By Quick answer: What is the agile and Scrum certification roadmap for 2027?
- Stage 1 — Basics.
- Stage 2 — Scrum Master.
- Stage 3 — Agile practitioner.
- Stage 4 — Hybrid leadership.
Key takeaways
- Each stage builds on the last.
- Stop when you reach the role you want.
- Hands-on practice at every stage.
Agile and scrum careers move in clear stages. This roadmap names the certification for each one, so you know what to take next and where you can stop.
The roadmap at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Project Management Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum.org | Check the official page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)Scrum Alliance | Included in a 2-day course price3 | 16-hour course, then a 50-question test | Free test |
| 4 | PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)PMI | $435 PMI members / $495 non-members4 | 180 minutes, 120 questions | Free test |
| 5 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Project Management Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Project Management Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- PSM I Practice TestPractise for Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) before you pay.Start free test →
- CSM Practice TestPractise for Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) before you pay.Start free test →
- PMI-ACP Practice ExamPractise for PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) before you pay.Start free test →
Each stage, and the certification for it
- CourseraGoogle Project Management Professional CertificateStage 1: Basics$49/mo Coursera plan
- Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Stage 2: Scrum MasterCheck the official page
- Scrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster (CSM)Stage 2: Scrum MasterIncluded in a 2-day course price
Google Project Management Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Stage 1: Google Project Management, including agile Google's professional certificate teaches traditional and agile project management for beginners, about six months at ten hours a week. It can meet CAPM's 23-hour education requirement, and financial aid is available.
Best forstage 1: Basics
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
- Cost
- Check the official page2
Stage 2: PSM I, exam-only Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master I is exam-only, with no course required, and it doesn't expire. Study the free Scrum Guide and practise before booking; check Scrum.org's page for the current fee.
Best forstage 2: Scrum Master
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- Cost
- Included in a 2-day course price3
- Format
- 16-hour course, then a 50-question test
Stage 2: CSM, course-based Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster is earned through a 16-hour, trainer-led course and a 50-question test. The price is set by the trainer, it renews every two years, and it's widely named in Scrum Master posts.
Best forstage 2: Scrum Master
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Cost
- $435 PMI members / $495 non-members4
- Format
- 180 minutes, 120 questions
- Entry
- 2+ years of experience and 21 hours of agile training
Stage 3: PMI-ACP, two years' experience PMI's agile credential is a 180-minute, 120-question exam covering several agile approaches. It needs two or more years of experience and 21 hours of agile training and costs $435 for PMI members or $495.
Best forstage 3: Agile practitioner
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Stage 4: PMP, covers agile and hybrid PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forstage 4: Hybrid leadership
Stages at a glance
| Stage | Focus | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basics | Google Project Management, including agile |
| 2 | Scrum Master | PSM I, exam-only, CSM, course-based |
| 3 | Agile practitioner | PMI-ACP, two years' experience |
| 4 | Hybrid leadership | PMP, covers agile and hybrid |
Table: Agile and scrum roadmap
How we ranked these picks
We ordered certifications by prerequisites and role level. Fees and times come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start?
PSM I or CSM, or Google PM for basics.
When should I take PMI-ACP?
With two years of agile experience.
Do I need PMP?
For hybrid project leadership.
Which Scrum credential first?
PSM I or CSM; both are accepted.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free Scrum tests.
Sources
- Google — Google Project Management Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
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- Best Agile & Scrum Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The project management certification roadmap for 2027: from coordinator to programme leaderA project management certification roadmap for 2027: Google PM and CAPM, then PSM I or CSM, then PMP, then PMI-ACP, Six Sigma or AI for Business.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best agile and Scrum certifications of 2027: six for Scrum Masters, agile PMs and teamsThe 6 best agile and Scrum certifications of 2027: PSM I, Certified ScrumMaster, PMI-ACP, Google PM, ITIL 4 and Jira skills, with fees and formats.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 agile and Scrum certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones agile job posts nameThe top 5 agile and Scrum certifications to get hired in 2027: Certified ScrumMaster, PSM I, PMI-ACP, PMP and ITIL 4, matched to agile job titles.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best project management certifications of 2027: ten from first project to programme leadThe 10 best project management certifications of 2027: PMP, CAPM, Google PM, PMI-ACP, CSM, PSM I, ITIL 4, Six Sigma and more, with verified fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 project management certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones PM job posts nameThe top 5 project management certifications to get hired in 2027: PMP, CAPM, CSM, PMI-ACP and PSM I, matched to project manager and Scrum Master roles.
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