To protect the premium value of Scrum Alliance credentials and ensure consistent representation of our credentials in the market, we have established a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policy for public course listings. This article outlines the policy and what it means for our training partners.
MAP Policy Updates (effective September 1, 2026)
Scrum Alliance contacted training partners in June 2026 to share important updates related to the MAP policy, effective September 1, 2026.
What changes are being made to the MAP policy?
There will be updated minimum advertised pricing for CSM and CSPO courses in key markets. Additionally, the MAP tiers for on-demand microcredential courses will be adjusted to better reflect course length. Scrum Alliance will also be adjusting its own on-demand course pricing to give an advantage to training partners who are reselling.
For more information about the updated pricing, please see the MAP policy on your Scrum Alliance dashboard or contact support@scrumalliance.org.
Why is Scrum Alliance updating the MAP policy?
At its core, the MAP policy is designed to protect the value of the Scrum Alliance brand name and the market value of the certifications you deliver. The purpose of this update is to update the minimum advertised price of CSM and CSPO to better reflect their brand value, and to provide more clarity around minimum advertised prices of on-demand courses.
We’ve also heard some confusion from partners relating to the language about bundling courses, so we made a few minor changes in this section for clarity. Nothing material has changed.
When am I required to update my pricing?
Course pricing should be updated on your Scrum Alliance course listings, website, and other places advertised by September 1, 2026.
How will Scrum Alliance enforce non-compliant course listings?
Scrum Alliance will review the advertised prices of training partners in accordance with the updated policy, either directly or via third-party agencies or tools. Partners are expected to provide reasonable cooperation in any Scrum Alliance investigations regarding possible MAP Policy violations.
Beginning September 1, 2026, the website will also enforce the updated pricing during the course creation process.
What will happen to my course listings if the pricing is no longer compliant?
If your course pricing isn’t compliant with the updated policy by September 1, 2026, the courses will be flagged, and Scrum Alliance may contact you with a notice to update them as soon as possible. Failure to update course listings accordingly may result in them being hidden or removed from the Scrum Alliance course search page.
Have other countries been introduced as part of the MAP policy?
No, there will be no new countries or regions added within the MAP policy.
Will the student upload fees be changing?
There will be no changes to student upload fees. For the most up-to-date fees to activate a student for a certification course, please see the policies and guidelines section of your dashboard.
What if a customer was promised previous MAP pricing for a course after September 1, 2026?
You can and should honor pricing commitments made to customers. The MAP pricing only affects the minimum price for which an LTP may advertise public courses. The policy change would not prevent you from honoring individual price commitments or negotiations.
How can I verify if someone is a Scrum Alliance member for discounted pricing?
We’re incredibly excited to share a new mechanism that allows you to pass deeper savings directly to existing Scrum Alliance members. We now offer an API which can be integrated into your platform to instantly verify a customer’s membership status so that verified members can receive an additional 15% off as part of their membership benefits.
This allows you to reward existing members while maintaining compliance in the public market. If you are interested in the API integration, please reach out to success@scrumalliance.org. Please note that you may only offer a discount to Scrum Alliance members if you integrate this API to validate membership prior to applying the discount.
MAP Policy General Questions
What is the MAP policy?
Scrum Alliance’s MAP policy sets a minimum price for how Scrum Alliance courses may be publicly advertised. It does not limit what training partners can charge in private negotiations or direct sales.
Why has Scrum Alliance established a MAP policy?
Scrum Alliance has unilaterally established the MAP policy to preserve the premium positioning and brand value of Scrum Alliance credentials and prevent brand damage from deeply discounted public listings.
What does the MAP policy apply to?
All public Scrum Alliance course listings by CSTs, CSATs, and LTPs, as well as any sales or marketing partners they work with, that include an advertised price—including course search, websites, ads, third-party partner platforms, and social media. It does not apply to private or unlisted courses.
Where does the MAP policy apply?
At this time the policy only applies to courses listed or advertised in the United States, Canada, and India, regardless of the training partner’s location.
Where can I find the MAP policy?
The MAP policy available to training partners through their Scrum Alliance logged-in dashboard in the Benefits & resources section under "Policies and guidelines".
Does the MAP policy affect what I can charge?
No. You can charge any amount you choose. The MAP policy only affects publicly listed advertised prices.
What are the minimum advertised price amounts?
- One MAP value for CSM/CSPO
- One MAP value for all other certifications
- A per-hour MAP for microcredentials
What counts as a “public” course?
Any course advertised publicly—on Scrum Alliance, your website, emails, or social media. Courses not promoted or available publicly (e.g., private enterprise training) are not subject to MAP.
What happens if I violate the MAP policy?
First, you’ll receive a warning. Continued noncompliance may lead to suspension or loss of training rights
Can I offer discounts in private?
Yes. You may offer any price privately to customers, as long as the course is not publicly advertised.
To whom does the MAP policy apply?
All Scrum Alliance training partners, including LTPs, trainers, and any third-party partners through which they list, market, or otherwise promote public courses.
Will a trainer be penalized if they are listed as the trainer on a course by a LTP or other training company that violates the MAP policy?
The training organization that lists the course will be the entity held responsible for the course’s MAP compliance.
If a training partner’s website is available globally, how will Scrum Alliance determine whether any minimum advertised price applies?
Scrum Alliance will focus on the market to which the course is being advertised. If the training partner has US courses listed on course search, those course search listings and the courses linked from the ‘Register’ button will be subject to the US minimum advertised price amount.
Can I advertise a course with a discount?
Yes, the MAP Policy permits publicly advertised discounts up to 30%, provided that the ultimate advertised price after applying all publicly promoted discounts is not below the applicable MAP amount for the region in which the Course is advertised.
Still have questions? Contact Support.