assurance, and operations at Big 4 and within the industry in the UK and India. She has recently been the CEO of a start-up where she implemented agile practices within HR, Marketing, and Product teams.
She is also a SAFe® Practice Consultant (SPC) and authorized instructor for ICAgile Agility in HR (ICP-AHR), Agility in Marketing (ICP-MKG), and Business Agility Foundations (ICP – BAF) training courses. She provides training for agile transformation to corporate, public, and private batches, as well as consulting for enterprise agile transformation.
