By Eric Tucker, Certified Scrum Trainer
CSM certification cost breakdown
CSM pricing varies by training provider and class. The course price below is Sustained Agility’s listed price, not an industry average. All amounts are in US dollars.
| Cost | What to budget | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Live online CSM training | $399 at Sustained Agility, checked October 13, 2026 | At registration; confirm the selected class price |
| Course materials | Included | During your class |
| First two CSM test attempts | Included within 90 days of the Scrum Alliance welcome email | After the required training |
| Additional or late test attempt | $25 per attempt | After two attempts, or after the 90-day window |
| Initial Scrum Alliance membership | Two years included | With your course |
| Standard CSM renewal | $100 and 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) | Every two years; other renewal routes may apply |
The test rules come from Scrum Alliance’s CSM test guidance. Renewal requirements come from Scrum Alliance’s renewal page. Check those sources when you are ready to take the test or renew.
What does the $399 CSM class include?
At Sustained Agility, you learn live with Eric Tucker, a Certified Scrum Trainer. The course covers Scrum, facilitation, team coaching, and helping remove obstacles to progress. Your registration includes:
- The required 16 hours of live training and course materials.
- CSM test access, with the first two attempts included within 90 days.
- An initial two-year Scrum Alliance membership.
- An in-class exercise using AI to help create a Definition of Done.
A Definition of Done is your team’s shared quality standard for completed work. In the exercise, you use AI to draft and improve that standard, then decide what makes sense for the team. The class remains focused on Scrum and the Scrum Master role.
Try a worked example in our guide to using AI to develop a Definition of Done.
Completing the course does not automatically make you certified. You must also pass the CSM test and complete Scrum Alliance’s acceptance requirements. Review the CSM course and upcoming dates.
Is the CSM exam fee included? What about retakes?
Yes. Your first two attempts are included when taken within 90 days of the initial Scrum Alliance welcome email. After two attempts, or after that window, Scrum Alliance charges $25 for each attempt.
The online test has 50 questions and a 60-minute time limit. You need 37 correct answers to pass. Set aside time to review your class materials and take the test while the learning is fresh. See Scrum Alliance’s retake policy for the current rules.
How much does CSM renewal cost?
The standard foundational certification renewal requires $100 and 20 SEUs every two years. SEUs document continuing learning; the renewal fee does not replace that requirement.
You may not need to buy another course to earn those units. Review eligible learning activities and the alternative renewal routes in Scrum Alliance’s renewal guidance, especially if you hold more than one certification.
For a simple budget example, today’s $399 course plus one $100 standard renewal would total $499. That is an illustration using current prices, not a prepaid package or a guaranteed future renewal price. Allow for any applicable checkout charges, additional test attempts, and your time.
Paying for CSM yourself? Compare the full purchase
Start with the work you want to do. If you want to help teams work more effectively, facilitate useful conversations, and address obstacles, CSM is a relevant starting point. A certification can demonstrate training, but it does not guarantee a job or a salary increase.
Before choosing a class, compare these details:
| Check before you book | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Final checkout price and inclusions | A headline price is only useful when you know what it covers |
| Trainer and teaching approach | You need explanations and practice that help you use Scrum at work |
| Dates, time zone, and attendance requirements | You need to attend the required live training |
| Cancellation and transfer terms | Understand your options if your plans change |
| Practical exercises | Ask what you will actually practice, including any AI activities |
A higher price alone does not tell you whether a class is a better fit. Use our Scrum training provider comparison guide to compare the details that matter to you.
Can you get CSM without taking a course?
No. CSM requires approved training before the test. If you are considering an exam-only route, Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master I is a separate certification with different requirements. It is not an exam-only version of CSM.
If your next role is more about customer needs, product goals, and deciding what to build, compare CSM vs CSPO before paying for training. You do not need CSM before CSPO. You can also explore our CSPO course and dates.
Ready to compare dates?
See the CSM class schedule and current prices. Review the selected class’s schedule, inclusions, and booking terms before completing registration. If you are unsure whether it fits your goals, ask Eric.
Questions before you book
How much is CSM certification at Sustained Agility?
The listed live online CSM course price is $399 USD as of October 13, 2026. Training, materials, two test attempts within 90 days, and initial two-year Scrum Alliance membership are included. Confirm your selected class’s final checkout total.
Do I pay separately for the CSM exam?
The first two attempts are included within 90 days of the initial Scrum Alliance welcome email. Additional attempts, or attempts after that window, currently cost $25 each.
How much does it cost to renew CSM?
Standard CSM renewal currently requires $100 and 20 Scrum Education Units every two years. Scrum Alliance has other renewal routes, including provisions for people with multiple certifications.
Does the CSM class include AI practice?
Yes. At Sustained Agility, you use AI in class to help create a Definition of Done, then review what fits your team. This is one practical exercise within the Scrum Master course.