Top 9 Scrum Master Certifications and Their Value

“A scrum master is like an orchestra conductor, leading a collection of people to produce something that none of them could have produced individually.”

Although a scrum master may sound like a character from a role-playing game, the position is a serious one that requires strong leadership skills.

There are numerous agile frameworks, and scrum is a well-liked choice for projects that move quickly. The scrum master’s competence determines the process’s outcomes, which depend on the methodology’s high degree of collaboration and requirement for effective strategies.

Agile approaches may have originated in IT firms. Still, scrum master positions are available globally in various industries and for multiple organizations.

Good scrum masters uphold the scrum philosophy and its core principles while remaining adaptable and receptive to chances for the team to streamline its processes.

But how to become a good or perhaps a great scrum master? 

Unleash your inner conductor and become the maestro of agile methodologies with a scrum master certification! Join the ranks of the elite project managers who lead teams to unparalleled success. 

With so many certifications, how do you know which will truly showcase your worth? 

That’s where we come in. 

We’ve handpicked the top 9 scrum master certifications that will make your resume sing. 

Grab your baton and get ready to discover your worth in the certificate world as you lead your team to harmonious project completion.

Who Is a Scrum Master?

The scrum master is responsible for implementing scrum according to the Scrum Guide’s definition. They achieve this by assisting everyone in the scrum team, and the organization understands Scrum theory and practice.

The efficiency of the scrum team is the scrum master’s responsibility. Scrum principles and processes are essential to them. Still, they should also be adaptable and receptive to chances for the team to streamline its operations.

Throughout a project, the scrum master implements a simple scrum procedure. They keep the scrum framework together, enabling the process for the business, the product owner, and the scrum team.

Let us explain this to you in an interesting manner.

Similar to a gardener is a scrum master. The gardener looks to the garden’s needs for the various plants to thrive using multiple tools in their toolbox.

They will sow seeds in the ground and wait patiently to watch them grow over time. The gardener ensures that all living things in the garden receive enough sunlight and provides the plants with exactly the correct amount of water to support their growth.

Eventually, they create a setting where the trees and plants may produce delicious food sustainably. They do this by protecting any vegetation from hazardous insects using repellants.

Similar is the role of a scrum master.

Despite the title’s use of the word “master,” it is not in command of the project or the development team.

Instead, a scrum master collaborates with the product owner and the scrum team to enhance processes.

They steer the development team towards their project goals, keeping everything organized and on track. They ensure the team is skilled in Agile methodologies and everyone knows their role. The result? A cohesive, productive team that delivers outstanding results.

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Scrum masters are in charge of forming and onboarding project teams, integrating them into the company, and articulating a distinct product vision. The scrum master helps the project team and outside entities communicate and share information.

Now that you have a better understanding of what a scrum master is, you may be asking yourself, “How do I become one?” Continue reading to learn all about it.

How Can You Become a Scrum Master?

Here is a rundown of the stages of becoming a scrum master:

Learn the Fundamentals of Scrum

It’s essential to educate yourself with the overall Scrum framework and agile values and principles before becoming a scrum master. The Agile Manifesto is another resource you can look into in addition.

Education Prerequisites

Most employers like applicants with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, information technology, or a similar profession, even though it’s not a requirement. 

A college degree can also make it easier for you to get on-the-job experience, another qualification frequently appearing on scrum master job advertisements.

Select a Scrum Certification

The best approach to learning about agile, scrum, and the responsibilities of a scrum master is to enroll in a recognized certification program. By earning your certification, you’ll be able to prove your expertise in the area and facilitate the creation of new prospects.

Another fantastic technique to demonstrate to potential employers that you are knowledgeable about the scrum framework is to obtain an industry certificate. 

The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) program from the Scrum Alliance is one of the most well-liked choices for scrum masters. 

You can start developing the practical abilities that will enable you to lead teams as you study for the certification exam successfully.

Below, you can read a thorough explanation of the best scrum certifications.

What Are the Best Scrum Master Certifications You Can Opt for?

A scrum certification can help you advance your project management abilities and set you on the route to becoming a scrum master. 

Being a certified scrum master boosts credibility and improves demand for scrum masters and their ability to command higher salaries.

Here are the top qualifications a professional scrum master should have on their resume to be a successful agile practitioner. This list will be useful for anyone looking to become a scrum master or hiring one for their next project.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM) course is widely considered the epitome of certification in the industry. It provides an interactive and stimulating learning experience delivered by some of the most skilled and enthusiastic agile trainers globally. Each CSM class can be tailored to the individual needs of each student, ensuring they receive the best possible education.

By participating in CSM training, individuals acquire practical skills that they can immediately apply in the workplace and open up new career opportunities. Upon completing the course, your skills will enable you to take the CSM exam confidently.

You must complete a minimum of fourteen hours of training and pass a test after the course to become a CSM.

Professional Scrum Master (PSM)

Ken Schwaber, a co-founder of Scrum, resigned from Scrum Alliance in 2009 and established Scrum.org to offer training that adhered more closely to the principles of Scrum. 

He developed the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) as a substitute for the Certified Scrum Master.

The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is a widely recognized Scrum certification provided by Scrum.org. Founded by Ken Schwaber, one of the co-creators of Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org exclusively aims to promote Scrum best practices. The PSM I certification verifies an individual’s understanding of the Scrum framework and ability to apply it effectively.

The PSM I is the entry-level certification offered by Scrum.org, with opportunities for further advancement to the PSM II or PSM III, which test candidates on advanced Scrum processes. As individuals progress through the certifications, they demonstrate their mastery of the Scrum framework.

To take the PSM exam, participants do not need to have any training, according to Scrum.org. However, it provides Scrum training courses. Additionally, Scrum.org does not demand that its PSM training needs a renewal.

Jira certification for Scrum Masters

To inform scrum developers, product owners, and other stakeholders of the team’s progress, scrum masters must also employ standard technologies in the industry.

A scrum master can use Jira to schedule sprints, modify kanban boards, track development velocity, give engineers issue reports to work on, and even merge feature branches on GitHub.

One of the best certifications a scrum master may have is a Jira certification that verifies their proficiency in using and managing Jira.

The proprietary tool Jira, developed by Atlassian, offers a comprehensive solution for success in software development. With its bug and issue tracking, project management capabilities, and tools to help plan, track, and release high-quality software, Jira supports every phase of a project’s life cycle.

The Agile Scrum with Atlassian Jira virtual course is a 2-day program that provides hands-on learning experiences with Jira’s tools and processes. You will gain knowledge of Jira’s support for agile techniques such as backlog management, sprint management, agile burndown charts, and kanban board configuration.

Upon successful completion, you will receive a Course Completion Certificate from KnowledgeHut with credit earned for each hour of learning, providing recognition for your new skills.

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

The Scrum Alliance also offers the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification, which verifies your education and skills as a product owner.

In addition to receiving product-specific training, such as balancing the demands of various stakeholders and developing a product vision, you will master scrum fundamentals in the CSPO.

This course will be helpful for business analysts, business owners, and project managers. It can lead to further certifications such as ACSPO or CSP-PO.

AWS Cloud Practitioner certification

Technical expertise is not compulsory for a scrum master. However, the tools used to create modern, cloud-native applications and how contemporary DevOps teams distribute applications should be recognizable to a scrum master.

AWS Cloud Practitioner certification demonstrates that a person is knowledgeable about the primary technologies utilized by modern enterprise IT departments. 

Additionally, it reflects an understanding how to enforce security best practices, deploy cloud-native resources, and manage costs.

Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) 

The Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) program the Scrum Alliance offers targets product developers working within scrum environments. This certification will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the primary concepts of scrum and agile as they relate to product development.

Obtaining the CSD certification is a stepping stone to advancing your career. It is a prerequisite for the Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (ACSD) and the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) programs. For those who are seeking a similar certification, the Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) offered by Scrum.org is also a viable option.

Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)

The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) aims to educate individuals on the Disciplined Agile Development (DAD) framework.

This certification provides instruction on how to manage agile projects using scrum techniques. It also equips candidates with the skills to apply agile methodologies such as kanban and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in practical scenarios.

Obtaining the DASM certification makes individuals eligible for the Disciplined Agile Value Stream Consultant (DAVSC) certification. They can demonstrate their expertise in agile project management. It is a valuable investment for professionals who want to enhance their skills and advance their careers in the agile field.

SAFe Scrum Master (SSM)

The SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certification from Scaled Agile proves your proficiency in incorporating scrum practices into an organization. It evaluates your understanding of utilizing scrum and kanban for team events, program execution support, and agile team coaching. 

To attain the certification, you must complete the SAFe Scrum Master course.

In addition to the certificate, you gain a year’s access to the SAFe Community Platform. It allows you to connect with other certified SAFe professionals through meetups and events and access various learning resources to aid your Scrum journey.

Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)

The Certified Scrum Professional® (CSP) credential by Scrum Alliance is a significant milestone in your scrum journey. The certification validates your experience, training, and knowledge of scrum, showcasing your commitment to excellence and quality in the field. 

As a CSP, you can inspire and drive scrum teams and organizations to enhance their agile and scrum methods, leading to their success.

Several requirements must get fulfilled to become a Certified Scrum Professional® (CSP-SM).

Firstly, you must hold an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification from the Scrum Alliance. 

Secondly, you must participate in a certified CSP-SM educational program to improve your agile facilitation and coaching skills. 

In addition, you must complete all components of the educational program as designed by the educator, which may involve pre- or post-course work to meet the learning objectives. 

To complete the certification process, you must accept the CSP-SM License Agreement and terminate your membership profile with the Scrum Alliance. Finally, you must provide proof of at least 24 months of work experience in the role of scrum master within the last five years.

Are The Scrum Master Certifications Worth It?

Scrum master certifications provide numerous benefits for agile and project management professionals. 

These certifications help individuals deepen their understanding of scrum and agile methodologies and develop the skills necessary to implement these techniques in real-world situations effectively. 

Let us look at a few benefits of scrum master certifications. 

Acquire and Use Scrum Effectively

A certification can help you overcome challenges whether you are a scrum rookie or a professional who has used scrum in the past. 

When you’re using the same platform to manage large teams across many departments, it’s an extra benefit.

Greater Earning Potential Than Peers Who Aren’t Certified

Getting a scrum master certification can boost your earning potential in both entry-level and senior scrum master roles. Whether you are upskilling or starting as a fresh professional in this field, this holds true.

Enhance Collaboration and Teamwork

You can inspire and guide your team members as a certified scrum master. You’ll lead the group and ensure effective collaboration. 

The certified scrum master certification demonstrates to your team members that you have the knowledge and abilities to manage an agile team successfully. The one item that tilts the odds in your favor can be that certification.

Construct an Agile Mindset

You must adopt simplified practices and cultivate a fast mindset to become a successful scrum master. An active attitude helps develop a thriving and self-sustaining strategy. 

By understanding the tasks and responsibilities of a scrum master, scrum master certification provides you with the tools and practical skills necessary to thrive in an agile environment.

Possess a Solid Understanding of Scrum

If you are unfamiliar with scrum, taking a training course or working toward an agile and scrum certificate will help you develop the necessary skills and effectively use them.

The CSM certification will give you the essential information you need to succeed with scrum if you are beginning to use agile methodology for your project.

Advance Your Career

A scrum master certification will increase your job opportunities and make you stand out compared to non-certified peers. It enhances your skills to drive organizational change and meet company goals while showcasing your agile approach.

Acquire a Scrum Master Position in Your Company

The scrum master certification is a powerful indicator of your ability. It shortens the time it takes to become recognized as a master in an organization. Your certificate will serve as a powerful testament to the labor, knowledge, and proficiency of the framework that has enabled you to function in the organization.

Change Your Perspective

An agile mindset is crucial for the effective use of agile and scrum methods. It influences team success and reduces conflicts, leading to better projects and teamwork.

Putting It All Together

In recent years, the position of a scrum master has grown in popularity and demand. It’s hardly surprising that Glassdoor lists scrum master as one of the highest-paying positions, given that the agile approach currently dominates the commercial world.

Being a scrum master requires you to study for and be an expert in many different areas related to applying the scrum methodology.

Scrum teams require captains. Are you capable of this? 

If not, consider the above advantages and pick up a few certifications.