Kanban certification is a crowded space with two main bodies — Kanban University and Scrum.org — and multiple confusingly named credentials. This comparison untangles them and tells you which is worth your money.
The Two Main Bodies
Kanban University (formerly Lean Kanban University) offers the KMP (Kanban Management Professional) track with training-mandatory courses. Scrum.org offers Professional Kanban (PKI, PKII) and the newer KIKF through exam-only routes at lower cost.
Full Certification Comparison
| Certification | Body | Cost (approx.) | Training required | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMP I (Team Kanban Practitioner) | Kanban Univ. | £1,200–£1,800 (incl. course) | Yes (2 days) | No |
| KMP II (Kanban Management Professional) | Kanban Univ. | £2,400–£3,600 total | Yes (sequential) | No |
| Professional Kanban I (PKI) | Scrum.org | £195 | No | No |
| KIKF (Kanban Guide Knowledge Framework) | Scrum.org | £95–£150 | No | No |
| CREA-SM (includes Kanban module) | CREA / Zakeli | £119 | No | None forever |
KMP Track: Deep but Expensive
The Kanban University KMP track is respected for depth. The Team Kanban Practitioner (TKP) is the entry point, followed by KMP I and KMP II. You need to attend training — there is no exam-only route. Total cost for KMP II is typically £2,400–£3,600 including both courses. The content is excellent; the price barrier is high.
Scrum.org Kanban: Exam-Only, Affordable
Scrum.org's Professional Kanban I (PKI) exam costs £195. It tests practical Kanban knowledge including flow metrics (cycle time, throughput, WIP limits, cumulative flow diagrams), service classes, and cadences. No mandatory training. Pass mark is 85%. It is the most cost-efficient standalone Kanban credential.
What CREA-SM Covers
CREA-SM includes Kanban as part of its enterprise delivery module. You will learn flow metrics, WIP limits, cumulative flow diagram interpretation, and Scrumban hybrid patterns. For practitioners who want to demonstrate Kanban knowledge without a standalone cert, CREA-SM's scenario-based exam tests real-world application across both Scrum and Kanban contexts.
Recommended Approach
- Budget-conscious: Get CREA-SM (covers Kanban + Scrum + enterprise scaling for £119)
- Kanban-specialist track: CREA-SM + Scrum.org PKI (total £314, covers both frameworks comprehensively)
- Enterprise Kanban coach: CREA-SM + KMP II (employer-funded)