PMP (Project Management Professional, from PMI) and PSM I (Professional Scrum Master I, from Scrum.org) both show up in project and delivery job ads, but they certify different things. PMP covers project management across predictive, agile and hybrid approaches, and requires experience. PSM I covers Scrum as defined by the Scrum Guide, and anyone can take it.
Side by side
| PMP | PSM I | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | PMI | Scrum.org |
| Scope | Project management: people, process, business environment; predictive, agile and hybrid | Scrum framework only |
| Eligibility | 35 hours of PM education plus 36–60 months of project experience | None; no course required |
| Exam | 180 questions, 230 minutes, test centre or proctored online | 80 questions, 60 minutes, online, unproctored |
| Pass mark | Not published; performance ratings per domain | 85% |
| Approximate cost | About 405 USD (PMI members) / 555 USD (non-members) | 200 USD per attempt |
| Renewal | 60 PDUs every 3 years | Doesn't expire |
Fees and rules change; check PMI and Scrum.org for current details.
Choose PMP if
- You manage projects end to end: scope, schedule, budget, risk, stakeholders, procurement.
- You work in, or apply to, organisations that use predictive or hybrid delivery, or that list PMP in job requirements.
- You already meet the experience requirement and want the broadest, most recognised PM credential.
Choose PSM I if
- You work, or want to work, as a Scrum Master or on a Scrum team.
- You need a credential now and don't yet have the experience PMP requires.
- Your organisation runs Scrum and you want to show you know the framework precisely.
Difficulty
They're hard in different ways. PMP is long and situational, with a broad body of knowledge and real stamina demands (see is the PMP hard?). PSM I is short, but its 85% pass mark and strict 60-minute timebox leave little room for error, and questions test the Scrum Guide's exact wording.
Can you hold both?
Many people do: PSM I early, then PMP once they meet the experience bar, or PSM I to add Scrum to an existing PMP. PMP's agile content and PSM I overlap on concepts, so each helps with the other.
Practice: PMP practice exams, PSM I practice exams, and the free domain pages for Scrum Events and PMP Process.
Frequently asked questions
Is PSM I easier than PMP?
PSM I is shorter and has no eligibility requirement, but its 85% pass mark and strict timebox make it demanding. PMP is longer, broader and requires experience to sit.
Do I need experience for PSM I?
No. Anyone can take PSM I, without a course. PMP requires 35 hours of education and 36–60 months of project experience.
Does PSM I expire?
No. Scrum.org certifications don't expire. PMP requires 60 professional development units every three years.