⚖️ Compare certifications
⚖️ Compare
31 different·0 in common
🧭 Overview
Certifying body≠ differs
Scrum Alliance
PeopleCert / AXELOS
Focus≠ differs
Scrum Alliance's foundational ScrumMaster certification.
The application-level PRINCE2 certification — apply the method to a scenario.
Best suited for≠ differs
Beginners to Scrum / agile
Practising PMs in PRINCE2 markets
Pass mark≠ differs
74%
55%
Difficulty≠ differs
2 / 5
3 / 5
Open book≠ differs
No
Yes
🚀 Career & roles
Career prospects≠ differs
The most widely recognised entry Scrum Master cert; course-based with an easy exam. A great door-opener, but needs renewal every 2 years.
Proves you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 to a real project. Frequently mandatory for PM roles in UK/EU and in government tenders.
Post-certification roles≠ differs
Scrum Master · Agile Coordinator · Team Facilitator
Project Manager · Senior PM · Programme Office · Delivery Manager
Demand trend≠ differs
Hot — very common in job ads
Stable — often mandated in UK/EU/gov job specs
Typical salary≠ differs
Comparable to PSM; entry into agile roles
Strong in UK/EU; comparable to PMP within those regions
🌍 Recognition & market
Recognition≠ differs
Scrum Alliance · global · renew every 2 yrs (SEUs + fee)
AXELOS / PeopleCert · highly recognised across the UK/Commonwealth
Popular in≠ differs
USA, India, Europe, global
UK, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Africa
Companies hiring≠ differs
IT services, product, consulting, enterprises
Government, consulting, public sector, enterprises
Industry verticals≠ differs
IT/software, finance, telecom
Public sector, IT, construction, finance, utilities
Tech horizontals≠ differs
Software delivery, product
Method-agnostic; enterprise & government delivery
📝 Exam format
Questions≠ differs
50 questions
68 questions
Duration≠ differs
60 min · 1h
150 min · 2h 30m
Question types≠ differs
Not published
Objective testing · scenario-based (open book)
Delivery≠ differs
Not published
Test centre · Online proctored
Languages≠ differs
Not published
English + others
🎓 Eligibility & process
Eligibility / prerequisites≠ differs
Attend a 2-day certified course (mandatory)
PRINCE2 Foundation (or PMP/CAPM/IPMA) required first
Application process≠ differs
Take a CSM course from a CST → pass the online test → certify
Hold Foundation → book Practitioner (course + open-book exam) via PeopleCert/ATO
💸 Cost & effort
Training cost (approx)≠ differs
USD 400–1,200
USD 500–1,500
Exam / application fee≠ differs
USD 0
USD 500
Prep time≠ differs
~2 weeks
~4 weeks
Study hours≠ differs
~16 hours
~35 hours
🔄 Validity & renewal
Validity≠ differs
Not published
3 years
Renewal≠ differs
Not published
Renew within 3 years via CPD (MyPRINCE2) or re-exam
Retake policy≠ differs
Not published
No mandatory wait; rebook and pay the exam fee.
📈 ROI
ROI score≠ differs
3 / 5
4 / 5
Worth it?≠ differs
Good entry — easy and recognised, but the mandatory course + renewals lower net ROI vs PSM.
High in UK/EU/government markets where it is a hiring gate — strong regional ROI.
📊 Syllabus — domain weighting
🌀CSM
- Lean, Agile & Scrum Foundations15%
- Scrum Master Role & Servant Leadership25%
- Product Owner & Product Backlog15%
- Developers & Self-Management15%
- Scrum Events20%
- Artifacts & Transparency10%
🏰PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Principles15%
- Themes45%
- Processes40%
Career, cost, effort and ROI figures are indicative — they vary by region, employer and experience.