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Below is basic comparison covering difference in approach for Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org. I have added only PSM vs CSM but rest all certifications are same.
| Program Name | Professional Scrum Master (PSM) | Certified Scrum Master (CSM) |
| Certifying Authority | Scrum.org | Scrum Alliance |
| Training Provider | Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) | Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) |
| Founded By | Ken Schwaber | Ken Schwaber |
| When | 2009 | 2002 |
| Mission | Improving the Profession of Software Delivery | Transforming the World of Work |
| Duration | 2 days | 2 days |
| Examination | 80 Questions in 60 Mins | 35 Questions. No time limit |
| Difficulty Level | High | Very Low |
| Training is Mandatory | No | Yes |
| Content | Maintained by Scrum.Org | Maintained by CSTs Individually |
| Source for Exam | Scrum Guide | Not Sure |
| Renewal | No | $100 every 2 years |
| Batch Size | No more than 30 students per class | More than 60 and sometime 100 (especially in India) |
| Acceptability | Very High | Very High |
| Valuable | Some organizations only hire PSM holders for Scrum Master role | Although it was introduced for Scrum Master but became Scrum Introduction class over the period |
| Next Level | There is PSM II training but you can write 3 level of assessment – PSM – I, II, III even after attending PSM | Since CSM became Introduction training so Scrum Alliance has launched Advance – CSM |
| Popularity | Popular | Popular |
Scrum.org has kept certification and training separate. Training is not mandatory for any of certification. Scrum.org offers below certifications.
Empower your leadership journey as a Scrum Master by developing key competencies to guide and support both Scrum teams and organizational leadership.
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Both certifications are highly accepted globally, but some organizations prefer PSM holders for Scrum Master roles.
The PSM exam is generally considered to be more difficult, with 80 questions in 60 minutes, while the CSM exam has 35 questions with no time limit and is easier.
Generally, Scrum Alliance certifications like CSM have a lower difficulty level compared to Scrum.org's PSM, which requires deeper knowledge and understanding.
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