Frequently Asked Questions

We have gathered the following questions and answers about our courses for your convenience. We’ve divided them into the following sections for ease (click to jump to the FAQ section you’re looking for):

Course FAQ

Certified ScrumMaster

How do I become a Certified ScrumMaster?

If you would like to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), you will need to attend a CSM course taught by an approved trainer. After the course, you will be eligible to take the Certified ScrumMaster exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your certification.

Can I become a Certified ScrumMaster without taking a CSM class?

No. Successful completion of a Certified ScrumMaster course is required to take the CSM exam. Passing the exam will result in becoming a Certified ScrumMaster.

Do I take the CSM exam during class?

You must take your CSM exam within 90 days of your CSM course. Although some providers choose to administer the exam at the end of class, we at 3Back believe that students should be allowed to utilize the 90-day timeframe to study or review if they wish. Additionally, we understand that many learners will be more comfortable taking the exam in an environment of their own choosing. Therefore, we do not offer the exam in class, instead allowing each student to take it at his or her own convenience. Please note, although you have 90 days during which to take your exam, you must take the exam in its entirety during one sitting. You will not be able to stop and restart the exam.

How and when do I take the CSM exam?

After completing your CSM course, your instructor will notify the Scrum Alliance that you are now eligible to take the exam. You will then receive an email from Scrum Alliance that includes a link to create your login credentials. The first step will be to take the exam. The exam is online and non-proctored, so you can take it at your convenience from your home or work anytime within 90 days of your course. Once the test is complete, you will be asked to accept a license agreement and setup your online profile. It typically takes 1-2 days after course completion to receive your welcome email from the Scrum Alliance. Please note, although you have 90 days during which to take your exam, you must take the exam in its entirety during one sitting. You will not be able to stop and restart the exam.

What if I fail the CSM exam?

Although 3Back students have a pass rate of over 99%, in the event that you should need to retake the exam, a second attempt is included at no cost. Additional attempts are $25 each. Please be aware that the exam is designed and administered by the Scrum Alliance. While we have done our best to provide the most up to date information, we do suggest checking the Scrum Alliance directly for additional details or confirmation of the above.

Do I have to pay extra for the exam?

Your initial exam fee is included in your course registration. If necessary, the cost of a second attempt at the exam is also included. Additional attempts are $25 each. Also, if you do not take the exam within 90 days of your course, you will be required to pay a $25 fee to take the exam. Please be aware that the exam is designed and administered by the Scrum Alliance. While we have done our best to provide the most up to date information, we do suggest checking the Scrum Alliance directly for additional details or confirmation of the above.

More than 90 days has passed since my CSM course. Can I still take the exam?

Yes. However, you will be required to pay a $25 exam fee since your 90-day window has elapsed.

Tell me more about the CSM exam.

In order to obtain your certification following the CSM class, you will be required to pass an online exam administered by the Scrum Alliance. The exam is online and non-proctored, so you can take it from the convenience of your own home or work. You will need to take the exam within 90 days of your CSM course. It will be timeboxed to 60 minutes. You must take the exam in its entirety during one sitting. You will not be able to stop and restart the exam. The exam consists of 50 questions selected randomly from a battery of questions. A passing score requires a minimum of 37 correct answers. Please be aware that the exam is designed and administered by the Scrum Alliance. While we have done our best to provide the most up to date information, we do suggest checking the Scrum Alliance directly for additional details or confirmation of the above.

What is the Scrum Alliance?

The Scrum Alliance is the world’s largest, oldest and most recognized Scrum certification organization. 3Back is a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance and therefore approved to teach courses that will lead to Scrum Alliance issued certifications.

Can I get PDUs, SEUs and/or CEUs for this class? How many?

Yes, our CSM course is worth 14 PDUs each. As a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance, our CSM course is worth 14 SEUs as well. In addition, our Minneapolis courses offered in partnership with Normandale Community College are worth 1.4 CEUs. For more information about obtaining CEUs for your course, please contact Normandale Community College directly.

What is required for the CSM Certification renewal in 2 years?

20 SEUs need to be completed in 2 years time and payment fee of $100 to the Scrum Alliance must be made, before the CSM license can be renewed. See the link for more information on Claiming SEUs. You can also use 3Back Resources to read our publications and receive SEUs under Category E.

How do I claim my PDUs?

To claim your PDUs, log into your PMI account at www.pmi.org and complete the PMI PDU Self Reporting Form. For more information about obtaining PDUs, please contact PMI directly at 855-746-4849 or customercare@pmi.org.

Ready To Register For CSM? Enroll Now

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster


What are the prerequisites for the A-CSM class?

You need 12 months of professional experience as a Scrum Master during the last five years and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification.

Can I take the A-CSM course before I have the required work experience?

Yes, you can. The required work experience is a requirement that can be met before, during or after you have completed the A-CSM coursework. You can complete the education component while you earn work experience as a ScrumMaster.

Is there a test after the class?

No, unlike the CSM course, there is no test after the A-CSM course.

Do I need to be a Certified Scrum Master in order to be eligible to receive the Advanced Certified Scrum Master Certification

Yes, a CSM® certification is required.

Do I need to have Scrum Master experience to receive the A-CSM Certification?

Yes, Validate on your Scrum Alliance Profile at least 12 months of work experience specific to the role of Scrum Master (within the past five years).

What is the Scrum Alliance?

The Scrum Alliance is the world’s largest, oldest and most recognized Scrum certification organization. 3Back is a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance and therefore approved to teach courses that will lead to Scrum Alliance issued certifications.

What is required for the A-CSM Certification renewal in 2 years?

30 SEUs need to be completed in 2 years time and payment fee of $175 to the Scrum Alliance must be made, before the A-CSM license can be renewed. See the link for more information on Claiming SEUs. You can also use 3Back Resources to read our publications and receive SEUs under Category E.

Can I get PDUs and SEUs for this class? How many?

Yes, you will receive 16 PDUs upon completion of the course. As a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance, our A-CSM course is worth 16 SEUs as well.

What are the requirements to finish my On-Demand A-CSM certification?

Complete 13 Self-Paced Modules with assignments. Attend 4 One-Hour Open Discussion with the trainers.

I completed the A-CSM course, but my certification is not showing up on my Scrum Alliance Account. Why?

You need to make sure you update your Scrum Alliance profile with your work experience and have a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification. In addition to needing a CSM certification, you need at least 12 months of professional experience as a Scrum Master during the last five years.

Ready To Register For A-CSM? Enroll Now

Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster

What are the prerequisites for the CSP-SM course?

You need to hold an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification with the Scrum Alliance and have at least 24 months of work experience specific to the role of a ScrumMaster within the past five years.

What is required for the CSP-SM certification renewal in 2 years?

40 SEUs need to be completed in 2 years time and payment fee of $250 to the Scrum Alliance must be made before the CSP-SM license can be renewed. See the links for more information on Claiming SEUs and you can use 3Back Resources to read our publications and receive SEUs under Category E.

Can I get PDUs and SEUs for this class? How many?

Yes, you will receive 16 Category B PDUs upon completion of the course. As a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance, our CSP-SM course is worth 16 SEUs as well.

What are the requirements to finish my On-Demand CSP-SM certification?

Complete 14 Self-Paced Modules with assignments. Attend 4 One-Hour Open Discussion with the trainers.What is the format of the course like?

On-Demand is a blended approach of both instructor-led and independent, self-paced learning. As a learner, you can find your own rhythm and you choose how fast you go. You have up to 3 months to complete the course from the purchase date.

The typical Module includes 20-60 minutes of reading (depending on your reading speed), and a multiple-choice quiz. After you complete these, you need to work through assignments in the module/quiz and do one or more scenario-based exercises. Each module will take about 1-3 hours of your time.

How long does the CSP-SM On-Demand course take to complete?

You have up to 3 months to complete the course from the purchase date. The average completion time is 4-6 weeks.

Fastest On-Demand: A fast pace would be two weeks for completion. You need to attend four Open Discussion Hours, and we are each planning to have two available per week.

Quick On-Demand: If you want to be quick, it makes sense to do it in a month. Do 3-4 modules a week, and attend an Open Discussion Hour each week.

Minimum On-Demand: You must be finished within 3 months of the purchase date (see our policy page for details).

I completed the CSP-SM course, but my certification is not showing up on my Scrum Alliance Account. Why?

You need to make sure you update your Scrum Alliance profile with your work experience and have an Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) certification. In addition to needing an A-CSM certification, you need at least 24 months of professional experience as a Scrum Master during the last five years.

Ready To Register For CSP-SM? Enroll Now

Certified Scrum Product Owner

How do I become a Certified Scrum Product Owner?

If you would like to become a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), currently you only need to attend a CSPO course taught by an approved trainer; no exam is required at this time to obtain your CSPO certification.

While we have done our best to provide the most up to date information, we do suggest checking the Scrum Alliance directly for additional details or confirmation of the above.

Is there an exam following the CSPO class?

Currently, the Scrum Alliance does not require an exam to obtain certification following your CSPO class. We do suggest checking the Scrum Alliance directly for additional details or confirmation of the above.

What is the Scrum Alliance?

The Scrum Alliance is the world’s largest, oldest and most recognized Scrum certification organization. 3Back is a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance and therefore approved to teach courses that will lead to Scrum Alliance issued certifications.

Can I get PDUs, SEUs and/or CEUs for this class? How many?

Yes, our CSPO course is worth 14 PDUs each. As a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance, our CSPO course is worth 14 SEUs as well. In addition, our Minneapolis courses offered in partnership with Normandale Community College are worth 1.4 CEUs. For more information about obtaining CEUs for your course, please contact Normandale Community College directly.

What is required for the CSPO Certification renewal in 2 years?

20 SEUs need to be completed in 2 years time and payment fee of $100 to the Scrum Alliance must be made, before the CSPO license can be renewed. See the link for more information on Claiming SEUs. You can also use 3Back Resources to read our publications and receive SEUs under Category E.

How do I claim my PDUs?

To claim your PDUs, log into your PMI account at www.pmi.org and complete the PMI PDU Self Reporting Form. For more information about obtaining PDUs, please contact PMI directly at 855-746-4849 or customercare@pmi.org.

Ready To Register For CSPO? Enroll Now

Advanced Certified ScrumProduct Owner

What are the prerequisites for the A-CSPO class?

You need 12 months of professional experience as a Scrum Product Owner during the last five years and a Certified Scrum product Owner (CSPO) certification.

Can I take the A-CSPO course before I have the required work experience?

Yes, you can. The required work experience is a requirement that can be met before, during or after you have completed the A-CSPO coursework. You can complete the education component while you earn work experience as a Scrum Product Owner.

Is there a test after the class?

No, there is no test after the A-CSPO course.

Do I need to be a Certified Scrum Product Owner in order to be eligible to receive the Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner Certification?

Yes, a CSPO® certification is required.

Do I need to have Scrum Product Owner experience to receive the A-CSPO Certification?

Yes, Validate on your Scrum Alliance Profile at least 12 months of work experience specific to the role of Scrum Product Owner (within the past five years).

What is the Scrum Alliance?

The Scrum Alliance is the world’s largest, oldest and most recognized Scrum certification organization. 3Back is a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance and therefore approved to teach courses that will lead to Scrum Alliance issued certifications.

What is required for the A-CSPO Certification renewal in 2 years?

30 SEUs need to be completed in 2 years time and payment fee of $175 to the Scrum Alliance must be made, before the A-CSPO license can be renewed. See the link for more information on Claiming SEUs. You can also use 3Back Resources to read our publications and receive SEUs under Category E.

Can I get PDUs and SEUs for this class? How many?

Yes, you will receive 16 PDUs upon completion of the course. As a Registered Education Provider for the Scrum Alliance, our A-CSPO course is worth 16 SEUs as well.

What are the requirements to finish my On-Demand A-CSPO certification?

Complete 13 Self-Paced Modules with assignments. Attend 4 One-Hour Open Discussion with the trainers.

I completed the A-CSPO course, but my certification is not showing up on my Scrum Alliance Account. Why?

You need to make sure you update your Scrum Alliance profile with your work experience and have a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification. In addition to needing a CSPO certification, you need at least 12 months of professional experience as a Scrum Product Owner during the last five years.

Ready To Register For A-CSPO? Enroll Now

Before and During Class

What do I get with my enrollment?

Enrollment in all of our public courses includes the following: class materials and certification or badging fees. In addition, our CSM, CSPO, and A-CSM courses include a 2-year membership to the Scrum Alliance. Our CSM course also includes a Scrum Study Guide with two practice exams and Scrum Alliance exam fees.

How do I prepare for class?

Although most of our courses are introductory level, we strongly recommended that students have a basic understanding of agile and/or Scrum. The ebook, Scrum 101, is a prerequisite for many of our courses and will provide a basic understanding of Scrum. If you would like additional reading, we suggest checking out our blog, or perusing the Scrum Dictionary. Our KMP II course requires completion of a KMP I level class or a demonstrated working knowledge of Kanban.

Do I need any prior knowledge of Scrum, Kanban and/or agile?

Although most of our courses are introductory level, we strongly recommended that students have a basic understanding of agile, Kanban and/or Scrum. The ebook, Scrum 101, is a prerequisite for many of our courses and will provide a basic understanding of Scrum. If you would like additional reading, we suggest checking out our blog, or perusing some Scrum Glossary terms. Our KMP II course requires completion of a KMP I level class or a demonstrated working knowledge of Kanban.

What do I need to bring to class?

Just yourself and your desire to learn! We will provide everything else you need.

When does the class begin and end each day?

All of our classes with the exception of those we offer in partnership with colleges run from 9am-5pm each day. Our courses in partnership with Normandale Community College in Minneapolis and Northwestern University in Chicago run from 8:30am-4:30pm each day.

Will there be breaks during class?

Yes, breaks will occur regularly during class. Although the break times may vary slightly from class to class in order to accommodate questions, discussion or activity.

What is the agenda for the class?

We maintain a flexible agenda during class so that we can adapt to the skill and experience level of each group and address the unique questions and situations that arise in each course. However, for a list of topics that will be covered in your particular class, please locate the appropriate course page on our Training Menu at the top of the page.

What if I can only attend part of the class?

Due to the interactive nature of our classes, missing large portions not only impacts your own learning, but that of your teammates as well. For this reason, we strongly recommend that students make arrangements so they can attend class in its entirety. Also, missing a large portion of class will result in an our inability to approve your eligibility for certification or badging. For more information, please see our Public Course Policies. If you have an idea of which portion of the class you will be missing, please contact us at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or info@3Back.com so that we can determine whether this will be an issue.

What if I need to leave class early?

Due to the interactive nature of our classes, missing large portions not only impacts your own learning, but that of your teammates as well. For this reason, we strongly recommend that students make arrangements so they can attend class in its entirety. Also, missing a large portion of class will result in an our inability to approve your eligibility for certification or badging. For more information, please see our Public Course Policies. If you have an idea of which portion of the class you will be missing, please contact us at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or info@3Back.com so that we can determine whether this will be an issue.

How large is the class?

Every class is a bit different. However, most of our classes have somewhere between 15-25 students in them.

Will this course run?

When you register for one of our classes, we take your commitment seriously and will do everything we can to ensure your class will run. Although we do reserve the right to cancel or reschedule courses due to unforeseen events (such as illness, family emergency or inclement travel weather), it is extremely rare that we do so. In the event that we do find it necessary to cancel or reschedule your class, you will be given the option of rescheduling your attendance to a future class or receiving a full refund.

Course Delivery

What is the difference between Live Online and On-Demand courses?

Live Online is 2 eight hour days of instructor-led training. Class will be held using a video conference software and will deliver live, instructor training at a scheduled time and date.

On-Demand is driven by ‘you’ the learner and allows you to self-pace through the material with Open Office Discussion Hours to supplement your learning, completed at your convenience. On-Demand is a blend between instructor-led and independent, self-paced learning. The On-Demand course supports the following Study pattern: read 1 Module at a time on your own, complete a quiz, and an exercise. On-Demand courses can be completed as quickly as about 2 weeks. You have up to 6 weeks to complete the CSM and CSPO courses and up to 3 months to complete the Advanced and CSP level courses from the purchase date.

What is On-Demand?

On-Demand is a blended approach of both instructor-led and independent, self-paced learning. As a learner, you can find your own rhythm and you choose how fast you go. You have up to 3 months to complete the course from the purchase date.

What is Live Online?

Live Online refers to training done when the learner and the instructor are in separate locations. We use video conferencing technology to deliver Live Instructor interactions and pre-recorded content.

What are the requirements for Live Online courses?

All participants must have a microphone, webcam, internet and web browser. Google Docs/Sheets are used in the course and the class is done over Zoom. 

How will I get all the required materials?

We will provide all materials required for the class electronically and email the Zoom link the day before class begins. Physical copies of the Scrum Books are also available for purchase to reference during and after class if you prefer a physical copy.

How are Live Online classes being delivered?

Trainers will use a common video conference tool like Zoom, Google Hangouts or Webex to facilitate classes. All students are required to participate using their microphone and webcam. A video conference account is not required.

What is the deadline for completing On-Demand courses?

CSM and CSPO Bundle+: You have 6 weeks to complete the course.

A-CSM, A-CSPO, CSP-SM, and CSP-PO Bundle+: You have 3 months to complete the course from the purchase date. View our full policies here.

What is the style of On-Demand courses? How long does it take to complete?

There are 13 Modules to complete and 4 Open Discussion hours you must attend.

  • Fastest On-Demand: A fast pace would be two weeks for completion. You need to attend four Open Discussion Hours, and we are each planning to have two available per week.
  • Quick On-Demand: If you want to be quick, it makes sense to do it in a month. Do 3-4 modules a week, and attend an Open Discussion Hour each week.
  • Minimum On-Demand: You must be finished within 6 weeks of the purchase date for CSM or CSPO and 3 months of the purchase date for A-CSM, A-CSPO, CSP-SM, or CSP-PO.

The typical Module includes 20-60 minutes of reading (depending on your reading speed), and a multiple-choice quiz. After you complete these, you need to work through assignments in the module/quiz and do one or more scenario-based exercises. Each module will take about 1-3 hours of your time.

I need to attend 4 Open Discussion Hour sessions to get certified. How do I schedule this session?

We have a regularly posted schedule of Open Discussion Hours that will be posted at the time of your registration. There will be a link to a calendar so that you can find and attend a session. During the Open Discussion Hour with the trainer, you will have an opportunity to get questions answered and discuss the material.

Is the certification you get after completing the course (CSM, CSPO, A-CSPO, or A-CSM) the same whether the course was taught Live Online, On-Demand, or In-Person?

Yes, once you complete the CSM, CSPO, A-CSPO, or A-CSM course, no matter what the course delivery method is, we will submit you to the Scrum Alliance and you will be certified.

Payment, Rescheduling and Cancellation

Are there additional fees I should know about?

There are no additional fees for any of our courses. Your course registration includes the following: Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks on all days of the course, course workbook and other materials, and all applicable certification or badging fees. In addition, our CSM and CSPO courses include a 2-year membership to the Scrum Alliance. Our CSM course also includes a Scrum Study Guide workbook with two practice exams and Scrum Alliance exam fees.

How do I guarantee my seat in the class?

Our classes often sell out. You must provide payment in order to guarantee your your seat in the class. If the class reaches capacity and we have not yet received your payment, you will be moved to a waitlist and notified if a seat becomes available.

What are my payment options?

We accept all major credit cards, including American Express. We also accept payment by check or money order and can send you an invoice if necessary to do so. However, please be aware that payment is due upon receipt of invoice. If the course reaches capacity and your payment has not been received, you will be moved to waitlist and notified if a seat becomes available. Payment must be received by 3Back in advance of your course.

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. However, payment terms for Purchase Orders is ‘Due Upon Receipt’. If you would like to use a Purchase Order, please contact our Finance Department at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com.

Do you accept corporate checks?

Yes. If you would like to pay by check, please select the “Invoice” option when enrolling in the course. Our Finance Department will then send an invoice due upon receipt. For question, please contact our Finance Department at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com.

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes. Please contact our Sales Department at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com to let us know how many individuals are in your group so we can provide you with the appropriate promo code.

Can I reschedule my attendance to a different class?

We understand that life can be unpredictable, so we are happy to reschedule your course attendance to another 3Back course if necessary. For more information, please see our Public Course Policies. If you need to reschedule, please contact our Finance Department at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com to proceed.

Can I transfer my registration to a different person?

Yes. Substitutions are accepted at any time prior to commencement of the class. There is no charge for this service. For more information, please see our Public Course Policies. If you would like to transfer your registration to another person, please contact us at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can see our cancellation policy here. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact our Finance Department at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com.

What happens if the course gets cancelled?

When you register for one of our classes, we take your commitment seriously and will do everything we can to ensure your class will run. Although we do reserve the right to cancel or reschedule courses due to unforeseen events (such as illness, family emergency, or inclement travel weather), it is extremely rare that we do so. In the event that we do find it necessary to cancel or reschedule your class, you will be given the option of rescheduling your attendance to a future class or receiving a full refund.

Can I take the class again?

Yes, you can. 3Back reserves two complimentary seats at each of its 2 day public courses for students who have successfully completed a previous course from 3Back, but would like to take it a second time to brush up on their learning or attend a session led by a different trainer. This offer is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used for the same type of course as the original. This offer is only available within the first six months following the your original course. For more information, please see our Public Course Policies. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact us at 855-32-3BACK (855-323-2225) or email us at info@3Back.com to reserve your seat.

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