PSM I certification: cost, passing score and exam format
PSM I is Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master I certification. The assessment costs $200 USD per attempt and has 80 questions in 60 minutes; you need 85% to pass. No course is required, and the certification is for life, with no annual renewal fee.
- Certification
- Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), issued by Scrum.orgScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- PSM I cost
- $200 USD per attempt — the password never expires but is valid for one attemptScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Questions
- 80Scrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Time limit
- 60 minutesScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Passing score
- 85%Scrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Question format
- Multiple choice, multiple answer, true/falseScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Course required
- No — strongly recommended; Scrum.org classes include a free attemptScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Languages
- English and Japanese at Scrum.org; Simplified Chinese through scrum.org.cnScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
- Validity
- Lifetime — no annual renewal feeScrum.org PSM I page, checked 8 October 2026
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Why you can trust these Professional Scrum Master PSM I questions
What is the PSM I certification?
PSM I stands for Professional Scrum Master I. It is the first level of Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master line, and Scrum.org describes passing it as demonstrating a fundamental level of Scrum mastery: that you understand Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide and can apply it.
It is aimed at scrum masters and anyone working in or with Scrum teams who wants to prove that understanding without being tied to a particular trainer. That is the defining design choice: PSM I is an assessment, not a course, and you can sit it with or without training.
Above it sits PSM II, which Scrum.org describes as evidence of an advanced level of Scrum mastery. PSM I is the usual starting point in that sequence.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
How much does the PSM I certification cost?
Scrum.org lists PSM I at $200 USD per attempt. That is the whole price of the certification for someone who self-studies: there is no mandatory course fee in front of it and no renewal fee behind it.
Note the per-attempt wording. A password has no expiration date, but it is valid for one attempt only, so a second attempt means a second $200. That makes preparation the cheapest way to control cost.
If you attend a Scrum.org training class, Scrum.org states that the class includes a free attempt at the associated certification — in that case the attempt is bundled into the class fee rather than bought separately.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
What is the PSM I exam format?
The PSM I assessment has 80 questions with a 60-minute time limit. That is 45 seconds per question on average, which is the real difficulty of the format: there is little time to reread the Scrum Guide in your head, and none to deliberate at length over each answer.
Scrum.org lists three question formats: multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false. Multiple-answer questions require every correct option to be selected, so partial knowledge does not earn the mark.
The assessment is offered in English and Japanese at Scrum.org, and in Simplified Chinese through scrum.org.cn.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I passing score
Scrum.org publishes the passing score: 85%. On 80 questions that means at least 68 correct answers — you can miss no more than 12.
That is a high bar compared with many certifications, and it changes how to prepare. Getting the broad idea of Scrum right is not enough; the margin for misreading a single word in the Scrum Guide — who is accountable for what, what is fixed and what is flexible — is small. Aim for consistent scores well above 85% in practice before booking.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
What is on the PSM I exam?
Scrum.org groups the PSM I questions into three focus areas:
Scrum.org does not publish a percentage weighting for these areas on the PSM I page. The common thread is the Scrum Guide, which Scrum.org names as the description of Scrum the certification tests against.
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
- Developing People and Teams
- Managing Products with Agility
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I prerequisites
There is no mandatory prerequisite. Scrum.org states that while attendance is not a prerequisite, attending a course is strongly recommended. No prior certification, degree or minimum experience is listed on the PSM I page.
That makes PSM I open to self-study candidates in a way that course-based scrum master certifications are not. The trade-off is that nobody checks your readiness before you spend the $200 — you have to do that yourself.
One practical consequence of the rules: because a password has no expiration date, you can buy the attempt and sit it only when your practice results are consistently above the 85% line. There is no deadline forcing you into the assessment before you are ready, which is the opposite of course-bound certifications with a fixed test window.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
Does the PSM I certification expire?
No. Scrum.org describes PSM I as a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee. There are no continuing education units to log and no renewal cycle to track.
For budgeting, that means PSM I is a one-off cost. Compare that with certifications that renew every two or three years with fees and education credits — over a few years the difference adds up.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I study materials and training
The core study material is the Scrum Guide. Scrum.org states that passing PSM I proves you understand Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide, so every question ultimately traces back to it; read it several times, slowly.
Scrum.org also offers the Scrum Open assessment, listed on the PSM I page as the practice assessment, and Scrum.org training classes, each of which includes a free attempt at the associated certification.
Because the pass mark is 85% and the clock is tight, the preparation that pays off is precision: knowing exactly what the Scrum Guide says, not what Scrum looks like in your current workplace.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I vs CSM
PSM I and CSM are the two best-known scrum master certifications, from two different organisations: PSM I from Scrum.org, CSM from Scrum Alliance. The biggest difference is the course. CSM requires a 16-hour course before you can take its test; PSM I does not require one.
The tests differ as well. PSM I has 80 questions in 60 minutes with an 85% pass mark. The CSM test has 50 multiple-choice questions in one hour, and 37 correct answers pass.
Cost and upkeep complete the picture: PSM I is $200 USD per attempt and lasts a lifetime with no renewal fee; CSM is a course fee in the range $250–$2,495 USD and requires renewal every two years with SEUs.
Source: Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I practice questions
Certsqill’s PSM I practice questions carry an explanation for every option — which matters on an assessment where 85% is the line and the difference between a right and a wrong answer is often a single word from the Scrum Guide.
PSM I questions people ask
What is the PSM I certification?
Professional Scrum Master I from Scrum.org, demonstrating a fundamental level of Scrum mastery as described in the Scrum Guide. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
How much does PSM I cost?
$200 USD per attempt. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
How many questions are on the PSM I exam?
80 questions in 60 minutes. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
What is the PSM I passing score?
85%. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
Do I need a course for PSM I?
No. Scrum.org says attendance is not a prerequisite, though a course is strongly recommended. Checked 8 October 2026.
Does PSM I expire?
No — it is a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
Does the PSM I password expire?
No, but it is valid for one attempt only. Source: Scrum.org, checked 8 October 2026.
In which languages is PSM I available?
English and Japanese at Scrum.org, and Simplified Chinese through scrum.org.cn. Checked 8 October 2026.
PSM I or CSM?
PSM I needs no course, costs $200 USD per attempt and lasts for life; CSM requires a 16-hour course and renews every two years. Sources: Scrum.org and Scrum Alliance, checked 8 October 2026.
What PSM 1 exam questions look like
PSM 1 exam questions come in three formats, per Scrum.org: multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false. With 80 questions in 60 minutes, the PSM 1 exam gives you 45 seconds per question, so most items test whether you know precisely what the Scrum Guide says — who is accountable for what, what is time-boxed, what is a commitment — rather than how your own team happens to work.
After the PSM 1 test you do not see which questions you answered correctly or incorrectly. Scrum.org gives a performance breakdown by Professional Scrum Competencies instead, which tells you which area to revisit if you need another attempt.
Searches for PSM test questions and PSM exam questions often mix the three levels. The PSM I exam questions described here belong to the fundamental level; the PSM II and PSM III sections below explain how the higher levels differ.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 9 October 2026.
PSM practice tests and the official exam simulator
Scrum.org lists Scrum Open as the practice assessment on its PSM I page. It is the closest thing to an official PSM exam simulator, because it comes from the same organisation that writes the assessment. Treat it as a first check, not the finish line — the real pass mark is 85%.
A useful PSM practice test does more than reproduce the format. Every PSM practice exam or PSM mock test you use should explain why the right answer is right with reference to the Scrum Guide, because a misread word costs the same on test day whether you guessed or misunderstood. Aim for scores consistently above 85% in any PSM I practice test before you buy the attempt.
In Certsqill’s PSM 1 practice test, every question explains each answer option, and your results feed a readiness score by focus area, with a 7-day money-back guarantee. A PSM 1 practice exam from Scrum.org’s Scrum Open is also a sensible start.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 9 October 2026.
PSM 1 certification: the credential you receive
Passing the assessment makes you PSM 1 certified. Scrum.org includes a free Credly digital credential with the certification and lists holders in its public directory, Search Professional Scrum Certification Holders — that directory is how an employer confirms you are professional scrum master certified.
The official name is Professional Scrum Master I. “Certified Professional Scrum Master” is a common way of writing it, but Scrum.org itself says Professional Scrum Master. The Scrum.org PSM certification — the professional scrum master certificate — is issued by Scrum.org alone. Scrum.org describes it as a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 9 October 2026.
Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification levels: PSM I, II and III
The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification has three levels at Scrum.org, described as fundamental, advanced and distinguished Scrum mastery. Scrum.org’s first-level certification, PSM 1, is the usual entry point; none of the levels formally requires the one below.
The PSM 2 certification raises the depth rather than the volume. The PSM II certification assessment costs $250 USD per attempt and has 30 questions in 90 minutes with an 85% pass mark; Scrum.org notes that partial credit is provided on some questions. It adds two focus areas to PSM I’s three: Developing and Delivering Products Professionally, and Evolving the Agile Organization. PSM I is listed as the recommended certification before it, not a requirement.
PSM III questions are different in kind. The assessment costs $500 USD per attempt and has 24 essay questions in 2.5 hours; responses must be typed, and pasting prepared answers is not allowed. Scrum.org says the questions ask you to apply your own experience to scenarios while staying true to the Scrum Guide, and grades the whole test as Pass or Did Not Pass rather than publishing a percentage.
- PSM I — $200 USD per attempt, 80 questions, 60 minutes, 85% to pass
- PSM II — $250 USD per attempt, 30 questions, 90 minutes, 85% to pass
- PSM III — $500 USD per attempt, 24 essay questions, 150 minutes, Pass/Did Not Pass
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master II. Checked 9 October 2026.
Professional scrum master certification cost across the levels
The professional scrum master certification cost is a per-attempt price at every level: $200 USD for PSM I, $250 USD for PSM II and $500 USD for PSM III. Scrum.org notes that taxes may apply at checkout. There is no renewal fee at any level.
The PSM certification cost changes if you take a Scrum.org class instead. Scrum.org states that its classes include a free attempt at the associated certification; participants in the live instructor-led Professional Scrum Master course who attempt PSM I within 14 days of receiving their password and do not pass get a second attempt at no extra cost, and those who pass PSM I are entitled to a 40% discount on the PSM II assessment.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master training. Checked 9 October 2026.
PSM requirements: what you need before the assessment
The formal PSM requirements are short: there is no prerequisite course, certification or minimum experience for PSM I. The one requirement Scrum.org sets on the day is behavioural — by taking an assessment you agree to its Standard of Conduct.
That standard is specific. You may not consult other people during the assessment, may not use AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot, and may not share any assessment material, including your answers. Scrum.org does allow consulting paper copies of reference material. Each password is valid for one attempt, so a technical or conduct problem costs you that attempt.
The practical requirement is preparation to the 85% line. If the Scrum Guide is not yet second nature, that — not a missing certificate — is what stands between you and a pass.
Source: Scrum.org — Standard of Conduct for assessments. Checked 9 October 2026.
Is there a PSM syllabus?
Scrum.org does not publish a syllabus document for PSM I. The closest equivalent is the combination of the Scrum Guide, which Scrum.org names as the description of Scrum the certification tests against, and the three focus areas on the PSM I page: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Developing People and Teams, and Managing Products with Agility.
Searches for a “PSM paper 1 syllabus” usually concern a different PSM. Scrum.org’s PSM I has no papers — it is a single online assessment of 80 questions.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 9 October 2026.
Not this PSM: OSHA process safety management
PSM also stands for process safety management. OSHA’s Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard, 29 CFR 1910.119, emphasises managing the hazards associated with highly hazardous chemicals. If you searched for OSHA PSM requirements, PSM requirements OSHA sets for chemical processes, or a PSM coordinator salary in that field, you are looking for that standard — OSHA’s own process safety management pages are the place to start.
Everything else on this page is about the Professional Scrum Master certification from Scrum.org, which has nothing to do with process safety.
Source: OSHA — Process Safety Management. Checked 9 October 2026.
PSM certification vs CSM
The cert page above compares the two in detail; the short version of PSM certification vs CSM is that PSM I is an assessment you can take without a course, while CSM, from Scrum Alliance, requires a 16-hour course before its 50-question test. PSM I has a higher pass mark — 85% against 37 of 50 for CSM — and lasts for life, while CSM renews every two years with SEUs.
Both are scrum master certifications and differ in route, not subject. As a scrum master certification, PSM costs one $200 attempt, while CSM’s price of entry is its course fee. If you want a PSM scrum master certification without classroom time, nothing in Scrum.org’s rules stops you.
Source: Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster. Checked 8 October 2026.
Is the PSM I certification worth it?
Whether PSM I is worth it depends on what you need it to prove, and Scrum.org does not publish pass rates or salary data to settle it. What is verifiable is the cost side: $200 USD per attempt, no mandatory course, no renewal fee, and a credential that lasts for life and can be checked in Scrum.org’s public holder directory.
Against that stands an 85% pass mark in a tight 60-minute window, so the real price is preparation time. If you already run Scrum daily, the assessment mostly checks that your practice matches the Scrum Guide — and habits from your own workplace that differ from the guide are what cost marks.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I. Checked 9 October 2026.
Why PSM dumps are a bad idea
Scrum.org’s Standard of Conduct says you will not share any assessment materials, including your answers, and that you have not received any answers to the questions in advance. It states that failure to meet these standards may result in your Scrum.org certifications being revoked, and that Scrum.org may disable the account.
So a PSM dump is not just unreliable — you cannot tell whether its answers are right — it is a route to losing the credential. Time spent on Scrum Open and the Scrum Guide prepares you for questions you have never seen, which is what the assessment actually gives you.
Source: Scrum.org — Standard of Conduct for assessments. Checked 9 October 2026.
More PSM I questions
What is PSM certification?
PSM is Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master certification, offered at three levels: PSM I (fundamental), PSM II (advanced) and PSM III (distinguished). Source: Scrum.org, checked 9 October 2026.
What is a professional scrum master certification?
A Scrum.org credential showing that you understand Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide and can apply it. You earn it by passing an online assessment; no course is required. Source: Scrum.org, checked 9 October 2026.
What is a PSM certification worth to employers?
Scrum.org publishes no salary data. What employers can check is the credential itself, through Scrum.org’s public list of certification holders and the included Credly badge. Checked 9 October 2026.
What is professional scrum master certification level II?
PSM II: $250 USD per attempt, 30 questions in 90 minutes, 85% to pass, lifetime validity. PSM I is recommended but not required. Source: Scrum.org, checked 9 October 2026.
Can I verify that someone is PSM certified?
Yes — Scrum.org links a public directory, Search Professional Scrum Certification Holders, from its PSM I page. Checked 9 October 2026.
Are PSM III questions multiple choice?
No. PSM III has 24 essay questions in 2.5 hours, typed without pasting prepared answers, graded Pass or Did Not Pass. Source: Scrum.org, checked 9 October 2026.
Can I use notes during the PSM I assessment?
Scrum.org’s Standard of Conduct allows paper copies of reference material, but not consulting other people or using AI tools. Checked 9 October 2026.
