PSM (Professional Scrum Master)
A Scrum.org certification assessing knowledge of the Scrum Guide and the Scrum Master accountability, available at levels I, II, and III.
What it means
PSM certification is issued by Scrum.org, one of the two main certifying bodies alongside Scrum Alliance's CSM. It is exam-based rather than course-attendance-based, and does not expire once earned.
PSM I tests foundational Scrum Guide knowledge; PSM II tests applied Scrum Master skills in realistic scenarios; PSM III tests deep mastery, including coaching and organizational-level Scrum Master work.
Common mistakes
Passing a PSM exam demonstrates conceptual knowledge of Scrum; it does not by itself certify practical experience facilitating real teams, which is why many practitioners pair certification with hands-on practice.
Example
A new Scrum Master studies the current Scrum Guide closely before sitting the PSM I exam.
PSM exam format
PSM I is 80 multiple-choice and true or false questions with a 60 minute limit and an 85 percent pass mark, which works out to about 45 seconds per question. The questions are drawn from the current Scrum Guide, so time pressure, not obscure theory, is what most candidates struggle with.
The assessment is taken online, on your own schedule, from anywhere. There is no mandatory class before PSM I, which is the main practical difference from CSM.
Cost and attempts
Scrum.org publishes the current price for each assessment on its own site, and each attempt is paid separately, so check the price there before you buy. Attending a Professional Scrum Master course normally includes attempt credits.
Because a failed attempt means paying again, the cheapest route is to reach a consistent score on the free Scrum Open and on applied scenario practice before you buy the attempt.
How to prepare for PSM I
- Read the current Scrum Guide looking for boundaries and accountabilities, not definitions.
- Score 100 percent on the free Scrum Open at scrum.org three times in a row, inside the time limit.
- Drill applied situations, the ones where two answers look defensible, until you recognise the pattern in seconds.
- Keep a list of every question you got wrong, with the sentence in the Scrum Guide that settles it.