Your journey to become a Certified Scrum Trainer begins here.
Scrum Alliance values impactful education and lifelong learning. Therefore, we hold the Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) certification journey in high regard, providing a platform for CSTs to maximize the global impact of Scrum and agile education and certification.
Scrum Alliance CSTs are more than just Scrum trainers; they are integral national and international ambassadors of Scrum and agile and Scrum Alliance. They turn learning from “informational to transformational” and actively contribute to a passionate community of change agents around the world. Each CST brings a unique viewpoint and story, causing a ripple effect of Scrum and agile education and growth across the globe.
Scrum Alliance’s CST journey challenges professionals with deep, practical real-world Scrum and agile knowledge and demonstrated excellence in training. Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) play a vital role within Scrum Alliance, delivering inspirational, foundational Scrum certifications to agile learners in over 80 countries. Stringent certification requirements are imposed on CSTs to ensure that only those who are fully qualified to meet this commitment are entrusted to engage in this role on behalf of the Scrum Alliance.
We are so excited that you have chosen to embark on this incredible—and very rigorous —journey!
Application Overview
The CST application process is a two-part journey that consists of an 1) online application and an 2) interview and simulation.
Certification Standards
The first step is to review the CST Prerequisites and CST Certification Standards to ensure you meet the requirements for this certification.
Part I: Online Application
The online application is an opportunity for you to demonstrate and describe why you are ready to be a CST. Applications are prescreened by a Scrum Alliance staff specialist and formally reviewed by the Trainer Approval Community (TAC). This community consists of Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainers from all over the world who offer their time to review and assess applications. The CST Prerequisites and Standards are their rubric to assess an applicant’s readiness to become a CST. For more information on the TAC and their role, please reference About the TAC.
See Part I: Formal Review for more detailed guidance.
Part II: Interview and Simulation
Those who are approved for Part I will be invited to an in-person interview and simulation. The in-person interview and simulation consists of two parts: 1) an interview with the TAC panel to get to know you as a Scrum expert and ambassador; and 2) a ‘mock classroom’ where you will be asked to conduct a 20-minute training simulation.
See Part II: Formal Interview for more detailed information about the interview and simulation process and tips for preparing!
Dates and Deadlines
If you are submitting with a goal for a particular date, please reference the following candidate interview and simulation schedule and corresponding application deadlines:
- May 17 & 18, 2024: in-person interviews & simulations at the Global Scrum Gathering New Orleans [Louisiana, USA]; CST application submission deadline: CLOSED
- TENTATIVE: in-person interviews & simulations at a Regional Scrum Gathering 2024; CST application submission deadline: June 10, 2024
Please note: We highly encourage applicants to submit when ready, though we cannot ensure interview/simulation dates outside of scheduled events. Successful candidates must submit a thorough and complete application (making sure to meet all prerequisites and certification standards and completely address any feedback) regardless of date, rather than rush and submit to meet a certain deadline. No additional documentation or requirements can be submitted after you have submitted your application for prescreen review. You must submit your course materials to align with the learning objectives and Scrum Guide version that are most current at the time of your submission, even if you are re-applying after a deferral.
Process and Timelines
A Growth Mindset
It is important to note that the journey to becoming a CST is a rigorous application process and some candidates do not pass the prescreen, formal review and/or formal interview and simulation on their first attempt. We have found that the candidates who are most successful see this process as an opportunity to inspect/adapt and grow as a trainer. Those who continue on the journey and continue to persevere have a high rate of success!