⚖️ Compare certifications
⚖️ Compare
30 different·1 in common
🧭 Overview
Certifying body≠ differs
PMI
Scrum.org
Focus≠ differs
The global gold-standard certification for project managers.
Scrum.org's rigorous, Scrum Guide-based mastery assessment.
Best suited for≠ differs
Mid-career PMs (3+ yrs leading projects)
Aspiring / early Scrum Masters
Pass mark≠ differs
Proficiency bands (no fixed %)
85%
Difficulty≠ differs
4 / 5
3 / 5
Open book= same
No
No
🚀 Career & roles
Career prospects≠ differs
The global gold standard for project managers — opens senior PM, program and delivery-lead roles across almost every industry, and is often used as a screening filter in job ads.
Rigorous, lifetime Scrum Master credential from Scrum.org — often preferred over CSM for its harder exam and no mandatory course or renewal.
Post-certification roles≠ differs
Project Manager · Senior PM · Program Manager · Delivery Manager · PMO Lead
Scrum Master · Agile Team Facilitator · Delivery Lead
Demand trend≠ differs
Hot — consistently the most-requested PM credential
Hot — core agile role
Typical salary≠ differs
Holders report ~15–25% higher pay than non-holders (varies by region/experience)
Solid; Scrum Master roles are widely advertised
🌍 Recognition & market
Recognition≠ differs
PMI (USA) · ANSI/ISO 17024 accredited · recognised worldwide
Scrum.org (Ken Schwaber) · global · lifetime (no renewal)
Popular in≠ differs
Strong everywhere — USA, Canada, India, Middle East, Europe, SE Asia
USA, Europe, India, global tech hubs
Companies hiring≠ differs
IT services, consulting, BFSI, construction, telecom, MNCs & GCCs
Product companies, IT services, startups, digital
Industry verticals≠ differs
IT/software, construction, finance, healthcare, energy, government
IT/software, fintech, telecom, e-commerce
Tech horizontals≠ differs
Method-agnostic across domains — cloud, data, ERP and infra programs
Software delivery, product, DevOps
📝 Exam format
Questions≠ differs
180 questions
80 questions
Duration≠ differs
230 min · 3h 50m
60 min · 1h
Question types≠ differs
Multiple choice · Multiple response · Matching · Hotspot · Fill-in-the-blank
Not published
Delivery≠ differs
Test centre · Online proctored
Not published
Languages≠ differs
English + 15 others
Not published
🎓 Eligibility & process
Eligibility / prerequisites≠ differs
Degree + 36 months leading projects + 35 contact hours (or 60 months without a degree)
None — open; a strong grasp of the Scrum Guide is recommended
Application process≠ differs
Online application → eligibility review (possible audit) → pay fee → schedule within 1 year (3 attempts)
Buy an exam attempt online → 80-question timed test anytime (85% to pass)
💸 Cost & effort
Training cost (approx)≠ differs
USD 300–1,500
USD 0–500
Exam / application fee≠ differs
USD 555
USD 200
Prep time≠ differs
~10 weeks
~3 weeks
Study hours≠ differs
~120 hours
~25 hours
🔄 Validity & renewal
Validity≠ differs
3 years
Not published
Renewal≠ differs
60 PDUs every 3 years
Not published
Retake policy≠ differs
Up to 3 attempts within a one-year eligibility period; wait between attempts.
Not published
📈 ROI
ROI score≠ differs
5 / 5
4 / 5
Worth it?≠ differs
High — strong salary uplift and a job-filter advantage; pays back the fee quickly for working PMs.
Strong — low cost, no renewal and well respected; quick payback for agile roles.
📊 Syllabus — domain weighting
📘PMP
- People42%
- Process50%
- Business Environment8%
⚙️PSM I
- Scrum Theory & Empiricism20%
- Scrum Team & Accountabilities25%
- Scrum Events25%
- Scrum Artifacts & Commitments20%
- Definition of Done & Delivery10%
Career, cost, effort and ROI figures are indicative — they vary by region, employer and experience.