Question 1

Can I get Agile certified for free?

Accepted Answer

No, you can't obtain an Agile certification for free. However, the cost can be modest if you choose a course like the Agile Scrum Essentials course. This Agile certification includes the basics of Agile and Scrum, inclulding their principles, values, roles, artefacts, and events.

Question 2

How difficult is Agile certification?

Accepted Answer

The difficulty of obtaining Agile certification depends largely on the specific certification and whether any prerequisites are involved. Many Agile certifications, such as Scrum Master certification, Scrum Product Owner certification, and Scrum Essentials have no prerequisites. On the other hand, the PMI®-ACP certification is challenging as it requires 21 hours of Agile training and 2,000 hours of relevant project experience, offering higher value when achieved.

Question 3

How long does Agile certification last?

Accepted Answer

Agile certifications have varying durations depending on the specific certification and the organisation that issues it. Some certifications remain valid indefinitely while others need periodic renewal via further education or exams. It is important to verify with the issuing body to understand renewal and duration details for specific Agile certifications.

Updating skills and knowledge frequently is crucial to stay updated in Agile methods and standards, regardless of certification expiry.

Question 4

How long does it take to get Agile certified?

Accepted Answer

The time needed to become Agile certified varies by certification. Below are durations for popular certifications, available as classroom or self-paced online courses:

Question 5

How long is the Agile Foundation exam?

Accepted Answer

The duration of the Agile Foundation exam is determined by the specific exam in question. The AgilePM Foundation exam takes 40 minutes to complete, whereas the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam has a duration of 60 minutes.

Question 6

How long is the Agile Practitioner exam?

Accepted Answer

The duration of each Agile Practitioner exam varies. The AgilePM Practitioner exam is 120 minutes long. In contrast, the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner exam takes 150 minutes.

Question 7

Is Agile certification in demand?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Agile certification remains highly sought after by employers. By 2025, many companies often require Scrum Master certification, Product Owner certification, alongside Agile project management certification.

Question 8

Is Agile certification worth it?

Accepted Answer

The value of an Agile certification depends on your career aspirations. For many, earning this qualification can improve skills, boost employment opportunities, and potentially increase salary. It is especially useful in jobs or industries using Agile methodologies.

However, consider the expense and its relevance first. Attending Agile workshops and undertaking Agile training can also be beneficial, offering practical advice and networking chances that are valuable in today’s fast-paced job market.

Question 9

Is Agile Practitioner the same as Scrum Master?

Accepted Answer

No, an Agile Practitioner is not the same as a Scrum Master. While Agile Practitioners may utilise frameworks like Scrum and other Agile methods, the CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) focuses solely on the Scrum methodology.

Additionally, the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI®-ACP) certification requires 1500 hours in Agile projects and 2000 hours in general project management, unlike CSM with no experience mandate.

Question 10

Is the ACP course hard?

Accepted Answer

The ACP® course might be challenging depending on the person, as it involves several difficulties. These can affect your self-assurance and resolve throughout the course of study.

Question 11

Is the Agile certification hard?

Accepted Answer

The difficulty of Agile certification varies according to the specific certification and its requirements. Generally, Scrum certifications require no prerequisites, as seen in Scrum Master certification, Scrum Product Owner certification, and Scrum Essentials certification. Meanwhile, the PMI®-ACP certification is more challenging, demanding 21 hours of Agile training and 2,000 hours of project experience, making it highly valuable once achieved.

Question 12

What are Agile qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Agile qualifications demonstrate your ability to understand and apply Agile techniques. Earning a certification shows your personal development dedication and commitment to managing projects with Agile principles.

Question 13

What is Agile Foundation certification?

Accepted Answer

There is not a single Agile Foundation certification but rather multiple. The most well-known ones include the following:

Question 14

What is an Agile Certified Practitioner?

Accepted Answer

An Agile Certified Practitioner is validated with the PMI® Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI®-ACP)® certification. This qualification confirms you have skills with Agile methodologies like Scrum, Lean, and Kanban. It showcases a truly Agile, team-driven approach, increasing your visibility with employers, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Question 15

What is the best Agile certification in the UK?

Accepted Answer

What is the best Agile certification in the UK? The answer depends on your career aims. For those in development, top choices include Scrum Master certification and Scrum Product Owner certification. If you seek a general understanding of Scrum, Scrum Essentials certification is recommended. For advanced roles, especially with experience, consider SAFe® certification. Beyond development, Kanban certification helps improve workflow management visually.

For project managers, the UK favours AgilePM certification and PRINCE2 Agile certification. Both offer Foundation and Practitioner levels, guiding learners through Agile project management practices.

Question 16

What is the best Agile certification to get?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the best Agile certification depends on your role and career objectives. For developers, the Scrum Master certification and Scrum Product Owner certification are ideal. For a general understanding of Scrum, try the Scrum Essentials certification. Experienced professionals may opt for a SAFe® certification. Those keen on improving workflow outside development might choose Kanban certification.

Project managers should consider AgilePM certification or PRINCE2 Agile certification, both offering Foundation and Practitioner levels. For those seeking a challenging role, the PMI®-ACP certification demands 21 hours of Agile training and 2,000 hours of experience.

Question 17

What is the best certification for Agile and Scrum?

Accepted Answer

When looking for the ideal certification in Agile and Scrum, consider respected options such as Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master (PSM-I) and SAFe's Leading SAFe 6.0 or SAFe 6 Agilist.

The Agile Fundamentals (ICP) from ICAgile and the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) from Scrum Alliance are also favoured. Further respected areas include Professional DevOps Foundations, Kanban training, and business analysis.

Question 18

What is the most sought after Agile certification?

Accepted Answer

The most popular Agile certification is likely the Scrum Master certification such as either the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) or Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Following this, the Scrum Product Owner certification, like either the Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), is also highly sought after.

Question 19

What is the pass mark for Agile Foundation exam?

Accepted Answer

The pass mark for both the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam and the AgilePM Foundation exam is 60%.

Question 20

Which Agile project management certification is best?

Accepted Answer

Determining the best Agile certification for you depends on your objectives. If you're new to Agile, consider the AgilePM Foundation if you know Agile already, or the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation if you know PRINCE2.

For seasoned Agile project managers, the AgilePM Practitioner suits those with Agile knowledge, and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner is suitable for those new to Agile.

Some may suggest a Scrum certification for Agile project management. However, Scrum isn't a project management method, so a targeted Agile project management certification is preferable.

Agile certification FAQs