How to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Take a 2-day CSM course taught by a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), then pass the online CSM test (37 of 50 correct, with free retakes). There are no prerequisites, and you receive your certification and a 2-year Scrum Alliance membership right after passing.
The four steps to your CSM
The path is short and well defined. Scrum Alliance requires that you learn from a Certified Scrum Trainer, so the course is the heart of the process. Here is the full sequence, start to finish.
1. Take a CST-led 2-day course
Enroll in a Certified ScrumMaster course taught by a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). This is required, and it is where you build the working knowledge the rest of the path depends on. Sustained Agility runs these live and online over two days, never as recordings.
2. Pass the online CSM test
After the course, Scrum Alliance emails you a link to the online CSM test. It has 50 questions, and you need 37 correct to pass. Retakes are free, so there is no pressure on a single attempt, and the course prepares you for the material.
3. Accept your license and get certified
Once you pass, you accept your Scrum Alliance license to confirm your profile. That activates your CSM certification and your 2-year Scrum Alliance membership, which gives you access to member resources and your public credential.
4. Maintain it with SEUs every 2 years
Your CSM renews on a 2-year cycle. You earn Scrum Education Units (SEUs) through learning activities and pay a renewal fee (about $100 for the CSM, framed as approximate). It is a light, predictable upkeep that keeps your credential active.
What you learn in the course
The two days cover the Scrum framework end to end: the ScrumMaster role, the Scrum values, how to run Sprint Planning, the Daily Scrum, the Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective, plus how to coach a team, protect its focus, and remove the things that slow it down. You leave able to step into a ScrumMaster role with confidence, not just to recite definitions.
Sustained Agility teaches an AI-enhanced curriculum, with practical AI tools and techniques woven through the workshop so you see how a modern ScrumMaster actually works day to day. Classes are led by Eric Tucker, a Certified Scrum Trainer since 2018 who has taught more than 625 courses.
How long it takes, and what is next
From start to finish, most people are certified within a few days. The course is two days, and the online test that follows usually takes under an hour. With no prerequisites in the way, the main decision is simply which class to join. You can browse dates on our upcoming live online classes page.
Deciding between the two foundational certifications? Our guide on CSM vs CSPO breaks down which fits your role, and our CSM certification cost guide explains exactly what is included in the price.
Frequently asked questions
What are the prerequisites to become a Certified ScrumMaster?
There are none. CSM is a foundational Scrum Alliance certification, so anyone can enroll regardless of role or experience. You only need to attend a 2-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer and then pass the online CSM test.
How long does it take to become a Certified ScrumMaster?
Most people finish within a few days. The required course runs over two days, and the online test usually takes under an hour. Once you pass and accept your license, your certification and 2-year Scrum Alliance membership are active immediately.
How hard is the CSM test?
The online CSM test has 50 questions and you need 37 correct to pass. It is open for free retakes, and a CST-led 2-day course prepares you well for it. Most attendees who complete the course pass on their first or second attempt.
How much does the CSM certification cost at Sustained Agility?
Sustained Agility charges $349, which includes the 2-day live online course, the official Scrum Alliance certification, and a 2-year Scrum Alliance membership. A 2-day CSM course in the US often runs from roughly $400 to $1,500.
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