The Different Types of Scrum Certifications
Whether you need a formal certificate or not is something I discussed in another post, Does Certification Really Matter. However, there is no arguing that obtaining a certification can be a valuable way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field. That being said, there are a number of different certifications available, each with its own focus and requirements. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular Scrum certifications:
Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): This is the most well-known Scrum certification, and it is offered by the Scrum Alliance, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of Scrum. To obtain a CSM, you must attend a two-day course and pass an online exam. The course covers the basic principles and practices of Scrum, and it is designed to help you understand how to apply Scrum in your work.
Professional Scrum Master (PSM): This certification is offered by Scrum.org, a company that provides training and certification in Scrum. To obtain a PSM, you must pass an online exam, which covers the principles and practices of Scrum as well as advanced topics such as Scrum in the enterprise and scaling Scrum. There are three levels of PSM certification, ranging from PSM I to PSM III, with increasing levels of difficulty and knowledge required.
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Scrum Master: This certification is offered by Scaled Agile, Inc., a company that provides training and consulting services in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). To obtain a SAFe Scrum Master certification, you must attend a two-day course and pass an online exam. The course covers the principles and practices of Scrum as well as how to apply Scrum in a SAFe environment.
Overall, there are a number of different Scrum certifications available, each with its own focus and requirements. Whether you are just starting out in your career as a Scrum Master or you are looking to advance to a more senior level, obtaining a certification can be a valuable way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field. So, it is important to carefully consider which certification is right for you and your career goals.