Free practice exams, free exam retake, free class retake.
No last minute cancellations or trainer changes!
Personalized discounts for your situation.
Price
495 USD 349 USD until 14 Mar
Exam Fee is Included
Date
Two 8.00-hour sessions
Thu Apr 23 - 9:30 AM (EST) to
Fri Apr 24 - 5:30 PM (EST)

With Grow-Lean, you get six complete practice exams, four attempts at the actual exam, access to our community, one-on-one exam coaching, and a small class size (get the attention you deserve).

Your trainer is David Bulkin. If you want to know why to choose David, quoting him, "I continue to build stuff with agile.". He has an impressive 40 years of product experience and he is not stopping. He has 24 years dedicated to agile, and has successfully trained over 20,000 students.

What sets David apart is his continued active involvement in product development. His hands-on experience allows him to bring practical relevance to the classroom, ensuring that you gain applicable skills to immediately apply.

David is known for his dynamic, engaging, and interactive training style. He is one of the longest tenured active trainers and his training material has been improved over many years resulting in a workshop that is driven by exercises not lecture.

His CSM has 28 exercises combined with deep discussion resulting in a high energy, fun, collaborative, open environment that encourages participation and deeper understanding.

His session is for you if you are willing to question your own assumptions and rethink how you work.

Another difference is that David is one of the longest tenured active trainers and he has certified over 10,000 CSM students with the Scrum Alliance. As such, his training material has been improved over many years resulting in a workshop that is driven by exercise not lecture.

Join David's training and benefit from his wealth of knowledge, practical expertise, and unique ability to make learning both enjoyable and effective.

4.89 - 206 reviews
5.00 - 82 reviews
4.90 - 872 reviews

A unique CSM course taught by highly engaging agile experts with decades of real-world Scrum experience

Exercise samples shown throughout this page are representative. Visual materials vary by trainer.

Key Details

100% Live and Engaging

Live workshop with no slides and no PowerPoint. Master the Scrum Master role through hands-on exercises, real-world scenarios, and practical facilitation techniques.

30+ Exercises for Deep Learning

Exercises drive the session so you learn concepts in an engaging manner. Exercises are done in small breakout rooms and then the entire class reviews to ensure practical learning and skill development.

Go Beyond the Scrum Guide

A great Scrum Master does not just know Scrum. They give their team the tools and techniques to execute better. This course is built around exactly that.

Take Bill Wake's INVEST model (shown here). Rather than simply telling your team to write better stories, you will leave this course with a concrete framework you can provide them to evaluate and shape high-quality user stories. That is the difference between describing good practices and actually enabling them.

Throughout this course, you will build a toolkit of models, frameworks, and facilitation techniques you can share with your team immediately, whether you are coaching Developers, guiding a struggling Product Owner, or removing impediments that are slowing the team down.

You will also explore how AI tools are reshaping the Scrum Master role. From accelerating backlog refinement to surfacing impediments faster, you will learn how to lead teams effectively in an AI-assisted workplace.

No Myths, Fluff, Filler, Videos, or Slides

Our session has 30+ exercises and deep discussion leaving no time for fluff, fillers, videos and other non-value added content.

We avoid oversimplified answers and common myths. For example...

  • No, you're not a secretary taking notes and booking meetings.
  • No, you don't have to be a project manager in disguise.
  • No, servant leadership doesn't mean being a pushover.

Uplift Your Future Discount.
Get the best discounts specific to your situation

At Grow-Lean, we understand that job loss and financial hardships can be overwhelming. Many of our customers and community members have shared their challenges, and we want to help.

For a limited time, we are providing even deeper discounts, making it easier for you to continue learning and advance your career. This program applies courses taking place between now and 15 March 2026 and includes early bird (automatically applied), alumni, groups (3+ at one or many events), hardship, out of pocket, student, teacher and military. Apply for a discount on the session date you are interested in.

The carousel below shows the discount options for this session. Use your finger or mouse to choose a discount.

Get Discounts

Use your mouse wheel, or finger to choose a discount, then click on it.

Get Discounts

Free CSM Practice Exams

Pass Your CSM Exam with Confidence
Six comprehensive practice exams included free with every registration

Master the material with six comprehensive 50-question practice exams that mirror the real test.

Build confidence speaking the language of Scrum through realistic scenario-based questions.

Prepare beyond the exam with questions more challenging than what you'll face on exam day.

Learn from every answer with instant feedback and detailed explanations for each question.

Exceptional Training

Grow-Lean is a trusted provider.
Our trainers have a minimum of 15 years agile experience each.
Everything you need is included.

What You Learn

Coverage in the Certified ScrumMaster

The Agile Manifesto & Principles

A deep dive into the 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto gives you the philosophical foundation you need to understand why Scrum works the way it does. You will explore what each value and principle means in practice, not just on paper.

Understanding the Manifesto deeply allows you to answer the toughest questions from your team with confidence and help your organization make better decisions grounded in agile thinking.

Applying the Scrum Framework

Go beyond memorizing the Scrum Guide. You will learn how to run Scrum effectively through hands-on exercises covering all three pillars of the framework:

  • Roles: Help Developers and the Product Owner excel as a self-managing team.
  • Events: Facilitate Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and the Retrospective with skill and purpose.
  • Artifacts: Ensure the Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog are lightweight, actionable, and maximizing value.
How the Scrum Master Serves the Team

A great Scrum Master is a servant leader who empowers the team rather than directing them. You will learn how to coach Developers toward self-management, support the Product Owner in maximizing product value, and help the broader organization understand and adopt Scrum.

Through hands-on exercises, you will practice removing impediments, facilitating productive conversations, and creating an environment where your team can do their best work consistently.

Grow-Lean Uplift Your Future program banner
UpLift Your Future Program
Facing a hardship?
We’re offering extra support.

When we lift each other up, we all rise to new heights

We have heard from many students about their challenges with job loss and the fear of it.

We have expanded our discounts from now through March 15, 2026, to help you keep moving forward.

Deep discounts are available for:

  • Students, Vets, Active Military
  • Groups and Not-Profit-Organizations
  • Individuals facing financial hardship

Browse our upcoming sessions, pick a session, and select the “Discounts” link to apply.

Let’s navigate this journey together.

Benefit from a Free Retake
Love it or Learn Again
for Free Guarantee™

Ensure Your Quality

Want more value from the session we will work with you to make it happen with options including a free retake and/or one-on-one support.

Get the best quality training from a provider you can trust.

Exam Support Beyond the Classroom
Pass With Confidence

Practice Exams and Personalized Help

Grow-Lean goes beyond just delivering content. We help you succeed after class with realistic practice exams that simulate the real test, helping you find gaps and build confidence.

Unsure about a topic or not feeling ready? We’re here to help with personalized guidance from experienced trainers who want to see you pass.

Train with confidence, practice with purpose, and pass with Grow-Lean by your side.

Don't Get Lost in the Crowd
Small Class Size. Big Impact!

Get Individual Attention

Other providers often pack 50+ students into a class. At Grow-Lean, we keep class sizes small, so you can get more personalized attention, deeper engagement, and direct access to your trainer.

With fewer distractions and more chances to ask questions, you'll leave the course better prepared to apply your learning in real-world situations.

Secure your spot and experience the Grow-Lean difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Things to know

The Scrum Master and the CSM Certification

The Scrum Master helps Developers and Product Owners grow as individuals and as a team, improving outcomes for everyone - the team members, the Scrum Team as a whole, and the entire organization.

Here's how a Scrum Master creates value:

Supporting Both Developers and Product Owner

  • Enable self-management: The Scrum Master ensures teams have the autonomy and authority they need. For example, at Sprint Planning, Developers discuss options with the Product Owner, make final decisions about what enters the Sprint, and plan how work gets done - rather than being told what to do by managers.
  • Address impediments: While Scrum Masters sometimes remove obstacles directly (like coordinating with other teams on dependencies), they more often help teams navigate around impediments and maintain quality delivery despite challenges. The key is never accepting barriers as inevitable.

Supporting Developers

  • Foster self-management: Help Developers figure out what to work on and how to approach it, while staying aligned with the Sprint Goal - rather than waiting for instructions.
  • Encourage cross-functional work: Create a safe environment where team members work outside their specialties (analysts testing, testers analyzing). This drives individual growth, increases motivation, and reduces risk from single points of expertise. The Scrum Master coaches collaboration patterns to overcome natural hesitancy about leaving comfort zones.
  • Facilitate effective Scrum Events: Ensure events like the Daily Scrum are run by Developers for Developers, focused on creating better plans rather than just reporting status.
  • Improve technical practices: Coach practices like Test First Development, Pair Programming, Swarming, and Refactoring to enhance product quality and team effectiveness.

Supporting the Product Owner

  • Communicate a clear, compelling product vision
  • Develop long-term roadmaps and effective forecasting
  • Organize and prioritize the Product Backlog
  • Apply evidence-based, empirical product development methods

Supporting the Organization

  • Build understanding of evidence-based, empirical approaches across the organization
  • Address structural barriers to agility (shifting from yearly budgets to continuous flow, functional silos to feature teams, and output metrics to outcome metrics)
  • Create and execute long-term agility roadmaps
  • Remove organizational blockers as they emerge

Not at all. While agile originated in software development, it has expanded dramatically across industries and roles.

Our CSM classes welcome:

  • Career changers: Teachers, sales professionals, healthcare workers, administrators, and others transitioning into IT or agile roles
  • Current professionals: Marketing teams, product developers, project managers, and business analysts applying agile in their existing roles
  • Anyone interested in agile: If you want to learn collaborative, adaptive ways of working, you belong here

You don't need a technical background to become an effective Scrum Master.



About the Grow-Lean Certified Scrum Master Class

Our sessions are 100% live and interactive.

The only pre-recorded content is a handful of short video clips (less than 5 minutes total) used to enhance specific learning points. Everything else is real-time interaction with your trainer and fellow students.

All CSM sessions use Zoom as the primary platform. Depending on your trainer, you may also use collaborative tools like Mural, Miro, or Google Drive.

  • Check the "Prep" tab on your session's details page for the specific tools your trainer uses
  • All technology access is included in your registration. No extra fees
  • Need setup help? We're here to assist before class starts

Everything you need to get started:

  • Computer or tablet with internet: Most participants use one device (laptop with webcam). Some prefer two devices. One for video and another for viewing shared materials.
  • Webcam: Nearly all laptops have built-in webcams. If yours doesn't, you can use your phone as a webcam.
  • Audio: Headset, earbuds, or your device's built-in microphone and speakers all work fine.
  • Zoom access: New to Zoom? Test your setup at zoom.us/test. Click "Join" and follow the prompts. Need help? See Zoom's test meeting guide.
  • A comfortable space: Find a spot where you can focus during class. Ideally with:
    • Good lighting
    • Minimal background noise
    • Limited interruptions

    Don't stress about perfection! We understand that kids, pets, family members, or roommates may make appearances. It's all part of remote learning.

Need help with setup? Contact us before class and we'll walk you through it.

You'll receive comprehensive materials throughout your learning journey:

Before class:

  • Links to prep videos and pre-reading materials
  • Access to all six practice exams
  • PDF workbook (if used by your trainer) for printing

During class:

  • Interactive digital boards for real-time collaboration
  • Live exercises and activities

After class:

  • Continued access to practice exams and study materials
  • Session recordings and reference materials (varies by trainer)


Choosing Grow-Lean

Here's what sets Grow-Lean apart:

  • ScrumAlliance-approved Registered Education Provider (REP) and Path to CSP Educator
  • Industry-leading trainers with 15-20+ years of agile experience
  • 100% live, interactive workshops. No endless slides or pre-recorded videos
  • Expert-vetted training materials and proven teaching methods
  • Caring support before, during, and after your class
  • Complete your Scrum Master journey with our Advanced CSM and CSP-SM courses
  • Our trainers have collectively certified over 20,000 Scrum Masters

Our CSM trainers are among the most experienced in the industry:

Pioneers in Agile:

  • Many of our trainers have been practicing agile since the late 1990s and early 2000s, around the time the Agile Manifesto was created
  • All trainers have a minimum of 15 years of hands-on agile experience

Proven Track Record:

  • 15+ years of teaching experience per trainer
  • Some were among the very first to deliver the CSM certification globally
  • Collectively, our trainers have certified over 20,000 Scrum Masters through the Scrum Alliance

You're learning from instructors who helped shape modern Scrum practices.

Yes, absolutely. Grow-Lean holds the highest levels of Scrum Alliance approval:

Path to CSP Educator:

  • We're authorized to deliver the complete Scrum Master journey. From CSM through Advanced CSM (A-CSM) to Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster (CSP-SM).

Registered Education Provider (REP):

  • This designation allows us to offer additional professional development opportunities beyond standard certification courses.

Trainer Credentials:

  • Every Grow-Lean CSM trainer is individually approved by the Scrum Alliance as a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST).


Enrolling in the Grow-Lean Certified Scrum Master Class

Yes! Grow-Lean offers buy-now-pay-later via Splitit:

  • Select Splitit during checkout
  • Choose your term: 1 to 12 months
  • No additional fees or interest
  • Pay off early anytime
  • A hold equal to the full amount is placed on your credit card

Note: Splitit is available when your registration total meets the minimum threshold. Some deeply discounted registrations may fall below this amount and won't qualify for installment payments.

Yes! Grow-Lean offers an industry-leading array of discounts. Availability varies by location, trainer, and session capacity.

Available discounts:

  • Early Bird: Register in advance and save
  • Out of Pocket: When you won't be reimbursed by your employer
  • Group: Three or more attendees
  • Alumni: 5% off for each class over $225 you've taken with us (combines with other discounts)
  • Hardship: For those experiencing economic hardship
  • Student: Full-time students
  • Military/Veteran: Those serving or who have served

Many discounts can be combined as shown below:

Discount combinations chart

Note: Discounted seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Request your discount today!

Yes, we understand that plans change.

Rescheduling details:

  • Reschedule anytime before your class starts
  • No fee if rescheduled more than 7 days before class
  • $125 transfer fee if rescheduled within 7 days of class start
  • Easy process. Just contact us to switch sessions

We'll work with you to find a session that fits your schedule.

Absolutely! We're here to help you make the right decision.

Visit our contact page and select "Call me" from the dropdown. Let us know:

  • Your preferred contact method and time
  • What questions you have about the CSM program

We'll reach out to discuss your goals and help you choose the right path forward.



Exam FAQ

The CSM exam is straightforward and designed for success:

  • 50 multiple-choice questions
  • 60 minutes to complete
  • 37 correct answers required to pass (74%)
  • Take it online from anywhere within 90 days of class
  • Open book (Scrum Guide and Agile Manifesto)
  • Free retake if needed

With Grow-Lean, you receive six comprehensive practice exams at no additional cost. Students who pass our practice exams consistently pass the official exam on their first attempt with high scores.

Need personal coaching? We're here to help, just reach out.

No. The exam is designed to validate your learning, not trip you up.

  • Take it from the comfort of your home
  • No camera required
  • No scheduling a proctoring session
  • Access the exam 24/7 during your 90-day window

Yes! With proper preparation, you should pass on your first attempt.

Our approach to your success:

  • Six free comprehensive practice exams (50 questions each)
  • Unlimited practice attempts. Take them as many times as you need
  • Study at your own pace during your 90-day window
  • Most students need less than 2-3 hours of focused practice
  • We recommend scoring 90% or higher on practice exams before taking the official test

Students who pass our practice exams consistently pass the official CSM exam on their first try with high scores.

Need extra help? Personal coaching is available, just reach out.



Choose an Experienced Trainer


David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

David Bulkin is a managing director and head of training services at Grow-Lean. He assists teams as a coach / mentor; delivers training, and builds product. He has trained 20,000 students, and impacted thousands via public speaking and coaching. Unlike many trainer/coaches, he continues to build systems.

David delivers training, including the CSM, A-CSM, CSPO and A-CSPO courses; and has trained over 20,000 students with over 10,000 being with the Scrum Alliance.

David mentors and coaches teams and individuals.

He does all of this while actively building software, filling various roles at different times, including designing, coding, testing, PO and Scrum Master (think about that, someone who does what they teach).

David's commitment to helping others and his continued work as a team member positions him to deliver a practical perspective that will help you boost your career.

David's thought leadership in 2009 on progressive elaboration for agile requirements influenced what is now known as refinement (entering Scrum in 2011). David has successfully applied agile to manufacturing, marketing, sales, finance, and other areas outside of IT. He was an independent reviewer of the original PMI-ACP body of knowledge that fed the creation of the PMI-ACP Exam and has worked on the exam questions for the Certified Scrum Master Exam. David’s broad background ensures you are getting up-to-date ideas to apply.

David is an industry veteran with 40 years of product development experience. In 2001, David's eBanking Team at JP Morgan Chase implemented agile with Kent Beck, the Father of Extreme Programming (XP), and perhaps also Agile, was the team coach. In addition to eBanking, David was also responsible for Online Account Opening, Insurance and Retirement Services.

David's deep experience, his high energy level, and his continued hands-on work helps David stay practical and level-headed . He can understand your needs so you benefit from his experience.

Guarantees

Check the range of guarantees we offer

CSM Exam Pass

Exam support guarantee

Attending this class qualifies you to take the CSM certification exam. When you pass, you'll be recognized as a Certified ScrumMaster.

We're committed to your success. You get ongoing support until you pass:

  • Free exam retakes (up to 3 attempts within 90 days)
  • Six comprehensive practice exams (300+ total questions)
  • Personal one-on-one coaching if you need extra help

All we ask is that you use the practice exams to prepare. Students who do consistently pass on their first attempt.

CSM Exam Pass
CSM Exam Pass

Love it or learn it again for free guarantee™

Not satisfied? No problem. Take the class again for free including the option to switch to a different Grow-Lean trainer.

You also get free one-on-one coaching sessions if you're struggling with concepts or need help preparing for the exam.

Your learning success is completely risk-free.

Reality Guarantee

Experience and understanding matter. Your Grow-Lean trainer brings decades of real-world experience combined with deep expertise about why, when, and how agile techniques work. You'll learn from someone who can answer your toughest questions with confidence and context.
Choose Grow-Lean

Theory + Real-World Experience

Your Grow-Lean trainer deeply understands agile theory and has successfully applied it across diverse situations. They know what works, when it works, and how to adapt approaches to your context. You'll be prepared to interview confidently and execute with excellence.

Watch Out For

Imbalanced Expertise

Theory without practice: Trainers with limited real-world experience deliver vague content lacking depth. You won't find practical application in the workplace.

Practice without understanding: Trainers who emphasize experience without grasping underlying theory can't help you adapt approaches to your specific situation.

Quality Guarantee

Learning depth beats entertainment value. While you might enjoy a large, passive training session, you'll actually master the material in a small, interactive environment with hands-on exercises and experienced instruction. That's what Grow-Lean delivers.
Choose Grow-Lean

100% live, interactive sessions Small class sizes (your voice is heard) Hands-on exercises throughout Expert trainers with 15+ years experience Real student testimonials No surprise fees or hidden costs

Watch Out For

Passive learning (sit and watch) Massive class sizes (50+ students) One-way lectures with minimal interaction Inexperienced trainers with limited real-world practice Suspicious testimonials Hidden fees and surprise costs

Everything Included

All-inclusive resources to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) with no hidden fees.

Live On-Line Training
100% live, fully interactive sessions with real-time Q&A, discussions, and hands-on exercises. No pre-recorded videos. Just expert instruction tailored to your questions.
Certification Fees
Complete certification fees included, from course attendance through your CSM license. No hidden costs or surprise charges.
Six Full Practice Exams
Six comprehensive practice exams with 300+ total questions. Build confidence and mastery before taking your certification exam.
Exam Pass Guarantee
Personalized coaching and exam support until you pass. Includes up to three exam attempts within 90 days. We're committed to your success.
Trainer Who Still Builds Product
Four decades of hands-on product development experience. David actively codes, tests, and serves as ScrumMaster on real projects today.
Experienced CSM Trainer
Over 10,000 ScrumMasters trained. This depth of teaching experience ensures clear explanations, relevant examples, and answers to your toughest questions.
Exercise-Based Class
Every topic includes hands-on exercises and group discussions. Active learning keeps you engaged and helps concepts stick.
Free Class Retake
Reinforce your learning or hear fresh perspectives. Retake the course within 120 days at no additional cost, including the option to switch trainers.
Two-Year Scrum Alliance Membership
Two-year Scrum Alliance membership included. Access exclusive member content, networking opportunities, and discounts to Scrum Gathering events worldwide.
Alumni Discount
Growing discounts on future training: 5% off your second course ($225+), 10% off your third, up to 25% off as you continue your agile journey.
16 PMI PDUs
Get 16 Project Management Institute (PMI) Professional Development Units (PDUs) to help meet your PMI continuing education requirements.

Who Should Attend

The CSM is often the launching point on an agile journey regardless of role

The CSM is the de facto training to checkpoint or start an agile journey to build practical agile skills. Although it is titled "ScrumMaster," it is applicable regardless of your role or planned role. As such, attendees come from a wide variety of backgrounds:

  • Scrum Masters and Aspiring Scrum Masters:
    If you're currently serving as a Scrum Master or aspire to become one, the CSM course is a great fit. You'll learn how to guide teams, facilitate conversations, manage impediments, and coach team members.
  • Professionals from Various Industries:
    Scrum principles extend beyond software development. Marketing, manufacturing, data science, HR, and other fields benefit from applying Scrum practices.
  • College Students:
    If you are in college and want to increase your job prospects upon graduating the CSM may be right for you.
  • Anyone Interested in Agility and an Agile Mindset:
    The CSM course emphasizes an agile mindset. Learn how to lead self-organizing teams, remove impediments, facilitate growth and apply the Scrum framework effectively.

After completing the Grow-Lean CSM, you'll be prepared to pass the CSM exam and continue your journey. If you want to perform better at work or expand your career opportunities, the Grow-Lean CSM course is an excellent choice!

By taking the session you earn the right to take the certification exam. Once you pass the exam, you are a Certified ScrumMaster.

The certification will help differentiate you , but more importantly, the learning will allow you to interview with more confidence and apply core agile product development techniques in the workplace. The session, plus actual work experience, will allow you to pursue the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certifications.

Will this Training Benefit You?

This course rewards the right mindset. Find out if it's yours.

Appropriate use of agile requires a mindset and approach that may differ from your current approach. Read the points below to see if the session is right for you.

If You Are a Continual Learner

Our Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) course is designed for those who are ready to embark on a continuous learning journey across any field or discipline. Agile and Scrum are deep topics, and excelling in an agile role requires dedication and effort beyond the classroom. Our course provides a solid foundation from which to grow, not a final destination, so you will need continued hard work outside the classroom.

If You Think Critically

Agility is about adapting as the context changes. If you thrive in environments where flexibility and critical thinking are valued over following rigid, detailed instructions, our session will be a good fit for you.

If You Embrace Nuance

The principles of agile are universal, yet their application can vary across different industries. This session is ideal for those who can embrace nuance and apply agile thinking to their unique situations.

If You Appreciate Constructive Feedback

We build our sessions on constructive feedback. Our trainers are committed to guiding you toward deeper understanding, helping you learn and grow. This requires that you be open to feedback that may challenge your current mental models.

In Summary

If you are someone who is always learning, and you are willing to apply critical thinking, work through ambiguity, embrace nuance, and question your own mental models, our CSM will likely benefit you . If not, you may want to consider a different certification or training provider.

Small Class Size

Want to be jammed into a 50-person class?
Probably not.
Get the individual attention you deserve with Grow-Lean.

No Extra Fees

Everything you need is included.

No extra fees to register or take exam!

Grow-Lean Logo

Choose your training company wisely.

With Grow-Lean everything is covered including the exam certification fees, six full practice exams three free exam retake, free exam study support, and free class retake (within 120 days). There are no surprise costs when you register or accept your license.

You receive additional discounts off of your next session, including the Advanced ScrumMaster (A-CSM).

Why?

Value

Fair price, exceptional training, best value.

Inclusive

Everything you need to be certified is included. No hidden fees!

Retake

Take again for free*.

*Within 120 days as long as Grow-Lean delivers the session.

Deep

Concepts are reviewed in a meaningful way by an expert with actual experience.

Personal

Small class size so that your voice is heard.

Engaging

Interactive class experience.

Unique

Custom created training material and approach.

Supported

Training team support seven days a week.