Q: What are the top Agile Project Management certifications?

Some of the top project management Agile certifications are: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certified Product Owner (CPO) PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certified Agile Leadership (CAL I and II)

Q: How do I become agile certified?

To become agile certified , you will need to meet the specific requirements and pass the certification exam for the particular Agile certification you are pursuing. This often involves completing a certain amount of Agile training or education in methodologies of Agile, as well as having practical experience working on Agile teams.

Question 1

Types of Agile and Scrum Certifications

Accepted Answer

Agile credentials differ by the role they support, the depth of knowledge they expect, and whether they prepare you for team-level delivery or enterprise-scale work. The table below compares major Agile certifications available on Simplilearn by target audience, difficulty level, and career benefits.

Certification (Simplilearn Program)	Target Audience	Difficulty Level	Career Benefits
Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)	New-to-Scrum project/delivery professionals	Beginner–Intermediate	Strong foundation for Scrum delivery and facilitation; widely recognized among Scrum Alliance certifications
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM)	Practicing Scrum Masters	Advanced	Deeper team coaching, conflict handling, and continuous improvement leadership
Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)	Product-facing PMs, business stakeholders	Beginner–Intermediate	Better backlog ownership, stakeholder alignment, and value-based prioritization
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® (A-CSPO)	Practicing Product Owners	Advanced	Stronger product strategy and discovery-to-delivery execution
Professional Scrum Master	Assessment-driven Scrum learners	Intermediate / Advanced	Demonstrates Scrum mastery through testing; supports senior delivery credibility
Professional Scrum Product Owner	Product owners validating Scrum product skills	Intermediate	Stronger product decisions and outcome-focused backlog management
Leading SAFe® 6 training with SAFe Agilist Certification	Enterprise PMs, program leaders	Intermediate	Best for scaled agile certifications; supports cross-team alignment and program-level delivery
SAFe 6 Scrum Master	Scrum Masters in SAFe environments	Intermediate	Runs teams effectively inside SAFe (dependencies, planning, and execution)
SAFe® AI-Empowered Product Owner/Product Manager (6.0)	Product leaders using SAFe + AI	Intermediate	Modern product leadership in scaled environments
PMI-ACP® Certification	PMs in hybrid Agile environments	Intermediate	Broad Agile coverage across frameworks; strong “umbrella” agile certification

Question 2

Who Can Enroll in Agile & Scrum Courses

Accepted Answer

Simplilearn offers a range of Agile and Scrum programs suitable for different experience levels and career paths.

Audience Segment	Best-Fit Programs
Project Management, Product Development, or IT Professionals	Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) Professional Scrum Master Professional Scrum Master II SAFe 6 Scrum Master Leading SAFe® 6 training with SAFe Agilist Certification PMI-ACP® Certification
Beginners or Career Switchers Learning Agile Principles	Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) Professional Scrum Master Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) Professional Scrum Product Owner
Team Leads or Managers Improving Team Efficiency	Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® (A-CSPO) SAFe® AI-Empowered Product Owner/Product Manager (6.0) Leading SAFe® 6 training with SAFe Agilist Certification PMI-ACP® Certification

Question 3

Key Skills and Tools Covered in Agile & Scrum Courses

Accepted Answer

Agile and Scrum courses focus on skills and tools teams use during real delivery cycles.

Core skills learners build:

Agile mindset and iterative planning
Applying the Scrum framework
Backlog management and prioritization
Sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives
Clear stakeholder communication

Common tools used:

Jira
Trello
Azure DevOps

Hands-on projects and case studies place learners in scenarios that reflect how Agile teams operate at work. They practice running sprint planning sessions, refining backlogs, and reviewing outcomes using real projects. This approach helps them move beyond theory and build confidence.

Question 4

Benefits of Agile and Scrum Certifications

Accepted Answer

Before choosing your ideal Agile and Scrum certification, you must be curious to learn about the benefits that come along with this expertise. By pursuing Agile and Scrum certifications, you open doors to growth and advancements in different forms, such as, from upgraded skills to increased income potential. If you are curious to know more in detail, here are the core benefits to expect from Agile and Scrum certifications:

You develop a strong knowledge of Agile and Scrum
Your value as a project management professional is increased globally
Agile and Scrum skills make you eligible for different high-paying roles across industries
Your overall project management skills are enhanced
Agile and Scrum skills make you more eligible to work in collaborative environments
Your leadership and problem-solving skills are enhanced
You acquire agility and can quickly adapt to the changing environment of businesses and fulfill project management responsibilities accordingly

Question 5

What is Agile Certification?

Accepted Answer

Agile certification helps an individual to demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and understanding of the Agile framework and how to apply it in a real-world setting. Several organizations offer Agile certifications, each with its own specific requirements and process for certification.

Question 6

What are the top Agile Project Management certifications?

Accepted Answer

Some of the top project management Agile certifications are:

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Certified Product Owner (CPO)
PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
Certified Agile Leadership (CAL I and II)

Question 7

What are the Best Agile Certifications for Project Managers to Consider in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Some of the best agile certifications in 2025 are:

1. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Required skills to become a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner

Become a PMI Certified Agile Practitioner (PMI-ACP) with these essential skills. Some of the most essential skills are:

A thorough understanding of Agile methodologies and frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and XP.
Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective stakeholder management and facilitating team dynamics.
Proficiency in agile project planning, including creating and managing user stories, estimating effort, and prioritizing tasks.
Knowledge of agile metrics and measurement techniques to track project progress and performance.
Expertise in risk management, continuous improvement, and adapting to change.

Key skills taught

The PMI-certified agile project manager (PMI-ACP) training focuses on equipping professionals with a comprehensive skill set in agile project management. The key skills taught in this certification include:

Agile practices and Mindset
Adaptive Planning
Working knowledge of Agile
Multi Iterative models
Delivering high-velocity stories
Agile practices and principles

Key differentiators

The PMI certified agile project manager (PMI-ACP) training offered by Simplilearn stands out for several key differentiators.

Simplilearn's PMI-ACP training program is comprehensive and covers a wide range of Agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and more.
This training program ensures that professionals understand Agile principles and practices holistically.
The training is delivered by industry experts with extensive Agile project management experience. Their practical insights and real-world examples enrich the learning experience.
Simplilearn provides a flexible learning approach, offering online self-paced courses and instructor-led virtual classes to cater to individual preferences and schedules.
The PMI-ACP certification preparation includes practice tests and interactive quizzes to enhance knowledge retention and prepare candidates for the actual exam.

Duration of training and exam

The lPMI-ACP certification is a self-learning model wherein you can learn the curriculum at your own convenience. The curriculum includes 1 industry case study and 61 real-world examples, along with 102 end-of-chapter quizzes & 4 simulation exams.
After completing Agile training, you must appear for an online Agile certification exam and clear it to get certified in Agile by the Project Management Institute
.

Cost of training and exam

On average, the cost of an Agile methodology certification ranges between $1,175 and $1,800. Please note that the course fee is not included in the PMI ACP exam fee. It must be paid by you directly to the Project Management Institute.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Required skills

To become a CSPO, there are several essential skills that one must possess. Some of the most in-demand are:
Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, development teams, and other members of the organization. The CSPO should be able to clearly convey the product vision, goals, and requirements to all parties involved.
A deep understanding of agile practices and Scrum framework to facilitate effective product backlog management and prioritization. The CSPO should be adept at creating and refining user stories, defining acceptance criteria, and maximizing the value the development team delivers.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve potential obstacles or conflicts that may arise during the product development process.
Adaptability and flexibility are also important, as the CSPO should be able to embrace change and adjust priorities based on evolving customer needs and market conditions.

Key skills taught

The CSPO certification provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the key skills required to excel in the role of a product owner within an Agile development environment. Some of the key skills discussed in Simplilearn’s program are:

Scrum and Agile Framework
Release management
Leadership skills to manage agile teams

Key differentiators

The CSPO certification offered by Simplilearn stands out due to several key differences.
Simplilearn's CSPO certification provides comprehensive training and knowledge on the role of a product owner in the Scrum framework.
The course covers essential topics such as creating product visions, writing effective user stories, prioritizing product backlogs, and maximizing the product's value.
This CSPO certification incorporates practical hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, enabling participants to apply their learning in realistic scenarios. This practical approach enhances the understanding and application of Scrum principles and techniques.
The certification offers flexible learning options, including self-paced online courses and instructor-led live virtual classrooms, allowing individuals to choose the learning format that best suits their needs and schedule.

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is 2 days. There is no evaluation or exam. You will be certified as a product owner upon completing the training.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The total cost of the training is INR 18999.

USA: The certification cost in the United States varies between 500 and 1500 US Dollars.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Required skills

The CSM Certification is suitable for members of Scrum teams, Scrum managers, teams transitioning to Scrum, and professionals who are interested in pursuing a career as a professional Certified ScrumMaster. The key skills required are:

In-depth understanding of the terms, phrases, practices, and systems used to incorporate the agile methodologies safely.
Strong training skills to guide the team on their work and help them work on their strengths and weaknesses.
Knowledge of popular tools, Jira and Asana, is also recommended by organizations.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) are:

Scrum and Agile methodologies
Importance of Agile
Scrum lifecycle
Scrum terminologies
Daily scrum and review
Roles involved in Scrum
Distributed Scrum

Key differentiators

Here are some of the notable factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s CSM certification program:

It is an exhaustive, instructor-led CSM certification course that introduces all major concepts of the Scrum framework required for Agile Project Management.
This CSM certification course is focused on improving the understanding of Scrum methodologies and their implementation.
It offers a 100% money-back guarantee in case of course discontinuation.
CSM® exam fee is included in the course fee, in addition to free exam retakes.
Globally acclaimed Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs)
Two-year membership in Scrum Alliance
Complimentary access to 15 courses* worth INR 25,000

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is 2 days. The respective certification granting bodies provide study material and references for the Project Management Institute's Agile certification exam. Professionals seeking an Agile methodology certification must dedicate at least 10-12 weeks to studying the preparation material provided and then practice sample papers for adequate preparation.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training program is Rs. 18,999 inclusive of the cost of this course, the costs of course materials and learning aids.

USA: The CSM certification cost in the United States varies between 700 and 1000 US Dollars.

4. Leading SAFe Agilist Certification

Required skills

The Leading SAFe Agilist Certification requires a range of essential skills to successfully navigate the complexities of leading and implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The most important skills required to complete the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification successfully are:

A deep understanding of agile practices and methodologies. This includes knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, and Lean practices and an ability to apply them in a scaled environment.
Strong leadership skills to guide and inspire teams, promote collaboration, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Effective communication and facilitation skills to coordinate and align multiple teams, stakeholders, and executives.
Aptitude for strategic thinking and problem-solving enables SAFe Agilists to identify and address organizational challenges and facilitate the adoption of SAFe practices.
Adaptability and flexibility are key to navigating changing circumstances and making informed decisions to drive successful Agile transformations.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in Leading SAFe Agilist Certification are:

Application of SAFe
Execute Agile Release Trains
Coordinate value streams
Manage LeanAgile portfolio
Configure the framework
Unlock intrinsic motivation
Support LeanAgile

Key differentiators

What sets apart the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification offered by Simplilearn from others in the industry? Let’s learn on:

This industry-leading SAFe® certification and training is recognized globally.
It’s the most popular approach for large-scale Agile projects, providing a valid, reliable, and consistent method of evaluating SAFe® skills, knowledge, and mindset.
SAFe Agilist Training Key Features with 100% Money Back Guarantee
The duration of the course is just two days.
The course fee includes the SAFe® Agilist exam fee.
You can obtain 15 PMI PDUs upon completion of the certification, in addition to one-year certified membership as SAFe® Agilist

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is just two days.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The Leading SAFe Agilist Certification is INR 48500, inclusive of the SAFe® Agilist exam fee.

USA: The certification cost in the United States varies between 700 and 1000 US Dollars.

5. Advanced Certified Scrumaster® (A-CSM) Certification

Required skills

The skills required to complete the Advanced Certified Scrum Master ® (A-CSM) certification successfully are:

A thorough understanding of Scrum principles and practices
Experience in facilitating Agile teams.
Effective communication and collaboration skills to guide teams through complex projects and resolve conflicts.
Ability to coach and mentor others
Deep commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Key skills taught

Some of the key skills covered in this Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification are:

Scrum and Agile methodologies
Importance of Agile
Scrum lifecycle
Scrum terminologies
Daily scrum and review
Roles involved in Scrum
Distributed Scrum

Key differentiators

Here are the key factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification from others in the industry:

The course duration is just 2 days
It is an exhaustive, instructor-led CSM course that introduces you to all major concepts of the Scrum framework required for Agile Project Management.
It focuses on providing an improved understanding of Scrum methodologies and their implementation. 2 Days of Online Virtual Class
CSM® exam fee is included in the course fee, in addition to free exam retake.
Sessions are taken by globally acclaimed Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs).
20 PDUs and 16 SEUs, along with certification.
Two-year membership in Scrum Alliance
Complimentary access to 15 courses* worth INR 25,000

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification is of 2 days, in which virtual online classes will be taken. The CSM Certification exam can be taken online within 14 days from the day of completion of the training course. The links to the online exam will be shared by Simplilearn.

Cost of training and exam

The cost of the training, inclusive of the exam fee, is INR18999.

6. Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Required skills

To obtain a PSPO certification, several key skills are essential. Some of the most widely demanded are:

A strong understanding of agile practices and the Scrum framework.
Effective communication and collaboration skills
Deep understanding of product management techniques, such as product backlog management and prioritization.
Technical knowledge and a background in mathematics is helpful but optional.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in this PSPO certification training include:

Foundation of Scrum
Core Scrum methodologies
The scope of PSPO

Key differentiators

The factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) include:

It offers the foundational knowledge.
The PSPO training is designed to help learners clear both PSPO-1 & PSPO-2 certifications.
It teaches potential product owners cost reduction tricks and in turn, reap profits for their organization.
You’ll also learn about the mechanics of Scrum and how the product owner fits into Scrum methodology.

Duration of training and exam

The Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) duration is 2 days, including live virtual classes.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training is INR 24199, inclusive of the exam fee.

USA: The PSPO I test is priced at $200 USD per attempt, and the assessment passwords retain their validity until utilized, without any expiration.

7. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification

Required skills

The skills required to obtain a PSM certification are related to Agile methodologies, Scrum framework, and project management. Here are some of the key skills required:

Deep understanding of Scrum Framework and familiarity with Scrum roles like CSM, Product Owner, Development Team, Sprint Planning, test-driven development, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective and Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment.
Familiarity with Agile principles and values in addition to Agile Manifesto and its guiding principles, such as prioritizing customer collaboration, responding to change, and promoting self-organizing teams.
Proficiency in Scrum practices, including facilitating Scrum events effectively, coaching and guiding the Scrum Team, promoting collaboration and transparency, and ensuring adherence to Scrum values.
Servant leadership skills to facilitate the team's progress, remove impediments, foster a productive and collaborative environment, and support the team's self-organization.
Agile Coaching and Facilitation.
Strong communication and collaboration to effectively interact with stakeholders, team members, and the product owner.
Technical knowledge (optional)

Key skills taught

The Key skills covered in Simplilearn’s PSM Certification Training are:

Scrum framework
Risk management

Key differentiators

These are the points that differentiate Simplilearn’s PSM Certification Training from others:

This PSM Certification covers the principles and process theory underpinning the Scrum framework.
The training period is just 2 days.
Real-world examples and case studies to clarify core concepts are included in the curriculum.
Intensive and interactive workshop training conducted by industry experts, in addition to comprehensive courseware and exam prep support.

Duration of training and exam

The training duration is 2 days.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training is INR 24199.

USA: The PSM I test is priced at $150 USD per attempt, and the assessment passwords do not have an expiration date, remaining valid until they are used.

Some other Agile Certifications:

Question 8

How do I become agile certified?

Accepted Answer

To become agile certified, you will need to meet the specific requirements and pass the certification exam for the particular Agile certification you are pursuing. This often involves completing a certain amount of Agile training or education in methodologies of Agile, as well as having practical experience working on Agile teams.

Question 9

How long does Agile certification last?

Accepted Answer

The length of time that an Agile certification is valid will depend on the specific certification and the issuing organization. Some Agile certifications are valid for a set number of years, while others have no expiration date. To maintain an Agile certification, you may need to meet certain requirements, such as completing a certain amount of continuing education or professional development.

Question 10

Can I get a job with just an Agile certification?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining an Agile certification will not only add value to your resume but also help you get jobs offering higher salaries than the non-certified ones.

Question 11

Is Agile certification required to work in an Agile environment?

Accepted Answer

Since Agile certifications are in high demand these days, it is always recommended for prospective Agile professionals to work hard to get Agile certified. It will not only help them to showcase their in-depth Agile skills and knowledge but also help them to manage projects effectively and grab the attention of top Agile recruiters.

Question 12

Is there an Agile certification for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, beginners can too go for an agile certification. Some of the top Agile certifications for beginners are:

Scrum Alliance – Certified Scrum Master
Scrum.Org – Professional Scrum Master
Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Question 13

Is Agile certification recognized internationally?

Accepted Answer

Most of the Agile certifications available in the market are internationally recognized. Some of the top Agile certifications that most prospective Agile professionals seek are:

Agile Programme Management (AgilePgM)
Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
SAFe Agilist
SAFe Scrum Master
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
ICAgile Agile Fundamentals (ICP)
ICAgile Business Agility Foundations (ICP-BAF)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Question 14

Can I get Agile certified online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all Agile certifications can be availed both online and offline mode.

Question 15

Is there an Agile certification exam?

Accepted Answer

After completing Agile training, you must appear for an online Agile certification exam and clear it to get certified in Agile.

Job Title	Average Annual Salary
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)	$119,232
Agile Coach	$149,719
Product Manager, Software	$122,027
Technical Program Manager (TPM)	$151,657
Management Consultant	$117,865
Technical Project Manager	$125,587

Aspect	Agile	Scrum
Definition	A set of values and principles for delivering work through continuous improvement	A specific framework used to apply Agile principles
Scope	Broad approach that includes multiple methods and frameworks	Narrower structure focused on Scrum practices
Structure	Flexible, with no fixed roles or events	Defined roles, events, and artifacts
Roles	Not prescribed	Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers
Delivery Cycles	Iterative, but timing can vary	Fixed-length sprints
Use Case	Guides mindset and ways of working	Provides a practical way to run Agile teams

Agile Certifications

Top 3 Agile Certifications for 2026

Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)

Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)

Leading SAFe ® 6 training with SAFe Agilist Certification

Key Skills You Will Build

Build a High Performing Team

Coach Agile Teams

Facilitate Iteration Planning

Facilitate Scrum Events

Perform the role of Scrum Master

Scrum in a SAFe Enterprise

Support DevOps Implementation

Support Effective Program

Backlog Management

Coaching

Collaboration

Collaboration and Improvement

Leadership

Browse Agile Certifications Courses

Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)

Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)

Leading SAFe ® 6 training with SAFe Agilist Certification

SAFe 6 Scrum Master

Professional Scrum Master