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Scaled Agile SAFe Agilist Quick Facts
The Scaled Agile SAFe Agilist certification helps professionals build confidence in guiding agile transformations across large enterprises. This overview simplifies the key details you need to prepare for certification success and lead your organization toward greater agility and alignment at scale.
How does the SAFe Agilist certification empower enterprise-wide agility?
The SAFe Agilist (SA) certification validates your ability to apply the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to lead lean-agile transformations. It demonstrates your understanding of how to synchronize teams, align strategy with execution, and continuously improve value delivery across the enterprise. Earning the SAFe Agilist certification shows that you can foster collaboration among Agile Release Trains (ARTs), encourage innovation, and guide your organization toward business agility using SAFe’s core principles and practices.
Who Should Pursue the SAFe Agilist (SA) Certification?
The SAFe Agilist (SA) certification is designed for professionals who lead, influence, or support agile transformations within modern enterprises. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to build credibility and expertise in scaling Agile across large organizations. This certification is especially valuable for:
- Executives and senior leaders championing enterprise agility
- Program or product managers responsible for strategic outcomes
- Consultants and coaches guiding transformation initiatives
- Engineering or technology leaders enabling cross-team delivery
- Government or military technical specialists involved in digital modernization
If you’re passionate about driving meaningful change and creating value-focused organizations, the SAFe Agilist certification will help you lead with confidence and clarity.
What Kind of Roles Can Benefit from the SAFe Agilist Credential?
Holding the SAFe Agilist certification can open doors to leadership and transformation-oriented roles. Certified professionals often take on impactful positions such as:
- Release Train Engineer (RTE) or Agile Program Manager
- Transformation Lead or Change Agent
- Portfolio or Value Stream Manager
- Agile Coach or Enterprise Agility Consultant
In organizations embracing Lean-Agile principles, SAFe Agilists stand out as the bridge between strategic vision and hands-on execution.
What Is the Current Version and Exam Code?
The current version of the certification exam is SA. This version reflects the most up-to-date Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) content, including principles of business agility, Lean portfolio management, and continuous learning culture.
How Much Does the SAFe Agilist Certification Cost?
The SAFe Agilist exam is included in the course registration fee when taken within 30 days of completing the official 2-day Leading SAFe training. After that period, the retake fee is $50 USD. The initial course fee often ranges around $595 USD, depending on your region and training provider.
This registration also grants access to the SAFe Studio learning platform, digital toolkits, and ongoing professional community benefits.
How Many Questions Are on the SAFe Agilist (SA) Exam?
The exam includes 45 multiple-choice questions. Each question is designed to evaluate your understanding of Lean-Agile principles, team behavior, leadership mindset, and business agility concepts within the SAFe ecosystem.
The exam is closed-book and web-based, giving you a focused environment to demonstrate your mastery of SAFe practices.
How Much Time Will You Have for the Exam?
Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the SAFe Agilist exam. With this time frame, pacing and focus are essential. Many test-takers find that reading carefully and applying SAFe principles to real-world situations helps them move efficiently through each question.
What Is the Passing Score for the SAFe Agilist Exam?
The passing score for the SAFe Agilist certification exam is 80%, which means you need to answer at least 36 out of 45 questions correctly. This benchmark ensures a strong grasp of both theoretical and practical SAFe concepts, aligning with the framework’s emphasis on enterprise-level agility.
What Languages Is the SAFe Agilist Exam Available In?
The exam and course materials are available in multiple languages, including:
- English
- French (Français)
- German (Deutsch)
- Japanese (日本語)
- Korean (한국어)
- Simplified Chinese (简体中文)
- Spanish (Español)
- Brazilian Portuguese (Português do Brasil)
These translations make SAFe accessible to professionals in global organizations working across diverse teams and regions.
Is the SAFe Agilist (SA) Exam Multiple Choice?
Yes, the exam is structured as a single-select multiple-choice assessment. Each question has one correct answer. There are no multi-select or case study questions, making the exam format straightforward and accessible for professionals from various backgrounds.
What Domains Are Covered in the SAFe Agilist (SA 6.0) Exam?
The exam blueprint is divided into six domains that reflect the end-to-end SAFe implementation lifecycle:
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Digital Age and Business Agility (12-14%)
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Lean-Agile Leaders (29-33%)
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Team and Technical Agility (6-8%)
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Agile Product Delivery (29-33%)
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Lean Portfolio Management (12-14%)
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Leading the Change (6-8%)
Collectively, these domains equip you with the ability to align business strategy with agile execution, maximizing value delivery.
What Type of Training Do You Need Before Taking the Exam?
To be eligible for the SAFe Agilist exam, you must complete the Leading SAFe course or Leading SAFe for Government course from an authorized Scaled Agile partner. This 2-day instructor-led training immerses participants in the foundational pillars of the framework and includes workshops, simulations, and study resources.
Participants gain access to the SAFe Studio, practice tests, digital workbooks, and community groups to deepen their understanding post-training.
How Is the SAFe Agilist Certification Maintained?
The SAFe Agilist certification must be renewed annually. Renewal includes maintaining your membership in SAFe Studio, which provides continued access to articles, updates, professional development resources, and exclusive learning content. Staying active ensures you remain aligned with the evolving SAFe practices and global community standards.
What Are the Benefits of Earning the SAFe Agilist (SA) Credential?
Becoming a SAFe Agilist proves your ability to apply Lean-Agile practices on an enterprise scale. Certified professionals enjoy numerous benefits, such as:
- Enhanced credibility as a leader in agile transformation
- Career advancement opportunities in transformation frameworks
- Access to digital badges to showcase your certification online
- Networking opportunities within SAFe communities
Most importantly, it demonstrates your commitment to driving adaptive change and continuous improvement.
How Difficult Is the SAFe Agilist Exam?
The SAFe Agilist exam focuses on applied understanding, not rote memorization. Candidates who engage with SAFe concepts during the course, practice with mock tests, and actively connect theory to their organization’s context often perform very well. You’ll demonstrate how to build alignment, scale Agile values, and lead Lean change initiatives effectively.
What Resources Are Available to Prepare for the SAFe Agilist Exam?
Scaled Agile provides comprehensive preparation tools, including:
- Digital workbooks and reference guides
- Unlimited-attempt practice tests
- SAFe community forums and learning groups
- Recorded webinars and study modules
To further strengthen your readiness, consider practicing with realistic SAFe Agilist practice exams and simulations that mirror the official test structure and offer detailed explanations for each question.
How Long Should You Study Before Taking the SAFe Agilist Certification Exam?
Most learners spend about 1 to 2 weeks reviewing key concepts after completing the official training. The exact amount of study time depends on your familiarity with Agile and Lean principles. Spending even a few hours daily revisiting topics like SAFe Core Values, PI Planning, and Portfolio flow can establish strong retention and confidence.
Can You Take the Exam Online?
Yes, the SAFe Agilist exam is delivered online through the SAFe Studio platform. After completing your course, you’ll receive a unique link to access the certification exam directly. The platform requires no special software beyond a stable internet connection and a supported browser.
How Is the SAFe Agilist Exam Scored?
Your final score is based purely on the number of correct answers. Unanswered questions are marked incorrect, so it’s always best to make an educated guess if unsure. Once you submit your answers, the system immediately calculates your total score. You will also receive a coaching report highlighting your strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Are There Any Retake Policies?
Yes. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam following Scaled Agile’s policy:
- First retake: Immediately available
- Second retake: After 10 days
- Third retake: After 30 days
- Subsequent retakes: Require a 30-day wait
This structure ensures ample time to review concepts and approach your next attempt with added confidence.
What Skills and Knowledge Will You Gain from Training?
By the end of your Leading SAFe course, you will have a strong command of:
- The principles of Lean-Agile leadership
- Designing systems around the flow of value
- Executing Program Increments (PIs) with Agile Release Trains
- Driving customer-centric innovation with Design Thinking
- Combining product delivery cadence with on-demand release strategies
These practical skills help you turn complex organizational goals into actionable plans that continuously deliver value.
How Does the SAFe Agilist Compare to Other Agile Certifications?
While certifications like Scrum Master or Product Owner focus on team-level Agile, the SAFe Agilist stands out for its enterprise-level scope. It teaches how to align multiple teams, departments, and portfolios under one cohesive strategy. This makes it an ideal option for experienced leaders pursuing large-scale Agile transformation success.
Where Can You Learn More or Start Your Official Registration?
To explore official exam details, eligibility requirements, and course enrollment, visit the official Scaled Agile SAFe Agilist certification page. There you’ll find partner-led training options and additional guidance to help you begin your SAFe journey.
Becoming a Certified SAFe Agilist (SA) is more than passing an exam—it’s about transforming how organizations deliver value and empowering people to lead adaptively. With the right preparation and mindset, you’ll be fully ready to take the next step in your agile leadership career.
