The Quick Answer: How Does CREA Compare to Every Major Agile Certification?
CREA-SM (£119) is the most cost-effective enterprise Agile certification in 2026, offering broader curriculum than PSM I, lower cost than CSM, no renewal fees unlike SAFe SSM, and no experience prerequisites unlike PMI-ACP. Here is the definitive comparison:
- CREA-SM vs CSM: CREA-SM wins on cost (£119 vs £895–£1,200), depth (80 scenario questions vs 50 theory), and renewal (never vs £100/2 years)
- CREA-SM vs PSM I: PSM I wins on Scrum authority; CREA-SM wins on breadth (adds scaling, tooling, AI, coaching)
- CREA-SM vs SAFe SSM: CREA-SM wins on cost (£119 vs £1,395+) and includes SAFe content; SAFe SSM wins on SAFe brand recognition
- CREA-SM vs PMI-ACP: CREA-SM wins on prerequisites (none vs 3,500 hours experience), cost, and speed
- CREA-SM vs ICP-ACC: CREA-SM wins on cost and exam validation; ICP-ACC wins on coaching depth
- CREA-PO vs CSPO: CREA-PO wins on cost (£119 vs £895–£1,200) and exam rigour
- CREA-PO vs PSPO I: PSPO I wins on Scrum.org authority; CREA-PO wins on enterprise breadth
The Master Comparison Table
All major Agile and Scrum certifications compared across the factors that actually matter for your career.
| Certification | CREA-SM | CSM | PSM I | SAFe SSM | PMI-ACP | ICP-ACC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £119 | £895–£1,200 | $200 (~£158) | £1,395–£1,695 | $495–$595 | £800–£1,200 |
| Renewal | Never | £100/2 yrs | Never | £95/yr | 30 PDUs/3 yrs | None |
| Training required | No | Yes (2 days) | No | Yes (2 days) | Yes (21 hrs) | Yes (2-3 days) |
| Experience required | None | None | None | None | 3,500 hrs | None |
| Exam | 80 Qs, 90 min | 50 Qs, 60 min | 80 Qs, 60 min | 45 Qs, 90 min | 120 Qs, 3 hrs | No exam |
| Pass mark | 75% | 74% | 85% | 73% | ~70% | Attendance |
| Scrum depth | Full | Full | Full + deep | SAFe Scrum | Overview | Coaching only |
| Scaling (SAFe/LeSS) | Yes | No | No | SAFe only | Overview | No |
| Enterprise tooling | Jira, ADO, Rally | No | No | No | No | No |
| AI delivery content | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Coaching content | Module | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Deep |
| Issuer | CREA/Zakeli (UK) | Scrum Alliance | Scrum.org | Scaled Agile | PMI | ICAgile |
| Best for | Enterprise SM/PO | Scrum beginners | Scrum purists | SAFe orgs | Senior PMs | Agile Coaches |
CREA-SM vs CSM — The Most Common Comparison
CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) from Scrum Alliance is the world's most-held Scrum certification with over 1.5 million holders. Its biggest weakness: the credential is attendance-based. You pay £895–£1,200 for a 2-day course, take a 50-question exam with a 74% pass mark, and the industry-reported pass rate exceeds 85% — making it more a course completion credential than a competence validator.
CREA-SM requires passing 80 scenario-based questions at 75%, with an industry pass rate of 62–68%. The harder exam means employers can trust the credential more as a signal of genuine capability.
→ Full CREA-SM vs CSM ComparisonCREA-SM vs PSM I — The Rigour Question
PSM I (Professional Scrum Master from Scrum.org) is genuinely rigorous — 80 questions, 85% pass mark, Scrum.org authority. It is the strongest pure-Scrum credential available. However, it tests only the Scrum Guide — nothing about enterprise scaling, tooling, AI delivery, or the broader Agile landscape.
CREA-SM adds six modules beyond Scrum foundations: scaling frameworks, enterprise tooling, coaching models, metrics, AI delivery, and exam preparation. Many practitioners hold both: PSM I for Scrum authority, CREA-SM for enterprise breadth.
→ Full CREA-SM vs PSM I ComparisonCREA-SM vs SAFe SSM — The Enterprise Question
SAFe SSM is valuable in organisations that have fully adopted SAFe. Outside of SAFe-specific environments, its narrow applicability and high cost (£1,395+, annual renewal) make it hard to justify. CREA-SM covers SAFe within its scaling module, giving practitioners SAFe knowledge at £119 one-time — with the option to add SAFe SSM later if a specific employer requires it.
→ Full CREA-SM vs SAFe SSM ComparisonCREA-SM vs PMI-ACP — The Experience Gate
PMI-ACP requires 2,000 hours of general project experience and 1,500 hours of Agile project experience before you can even apply. This makes it inaccessible to anyone early in their career. CREA-SM has zero prerequisites. For practitioners who meet PMI-ACP requirements, it adds PMI brand credibility — but at 4–5x the cost and with mandatory 3-year renewal.
→ Full CREA-SM vs PMI-ACP ComparisonCREA-PO vs CSPO and PSPO I
| Criteria | CREA-PO | CSPO | PSPO I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £119 | £895–£1,200 | $200 (~£158) |
| Renewal | Never | £100/2 yrs | Never |
| Training required | No | Yes (2 days) | No |
| Exam questions | 70 scenario-based | 50 (low bar) | 80 (rigorous) |
| Enterprise content | Yes (metrics, AI, stakeholders) | Minimal | Scrum Guide only |
Which CREA Certification Should You Get?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. CREA Certification is operated by Zakeli Technologies Limited (UK Company No. 17156553, UKPRN: 10101581, ICO Ref: C1965334). It is recognised across the UK, India, UAE, and 40+ countries by employers in banking, fintech, technology, and enterprise sectors.
Yes. All CREA certifications include a digital badge for LinkedIn's Licenses & Certifications section, with a public verification link.
No. All CREA certifications are lifetime valid with no renewal fees.
Yes. CREA-SM has an 80-question exam with a 62–68% industry pass rate. CSM has a 50-question exam with an 85%+ pass rate. CREA-SM is deliberately more rigorous to ensure the credential signals genuine competence.
CREA Certification (Certified Roles in Enterprise Agility) is operated by Zakeli Technologies Limited, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 17156553). It is registered on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN: 10101581) and ICO-registered (Ref: C1965334). It is a legitimate, UK-registered certification body issuing professional Agile credentials.
Ready to Get Certified?
CREA-SM and CREA-PO — enterprise Agile credentials at £119. No training required. Lifetime valid.
See All CREA Certifications →