❓ Answer

What is a CSM certification?

GM Giora Morein, CST
· Last updated May 26, 2026
📖 Quick answer

CSM certification costs $349–$549, includes a 2-day course, exam, and 2-year membership. Learn what's required to pass and renew.

Answered by Giora Morein, Certified Scrum Trainer. ThinkLouder has trained 55,000+ practitioners since 2001.

A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification is awarded by the Scrum Alliance. It costs $349–$549 and includes a two-day training course, an exam, and a two-year membership. The credential signals that you understand Scrum roles, events, and artifacts well enough to guide a team through them.

What's included in the certification

You'll attend a two-day instructor-led course. After that comes the exam: 50 multiple-choice questions, 74% passing score (37 correct), and you get two attempts within 90 days of course completion. Pass, and you're in.

The two-year membership gives you access to Scrum Alliance resources and community. When it expires, you'll need to renew by earning 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and paying a $100 fee.

Why it matters on the job

A CSM certification shows employers and your team that you've learned the Scrum framework hands-on. It's not just theory. You've sat through the ceremonies, worked through the role conflicts, and practiced facilitating a real sprint. That matters when you're actually running daily standups or coaching a team through agile ceremonies.

ThinkLouder has trained over 55,000 practitioners since 2001. Our two-day courses are built for people who teach Scrum this week, not someday. You'll work through real sprint scenarios, not slides.

How to get started

Enroll in one of our upcoming CSM classes. Check our certification offerings or view our class schedule to find a date that fits your calendar.

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