CSM vs PSM: Which Certification to Choose in 2025?

Introduction

If you possess the ability to motivate people, help people adapt to changes, and promote collaboration among team members – you’re fit to become a Scrum Master. Scrum Master can teach teams how to adopt an Agile mindset. This can help in the application of  Agile practices. The final objective of a Scrum Master is to create high-performing and self-managing teams.

Scrum Masters should encourage the team members to follow the Agile approach, as it makes the process of applying the Scrum framework easy. In the era dominated by Scrum and Agile,  the role of a Scrum Master goes beyond software development teams. The skills and knowledge of a Scrum Master are required across diverse industries like Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing.

Whether you’re an aspiring Scrum Master or someone looking forward to taking your Scrum career to the next level – it’s more likely that you have come across two important Scrum credentials: CSM and PSM. In this blog, we’ll take a look at what are these certifications & outline the differences between them. This will help you make an informed decision.

Definition of CSM & its Key Benefits

A Certified Scrum Master guarantees that the work performed by the Scrum team members adheres to Scrum principles and practices.

The Certified Scrum Master certification is appropriate for professionals eager to understand Scrum ideas, ideals, and practices while refining their facilitation abilities.

Some of the major advantages offered by the CSM Certification course are as follows:

• The salary of CSM certificate holders is comparatively higher than their non-certified counterparts as organisations consider the CSM certification as an important credential.
• The CSM certification helps you understand what the Scrum framework, artifacts, meetings, and roles is. With the help of hands-on training, learners can develop the practical skills and knowledge required to handle complex projects in challenging environments.
• Obtaining a formal certification can open doors to multiple networking opportunities. You will get an opportunity to become a part of global and local user groups. It will also give you access to online social networks and free e-learning resources available on the Scrum Alliance portal.

Understanding PSM & its Advantages

The Professional Scrum Master Certification is offered by the renowned body Scrum.org. This certification is provided in three levels (PSM I, II & III). With the help of this certification, individuals can improve their proficiency with Scrum values, methods, and principles. 

 Unlike the CSM certification which relies on the curriculum and training, the PSM training encourages self-study. The PSM certification is known for its rigorous assessment and challenging assessment.  Some of the advantages offered by the PSM training are as follows:

• The PSM certification promotes self-paced learning. It doesn’t require you to attend specific training sessions. You can focus on self-study according to your schedule and pace.
• The PSM certification comes with a lifetime validity. You won’t have to spend the time or money to renew it periodically.  Learners will be required to pass the exam only once.
• Upon completion of this training, professionals will learn how to improve the project management process by removing impediments and facilitating team meetings. A sound knowledge of Scrum will teach teams how to navigate potential challenges.

CSM vs PSM: Which is the Right Choice for You?

Conclusion

The PSM and CSM certifications are excellent choices for individuals willing to demonstrate their expertise in Scrum. When making a choice between these two certifications, you will have to outline your career goals, learning preferences, and level of understanding.

The CSM certification is suitable for learners who are willing to know the basics of Scrum. Whereas, the PSM certification is curated for learners who want to gain an advanced knowledge of Scrum. PSM is also known for its flexibility and cost-efficiency.