Certified by Agile Academy – A Better Way to Learn, Get certified, and Grow

Our new certification model is designed to provide clarity, flexibility, and real value in Agile education. With diverse learning paths, no unnecessary fees, and accessible options for both trainers and organizations, Certified by Agile Academy offers a better way to learn, grow, and succeed.

Photo of Sohrab Salimi
Sohrab Salimi
03.12.24
6 min. reading time

The world of Agile certifications is crowded, confusing, and often frustrating for organizations and individuals alike. With so many certification bodies focusing on niche frameworks or proprietary methods, the result is a fragmented ecosystem that doesn’t always meet the needs of modern teams and businesses.

At Agile Academy, we’ve spent over a decade helping organizations and individuals thrive with Agile. Over this time, we've listened carefully to the challenges our clients face with existing certifications. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new approach: Certified by Agile Academy—a certification model designed to bring clarity, flexibility, and real value to Agile learning and development.

Why a New Certification Model?

The current landscape of certifications is full of restrictions that often limit growth rather than enable it:

  • Some certification bodies require live, instructor-led training for certification, even when e-learning might be a better fit for part-time employees or distributed teams.
  • The focus is often narrow, such as only covering Scrum or a proprietary scaling framework.
  • Organizations can't certify their own internally developed training programs, leaving valuable in-house initiatives unrecognized.
  • Certifications rarely cover emerging topics like Psychological Safety, OKRs, or Design Thinking—topics critical for modern organizations.

We knew it was time to change the game and offer something better for learners, better for organizations, and better for trainers.

What Makes "Certified by Agile Academy" Different?

1. Holistic Learning Journeys

In addition to the classic certifications for Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Agile Leadership, we will also offer training that goes beyond Scrum: Kanban, OKRs, Product Leadership, Psychological Safety, and more. Our approach helps organizations align certifications with diverse learning goals—not just a single framework.

2. Flexibility for Learners

While some certifications demand live training, we believe in balancing structure with flexibility:

  • Students can certify through a mix of self-paced e-learning and live training.
  • Live courses are available but not mandatory unless they add significant value to the learning journey.

3. Certify Internal Training Programs

We know how valuable in-house programs can be. That’s why we’ll partner with organizations to accredit internal trainers and programs. This creates external validation for internal efforts, boosting their credibility.

4. Faster Innovation

We’re bringing together a network of leading trainers, coaches, and organizations to co-create new course formats and certifications. This means we’ll develop cutting-edge learning objectives in weeks, not months—helping you stay ahead of the curve.

5. Global Customer Service

Unlike U.S.-centric certification bodies, we’ll offer customer service in multiple languages (starting with English and German) and across global time zones. Our website and support will grow to meet the needs of our international community.

6. Lifelong Certifications

We believe in lifelong learning, not unnecessary fees. That’s why we won’t charge for certification renewals. Your certification reflects your knowledge—not your wallet.

7. Three Levels of Mastery

Our certification model is built around three levels of mastery:

  • Level 1: Understand - At this level, participants focus on understanding core concepts. This is the foundation of any learning journey.
  • Level 2: Apply - The second level emphasizes practical application. Learners take their understanding and put it into action in real-world contexts.
  • Level 3: Teach - At the highest level, participants are ready to teach others. This is the "see one, do one, teach one" approach—helping learners deepen their mastery by sharing knowledge.

This structure allows individuals to grow progressively, transforming their knowledge into practical skills and ultimately into the ability to guide and teach others.

What’s in It for Organizations?

Organizations stand to benefit significantly from this new model:

  • More Comprehensive Learning Options: A broader range of certifications under one umbrella, addressing modern challenges beyond just Scrum.
  • Access to Highly Qualified Trainers: Because our model is easy and fair for trainers, we attract a broader set of highly qualified trainers. Unlike ScrumAlliance, which can be quite expensive for trainers, we ensure that even world-class trainers find it accessible to join and certify learners, providing your teams with exceptional coaching and support.
  • Recognition for Internal Initiatives: Certify and validate internal training programs like Transformation Bootcamps, creating more value for employees.
  • Tailored Learning Journeys: Work with Agile Academy to co-create innovative, high-impact courses faster than ever.
  • Enhanced Employer Branding: Attract top talent by offering innovative and personalized learning opportunities.

For Trainers: A New Way to Grow and Innovate

At Agile Academy, we believe trainers are the heart of Agile education. That’s why we’ve created a program that empowers trainers to focus on what they do best—delivering exceptional learning experiences—without unnecessary bureaucracy or financial burden.

  • No Annual Fees: Trainers can join our program without paying annual membership fees.
  • Fair, Low-Risk Costs: Our fee structure is designed to be fair and easy to start with, making it accessible for trainers at any stage of their career. There’s no risk involved—just opportunity.
  • A Global Network of Excellence: We work with the best trainers worldwide, creating a thriving community of innovators, thought leaders, and changemakers.
  • Collaborate and Innovate: Trainers in our network have the opportunity to co-create new course content, innovate on learning formats, and shape the future of Agile education alongside other experts.
  • A Trusted Brand: Partnering with Agile Academy means aligning yourself with a certification body that prioritizes quality, flexibility, and learner outcomes.

Whether you’re an experienced Agile coach or just starting your journey as a trainer, we provide the tools, resources, and support to help you succeed.

FAQs About the New Model

1. How does this compare to traditional certifications like ScrumAlliance or Scrum.org?
Unlike traditional certification bodies, we take a holistic approach. We cover more than Scrum and embrace flexibility in delivery, making learning accessible to more people while maintaining quality.

2. Can my organization still offer ScrumAlliance or Scrum.org certifications?
Absolutely! Your organization can still offer those certifications, but with Certified by Agile Academy, you’ll have the freedom to expand learning journeys beyond Scrum, making your training programs more diverse and impactful.

3. Will this certification be recognized by the industry?
We’re confident it will be. Our goal is to build a reputation for quality, innovation, and trustworthiness, making Agile Academy certifications highly valued by employers and learners alike.
Agile Academy is already a trusted name in the space of agile education, working successfully with well-known companies for years. Our certifications are built on quality and practical relevance—exactly what modern organizations value.

4. What’s the cost of renewal?
There’s no cost! We believe in lifelong learning, and we won’t charge you to maintain your certification.

5. How do we get started?
Organizations can partner with us to accredit internal trainers and customize learning journeys. Trainers and coaches can join our network to become certified training providers without any annual fees. We offer a low-risk fee structure that makes it easy to get started and allows trainers to grow with us. Reach out to us, and we’ll guide you through the process.

6. What are the benefits for trainers?
Trainers benefit from joining our program in several ways:

  • No Annual Fees: No need to worry about membership costs.
  • Fair Costs: Fees are low-risk, making it easy to join and start providing training.
  • Global Community: Connect with a network of top trainers and innovators worldwide.
  • Collaborative Innovation: Co-create course content and innovate alongside other experts.
  • Trusted Brand: Align with a certification body known for quality and learner-centric approaches.

7. What are the levels of certification?
Our certification model is built on three levels of mastery:

  • Level 1: Understand - This foundational level ensures learners grasp core Agile concepts.
  • Level 2: Apply - Learners take their knowledge and practice applying it in real scenarios, deepening their skills.
  • Level 3: Teach - At this level, learners are ready to teach others, completing the "see one, do one, teach one" cycle of mastery.

Join Us in Redefining Agile Certification

At Agile Academy, we believe in making Agile education more productive, humane, and sustainable. Our new certification model is a natural extension of that mission, and we’re thrilled to bring this vision to life with you.

Whether you’re an organization looking for better learning journeys, a trainer seeking more freedom to innovate, or a learner wanting certifications that matter, Certified by Agile Academy is designed for you.

Let’s build the future of Agile education—together.

Discover our Trainings - Certified by Agile Academy

Any questions? Contact us!