Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster CSM Quick Facts (2025)

Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster CSM Quick Facts

The Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster certification empowers professionals to elevate team performance and bring continuous improvement to life. This overview clarifies essential exam details and provides a clear roadmap to help you approach the CSM with confidence and enthusiasm.

Discover what the Certified ScrumMaster certification represents

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance validates your understanding of the Scrum framework and your ability to foster collaboration, adaptability, and value delivery within agile teams. Participants learn how the Scrum Master serves as a servant leader, guiding the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and organization toward transparency and sustainable agility. Whether you lead cross-functional teams or support enterprise-wide transformation, this certification affirms your ability to help teams apply Scrum values and principles in real-world projects.

Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)

Exam Domain Breakdown

Domain 1: Scrum (65% of the exam)

The Scrum Team

• 1.1 describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the scrum team.
• 1.2 describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the scrum master.
• 1.3 describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the developers.
• 1.4 describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the product owner.
• 1.5 discuss at least two reasons why the product owner is a single person and neither a group nor a committee.
• 1.6 discuss how and why the product owner maintains authority over the product backlog while working collaboratively with developers and stakeholders.

The Scrum Team summary:
This section helps clarify the distinct responsibilities within a Scrum Team and how those roles interact to achieve shared outcomes. You’ll explore how the Product Owner maintains backlog ownership while fostering openness and shared vision with the Developers, and how the Scrum Master ensures that Scrum values remain visible and practiced consistently.

Understanding the complementary nature of these accountabilities reinforces the collaborative environment that Scrum promotes. Expect to connect each role’s core purpose to team transparency, communication, and alignment around delivering value through inspection and adaptation.

Scrum Events and Activities

• 1.7 identify at least one example of how a scrum team could inspect and adapt to increase transparency at each of the scrum events.
• 1.8 perform a sprint planning.
• 1.9 perform a sprint review.
• 1.10 perform a sprint retrospective.
• 1.11 describe at least three possible effects of skipping the sprint retrospective.
• 1.12 explain how developers conduct a daily scrum.
• 1.13 discuss at least three ways the daily scrum differs from a status meeting and why the various constraints exist to support the developers.
• 1.14 explain under what conditions a sprint could be terminated prematurely.
• 1.15 explain at least three advantages of a strong definition of done.
• 1.16 outline at least one way to create a definition of done.

Scrum Events and Activities summary:
This section focuses on how regular Scrum events enable continuous inspection and adaptation. You will learn how Sprint Planning aligns the team’s purpose, how the Daily Scrum supports progress transparency, and how the Sprint Review and Retrospective guide collective improvement and innovation. Each event has a specific intent that fosters visibility, accountability, and shared understanding across the team.

A significant emphasis is placed on the Definition of Done and its connection to transparency and quality. You’ll examine how predictable delivery, well-defined increments, and purposeful reflection all work together to help Scrum Teams grow in effectiveness and unity.

Domain 2: Scrum Master Core Competencies (12% of the exam)

Scrum Master Core Competencies

• 2.1 describe at least three situations in which the scrum master could serve the needs of the scrum team or organization through facilitation.
• 2.2 demonstrate at least three techniques for facilitating group decision making.
• 2.3 discuss how facilitating, teaching, mentoring, and coaching are different.

Scrum Master Core Competencies summary:
This section explores the essential skills the Scrum Master applies to serve teams and organizations through facilitation and coaching. You will consider how balanced guidance fosters trust, participation, and creative problem solving. Expect to encounter scenarios that highlight productive meeting structures, decision-making tools, and methods for encouraging group cohesion.

Additionally, the section expands on how a Scrum Master shifts among teaching, mentoring, and coaching depending on the team’s maturity. You’ll see how these approaches complement one another to strengthen ownership within the Scrum Team and nurture a culture of continuous learning.

Domain 3: Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization (23% of the exam)

Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization

• 3.1 describe three scenarios where the scrum master acts as a leader for the scrum team.
• 3.2 explain the impact of accumulating technical debt.
• 3.3 list at least three development practices that could help their scrum team deliver a high-quality increment and reduce technical debt each sprint.
• 3.4 explain at least three ways the scrum master could support the product owner.
• 3.5 describe at least three organizational impediments that can affect scrum teams.
• 3.6 discuss at least two ways that the scrum master assists the scrum team with impediments.
• 3.7 apply at least one technique that could help resolve an impediment.
• 3.8 summarize at least one organizational design change caused by adopting scrum.
• 3.9 discuss why scrum does not have a project manager.

Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization summary:
This section highlights the broader influence of the Scrum Master beyond the team level. You’ll study how the Scrum Master guides the organization toward agility through leadership that surfaces impediments, promotes safety for experimentation, and enables alignment between teams and business goals. Practical examples illustrate how to reduce technical debt and foster sustainable development practices across engagements.

You’ll also learn how the Scrum Master strengthens the Product Owner’s ability to manage the backlog effectively and promotes clear communication among stakeholders. The discussion concludes with how Scrum changes organizational design by redefining traditional management roles into collaborative leadership and value-driven delivery structures.

Who Should Pursue the Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification?

The Certified ScrumMaster® certification is perfect for professionals who want to lead or contribute effectively within agile teams. It’s especially designed for those new to Scrum or transitioning from traditional project management roles.

You’ll find it beneficial if you are:

• A new or aspiring Scrum Master
• A Project Manager, Product Owner, or Team Lead seeking agile expertise
• An HR, marketing, or operations professional looking to apply agility beyond software
• A developer, designer, or analyst wanting to strengthen collaboration and delivery
• Anyone eager to understand modern team dynamics and agile values

Whether you aim to grow as a servant leader or elevate your organization’s agility, the CSM certification provides a solid start.

What Career Opportunities Open Up with a CSM Certification?

Earning your Certified ScrumMaster certification signals to employers that you’re serious about teamwork, adaptability, and continuous improvement. With agile adoption expanding across industries, the skills you gain apply far beyond software.

Common career paths include:

• Scrum Master or Agile Team Facilitator
• Agile Coach or Transformation Consultant
• Product Owner Assistant or Delivery Lead
• Project Coordinator or Release Manager
• Agile HR or Marketing Specialist

This certification can also accelerate your movement into leadership roles that value empathy, communication, and process improvement.

What Is the Exam Code for the Certified ScrumMaster Certification?

The official exam code for this certification is CSM. This exam validates your foundational knowledge of Scrum, its events, roles, and artifacts, as well as your ability to serve as a leader who empowers agile teams toward excellence.

How Much Does the CSM Certification Cost?

The CSM exam cost is typically included in the Certified ScrumMaster course tuition, which varies by provider. Most courses range from 450 to 1,500 USD depending on the instructor and format. Each course includes two exam attempts and access to the online assessment after completing your training.

What Format Is the Scrum Alliance CSM Exam?

The CSM exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions that assess your understanding of core Scrum principles and the role of the Scrum Master. You’ll need to select the best answers based on real-world agile practices and scenarios discussed in your training. The questions are practical and designed to evaluate applied knowledge rather than rote memorization.

How Long Do You Have to Complete the CSM Exam?

You’ll have 60 minutes to complete the online test. This time frame is more than sufficient for most candidates who have completed an accredited CSM training course. Time management is key—read carefully, apply what you’ve learned, and answer confidently.

What Is the Passing Score for the Certified ScrumMaster Exam?

To become certified, you must achieve a passing score of 74%, which means correctly answering at least 37 of the 50 questions. Once you pass, you’ll officially hold the Certified ScrumMaster® designation and gain access to a global network of Scrum practitioners via the Scrum Alliance community.

What Languages Is the CSM Exam Available In?

The CSM exam is available in a wide range of languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Swedish. This global accessibility ensures agile professionals around the world can certify in their preferred language and join the international Scrum community.

How Is the CSM Certification Exam Scored?

The exam uses a straightforward scoring method—each correct answer earns one point, and your total score determines your pass status. There’s no penalty for incorrect responses, so you should answer every question. Results are displayed immediately after submission, and passing scores are promptly recorded in your Scrum Alliance profile.

What Does the Certified ScrumMaster Course Include?

The CSM training course is a highly interactive learning experience taught by Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs). During the course, you’ll explore real-life examples, group exercises, and simulations that bring Scrum to life. You’ll learn the three core Scrum accountabilities (Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers) along with Scrum events like the Sprint, Sprint Review, and Retrospective. By the end of the course, you’ll be fully prepared to take your certification exam and confidently apply Scrum principles in your workplace.

What Skills Will You Learn During CSM Training?

After completing your ScrumMaster course, you’ll be able to:

• Facilitate Scrum events and foster collaboration among team members.
• Coach individuals and teams to adopt an agile mindset.
• Recognize and remove impediments that slow team progress.
• Strengthen communication between developers, product owners, and stakeholders.
• Apply Scrum values—focus, openness, commitment, courage, and respect—daily.

These skills enhance your ability to lead teams toward innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement.

What Are the Domains and Weightings of the CSM Exam?

The exam blueprint is divided into three core knowledge areas:

1. Scrum (65%)
   • Scrum team roles and accountabilities
   • Scrum events and artifacts
   • Definition of Done and product backlog refinement
2. Scrum Master Core Competencies (12%)
   • Facilitation techniques and servant leadership
   • Coaching, mentoring, and teaching distinctions
3. Service to Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization (23%)
   • Organizational change management and impediment removal
   • Supporting agile maturity and technical excellence

Understanding these domains ensures balanced preparation and mastery across key areas of Scrum practice.

How Difficult Is the Scrum Alliance CSM Exam?

The CSM exam is highly approachable for those who have completed the mandatory training. It assesses comprehension and real-world application rather than rote memorization. Candidates who engage actively during the two-day course and review key Scrum concepts typically perform very well.

Are There Any Prerequisites for the CSM Certification?

There are no formal prerequisites for the Certified ScrumMaster certification. However, you must attend a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) instructor-led course before taking the exam. Prior exposure to agile environments or team collaboration is helpful but not required. The training is beginner-friendly and ensures you gain all the foundational knowledge needed to pass.

How Long Is the Certified ScrumMaster Certification Valid?

Your Certified ScrumMaster credential remains valid for two years. To renew, you’ll need to submit Scrum Education Units (SEUs) through continued learning or participation in Scrum events and pay a small renewal fee. Renewing demonstrates your commitment to maintaining professional agile standards and lifelong learning.

What Materials Are Allowed During the CSM Exam?

The exam is closed book, meaning you should rely on your knowledge and understanding gained during the course. Since the questions cover content directly from the training and the Scrum Guide, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed without additional resources during the test.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the CSM Exam?

For most candidates, preparation begins and ends with the completion of the CSM training course. However, reviewing the Scrum Guide, reflecting on class exercises, and taking realistic ScrumMaster practice exams that simulate the CSM test environment can help reinforce your confidence before sitting for the test.

How Should I Register for the Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster Exam?

After completing your course, your trainer will enroll you with the Scrum Alliance. You’ll then receive an email with instructions to create your online profile and access the exam portal. From there, you can take the test at your own pace within the allotted timeframe. The process is straightforward, flexible, and beginner-friendly.

What Resources Best Support Your CSM Exam Preparation?

Your CSM course materials, the Scrum Guide, and the Agile Manifesto are the foundational study resources. Supplement them with online tutorials, community meetups, and digital flashcards that reinforce key concepts. Engaging in agile discussions or observing scrum events at your workplace also provides valuable hands-on context.

What Happens After You Earn Your CSM Certification?

Once certified, you’ll join the Scrum Alliance community, gaining access to exclusive webinars, local user groups, continuing education, and career advancement resources. Becoming a CSM also opens doors to advanced credentials such as Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM), confirming your evolution as an agile leader.

Where Can I Learn More About the Certified ScrumMaster Program?

To learn more, explore the official Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster certification page for complete course details, requirements, and next steps. It’s the best place to begin your journey toward becoming a Certified ScrumMaster and making a lasting impact on agile teams and organizations worldwide.