, and Scrum team member. This guide provides a step-by-step overview for newcomers and experienced practitioners considering Scrum certification.

, and

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

.
Fulfil certification requirements:
Meet any prerequisites (e.g., training, experience, or coursework). Many certifications require completing
Scrum training
from recognised providers.

Practise with sample questions, mock exams, and utilise e-learning resources such as Certification exam(s) where applicable Scrum EssentialsAccredited training course materials. Consider joining study groups and participating in workshops or Scrum courses.

Pass the Scrum exam:

Register and sit the examination online or at an authorised test centre.Update credentials and plan career advancement:
Once certified, update your CV and LinkedIn profile. Leverage your credential for career progression
or new job opportunities in Agile
environments.Types of Scrum certifications
Scrum certification can be categorised by role and expertise level. The main categories include:
Scrum Master certification – Focuses on facilitating Scrum Teams and processes. Common options:
Professional Scrum Master (PSM) and
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

Scrum Product Owner certification

– For those driving product vision and managing product backlogs.Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) certification – Tailored for professionals working in large, complex organisations needing to scale Agile practices.Agile certification – Broader certifications covering various Agile frameworks, Agile project management occasionally including Scrum.Comparison of Scrum certification providers

Provider

Popular certifications

What is Agile? Agile Methodology, Principles, and FrameworksExam structureCosts (approx.)Global recognitionScrum.org

Professional Scrum Master (PSM), Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Multiple choice, online, no formal course required£150–£200 per exam plus £900 or more (training)Very highScrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)Multiple choice, requires accredited training£900 or more (course + exam)Very high

PMI

PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)Multiple choice, requires Agile experience/hours£500 for training plus exam feeHighScaled Agile (SAFe)SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Advanced Scrum Master

Online proctored, requires official training

£900 or more (course + exam)

: Enables users to set deadlines, create timelines, and manage project milestones and dependencies.Resource allocation

: Helps teams assign team members or resources to specific tasks and monitor their workloads.

: Facilitates communication, file sharing, and document collaboration among team members.

: Offers reporting capabilities and analytics to generate insights on project performance, progress, and resource utilisation.

Time tracking

: Allows users to monitor the time spent on tasks or projects for time management and billing purposes.Budget management

: Provides tools to track expenses, manage project finances, and compare against budget estimates.

Benefits of using project management tools

Which is better, PMI-ACP<sup>®</sup> or PMI-PMP<sup>®</sup>?

Top project management tools for 2025

is a visual project management software that employs a Kanban-style board view with cards that you can move as you work on a project. It is an extremely easy-to-use and simple app that is great for small teams and individuals.

Features[email protected]Customisable boards and cards

Drag and drop cards

+44 (0)207 148 5985Basic automation rules with Butler

CoursesFile attachments and comments® PROJECT MANAGEMENTIntegrations with popular apps and services. is a registered trademark of Knowledge Train Limited. PRINCE2Pros 20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN, England, United Kingdom.

®Easy to get started and use Knowledge Train are experts in project management, PRINCE2, agile and change management training and certification. Choose from a full range of instructor-led and self-paced

What soft skills do project managers need?Learn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 method.Visually appealing and clean design, a

Simon BuehringIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.Cons, or an

19 Feb 2026Reporting is not very robustAssociation for Project Management (APM)agile project management course

Can get messy with more complex projectsProject Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) to boost your career. Discover essential soft skills for project managers and why they are crucial for successful project delivery. Read on to enhance your skill set.Advanced features require paid plans.Start your APM project management career.PRINCE2

AsanaProject Management Qualification (PMQ) ®

AsanaAdvance your APM project management expertise., MSP

is a highly versatile task and project management tool that provides features useful to teams of all sizes and skill levels. The free version offers many of the main features to help Project Risk Single Certificate Level 1 ® track projectsEnhance your project risk management skills., ITIL and tasks.AgilePM®

Features®, P3O

What is PMP<sup>®</sup> certification, its benefits, and how to get it?

What is PMPDependencies and subtasks for advanced task managementFoundation , PRINCE2^{®Basic reporting and dashboardsLearn the key principles of Agile Project Management.®} certification, its benefits, and how to get it?Team collaboration and communication toolsPractitioner Agile, RESILIA

19 Feb 2026Easy-to-use interface with customisable workflows®®

Robust free plan for up to 15 team members Agile and AgileBALearn why PMP® certification is regarded as the gold standard in project management and how it can boost your career. Read more for benefits and acquisition tips.Extensive integration options with other tools and services.Foundation ®

ConsLearn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 Agile method. are registered trademarks of Agile Business Consortium Limited. All rights reserved. The APMG International AgilePM and Swirl Device logo, APMG International AgileBA and Swirl Device Logo, APMG International Change Management and APMG International Better Business Cases and Swirl Device logo are trademarks of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved. Better Business Cases™ is a trademark of Her Majesty’s Treasury. All rights reserved. DevOps Foundation

Advanced features have a learning curvePractitioner ®

Some features not available in the free versionIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option. is a registered mark of the DevOps Institute. “PMI”, “PMBOK Some users may find the interface busy or cluttered.AI Project Governance Framework (AIPGF)® ClickUpFoundation Guide”, “PMP” and “CAPM” are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc. Knowledge Train Scrum Essentials™, Business Learning Library (BLL)™, Business Analysis Learning Library (BALL)™, Agile Learning Library (ALL)™, IT Learning Library (ITLL)™, and Compliance Learning Library (CLL)™ are trademarks of Knowledge Train Limited. All rights reserved.

ClickUpLearn the fundamentals of the governance framework.Knowledge Train Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of NewDay Cards Ltd for the Newpay finance product provided by NewDay Ltd. NewDay Cards Ltd acts as a credit broker, not a lender. We will introduce you exclusively to Newpay finance products provided by NewDay Limited under this Introducer Appointed Representative arrangement. Finance available from other lenders is not covered by this arrangement. NewDay Ltd and Newday Cards Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (ref nos 690292 and 682417 respectively).

Project Management Institute (PMI)project management methodologiesIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.

Simon BuehringFeatures™

29 Apr 2026Multiple view options (list, board, Gantt, calendar, and more)Foundation

Custom fields and statusesLearn the fundamentals of Better Business cases.SearchThe Project Management Institute (PMI) is a nonprofit professional association for project management that develops standards, publishes guidance, supports a global member community, and administers widely used certifications for project managers. It is best known for PMI certifications such as the PMP and CAPM, and for its project management standards including the PMBOK Guide.Time tracking and workload managementPractitioner

Docs and wikis for knowledge sharingIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.