What is the Process for CSM Renewal ?

You attended training and worked hard to successfully complete your CSM certification course. Yes, you did it and feel proud about. Are you aware that your certification offered by  Scrum Alliance is valid for 2 years? What next? You need to renew it and you get another 2 years validity. It is good news that you don’t need to give any examination but renew it online on one click. But, there is a catch and that is what we would like to educate you through this article today.

Don’t panic and there is nothing to worry about the process. Believe it is simple and the purpose of this article is to provide you the guidance in the right direction. Let us explain you in detail about each step in CSM Renewal.

CSM Certification Renewal Process

Look at the image given and it is clear that you need to pay USD 100 for renewal. Also, there is something mentioned as SEUs required and it is given as 20 for renewing a foundational CSM Certification. So you need to understand about the CSM renewal cost and the SEU. This SEU is the abbreviation for scrum education units. That number 20 indicates the SEU credit points. So we will tell you what SEU is, and how to earn credits. You can quickly pay USD 100 and renew your certification once you obtain the 20 SEU.

First, let us see how to get these 20 SEU.

Note: This fees amount and SEU requirement is the revised one and is effective from 4th Feb 2019.

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What is a SEU?

SEU– Scrum Education Unit which can be earned by attending the Scrum related courses,  independent learning, or attending some outside events. Now, the question is where to attend these programs, and what is the SEU for each course. There are basically 6 categories which offer SEU credit. Scrum Alliance call them Category A, B, C, D, E, and F. Find below each category and their credit values. It is up to you to choose the category and accumulate 20 SEUs to renew your certification.

Before we go into the details, understand that in every category you earn one SEU in one hour. That is each one-hour participation in each event, program, or activity will earn you with 1 SEU. After reading this explanation you can make a plan based on your time availability and attend the program to earn 20 SEUs quickly and apply for a renewal.

Category A (Scrum Alliance Gatherings)

You can participate in one or more of the events under this section to earn credit. All these events are conducted for a maximum of 8 SEUs per day. Which means in one day attending an 8-hour program You can earn a maximum of 45 SEUs from this class. But, just 20 will be sufficient for scrum certification renewal.

1. Scrum Coaching Retreats – Current agile coach or aspiring coaches can connect with their peers explaining about the agile practices and improve their skills. Managers, product owners, agile coaches, and scrum masters can attend this retreat.
2. Scrum Alliance-Sponsored Events – Scrum alliance sponsors many events like conferences and workshops if attended will provide with SEUs.
3. Scrum Alliance Regional Gatherings – 2 to 3-day events that happen across many regions where you can meet scrum trainers, coaches, and practitioners.
4. Scrum Alliance Global Gatherings – Like regional events, scrum alliance sponsor for global events since 2013 and it happens twice in a year. North America – During Spring season and European region in the Autumn season. Meet people from the Scrum community and share experiences to gain knowledge. There are several gathering offered in every location and find them to add SEU to your account.

Category B (Scrum Alliance Courses)

In this category you can earn unlimited SEUs, enroll with the Scrum Alliance REPs, CSTs, and CECs courses like CSM, CSPO, A-CSM, A-CSPO , CSD, CAL I, CAL II, and Scrum@Scale Practioner and one-day training for 8 hours add 8 SEU to your account.

Earn additional credits by opting for continuing education in scrum topics. Attend a course in the form of e-learning, face2face, webinars or recorded training. Attend a training course offered by Registered Education Providers (REP) and you can find the instructor and course details from the scrum alliance website.

Please note that the course and instructor must be listed on the Scrum Alliance website.

Contact StarAgile team, for more details and get the best suggestion.

Category C (Outside Events)

In this category you can claim 15 SEUs. SEUs may be earned by participating in other relevant events, other than those sponsored by Scrum Alliance

This category is easy to participate as there is no scrum alliance sponsor required. Any outside event like agile conferences, REP course like PMI-ACP, Kanban, SAFe Agilist,Devops, TDD, Agile Scrum Master, SAFe Scrum Master and Lean or getting trained from a non-certified scrum trainer as well.

Category D (Volunteer Service)

In this category you can earn 15 SEUs

So far we spoke about learning and gaining knowledge. This section for a change will allow you to contribute to the Scrum community. Here you get a chance to provide a presentation or lecture but for free of cost. This is a volunteer service where you can teach and gain SEU points but no compensation. Stay connected with the Scrum community and make use of a chance to share your knowledge with the fresh minds who require your support.

Category E (Independent Learning)

Ok, you don’t want to meet and talk to anyone. Also, not having time to attend a seminar, training both online and offline. Then write a read a book, paperback or e-copy. You have better information to share with others means to write a blog, article, or even detailed books. Simply watch a video and that will help you earn SEUs.

Books like Scrum – A Pocket Guide, 5 dysfunctions of team and The phonenix Project will help you quickly earn up to a maximum of 15 SEUs.

Category F (Other collaborative learning)

Participate in collaborative learning events with scrum practitioners and gain a maximum of 15 SEUs. Remember this section must not include submissions in either category C or B. Live webinar delivered by a nonCST will be accepted.

Find the table below that helps you understand how to earn SEUs from each category and how much maximum you can obtain from them.

What is the grace period to renew the Scrum Master certification?

You can renew your certification within 24 months from the date of receiving the certification. However, additionally, 3 months (90 days) grace period is offered from the expiration date to complete the SEU requirement and renew the certificate.

What is the value of renewing the certificate?

Learning is a continuous process. It is good that you attended 2 days of classroom training and wrote an online objective examination to become a certified scrum master. However, you must renew them to keep the ball rolling. You can stay connected with the scrum community by renewing the certificate. By attending seminars, training etc to obtain the SEUs which will allow you to update your knowledge with advanced scrum topics. This renewing certificate is mandatory for knowledge enhancement and stays with the market.

Steps involved in submitting the SEU for the renewal process

1. From the image given above, you can understand that you need to click on the Log on to your certification account from the scrum alliance website.
2. Select the certification dashboard from the settings.
3. Under my credentials, you will find manage SEUs.
4. In the Enter a Scrum Education Unit, you must select the SEU category from the drop-down menu.
5. Fill all details based on your category and respective SEUs. All categories A, B, C, D, E, and F will be mentioned. Make sure which category your training belongs to and select the correct one with duration. The credit points will get added.

Note: To confirm the number of SEU required for CSM certification you need to click the SEU Calculator from the scrum alliance website and you will see the page as shown in the image RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS.

Done with SEU update, now renew certification

From your account click on dashboard and scroll to find actions to click the renewal link and make a deposit of USD 100. With your SEU and payment, automatically CSM certification will get renewed for 2 years. Additionally, you can stay connected with the scrum community for 2 years.

Points to remember

1. SEU earned should be within the renewal duration which means 2 yrs from the date of certification.
2. You can apply for renewal only from 6 months prior to the expiration of certification.
3. Additionally, 90 days grace time is provided from the expiry date.

With this exhaustive guide, we are glad that you will be able to easily get SEU points and renew your certification. Refer the categories and the table given to choose the right one for you.

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Conclusion

Now, the ball is in your court and decide which category fits you the best to earn 20 SEUs. Our suggestion to you is, try to gain SEU from all categories and that will help you travel through each method. This way you can gain more knowledge. SEU is required for renewing the Scrum Master Certification but these different categories are crafted in such a way to provide you with a variety of experience.