Top 5 Agile Certifications for 2025 and Agile Certification Costs

The Ultimate Guide to Agile Certifications in 2025: Boost Your Career

Earning an Agile certification is one of the most effective ways to validate your expertise and remain competitive in an ever-evolving field.

In this blog, you’ll discover the most sought-after Agile certifications in 2025, each categorized by its specific focus area. Whether you’re a seasoned Project Manager professional or just beginning your career, there’s an Agile certification designed to support your growth and help you achieve your career goals.

What are Agile Certifications?

Agile certifications confirm your skills in Agile methods (Scrum, Kanban) and principles, boosting employability. Available for various roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner) from providers like Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org, and PMI, these certifications signal expertise in Agile processes and collaboration. Employers value Agile certifications for effective implementation, enhancing your credibility and career path.

What is Agile?

Agile is more than just a methodology; it's a mindset. It represents a flexible and iterative approach to project management and software development, prioritizing collaboration, customer feedback, and continuous improvement. Unlike traditional waterfall methods, Agile embraces change and allows teams to adapt quickly to evolving requirements. Several frameworks fall under the Agile umbrella, including:

• Scrum: A popular framework emphasizing short development cycles (Sprints), daily stand-up meetings, and iterative product development.
• Kanban: A visual workflow management system focused on limiting work in progress and optimizing flow.
• Extreme Programming (XP): A software development methodology emphasizing code quality, testing, and pair programming.

Top 10 Agile Certifications: A Comprehensive Comparison

NetCom Learning, a leading provider of professional development and certification programs, offers detailed Agile certification courses that are intended to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in today's rapidly changing work environments. These courses are carefully developed to prepare you for and successfully pass the most in-demand Agile certifications.
So, are you ready to take your career to the next level and become a driving force in Agile transformation? Let's explore the top 10 Agile certifications and find the best way for your professional development!

1. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)
2. Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM)
3. PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
4. ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)
5. SAFe® Agilist Certification
6. Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)
7. Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC)
8. Lean Six Sigma Certification
9. Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)
10. Agile Project Management (AgilePM®)

1. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) - Scrum Alliance

• Overview: The Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) certification is a foundational credential from the Scrum Alliance. It demonstrates your understanding of the Scrum framework, empowering you to act as a servant-leader, fostering collaboration and removing impediments for your team.
• Target Audience: Team members, developers, project managers, business analysts, and anyone seeking a solid understanding of Scrum principles and practices to effectively contribute to Scrum teams.
• Prerequisites: None formally required, but attending a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) is mandatory.
• Exam Details:
  • Exam Name: Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) Exam
  • Cost: Included in the cost of the CSM course (typically $1,000 - $1,500)
  • Format: Multiple-choice, online
  • Number of Questions: 50
  • Passing Score: 74% (37 out of 50)
  • Time Limit: 60 minutes
    
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Key Benefits:
  • Solid understanding of the Scrum framework.
  • Improved collaboration and communication skills.
  • Increased job opportunities in organizations adopting Scrum.
  • Enhanced understanding of Agile values.
• Renewal Requirements: Renew every two years by paying a fee and earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs)

2. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) - Scrum.org (PSM I, PSM II, PSM III)

• Overview: The (PSM) Professional Scrum Master certification from Scrum.org is a globally recognized credential demonstrating a deep understanding of Scrum principles and practical application. Scrum.org offers different levels (PSM I, PSM II, PSM III), each validating increasing levels of mastery. We'll focus on PSM I for this profile, as it's the most common entry point.
• Target Audience: Scrum Masters, project managers, Agile coaches, and anyone responsible for leading and facilitating Scrum teams. Individuals seeking a rigorous assessment of their Scrum knowledge.
• Prerequisites: None formally required for PSM I, but a solid understanding of the Scrum Guide and practical Scrum experience are highly recommended.
• Exam Details (PSM I):
  • Exam Name: Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
  • Cost: $150
  • Format: Multiple-choice, online
  • Number of Questions: 80
  • Passing Score: 85%
  • Time Limit: 60 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Key Benefits:
  • Demonstrates a strong and practical understanding of Scrum principles.
  • Globally recognized and respected certification.
  • Validates practical experience with Scrum in real-world scenarios.
  • No renewal requirements - a lifetime certification.
• Renewal Requirements: None (lifetime certification) for PSM I.

3. PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)

• Overview: The PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) validates your ability to apply Agile principles and practices across a wide range of Agile methodologies. It is a globally recognized credential for experienced Agile practitioners.
• Target Audience: Project managers, team leads, product owners, and other professionals who use Agile practices in their projects and want to demonstrate their expertise to employers.
• Prerequisites:
  • General project experience: 2,000 hours (or 12 months) working on project teams.
  • Agile project experience: 1,500 hours (or 8 months) working on Agile project teams.
  • 21 contact hours of training in Agile practices.
• Exam Details:
  • Exam Name: PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
  • Cost: $435 for PMI members, $495 for non-members.
  • Format: Multiple-choice, online or at a testing center.
  • Number of Questions: 120 (20 unscored)
  • Passing Score: PMI does not publicly disclose the passing score.
  • Time Limit: 3 hours
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Key Benefits:
  • Demonstrates expertise in Agile project management principles and practices.
  • Globally recognized and respected certification from PMI.
  • Increases earning potential and career advancement opportunities.
  • Broadens your knowledge of various Agile methodologies.
• Renewal Requirements: Renew every three years by earning 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) in Agile-related topics.

4. ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) - International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile)

• Overview: The ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) is a foundational certification from the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile). It signifies a broad understanding of Agile principles and practices across various disciplines. Unlike the Scrum-specific certifications, ICP focuses on Agile as a mindset.
• Target Audience: Individuals new to Agile, team members, and anyone looking to understand the fundamentals of Agile thinking and its application in various contexts.
• Prerequisites: Completion of an ICAgile-accredited course is required to obtain the ICP certification.
• Exam Details: There is no separate exam for the ICP certification. Certification is granted upon successful completion of an ICAgile-accredited course. The course itself will have assessments.
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Key Benefits:
  • Foundational understanding of Agile principles and practices.
  • Improved collaboration and communication skills.
  • Provides a strong base for further Agile certifications.
  • Globally recognized certification from ICAgile.
• Renewal Requirements: No renewal requirements. The ICP certification is valid indefinitely.

5. SAFe® Agilist Certification - Scaled Agile, Inc.

• Overview: The SAFe® Agilist Certification from Scaled Agile, Inc. provides you with the foundational knowledge to support the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). This certification will show you how to successfully work in the SAFe framework and scale Agile practices across large enterprises.
• Target Audience: Leaders, managers, and Agile team members who want to implement and support SAFe transformations in their organizations.
• Prerequisites: Attending a Leading SAFe course is highly recommended to prepare for the SAFe Agilist exam.
• Exam Details:
  • Exam Name: SAFe Agilist Exam
  • Cost: Included in the cost of the Leading SAFe course.
  • Format: Multiple-choice, online
  • Number of Questions: 45
  • Passing Score: 77% (35 out of 45)
  • Time Limit: 90 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Key Benefits:
  • Comprehensive understanding of the SAFe framework and its application in large organizations.
  • Ability to lead and participate effectively in SAFe implementations.
  • Improved collaboration and alignment across large teams and departments.
• Renewal Requirements: The SAFe Agilist certification must be renewed annually by paying a renewal fee.

6. Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) - Scrum Alliance

• Overview: The Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) certification from the Scrum Alliance validates your expertise in the Product Owner role within the Scrum framework. You'll learn how to effectively manage the product backlog, engage with stakeholders, and maximize the value of the product being developed.
• Target Audience: Product Owners, product managers, business analysts, and anyone responsible for defining and managing the product backlog to align with business goals and customer needs.
• Prerequisites: None formally required, but attending a Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) is mandatory.
• Exam Details: Details on the exact exam details can vary depending on the trainer, but generally there is a post-training assessment.
• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Key Benefits:
  • Deep understanding of the Product Owner role in Scrum.
  • Ability to create and manage a product backlog effectively.
  • Improved collaboration with stakeholders and development teams.
  • Enhanced ability to maximize the value of the product.
• Renewal Requirements: The CSPO certification must be renewed every two years by paying a fee and earning Scrum Education Units (SEUs).

7. Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC) - International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile)

• Overview: The ICAgile Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC) certification signifies competency in Agile Coaching. It validates your ability to guide individuals, teams, and organizations in adopting and improving Agile practices. This certification is about helping others succeed with Agile.
• Target Audience: Aspiring and practicing Agile coaches, Scrum Masters, team leads, and anyone who wants to develop their coaching skills to support Agile teams.
• Prerequisites: Completion of an ICAgile-accredited Agile Coaching course is required to obtain the ICP-ACC certification.
• Exam Details: There is no separate exam for the ICP-ACC certification. Certification is granted upon successful completion of an ICAgile-accredited Agile Coaching course. The course itself will have assessments.
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Key Benefits:
  • Demonstrates competency in Agile coaching skills.
  • Improves your ability to guide individuals, teams, and organizations in Agile adoption.
  • Enhances your career prospects as an Agile coach.
• Renewal Requirements: No renewal requirements. The ICP-ACC certification is valid indefinitely.

8. Lean Six Sigma Certification (Various Levels)

• Overview: Lean Six Sigma combines Lean principles (eliminating waste) with Six Sigma methodologies (reducing variation) to improve processes and achieve business excellence. Lean Six Sigma certifications are offered at various levels (Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt), each demonstrating increasing levels of expertise. This profile will focus on the Green Belt, a common entry point.
• Target Audience: Professionals seeking to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency in their organizations. Project managers, process engineers, quality analysts, and team leaders.
• Prerequisites: Prerequisites vary depending on the certification level and provider. Generally, there are no formal prerequisites for Yellow Belt, but Green Belt and higher levels require project experience and completion of training.
• Exam Details: Exam details vary depending on the provider. Generally, Lean Six Sigma exams are multiple-choice and require a passing score to demonstrate competency. Project completion is also often required for higher-level belts.
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Key Benefits:
  • Improved problem-solving and process improvement skills.
  • Increased efficiency and reduced costs in organizations.
  • Enhanced career prospects in process improvement and quality management roles.
• Renewal Requirements: Renewal requirements vary depending on the provider. Some providers require continuing education or project completion to maintain certification.

9. Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) - Project Management Institute (PMI)

• Overview: The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) validates your understanding of the Disciplined Agile (DA) framework, demonstrating your ability to choose the right Agile approach for a given situation. DASM focuses on providing a toolkit of strategies, rather than a single "best practice."
• Target Audience: Scrum Masters, team leads, and project managers who want to go beyond traditional Scrum and leverage the power of Disciplined Agile.
• Prerequisites: None. However, a basic understanding of Agile and Scrum principles is helpful.
• Exam Details:
  • Exam Name: Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)
  • Cost: Typically included in the cost of a DASM training course.
  • Format: Multiple-choice, online
  • Number of Questions: Varies
  • Passing Score: Varies
  • Time Limit: Varies
• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Key Benefits:
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the Disciplined Agile framework.
  • Improves your ability to select the right Agile approach for a given project.
  • Enhances your effectiveness as a Scrum Master or Agile team member.
• Renewal Requirements: The DASM certification must be renewed every year by earning PDUs.

10. Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) - APMG International

• Overview: Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) certification from APMG International offers a framework for managing and delivering Agile projects in a structured and controlled manner. AgilePM provides guidance for applying Agile principles while maintaining project governance and control.
• Target Audience: Project managers, program managers, team leads, and anyone involved in managing and delivering Agile projects in a formal project environment.
• Prerequisites: There are two levels of AgilePM certification: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level has no prerequisites. The Practitioner level requires passing the Foundation exam.
• Exam Details:
  • Exam Name: AgilePM® Foundation or AgilePM® Practitioner
  • Cost: Varies depending on the training provider and exam format.
  • Format: Multiple-choice (Foundation) or scenario-based (Practitioner)
  • Number of Questions: Varies
  • Passing Score: Varies
  • Time Limit: Varies
• Difficulty Level: Beginner (Foundation), Intermediate (Practitioner)
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides a structured framework for managing Agile projects.
  • Helps to balance Agile flexibility with project governance and control.
  • Enhances your credibility as an Agile project manager.
• Renewal Requirements: The AgilePM Practitioner certification must be re-registered every five years.

Choosing the Right Agile Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selecting the best Agile certification for your career path requires careful consideration. Follow these steps to make an informed decision:

1. Assess Your Current Role and Experience: What are your current responsibilities? Do you primarily focus on project management, software development, or product ownership? How much experience do you have with Agile methodologies? Understanding your current skills and knowledge will help you identify certifications that align with your experience level.
2. Define Your Career Goals: Where do you see yourself in the next few years? What roles are you targeting? Do you aspire to become a Scrum Master, an Agile project manager, or a product owner? Defining your career goals will help you narrow down the list of certifications that will help you achieve those goals.
3. Consider Your Budget: Agile certifications involve training and exam fees. Research the costs associated with each certification and determine how much you can realistically afford to spend.
4. Research Certification Requirements: Each certification has its own set of prerequisites, such as required training hours, years of experience, or specific coursework. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for the certifications you're considering.
5. Choose a Reputable Training Provider: If training is required or recommended, select a reputable training provider with experienced instructors and a proven track record of success. Look for providers that offer interactive learning experiences, practice exams, and support throughout your certification journey. (Subtly mention NetCom Learning's expertise here).
6. Prepare for the Exam: Once you've chosen a certification and a training provider, dedicate sufficient time and effort to prepare for the exam. Study the course materials, take practice exams, and seek clarification on any areas you find challenging.

Why Become Agile Certified in 2025?

Becoming Agile certified in 2025 offers significant career and organizational benefits. Agile certifications demonstrate a practical understanding of Agile principles, enhancing your credibility and marketability in a competitive job market. Certified professionals gain improved leadership skills, better adaptability to digital transformation, and the ability to lead teams through complex change processes, which increases their value to employers and reduces the risk of job displacement. Additionally, Agile certification often leads to higher salaries, expanded job opportunities across industries, and improved team productivity and customer satisfaction. As organizations increasingly adopt Agile frameworks, certification ensures you stay relevant and ahead in a rapidly evolving work environment.

Conclusion

Agile certifications are a valuable investment in your career, demonstrating your knowledge, skills, and commitment to Agile principles and practices. By understanding the different certifications available and choosing the right one for your individual needs, you can unlock new opportunities and achieve your career goals. The key to success lies in selecting a certification that aligns with your current role, experience level, and career aspirations.