Certified ScrumMaster 2026: The Test Is Free, the Mandatory Course Is $250–$2,495, and It Expires in Two Years
The CSM test itself costs nothing, and that is the most misleading thing about the credential. You cannot take it without first completing a 16-hour course from a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer, and those courses run anywhere from $250 to $2,495 depending on trainer, region, and format. The exam is a formality attached to a purchase; the purchase is the real decision. The second thing people miss is that CSM expires. It is valid for two years, and renewing means earning Scrum Education Units rather than simply paying a fee and moving on. This page covers what the course requirement actually obliges you to buy, the test mechanics including the retake fee that starts after two attempts, and honest wage benchmarks for the delivery roles Scrum Masters come from.
The Certified ScrumMaster path requires 16 hours of live training from a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer before you can take the test. Courses cost $250–$2,495. The test is 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, online and unproctored, passing at 37 of 50 (74%). Two attempts are free within 90 days of your welcome email, after which each attempt costs $25. The certification is valid for two years and renews with Scrum Education Units.
Last updated on August 30, 2026
How we verified this page
Training requirement, course-length, price range, test format, passing score, attempt policy, retake fee, and the two-year renewal cycle were verified against the Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster page and the Scrum Alliance help-centre article on the CSM test on August 30, 2026. Wage data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 figures. Course prices are set by individual trainers and vary by region and format — confirm with your trainer before booking.
CSM facts to check before you enroll
| Fact | Current detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Course cost | $250–$2,495 USD. Trainers set their own prices, varying by region, format, location, class size, and included resources | Scrum Alliance CSM page |
| Training requirement | 16 hours of instructor-led training from a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer, typically spanning 2 to 3 days. You cannot access the test without completing an approved course | Scrum Alliance CSM page |
| Test format | 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, based on the CSM Learning Objectives and the Scrum Guide | Scrum Alliance CSM test article |
| Passing score | 37 of 50 questions, or 74% | Scrum Alliance CSM page |
| How the test is taken | Online and not proctored, with no in-person requirement. You cannot pause the test, but you can bookmark questions and return to them inside the 60 minutes | Scrum Alliance CSM test article |
| Free attempts and the deadline | Two free attempts within 90 days of the welcome email containing your account activation link | Scrum Alliance CSM test article |
| Retake fee | $25 USD per attempt once you have failed twice or passed the 90-day deadline | Scrum Alliance CSM test article |
| Validity and renewal | Valid for two years, then renewed by earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs) — Scrum Alliance treats it as a renewing credential rather than a lifetime one | Scrum Alliance CSM page |
| Testing accommodations | Candidates needing more than 60 minutes can request an accommodation from Scrum Alliance support | Scrum Alliance CSM test article |
Scrum and agile salary benchmarks
ScrumMaster is not a one-to-one job title in federal labor data, so the rows below use the nearest BLS benchmarks for project and software-delivery work rather than training-company salary promises.
| Role / benchmark | Pay | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Project management specialists | $102,320 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. The closest broad benchmark for Scrum-adjacent delivery roles BLS Project Management Specialists |
| Software developers | $135,980 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. Relevant for technical candidates using Scrum in software-delivery settings BLS Software Developers |
Related jobs for this exam path
Use the exam-specific jobs page to see the role families, live search links, and hiring context tied to this certification or study path.
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Consideration
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Official resources
The training requirement, the $250–$2,495 course price range, the passing score, and the two-year renewal cycle.
Test mechanics, the unproctored online format, the two free attempts, and the $25 retake fee.
How CSM fits the wider Scrum Master certification track and what comes after it.
External resources and benchmarks
Best broad compensation benchmark for Scrum-adjacent delivery careers.
The primary framework reference the test is written against, and free to read.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the Certified ScrumMaster certification cost?
The test itself is free with your course, but the required 16-hour course costs between $250 and $2,495 depending on the trainer, region, and format. If you fail twice or miss the 90-day window, further test attempts cost $25 each.
Do I need to take a class before the CSM test?
Yes. Scrum Alliance requires 16 hours of live training from a Certified Scrum Trainer, and you cannot access the test without it. That makes CSM different from self-register exam models like Security+ or PTCE.
What is the CSM passing score?
37 correct out of 50 questions, which is 74%. You have 60 minutes, and while the test cannot be paused, you can bookmark questions and return to them within the time limit.
Does the CSM certification expire?
Yes. CSM is valid for two years and is renewed by earning Scrum Education Units rather than being a one-time lifetime credential. Budget for renewal, not just for the initial course.
Is the CSM test proctored?
No. It is taken online and is not proctored, with no in-person testing centre requirement. Your trainer creates your Scrum Alliance account after the course, and the test is taken from there.