Table of Contents
Scrum Org Professional Scrum Master II Quick Facts
The Professional Scrum Master II certification deepens your mastery of Scrum principles and leadership excellence, empowering you to guide teams and organizations toward true agility. This overview brings clarity to the exam structure, helping you prepare with confidence and purpose.
Why earn the Scrum Org Professional Scrum Master II Certification?
The Scrum Org Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification validates your advanced understanding of the Scrum framework and your ability to apply servant-leadership practices that create high-performing, self-managing teams. It is ideal for experienced Scrum Masters who are ready to elevate their facilitation, coaching, and organizational change capabilities. This certification demonstrates that you can not only apply Scrum effectively but also embody its values while inspiring continuous improvement across teams and business ecosystems.
Who Should Pursue the Professional Scrum Master II Certification?
The Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification from Scrum.org is perfect for Scrum Masters who already have real-world experience guiding teams using the Scrum framework. It’s designed for professionals who have mastered the foundational principles of Scrum and are ready to demonstrate their ability to apply advanced concepts in complex, real-world environments.
This certification is highly beneficial for:
- Experienced Scrum Masters seeking to validate their advanced expertise
- Agile Coaches and senior facilitators aiming to strengthen their leadership credibility
- Product Owners or Delivery Managers who actively support Scrum Teams
- Leaders and change agents driving Agile adoption at the organizational level
Whether your goal is enhancing team performance, deepening your coaching skills, or shaping cultural transformation, PSM II is a valuable step forward in your Agile journey.
What Career Opportunities Does PSM II Open Up?
The Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master II certification signals to employers that you’re not just applying Scrum mechanics—you understand how to enable high-performing teams and foster Agile maturity at scale.
Common career paths include:
- Senior Scrum Master or Lead Scrum Master
- Agile Coach or Team Coach
- Delivery or Project Manager (Agile Environment)
- Agile Transformation Consultant or Change Agent
- Product Delivery Leader
Many professionals also leverage this certification as a launchpad toward PSM III, the highest level of Professional Scrum Master certification, or move into broader organizational leadership roles.
What Does the Professional Scrum Master II Exam Look Like?
The PSM II exam measures your ability to apply Scrum principles and values in dynamic, real-world scenarios. It contains 30 questions presented in multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true/false formats.
You must complete the assessment within 90 minutes, with a passing score of 85%. Some questions offer partial credit, rewarding nuanced understanding. The exam can be taken online, anytime, making it accessible and flexible worldwide.
How Much Does the Scrum.org PSM II Exam Cost?
Each exam attempt costs $250 USD. This includes a single-use password for one attempt. While purchasing additional attempts requires payment, students who attend a Professional Scrum Master Advanced class receive a free exam attempt as part of their training.
Your PSM II certification is valid for life, meaning there are no renewal fees or expiration dates—an excellent long-term investment in your Agile career.
In What Languages Is the PSM II Available?
The exam is currently offered in English and Simplified Chinese (简体中文) through Scrum.org’s official regional site (scrum.org.cn). Candidates can also use the Google Translate Plugin during the online test if they prefer taking it in another language, following Scrum.org’s translation guidelines.
How Long Should I Plan to Complete the Exam?
You’ll have a total of 90 minutes to complete all 30 questions. While the exam duration is generous, good time management is key. Many questions are scenario-based, asking how a Scrum Master should respond in a given situation, so setting a pace of about three minutes per question is ideal.
What Is the Minimum Passing Score for the PSM II?
To earn the certification, you’ll need a score of at least 85%. Scrum.org assessments are designed to test deep conceptual mastery rather than rote memorization, meaning success depends on your ability to reason through various Scrum situations using the framework’s principles and values.
Passing this exam demonstrates advanced Scrum mastery—a credential respected by teams and organizations globally.
How Difficult Is the Scrum.org PSM II Certification?
The PSM II exam is an advanced-level assessment meant for those who have substantial Scrum experience or have already earned the PSM I credential. It explores how to apply Scrum to real-world challenges, promote self-management, coach teams, and influence organizational change.
Many professionals prepare by integrating both practical experience and study resources such as the Professional Scrum Competencies and recommended books. One of the best ways to build confidence is to practice using realistic PSM II practice tests that simulate the exam’s situational style and depth.
What Domains Are Covered on the PSM II Exam?
PSM II questions are drawn from five primary Professional Scrum Competencies, each with distinct focus areas that expand on the core principles of Scrum:
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework – Empiricism, Scrum Values, Roles, Events, and Artifacts
- Developing People and Teams – Self-Managing Teams, Facilitation, Leadership Styles, Coaching, and Mentoring
- Managing Products with Agility – Product Backlog Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Product Value
- Developing and Delivering Products Professionally – Managing Technical Risk and ensuring continuous quality
- Evolving the Agile Organization – Organizational Design, Culture, and Agile Leadership
Each domain represents roughly 20% of the total content weight, ensuring balanced coverage of skills required for holistic Scrum mastery.
Is There a Recommended Prerequisite Before Taking PSM II?
Although attending the Professional Scrum Master Advanced (PSM-A) course is highly recommended, it’s not a formal prerequisite. However, having the PSM I certification and at least one year of hands-on Scrum Master experience is strongly encouraged.
The PSM II exam assumes familiarity with Scrum fundamentals, allowing you to focus on advanced applications, such as leadership dynamics, team facilitation techniques, and organizational transformation.
How Does the PSM II Differ from PSM I and PSM III?
Think of the three Professional Scrum Master certifications as a growth pathway:
- PSM I – Validates foundational Scrum knowledge and understanding of the framework.
- PSM II – Demonstrates your ability to apply Scrum concepts to real-world complexity and coach others effectively.
- PSM III – Proves thought leadership and the ability to implement Scrum across diverse organizational contexts.
The PSM II bridges theoretical understanding and advanced practical application—ideal for professionals ready to elevate their influence as Scrum Masters.
What Resources Help the Most in PSM II Preparation?
Scrum.org provides a strong library of materials, including:
- The Scrum Guide (2020 edition)
- Professional Scrum Competencies learning paths
- Scrum Open, Product Owner Open, and Developer Open assessments
- The book Mastering Professional Scrum by Stephanie Ockerman and Simon Reindl
- Supplementary learning resources like Coaching Agile Teams and Scrum Mastery
Combining these with experiential learning and mentorship conversations will deepen your understanding and readiness.
How Can I Best Prepare for Complex, Situational Questions?
The key to PSM II success is practical reflection. Review challenging questions by asking “what outcome aligns with Scrum values and empiricism?” rather than memorizing rules.
Some effective preparation techniques include:
- Participating in peer Scrum exchanges or study groups
- Discussing real challenges with your team or organization
- Taking multiple open assessments to sharpen conceptual precision
- Re-reading the Scrum Guide with an emphasis on why each element exists
Insight and adaptability—more than recall—define strong exam performance.
How Is the PSM II Administered?
The assessment is fully online through Scrum.org’s testing platform. You’ll receive an exam password via email, which remains valid until used. You can take the assessment anytime, from anywhere, without scheduling a proctored session.
Once you submit the exam, results are provided instantly, along with a performance breakdown aligned with the five Professional Scrum Competencies to guide further improvement.
How Long Is My Certification Valid?
A major benefit of Scrum.org certifications is that they are lifetime credentials. You never need to renew your PSM II certification, and there are no annual maintenance fees. This is a testament to Scrum.org’s commitment to recognizing lasting professional achievement.
What Skills Will I Gain from Earning the PSM II?
After achieving this certification, you’ll be equipped to:
- Facilitate productive team collaboration and overcome systemic impediments
- Act as a servant leader promoting empiricism and self-management
- Coach Product Owners to maximize product value
- Foster organizational change and stakeholder buy-in for agility
- Apply advanced facilitation and conflict resolution techniques
These competencies expand your leadership impact and help you shape Agile culture across teams and enterprises.
Do I Need to Attend the Professional Scrum Master Advanced Course?
While not mandatory, the PSM-A course is a transformative learning experience that dives deep into Scrum Master stances such as Coach, Mentor, Teacher, Facilitator, and Change Agent. It’s particularly useful if you thrive in interactive learning environments that combine peer dialogue, practical exercises, and expert feedback.
Students who complete the course also receive a complimentary PSM II exam attempt, along with an additional free retake if they attempt the exam within 14 days and do not pass initially.
What Are the Best Complementary Certifications After PSM II?
Professionals often pair PSM II with advanced Scrum or Agile leadership credentials such as:
- Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
- Professional Agile Leadership (PAL)
- Professional Scrum Master III (PSM III)
Beyond Scrum.org, you may also explore frameworks like Scaled Agile (SAFe®) or Kanban Management Professional (KMP) to broaden your Agile coaching toolbox. Each certification deepens your ability to lead at larger scales of complexity.
What Tips Should I Follow on Exam Day?
Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
- Schedule your exam in a quiet, distraction-free environment
- Read each question carefully—many test nuanced understanding
- Mark tricky questions and revisit them if time allows
- Keep the Scrum Guide fresh in your memory before starting
- Manage your time: aim to complete your first pass within 60 minutes
Confidence in applying Scrum principles always shines through better than memorized answers.
Where Can I Get the Official PSM II Certification Information?
You can explore full details about registration, content, and preparation on the official Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master II certification page.
This page includes the exam purchase link, sample resources, and additional tips to support your preparation and certification journey.
The Professional Scrum Master II certification is much more than an exam—it’s a milestone in your growth as a true servant leader. By combining practical Scrum experience, deliberate preparation, and a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll demonstrate mastery that inspires your team and organization to embrace agility with confidence.
