Scrum Master Certification Cost in US (2025 Guide)

What is a Scrum Master Certification?

Scrum Masters are servant leaders who coach the Scrum team, facilitate Scrum, and perform tasks such as supporting, reporting, and fostering communication. These responsibilities require a set of skills and tools to ensure effective leadership, and certifications play a critical role in meeting that need.

Certification is a standardized, verifiable credential that confirms the professional’s proficiency and knowledge of the Scrum framework. A certified Scrum leader is likely to attract more attention from recruiters, resulting in better career opportunities, increased credibility, stronger industry connections, and higher salaries.

Scrum Masters can choose from a handful of different Scrum Master certifications, with the two most popular certifications being the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM®) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM).

Scrum Master Certification Costs in the United States

Let’s start our look at the Scrum Master certification costs in the United States with the Certified Scrum Master.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification Cost

Certified ScrumMaster certification costs vary, but they typically range from $500 to $2000 and include the examination fee. The candidate must renew their certification every two years, which costs $100 and 20 SEUs (Scrum Education Units).

Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification Fees

Certified Professional Scrum Master costs around $1,300, or just $150 for the examination with any training. PSM has a lifetime validity, so there’s no concern over renewals.

SAFe® Scrum Master Certification Fees

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) certification costs are best explained with this chart:

All SAFe certification courses have lifetime validity.

Other Scrum Master Certification Costs

Here’s a sampling of various other Scrum Master certification courses and their costs.

Factors Affecting Scrum Master Certification Costs

Many of the above-listed Scrum Master certification costs are presented in ranges rather than a single fixed price. This range exists because several mitigating factors must be considered when price-checking the different certification options. 

Let’s break down the common factors that can influence what you pay for Scrum Master certification.

• Bundles: Sometimes the certification exam fee is included in the price, while others charge for it separately
• Certification level: Advanced certifications and specialized training programs are usually more expensive than their foundational counterparts
• Course perks: Additional benefits, such as webinar access, post-class support, practice exams, and networking opportunities, can increase the overall cost of the certification
• Geography: In-person certification courses held in high-cost-of-living areas or large cities may be more expensive than those in less populated regions. Additionally, costs can vary significantly between countries due to differences in demand or local economic conditions
• Ongoing costs: Some Scrum Masters must maintain certification validity by paying renewal fees and completing ongoing educational units (e.g., SEUs). Others, such as the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) from Scrum.org, have lifetime validity 
• Training methods: In-person training is typically more expensive, as you must consider venue and travel costs, while online courses are more budget-friendly (and usually more convenient)
• Training provider: You get what you pay for. Reputable certification providers who hire experienced instructors typically charge more for this higher quality

Hidden and Recurring Costs to Consider

Few Scrum Master certification courses come with no extra costs. Although we’ve already touched on certain extra or ongoing expenses, let’s present them clearly and all together in one convenient place.

• Travel and accommodation expenses: If you’re taking a certification course on-site, you should consider the transportation costs
• Renewals: Some certifications are “one and done,” while others require renewal, typically every one to two years. These costs involve not only money but also time, in the form of ongoing educational units such as Scrum Educational Units (SEU)
• Practice examinations: Practice exams are a great way of showing you what you’ll be facing when you take the certification exam
• Study materials: This includes resources such as Scrum-related books and reference guides
• Membership fees: Some certifications give you eligibility to join specific organizations and groups
• Retake fees: “If at first you don’t succeed, pay the fee and retake the exam.” Granted, that’s not how the proverb goes, but not everyone indeed aces the test on the first try

Scrum Master Certification Cost Comparison: US vs Other Countries

In addition to the abovementioned factors, Scrum Master certification fees also depend on the host nation. We live in a rapidly shrinking digital world, and an aspiring Scrum Master may find themselves taking certification courses in a country other than their own. For example, here’s a breakdown of some sample nations and their approximate median Scrum certification costs.

Choosing the Right Scrum Master Certification in the US

When it comes time for you to choose the Scrum Master certification course that’s right for you, ask yourself these questions:

• What are my career goals? Do they involve becoming a Scrum Master?
• What’s my budget?
• How much free time do I have to dedicate to this course?
• What’s the provider’s reputation like?
• Does the course have any prerequisites, and do I meet them?
• Do I want to attend on-site or remotely?
• Do I want a rigid, formalized, hands-on training course, or a self-guided, self-study program?
• Is this something I want to renew annually/biannually, or would I prefer to deal with the process only once and never again?

Join our 4.4 ⭐ rated program, trusted by over 43,000 learners who have successfully launched their careers as certified Scrum professionals. Start your learning journey with us today! 🎯

Are You Ready to Get Certified?

Companies across all industries highly value professionals with proven Scrum skills, which translates into competitive salaries and more career opportunities. If this is a path you’re interested in taking, enrolling in a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) training course with a Scrum Alliance® Registered Education Ally (REA) like Simplilearn will help you gain the required skills and knowledge to pass the certification exam.

On top of hands-on skills training, you’ll get a two-year membership with Scrum Alliance, and earn 20 PDUs and 16 SEUs to apply toward your certification requirements. The official CSM certification price is also included in the course fee. Check out the course today to get started.

FAQs

1. Is Scrum Master certification worth the cost?

Certification demonstrates to an employer that you possess the necessary skills and tools for the job. This usually commands higher pay and better advancement opportunities, so yes, it’s worth the cost.

2. What is the cheapest Scrum Master certification in the US?

The Scrum.org PSM I (Professional Scrum Master I) is the most affordable option, yet it carries a good reputation. The exam costs $200 and doesn’t require a mandatory course.

3. Do I need to pay annually to maintain a Scrum Master certification?

It depends on the certification. PSM has lifetime validity at no additional cost, while certifications such as CSM and SAFe have renewal costs. These fees are typically assessed on an annual or biannual basis.

4. Which Scrum Master certifications are valid for life?

PSM is valid for life. The other significant Scrum Master certifications have renewal fees.

5. Does employer sponsorship cover Scrum Master certification?

Corporate sponsorship varies by organization, but if Scrum Master is part of your job description, then it’s most likely that the company will foot some or all of the expense. If your company uses the Agile methodology, you may be able to make a good case for sponsorship.

6. What’s the cost difference between online and in-person Scrum training?

The cost difference is typically several hundred dollars, with online being the cheaper option. Actual prices vary depending on the course, provider, and other mitigating factors.

7. Are there free Scrum Master certification options?

There are some free Scrum Master certification choices, although they typically come with their own specific conditions or limitations.

8. How much does it cost to retake the Scrum Master exam?

It depends on the certification. For example, SAFe charges $50 per attempt, while A-CSM and CSP-SM charge $25 per try, and DASM charges $150 per attempt.

9. Do US certification costs differ by state or city?

Scrum Master certification exam costs are standardized and don’t vary regardless of city or state. However, the costs of the training courses themselves are subject to various factors, including format, location, demand, and provider.

10. Which Scrum Master certification offers the best ROI in the United States?

The Professional Scrum Master I certification (PSM1) costs less and has no renewal fees, so it’s the best ROI choice.

11. How quickly can I get Scrum Master certification?

You can get a certification surprisingly fast. For example, suppose you’re going for a CSM certification. In that case, you can take the 16-hour course led by a certified Scrum trainer (two days in person, four days online), take and pass the online exam (correctly answer 37 questions out of 50 in 60 minutes), then collect your certificate.