By Quick answer: CSM or PSM I: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose CSM — you want a live course and trainer.
- Choose PSM I — you prefer self-study and no renewal.
- Verdict — Both are widely accepted; choose by learning style.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose CSM if you want a live course and trainer.
- Choose PSM I if you prefer self-study and no renewal.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
CSM and PSM I are often compared, but they suit different people. Here's a side-by-side comparison and a clear way to choose.
The options 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 | Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)Scrum Alliance | Included in a 2-day course price1 | 16-hour course, then a 50-question test | Free test |
| 2 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum.org | Check the official page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)PMI | $435 PMI members / $495 non-members3 | 180 minutes, 120 questions | Free test |
| 4 | Google Project Management Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan4 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | 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.)
- CSM Practice TestPractise for Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) before you pay.Start free test →
- PSM I Practice TestPractise for Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) before you pay.Start free test →
- PMI-ACP Practice ExamPractise for PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) before you pay.Start free test →
- Project Management Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Project Management Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- Scrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster (CSM)Trainer-ledIncluded in a 2-day course price
- Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Exam-onlyCheck the official page
- PMIPMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)Experienced$435 PMI members / $495 non-members
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- Cost
- Included in a 2-day course price1
- Format
- 16-hour course, then a 50-question test
16-hour course + 50-question test. 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 fortrainer-led
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
- Cost
- Check the official page2
Exam-only; no expiry. 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 forexam-only
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Cost
- $435 PMI members / $495 non-members3
- Format
- 180 minutes, 120 questions
- Entry
- 2+ years of experience and 21 hours of agile training
$435/$495; experience needed. 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 forexperienced
Google Project Management Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan4
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Includes agile basics. 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 forbasics
CSM vs PSM I side by side
| CSM | PSM I | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Scrum Alliance | Scrum.org |
| Course | Required (16 hours) | Not required |
| Renewal | Every 2 years | None |
| Best for | Learning with a trainer | Self-learners |
Table: CSM vs PSM I
How to choose
- Choose CSM — you want a live course and trainer.
- Choose PSM I — you prefer self-study and no renewal.
- Still unsure — search job posts in your city for each name.
How we ranked these picks
We compared both options on cost, format, prerequisites and fit using official pages, checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with either issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more respected?
Both are widely accepted.
Which is cheaper?
PSM I usually, as no course is required.
Does PSM I expire?
No.
Which first?
Either; it's a style choice.
Is there a free practice test for both?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for both, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Project Management Professional Certificate, 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.
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