Product owners are crucial members of scrum teams. Without POs, stakeholder communication would cease, backlogs would fall apart and product visions wouldn’t emerge. Even the best project management software won’t help teams that don’t have a good PO. If the role appeals to you but you aren’t sure which certification to get, our CSPO vs PSPO guide will help.
Below, we’ll cover two of the most well-respected product owner certifications: the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), offered by the Scrum Alliance, and the Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), offered by Scrum.org, both of which made our roundup of the best Scrum certifications.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how the certifications differ, how much they cost, what the coursework and exams look like and how the project management community feels about each. We know you’re eager to learn, so let’s jump in.
What Is CSPO?
The Scrum Alliance offers the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification. This participation-based course is for those who want to become a vital team member in the Scrum framework.
The entry-level course — the first of three for POs that the Scrum Alliance offers — covers topics such as Scrum basics and roles, customer satisfaction, communication, backlogs, sprints and release management, all of which will go a long way in an Agile software development project.
The 14-hour course is taught by a certified Scrum trainer and has no exam component, which will certainly appeal to many. The only downside is that the certification must be renewed every two years and requires continuing education and extra payments.
What Is PSPO?
The Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) certification will help you attain a prominent role in the Scrum framework. This certification for new product owners covers Scrum fundamentals; the product owner role within a scrum team; working with stakeholders, customers and development teams; managing products; and working in Agile organizations.
The most significant difference between the CSPO and PSPO certifications is that the PSPO doesn’t require you to attend a course, but it does have a tough examination process. Participants can opt to take a class if they wish to learn the material, or they can self-study.
To obtain the PSPO certification, which doesn’t have a renewal requirement, you must score 85% or higher on the exam. Still, this shouldn’t put off those wishing to enhance their Agile framework skills. Obtaining this certification will open the doors to Scrum.org’s other PSPO certifications: the PSPO II and the PSPO III.
At A Glance: Difference Between CSPO and PSPO
Below, you’ll find a handy table that breaks down the main differences between the CSPO I and PSPO I certifications. Use it to quickly compare both Scrum training options before moving into our more detailed breakdown of the key differences.
| Features | PSPO | CSPO |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation Body | Scrum.org | The Scrum Alliance |
| Requirements | No PSPO training requirements | 14 hours of coursework with professional Scrum trainers. |
| Topics Covered | 1. Scrum fundamentals 2. The role of a product owner 3. Working with stakeholders 4. Working with customers 5. Working with a scrum development team 6. Managing products 7. Delivering products 8. Agile organizations |
1. Scrum basics and roles 2. Product visions 3. Customer satisfaction 4. Key stakeholders 5. Scrum master communication 6. Product backlogs 7. Sprints 8. Release management |
| Course and Exam Fees | No course is required; the exam fee is $200 per attempt. Courses cost $1,395 to $1,495 and typically include one exam attempt. | Prices for the required 14-hour course range from $300 to $1,250. Most courses are online but are also offered in person. |
| Renewal Policy | No renewal | Must be renewed every two years |
| Exam Structure | The PSPO exam lasts 60 minutes and features 80 multiple-choice, multiple-answer and true-or-false questions. The passing score is 85%. | No examination |
Key Differences Between CSPO and PSPO
The table above provides a quick glance at the major differences between the PSPO and CSPO certifications. Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at how key certification differences could impact you.
Cost
If cost is a deciding factor, you’ll likely want to consider the PSPO certification over the CSPO. The PSPO exam costs $200 per attempt, and there is no requirement to take an expensive course. If you prefer, you can self-study for free — and even get some practice by using a project management software like monday.com to organize your learning.
You can access the Professional Scrum Competency guides via the official Scrum.org website. However, should you wish to take a course, you can expect to pay between $1,395 and $1,495. These prices generally include one exam attempt.
Courses for the CSPO certification range from $300 to $1,250, but there is no extra exam fee, as there is no exam. However, do your due diligence to determine the quality of the courses and what exactly you’re getting for your money.
To conduct due diligence, carefully read the course descriptions to make sure they cover the correct topics, determine whether learning materials are provided and read feedback about the course and trainer. Keep in mind that to meet Scrum Alliance requirements, a certified Scrum trainer must lead the course.
Certification Renewal
Another factor to take into consideration from a cost and time standpoint is certification renewal requirements. If you opt for the PSPO certification, once you have it, it’s yours. There are no renewal requirements, unlike with the CSPO certification.
The CSPO certification must be renewed every two years. Certification renewal requires 20 Scrum education units (EDUs) gained via continuing education, volunteering, participating in official Scrum Alliance events and reading Scrum Alliance articles. You must also pay a $100 renewal fee. This means the CSPO will cost more than the PSPO in the long run.
How to Get CSPO Certification
If you’ve decided to go for the Certified Scrum Product Owner certification after reading this guide, congratulations! The CSPO certificate will serve you well during your product ownership career. Below are the steps you’ll need to take to get the certification.
- Sign Up for a Certified Instructor-Led Course
Head to the official Scrum Alliance website and select the “find a course” option. From here, refine your search to include the CSPO course, exclude online or in-person courses and select dates and times.
- Attend the Class
After signing up, attend the course (which typically lasts two days) and participate. At the end of the 14-hour course, you’ll have your CSPO certification.
- Maintain Your Certification
The last step for those who obtain the CSPO certification is renewal. Ensure that you earn 20 Scrum education units every two years as a sign of commitment to continuous improvement and pay a $100 fee.
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How to Get PSPO Certification
Congratulations to those of you who have decided that the PSPO certification is the one for you. After learning about Scrum terminology, a project’s key stakeholders, the product backlog, the Scrum model and more, it’s time to get your hands on the certification. Below are the steps you’ll need to follow to become PSPO certified and embark on a project management career.
certification exam or need more training.
- Determine Whether You Are Ready for the Exam or Need Training
Assess whether you’re ready to take the exam or would benefit from more training. If you want to attend a course, head to Scrum.org and click the “training” icon, then refine your search to include PSPO training for dates and times that suit you. Once you’ve found an option, sign up for the course. If you’re ready for the exam, create a Scrum.org account and register.
- Attend the Course or Self-Study for the Exam
If you decide to participate in a PSPO training course, attend it and soak up all the information. Alternatively, if you want to save money, self-study for free using Scrum.org materials to prepare for the exam.
- Take the Exam
Once ready, you can sit for the PSPO exam. Decide whether you want to take the PSPO exam online or in person. The exam lasts 60 minutes, features 80 questions and requires a score of 85% or higher to pass.
Which Certification Should You Choose: CSPO or PSPO?
The foundation-level CSPO and PSPO certifications are ideal for those wishing to become product owners. Both certifications will help demonstrate that you have the knowledge and ability to create a product vision, communicate with a project’s key stakeholders, motivate a scrum development team, and deliver a top customer experience.
To make things easier, decide whether you want to attend a course without an exam but pay for continuing education and renewals, or take an exam without attending a course and not worry about the total cost increasing every two years. Otherwise, the certifications cover identical topics and will open many of the same job opportunities.
Community Feedback: CSPO vs PSPO on Reddit & Social Media
If you’re still having trouble choosing between the two certifications after reading this guide, you can see what other product owners think about CSPO and PSPO on Reddit and other social media platforms.
on community pages like Reddit.
Users on Reddit speak highly of both certifications but generally lean towards the CSPO; it is slightly more respected than the PSPO, as the Scrum Alliance carries more weight than Scrum.org. However, many users also state that you should look at job listings in your area of residence to see if they mention a preference for one certification over the other.
Final Thoughts
If you think you have the required hard and soft skills to become a product owner and want to become certified, you can’t go wrong with either the CSPO or the PSPO certification. Both will prove to current or prospective employers that you have the skills to design product visions, engage stakeholders and clients, lead development teams and increase customer value.
Once you have become certified and are ready to apply for a product owner position, use our product owner interview guide to help prepare yourself. Which certification sounds like the best option for you? Have you already obtained either certification? How did it impact your career? Let us know in the comment section and, as always, thanks for reading.
FAQ: PSPO vs CSPO
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The PSPO and CSPO certifications are nearly identical and will allow you to apply for and obtain entry-level product owner positions. However, the Scrum Alliance’s CSPO certification is held in slightly higher esteem, even though it doesn’t require you to pass an exam.
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Yes, many companies recognized Scrum.org’s PSPO certification. It is one of the top entry-level certifications aspiring product owners can get their hands on.
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Both the CSPO and the PSPO certification are ideal for product owners. The Scrum Alliance does carry slightly more weight than Scrum.org, but both certifications will prove that you have the required skills to lead an Agile development team.
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The PSPO certification can help you land an entry-level product owner position, which comes with an average annual salary of $71,000 in the U.S.
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