Scrum Certification

Is a Scrum certification worth it? Yes, a Scrum certification increases your market value with an average salary advantage of 10–20%, opens doors to positions that explicitly require certification, and gives you internationally recognized proof of expertise. Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or Developer: a certificate demonstrates that you understand the Agile mindset and can apply it in practice.

Worldwide, there are three major certifying bodies that are most frequently requested and recognized: ScrumStudy, Scrum.org, and Scrum Alliance. Each has its own background, exam approach, and philosophy. In this article, I'll help you make a well-informed choice.

Why get a Scrum certification?

A Scrum certificate offers concrete benefits:

• Proof of expertise: You demonstrate that you don't just know Scrum, but understand and can apply it
• More career opportunities: Many job postings explicitly require certification, especially for Scrum Master and Product Owner roles
• Salary advantage: Certified professionals earn on average 10–20% more than non-certified colleagues in comparable positions
• International recognition: Certificates are recognized worldwide
• Professional credibility: You speak a common language with teams, management, and stakeholders

The three major certifying bodies

ScrumStudy

ScrumStudy is part of VMEdu and bases its certifications on the SBOK (Scrum Body of Knowledge). The approach is structured and practice-oriented, with explicit attention to roles, processes, decision-making, and governance.

Certificates are valid for 3 years. The exams are proctored, comprehensive (100 questions in 120 minutes), and test not only knowledge but also applicability in organizational context.

Certifications: SMC™ (Scrum Master), SPOC™ (Product Owner), SDC™ (Developer), SAMC™ (Scaled Agile Master), ESM™ (Expert Scrum Master)

ScrumStudy advantages:

• Comprehensive, proctored exam with high reliability
• Clear and extensive study material including the SBOK Guide
• Strong alignment with business and organizational challenges
• Practice-oriented approach
• Periodic recertification keeps knowledge current

Scrum.org

Scrum.org was founded in 2009 by Ken Schwaber, co-creator of Scrum. The certifications are strictly based on the Scrum Guide and focus on empirical thinking, self-organization, and craftsmanship.

Training is not mandatory. The exams are shorter (60–80 questions in 60 minutes) and not proctored, but are known for their conceptual depth and interpretation questions.

Certifications: PSM I, II, III (Scrum Master), PSPO I, II, III (Product Owner), PSD I (Developer)

Scrum.org advantages:

• Certificates valid for life, no recertification needed
• No mandatory training, you can study independently
• Strict and minimalist according to the Scrum Guide
• Compact but substantively challenging exams

Scrum Alliance

Scrum Alliance is the oldest Scrum organization (founded in 2001) and more community-driven. Training is mandatory and forms the heart of the learning journey. Certificates must be renewed every 2 years via SEUs (Scrum Education Units).

Certifications: CSM / CSPO / CSD (entry), A-CSM / A-CSPO (advanced), CSP-SM / CSP-PO (expert)

Scrum Alliance advantages:

• Large international network with local communities
• Interactive learning path with mandatory classroom training
• Clear growth path from beginner to expert
• Strong emphasis on soft skills and facilitation

Transparency: iPeople does not offer Scrum Alliance trainings. We include them in this article for a complete picture, so you can make a well-considered choice.

Perception vs. reality: level, exam, and background

In Scrum certification, not only content and exam quality play a role, but also history and image.

Scrum.org is often seen as technical or purist, partly due to the direct link with the Scrum Guide and Scrum's origin story. ScrumStudy is more often associated with the business side of Scrum, due to its structured approach, governance focus, and comprehensive testing.

Important to emphasize: a difference in image is not a difference in seriousness.

The distinction is mainly in emphasis:

• Scrum.org → craftsmanship, minimalism, conceptual understanding
• ScrumStudy → applicability, structure, testable knowledge in organizations
• Scrum Alliance → community, interaction, soft skills

All three are serious certifications recognized by employers.

Scrum Certification Comparison Table

Aspect	ScrumStudy	Scrum.org	Scrum Alliance
Scrum Master	SMC™	PSM I, II, III	CSM, A-CSM, CSP-SM
Product Owner	SPOC™	PSPO I, II, III	CSPO, A-CSPO, CSP-PO
Exam cost	~€420	€185 (level I)	Included in training
Training required?	No (recommended)	No	Yes (mandatory)
Validity	3 years	Lifetime	2 years
Exam format	100 questions, 120 min, proctored	80 questions, 60 min, online	50 questions, 60 min, after training
Pass score	80%	85%	74%
Focus	Business & governance	Craftsmanship & theory	Community & soft skills

Prices are indicative and may vary. Training costs are additional for ScrumStudy and Scrum.org certifications.

Comparison: which Scrum certification suits you?

Choose ScrumStudy if you:

• work on the business, management, or organizational side of Scrum
• value thorough assessment
• apply Scrum in more complex organizations with governance requirements
• find periodic recertification logical to keep knowledge current

Choose Scrum.org if you:

• work in IT, engineering, or product development
• are strong in conceptual and abstract thinking
• want to study independently without mandatory training
• want to progress to PSM II or III for in-depth expertise

Choose Scrum Alliance if you:

• see learning primarily as training and interaction with others
• value a large international network
• work in an environment where CSM/CSPO is the standard
• have no objection to biennial recertification

In summary: The right Scrum certification is the one that fits your role, context, and learning style, not a dogma.

Tips for your Scrum exam

Regardless of which certification you choose, these tips will help you pass:

1. Study the right guide: SBOK® Guide for ScrumStudy, Scrum Guide for Scrum.org/Alliance
2. Take a training: Even if not mandatory, a good training significantly increases your pass rate
3. Take practice exams: All bodies offer practice questions
4. Understand the principles: Don't just learn the rules, understand why Scrum works this way
5. Practical experience helps: If possible, work in a Scrum Team before taking your exam

Scrum certification in the AI era

AI is fundamentally changing the role of Scrum professionals. More and more operational tasks are being supported or automated, shifting the emphasis to skills that AI cannot (yet) take over.

What AI can do:

• Generate user stories based on input
• Analyze and visualize sprint metrics
• Create documentation and release notes
• Identify risks based on historical data

What AI cannot do:

• Understand why a team is stuck or demotivated
• Resolve conflicts between stakeholders
• Create psychological safety in a team
• Make strategic trade-offs about product direction

This shifts the value of Scrum professionals: from administrative tasks to human insight, facilitation, and strategic thinking.

How does this relate to the certifications?

• Scrum as craftsmanship: focus on team dynamics, empirical working, and product development. This aligns strongly with the philosophy of Scrum.org.
• Scrum as governance & organizational model: focus on alignment, decision-making, scalability, and delivering value. This aligns strongly with the approach of ScrumStudy.

In modern organizations, both perspectives are relevant. The question is which emphasis best fits your role and ambition.

Start your Scrum certification at iPeople

At iPeople, we don't believe in one "right" Scrum certification, but in the right choice for your role, context, and learning goals. That's why we offer our Scrum trainings with a choice of certification via ScrumStudy or Scrum.org.

Our trainings are substantively equivalent in level and depth; the difference lies in the certification you choose:

• Scrum Master Training: 2 days, including preparation for SMC (ScrumStudy) or PSM I (Scrum.org)
• Product Owner Training: 2 days, including preparation for SPOC (ScrumStudy) or PSPO I (Scrum.org)

Our trainings combine theory with practice, taught by experienced trainers who are actively working as Scrum Masters or Product Owners. After the training, you'll be fully prepared for the exam.

Questions about which certification suits you? Contact us for personal advice.