How to Become a Certified Scrum master

How to Become a Certified Scrum master?

Blog Author

Siddharth

Published

9 Apr, 2025

Scrum has transformed how teams deliver projects across industries. It’s no longer limited to tech companies. Whether you're working in product development, marketing, or finance, Scrum is helping teams build faster and smarter. If you're looking to become a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), you're making a strategic move. The CSM certification not only validates your understanding of the Scrum framework but also sets you up to lead Agile teams with confidence.

Let’s walk through the steps you need to follow to earn your Certified Scrum Master credential—from understanding the role to acing the final exam.

Step 1: Understand the Role of a Scrum Master

Before diving into certification, get a clear picture of what a Scrum Master actually does. A Scrum Master is not a project manager or a team leader in the traditional sense. Instead, the Scrum Master:

Serves as a facilitator for the Scrum Team.
Ensures that Scrum principles are understood and applied.
Removes roadblocks to help the team stay productive.
Protects the team from external interruptions.
Guides team members and stakeholders through Agile practices.

The role demands strong communication, empathy, and a clear grasp of Agile values. It's more about enabling than directing.

Step 2: Get Familiar with Scrum Basics

Even before you sign up for CSM training, it helps to get a head start by learning Scrum fundamentals. Begin with:

The Scrum Guide: This is your core reference. It explains Scrum roles, events (like sprint planning and daily stand-ups), and artifacts (such as product backlog and sprint backlog).
Key Principles: Focus on transparency, inspection, and adaptation. These drive every decision in a Scrum environment.
Agile Manifesto: Understand the values and principles behind Agile practices.

This initial effort gives context to what you’ll learn in your certification program and helps you ask better questions during the course.

Step 3: Choose an Authorized Training Provider

You can’t earn a CSM credential without attending a course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), accredited by Scrum Alliance. That’s non-negotiable. When selecting a provider, consider the following:

Trainer experience: Look for trainers who bring real-world experience into the classroom.
Format: Online live classes or in-person sessions—pick what suits your learning style.
Post-training support: Some providers offer additional resources, mock exams, or coaching even after training ends.
Reputation: Feedback from past participants matters. A great trainer makes all the difference.

Explore certified scrum master training to see how it’s structured and what’s included.

Step 4: Attend the 2-Day CSM Certification Training

Once you register, you’ll attend a two-day live course, usually totaling 16 hours. This training is not a passive experience. You’re expected to participate in discussions, simulations, and problem-solving activities.

During the course, you’ll learn:

The full Scrum lifecycle—from product backlog refinement to sprint reviews.
The responsibilities of each Scrum role (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team).
How to facilitate daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and sprint planning.
Techniques to manage team dynamics and external dependencies.
Real-world challenges Scrum Masters face and how to resolve them.

The idea is to prepare you for the real role, not just to pass a test.

Step 5: Take the CSM Exam

After your training ends, your trainer will enable your Scrum Alliance account. You’ll then receive access to the exam.

Exam Format:

50 multiple-choice questions
60-minute duration
74% passing score (37 correct answers)

You can take the exam from your computer, anytime within 90 days after the course. Most participants take it within a few days, while the training material is still fresh.

Preparation Tips:

Review your notes and slides from the training.
Revisit the Scrum Guide.
Take a couple of practice exams to check your readiness.
Reflect on real-world examples discussed during the session.

Passing the test will instantly grant you the Certified Scrum Master credential.

Step 6: Get Certified and Claim Your Badge

Once you pass the exam, you’ll receive your official CSM certification from Scrum Alliance. Along with this, you’ll gain a two-year membership to the organization.

With your membership, you can:

Join Scrum Alliance communities.
Access member-only resources, articles, and events.
Network with other Scrum professionals globally.
Earn Scrum Education Units (SEUs) to maintain and renew your certification.

You can add your badge to LinkedIn, resumes, and job portals to showcase your qualification.

Step 7: Apply Your Skills in Real Projects

Getting certified is just the beginning. The next step is to practice what you’ve learned. Start applying Scrum in your current job or volunteer to help Agile teams in your organization.

Here’s what to focus on:

Facilitate Scrum ceremonies: Don’t just attend—lead daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and reviews.
Coach your team: Help others understand Agile concepts and embrace continuous improvement.
Measure impact: Track metrics like team velocity, sprint burndown, and defect resolution time.

Applying your knowledge will help you gain credibility and prepare for advanced roles in Agile leadership.

Step 8: Continue Learning and Evolve as a Scrum Master

The CSM certification is your entry point. To stay competitive and relevant, keep learning:

Attend meetups and Scrum user groups: Exchange ideas with fellow practitioners.
Explore advanced courses: Look into Advanced CSM (A-CSM) or Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM).
Broaden your Agile knowledge: Learn about Kanban, SAFe, and Agile Coaching.
Read case studies: Understand how Scrum is applied in different domains.

Scrum is simple in concept but challenging in execution. The best Scrum Masters are the ones who keep learning from both theory and practice.

Common Misconceptions About Becoming a Scrum Master

❌ You need coding experience

No. Scrum Masters are facilitators, not developers. While tech knowledge can help, it’s not a requirement.

❌ CSM is only for IT professionals

Wrong again. Industries like manufacturing, education, and even government are adopting Scrum.

❌ It’s just a certification

CSM is a mindset shift. The certification opens the door, but success comes from applying the principles daily.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a Certified Scrum Master isn’t just about clearing a test—it’s about embracing a new way of working. It takes a combination of formal learning, real-world practice, and ongoing curiosity to succeed.

The path is straightforward:

Learn the basics.
Enroll in a CSM certification training.
Attend the two-day course.
Pass the exam.
Start applying Scrum at work.
Keep growing.

This journey gives you the tools to build high-performing teams, deliver value faster, and create impact in your organization. If you're ready to take the first step, explore your options for CSM certification and set the course for your Agile career.