Top Agile Certifications in 2024

1. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
4. Leading SAFe Agilist Certification
5. Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification
6. Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
7. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification

1. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Required skills to become a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner

Become a PMI Certified Agile Practitioner (PMI-ACP) with these essential skills. Some of the most essential skills are:

A thorough understanding of Agile methodologies and frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and XP.
Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective stakeholder management and facilitating team dynamics.
Proficiency in agile project planning, including creating and managing user stories, estimating effort, and prioritizing tasks.
Knowledge of agile metrics and measurement techniques to track project progress and performance.
Expertise in risk management, continuous improvement, and adapting to change.

Key skills taught

The PMI-certified agile project manager (PMI-ACP) training focuses on equipping professionals with a comprehensive skill set in agile project management. The key skills taught in this certification include:

Agile practices and Mindset
Adaptive Planning
Working knowledge of Agile
Multi Iterative models
Delivering high-velocity stories
Agile practices and principles

Key differentiators

The PMI certified agile project manager (PMI-ACP) training offered by Simplilearn stands out for several key differentiators.

Simplilearn's PMI-ACP training program is comprehensive and covers a wide range of Agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and more.
This training program ensures that professionals understand Agile principles and practices holistically.
The training is delivered by industry experts with extensive Agile project management experience. Their practical insights and real-world examples enrich the learning experience.
Simplilearn provides a flexible learning approach, offering online self-paced courses and instructor-led virtual classes to cater to individual preferences and schedules.
The PMI-ACP certification preparation includes practice tests and interactive quizzes to enhance knowledge retention and prepare candidates for the actual exam.

Duration of training and exam

The lPMI-ACP certification is a self-learning model wherein you can learn the curriculum at your own convenience. The curriculum includes 1 industry case study and 61 real-world examples, along with 102 end-of-chapter quizzes & 4 simulation exams.
After completing Agile training, you must appear for an online Agile certification exam and clear it to get certified in Agile by the Project Management Institute
.

Cost of training and exam

On average, the cost of an Agile methodology certification ranges between $1,175 and $1,800. Please note that the course fee is not included in the PMI ACP exam fee. It must be paid by you directly to the Project Management Institute.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Required skills

To become a CSPO, there are several essential skills that one must possess. Some of the most in-demand are:
Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, development teams, and other members of the organization. The CSPO should be able to clearly convey the product vision, goals, and requirements to all parties involved.
A deep understanding of agile practices and Scrum framework to facilitate effective product backlog management and prioritization. The CSPO should be adept at creating and refining user stories, defining acceptance criteria, and maximizing the value the development team delivers.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve potential obstacles or conflicts that may arise during the product development process.
Adaptability and flexibility are also important, as the CSPO should be able to embrace change and adjust priorities based on evolving customer needs and market conditions.

Key skills taught

The CSPO certification provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the key skills required to excel in the role of a product owner within an Agile development environment. Some of the key skills discussed in Simplilearn’s program are:

Scrum and Agile Framework
Release management
Leadership skills to manage agile teams

Key differentiators

The CSPO certification offered by Simplilearn stands out due to several key differences.
Simplilearn's CSPO certification provides comprehensive training and knowledge on the role of a product owner in the Scrum framework.
The course covers essential topics such as creating product visions, writing effective user stories, prioritizing product backlogs, and maximizing the product's value.
This CSPO certification incorporates practical hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, enabling participants to apply their learning in realistic scenarios. This practical approach enhances the understanding and application of Scrum principles and techniques.
The certification offers flexible learning options, including self-paced online courses and instructor-led live virtual classrooms, allowing individuals to choose the learning format that best suits their needs and schedule.

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is 2 days. There is no evaluation or exam. You will be certified as a product owner upon completing the training.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The total cost of the training is INR 18999.

USA: The certification cost in the United States varies between 500 and 1500 US Dollars.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Required skills

The CSM Certification is suitable for members of Scrum teams, Scrum managers, teams transitioning to Scrum, and professionals who are interested in pursuing a career as a professional Certified ScrumMaster. The key skills required are:

In-depth understanding of the terms, phrases, practices, and systems used to incorporate the agile methodologies safely.
Strong training skills to guide the team on their work and help them work on their strengths and weaknesses.
Knowledge of popular tools, Jira and Asana, is also recommended by organizations.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) are:

Scrum and Agile methodologies
Importance of Agile
Scrum lifecycle
Scrum terminologies
Daily scrum and review
Roles involved in Scrum
Distributed Scrum

Key differentiators

Here are some of the notable factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s CSM certification program:

It is an exhaustive, instructor-led CSM certification course that introduces all major concepts of the Scrum framework required for Agile Project Management.
This CSM certification course is focused on improving the understanding of Scrum methodologies and their implementation.
It offers a 100% money-back guarantee in case of course discontinuation.
CSM® exam fee is included in the course fee, in addition to free exam retakes.
Globally acclaimed Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs)
Two-year membership in Scrum Alliance
Complimentary access to 15 courses* worth INR 25,000

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is 2 days. The respective certification granting bodies provide study material and references for the Project Management Institute's Agile certification exam. Professionals seeking an Agile methodology certification must dedicate at least 10-12 weeks to studying the preparation material provided and then practice sample papers for adequate preparation.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training program is Rs. 18,999 inclusive of the cost of this course, the costs of course materials and learning aids.

USA: The CSM certification cost in the United States varies between 700 and 1000 US Dollars.

4. Leading SAFe Agilist Certification

Required skills

The Leading SAFe Agilist Certification requires a range of essential skills to successfully navigate the complexities of leading and implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The most important skills required to complete the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification successfully are:

A deep understanding of agile practices and methodologies. This includes knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, and Lean practices and an ability to apply them in a scaled environment.
Strong leadership skills to guide and inspire teams, promote collaboration, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Effective communication and facilitation skills to coordinate and align multiple teams, stakeholders, and executives.
Aptitude for strategic thinking and problem-solving enables SAFe Agilists to identify and address organizational challenges and facilitate the adoption of SAFe practices.
Adaptability and flexibility are key to navigating changing circumstances and making informed decisions to drive successful Agile transformations.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in Leading SAFe Agilist Certification are:

Application of SAFe
Execute Agile Release Trains
Coordinate value streams
Manage LeanAgile portfolio
Configure the framework
Unlock intrinsic motivation
Support LeanAgile

Key differentiators

What sets apart the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification offered by Simplilearn from others in the industry? Let’s learn on:

This industry-leading SAFe® certification and training is recognized globally.
It’s the most popular approach for large-scale Agile projects, providing a valid, reliable, and consistent method of evaluating SAFe® skills, knowledge, and mindset.
SAFe Agilist Training Key Features with 100% Money Back Guarantee
The duration of the course is just two days.
The course fee includes the SAFe® Agilist exam fee.
You can obtain 15 PMI PDUs upon completion of the certification, in addition to one-year certified membership as SAFe® Agilist

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the course is just two days.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The Leading SAFe Agilist Certification is INR 48500, inclusive of the SAFe® Agilist exam fee.

USA: The certification cost in the United States varies between 700 and 1000 US Dollars.

5. Advanced Certified Scrumaster® (A-CSM) Certification

Required skills

The skills required to complete the Advanced Certified Scrum Master ® (A-CSM) certification successfully are:

A thorough understanding of Scrum principles and practices
Experience in facilitating Agile teams.
Effective communication and collaboration skills to guide teams through complex projects and resolve conflicts.
Ability to coach and mentor others
Deep commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Key skills taught

Some of the key skills covered in this Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification are:

Scrum and Agile methodologies
Importance of Agile
Scrum lifecycle
Scrum terminologies
Daily scrum and review
Roles involved in Scrum
Distributed Scrum

Key differentiators

Here are the key factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification from others in the industry:

The course duration is just 2 days
It is an exhaustive, instructor-led CSM course that introduces you to all major concepts of the Scrum framework required for Agile Project Management.
It focuses on providing an improved understanding of Scrum methodologies and their implementation. 2 Days of Online Virtual Class
CSM® exam fee is included in the course fee, in addition to free exam retake.
Sessions are taken by globally acclaimed Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs).
20 PDUs and 16 SEUs, along with certification.
Two-year membership in Scrum Alliance
Complimentary access to 15 courses* worth INR 25,000

Duration of training and exam

The duration of the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) Certification is of 2 days, in which virtual online classes will be taken. The CSM Certification exam can be taken online within 14 days from the day of completion of the training course. The links to the online exam will be shared by Simplilearn.

Cost of training and exam

The cost of the training, inclusive of the exam fee, is INR18999.

6. Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Required skills

To obtain a PSPO certification, several key skills are essential. Some of the most widely demanded are:

A strong understanding of agile practices and the Scrum framework.
Effective communication and collaboration skills
Deep understanding of product management techniques, such as product backlog management and prioritization.
Technical knowledge and a background in mathematics is helpful but optional.

Key skills taught

The key skills covered in this PSPO certification training include:

Foundation of Scrum
Core Scrum methodologies
The scope of PSPO

Key differentiators

The factors that differentiate Simplilearn’s Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) include:

It offers the foundational knowledge.
The PSPO training is designed to help learners clear both PSPO-1 & PSPO-2 certifications.
It teaches potential product owners cost reduction tricks and in turn, reap profits for their organization.
You’ll also learn about the mechanics of Scrum and how the product owner fits into Scrum methodology.

Duration of training and exam

The Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) duration is 2 days, including live virtual classes.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training is INR 24199, inclusive of the exam fee.

USA: The PSPO I test is priced at $200 USD per attempt, and the assessment passwords retain their validity until utilized, without any expiration.

7. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification

Required skills

The skills required to obtain a PSM certification are related to Agile methodologies, Scrum framework, and project management. Here are some of the key skills required:

Deep understanding of Scrum Framework and familiarity with Scrum roles like CSM, Product Owner, Development Team, Sprint Planning, test-driven development, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective and Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment.
Familiarity with Agile principles and values in addition to Agile Manifesto and its guiding principles, such as prioritizing customer collaboration, responding to change, and promoting self-organizing teams.
Proficiency in Scrum practices, including facilitating Scrum events effectively, coaching and guiding the Scrum Team, promoting collaboration and transparency, and ensuring adherence to Scrum values.
Servant leadership skills to facilitate the team's progress, remove impediments, foster a productive and collaborative environment, and support the team's self-organization.
Agile Coaching and Facilitation.
Strong communication and collaboration to effectively interact with stakeholders, team members, and the product owner.
Technical knowledge (optional)

Key skills taught

The Key skills covered in Simplilearn’s PSM Certification Training are:

Scrum framework
Risk management

Key differentiators

These are the points that differentiate Simplilearn’s PSM Certification Training from others:

This PSM Certification covers the principles and process theory underpinning the Scrum framework.
The training period is just 2 days.
Real-world examples and case studies to clarify core concepts are included in the curriculum.
Intensive and interactive workshop training conducted by industry experts, in addition to comprehensive courseware and exam prep support.

Duration of training and exam

The training duration is 2 days.

Cost of training and exam

INDIA: The cost of the training is INR 24199.

USA: The PSM I test is priced at $150 USD per attempt, and the assessment passwords do not have an expiration date, remaining valid until they are used.

Some other Agile Certifications:

Trending now

2024 Trends to Look for in Business Agility

Agile vs Scrum: Know the Main Differences and Similarities

CSM Study Guide: Master Scrum in 48 Hours

What is a Product Owner: Key Roles and Responsibilities Explained

Product Owner vs Product Manager: Key Differences Explained

Top 60+ Agile Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

Top 20 Scrum Master Interview Questions and Answers in 2024

Scrum Master Roles and Responsibilities

CSM or CSPO: Which Certification is Right for you?

Scrum Project Management: Advantages and Disadvantages

Free eBook: Guide to Scrum Methodology

About the E-book

Recommended Programs

Recommended Resources