Agile Credential Verification
How to Verify a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Credential
The CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner) is a widely recognized credential for product owners in agile environments, awarded by the Scrum Alliance. It validates product backlog management, stakeholder communication, and agile product strategy skills. Here is how to verify it.
Quick answer
Verify the CSPO through the Scrum Alliance member directory at scrumalliance.org. Search by the individual's name to confirm the CSPO credential is active. The CSPO expires after 2 years and requires renewal through Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and a renewal fee to remain active.
CSPO vs. PSPO: the main divide
Two organizations offer the most widely recognized Product Owner credentials. They are not interchangeable:
| Credential | Body | Verification | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner) | Scrum Alliance | scrumalliance.org member directory | Yes — 2-year cycle; requires SEUs + fee |
| PSPO I/II/III (Professional Scrum Product Owner) | Scrum.org | Scrum.org public profile | No — non-expiring once earned |
The CSPO is earned by attending a Scrum Alliance-approved training course (no exam required; attendance-based). The PSPO requires passing a proctored exam. For roles requiring exam-based validation, PSPO is stronger evidence of tested knowledge.
How to verify CSPO via Scrum Alliance
- Go to scrumalliance.org
- Navigate to Find a Scrum Practitioner / Member Directory
- Search by the individual's name
- Confirm the CSPO credential is listed and Active (not Expired)
Renewal required every 2 years
The CSPO expires every 2 years. Renewal requires earning 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) during the certification period and paying a renewal fee. An expired CSPO is visible in the directory but shows an inactive status. Confirm Active status — not just that the certification was once earned.
How to verify PSPO via Scrum.org
- Go to scrum.org
- Navigate to the individual's public profile (candidates can share a direct link)
- Confirm the PSPO I, II, or III credential is listed
- Scrum.org credentials are non-expiring — no renewal check needed
Advanced Product Owner credentials
Beyond the base CSPO or PSPO, advanced credentials exist:
- A-CSPO (Advanced CSPO): Scrum Alliance; advanced product ownership techniques; requires active CSPO
- CSP-PO (Certified Scrum Professional — Product Owner): Scrum Alliance highest-level PO credential; requires A-CSPO and experience
- PSPO II / PSPO III: Scrum.org advanced levels; exam-based; non-expiring
All Scrum Alliance credentials (CSPO, A-CSPO, CSP-PO) are verified through the same Scrum Alliance member directory.
Red flags
- CSPO not found in the Scrum Alliance member directory
- CSPO listed as Expired — the 2-year renewal was not completed
- Claiming CSPO from a non-Scrum Alliance training provider — CSPO is only valid from Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) in the Scrum Alliance network
- Presenting SAFe POPM (SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager) as equivalent to CSPO or PSPO — different frameworks and credentialing bodies
Verification checklist
- 1. Identify credential type: CSPO (Scrum Alliance) or PSPO (Scrum.org)
- 2. For CSPO: search scrumalliance.org member directory — confirm Active status
- 3. For PSPO: verify via candidate's Scrum.org public profile
- 4. For CSPO: confirm renewal cycle is current (not lapsed for 2+ years)
Verify business program accreditation
Product owners often hold degrees from accredited business, computer science, or management programs. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a school's program is properly accredited.
Search Schools and Accreditation →