Many companies have a challenge using Agile as they move from a long-standing command-and-control mentality to a system that has Agile entrenched in it. Agile is a software development methodology that involves getting solutions from the collaboration of cross-functional and self-organizing teams and their customers. Certifications in Scaled Agile Framework, also known as SAFe, validate your Agile skills and expertise.
Recently, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) gained recognition as one of the most common ways for scaling Agile, which grew the demand for the program exponentially. Over 70% of Fortune 100 companies are now using SAFe for their agile needs. Many organizations are looking for professionals with credentials that indicate their competence to operate in a SAFe environment, and SAFe certifications can evidence this. Let's deep dive to understand the list of best SAFe Certifications here.
Which are the Top SAFe® Certifications?
There are several SAFe certifications available. These certifications are great for people who want to support the transformation of companies into Agile enterprises. Some of the top SAFe certifications include:
| SAFe Certifications | Prerequisites | Exam Duration |
| 1. Implementing SAFe® | 5+ years of experience in software development or management | 90 minutes |
| 2. SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) | SAFe® Agilist or equivalent experience | 120 minutes |
| 3. SAFe® Architect | Basic understanding of SAFe® practices | 120 minutes |
| 4. SAFe® Agilist / Leading SAFe | None | 90 minutes |
| 5. SAFe® DevOps Practitioner | Basic DevOps knowledge | 90 minutes |
| 6. SAFe® Program Owner/Program Manager | SAFe® Agilist or equivalent experience | 90 minutes |
| 7. SAFe® Scrum Master | None | 90 minutes |
| 8. SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master | SAFe® Scrum Master certification | 120 minutes |
| 9. SAFe® Practitioner / SAFe® for Teams | None | 90 minutes |
Let's look at each of these certifications and what they offer.
1. Implementing SAFe®
This is a four-day course that helps participants learn how to lead a Lean-Agile transformation by utilizing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles and practices to gain agility in business. Some subjects covered in this course include Agile product delivery, team, and technical agility, implementing enterprise SAFe, and the core competencies of lead portfolio management.
Demand and benefits
This certification is in high demand from organizations that want to plan and execute the Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and those looking to launch ARTs as solutions. Some benefits include:
Worldwide recognition. With more and more businesses embracing SAFe, Scaled Agile qualifications are some of the most sought-after certifications. Scaled Agile continually improves its material to make it more robust and flexible to satisfy market demands and stay on top of the industry.
Resolving enterprise complexities. SAFe allows numerous scrum teams to collaborate on a complicated project. SAFe is a highly transparent, basic, and easy approach that operates on a set of principles and aids in developing effective solutions.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring Implementing SAFe certified professionals are the professional service industry, the software engineering industry, the project management industry, and the product development industry.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Project managers
- Business analysts
- Scrum masters
- Agile coaches
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Managers
- Directors
- Professional service consultants
Duration to get certified
After completing the 4-day SAFe course, you have to take the SAFe® Program Consultant Exam. On passing the exam, you will gain the Certfieid SAFe® Program Consultant credential.
This SAFe certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it by paying a renewal fee.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the Implementing SAFe training course varies depending on your location
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the Implementing SAFe course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $895.
Exam fee for certification
- The first exam attempt is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The Implementation SAFe exam retake fee is $250.
2. SAFe® Release Train Engineer (SAFe RTE)
This three-day course covers the roles and responsibilities of a Release Train Engineer. Some areas of competency for the SAFe RTE include organizing ceremonies at the program level, executing the program, and coaching Agile Release Train teams to enhance value delivery continuously. This course teaches how to build a high-performing Agile Release Train, facilitate value from one end to another, and implement a program increment event.
Demand and benefits
This top SAFe certification is in demand from organizations that want a leader in charge of driving value in a value stream or a single program. Some benefits include:
More opportunities. As a result of the certification, you are automatically chosen for further collaboration at the outset, as you will be meeting the key demands of an enterprise.
Profile boost. This is one of several reasons why businesses actively seek employees with SAFe certificates rather than hiring someone in-house or without a SAFe credential. As a certified release training engineer, you will be fully responsible for an Agile Release Train by organizing and guiding the team.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring SAFe RTE professionals are the engineering industry, the IT industry, the product development industries, and the software engineering industry.
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Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Program manager
- Release train engineer
- Agile coach
- Scrum master
- IT manager
- Director
- Product owner
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe RTE course, you can take the SAFe Release Train Engineer exam. On passing the exam you become a Certified SAFe® Release Train Engineer.
- This SAFe RTE certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. It is between $1200- $2000.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the SAFe RTE course fees. Renewal fee is $295.
Exam fee for certification
- The exam fee for your first SAFe RTE test is included in the course fee, which means that it not be paid for separately.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe RTE exam retake fee is $50.
3. SAFe ® Architect
This is a three-day course where attendees look into the responsibilities, roles, and mindset of Agile Architects. It covers how to obtain an alignment between business values and architecture. It also looks at how to drive continuous flow to huge systems as you support program implementation.
Demand and benefits
This SAFe certification for Architects is in demand across industries, where enterprise, solution, and system architects are required to create architectural solutions. Some benefits include:
Skills to facilitate enterprise growth. SAFe Architect certification and training equip you with the skills needed to build a continuous delivery pipeline for an enterprise or a growing organization.
Exposure to new processes. It will not only assist you with SAFe, but it will also expose you to new market trends in processes and procedures.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring SAFe Architect professionals are the software engineering industry, the construction industry, product development industries, the professional service industry, and the financial services industry.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Project managers
- Business analysts
- Scrum masters
- Agile coaches
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Managers
- Directors
- Professional service consultants.
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe For Architects course, you can take the SAFe Architect exam. On passing the exam you will be SAFe Architect certified.
- This SAFe certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. Costs are approximately around $2500 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the Implementing SAFe course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- The exam fee for your first SAFe Architect test is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe Architect exam retake fee is $50.
4. SAFe® Agilist / Leading SAFe®
This is a two-day course where attendees learn how to master business agility and why it is important. It provides an understanding of implementing Lean portfolio management in an organization and how to instill a DevOps culture. Some of the concepts included in this course are the principles of SAFe certifications, system thinking, Agile development, and Lean product development.
Demand and benefits
Lead-Agile enterprises that are looking to leverage SAFe, drive the demand for this certification. The key benefit of taking this course is the attractive renumeration that this certification commands. The salary compensation is one of the most compelling and promising incentives for pursuing SAFe certification and training. If you are qualified in SAFe, you will see a significant increase in your pay. Professionals with SAFe Certification are paid around 25% more than those who do not have SAFe certification, according to statistics.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring SAFe Agilist professionals are the financial industry, the IT industry, software development industries, and industries that utilize project management.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
Duration to get certified
- After completing the Leading SAFe course, you can take the SAFe Agilist exam. Passing the exam will get you the SAFe Agilist credential.
- This SAFe Agilist certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. Most centres charge around $2500 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- Your first attempt of the SAFe Agilist exam is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe Agilist exam retake fee is $50.
5. SAFe® DevOps Practitioner
Every organization must provide useful technological solutions at the pace of business to thrive in the current disruptive global market, and this is what the SAFe DevOps Practitioner course is about. This is a two-day course that teaches participants how to collaborate across non-technical, technical, and leadership positions so as to maximize their value stream from the start to the end.
Demand and benefits
The need for cross-functional teams that can execute implementation strategies drives the demand for this certification. Some benefits include:
Continuous delivery pipeline. With the SAFe certification, you learn how to develop and integrate DevOps, where the client receives continuous delivery from a large team.
Understanding of DevOps technologies. You get to learn how to use DevOps technologies and acquire a better grasp of the other tools and techniques needed for continuous delivery.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring SAFe DevOps professionals are the investment banking industry, the professional service industry, the construction industry, and the product development industries.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe DevOps course, you can take the SAFe DevOps Practitioner exam. On passing the exam, you will get the certification.
- This SAFe DevOps Practitioner certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. You would be required to pay around $1200 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- Your first attempt of the SAFe DevOps Practitioner exam fee is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe DevOps exam retake fee is $50.
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6. SAFe® Program Owner/ Program Manager
This two-day course covers how to use Lean thinking in decomposing Epics into stories and features. Some concepts covered in the course include how to refine features into stories, plan and implement program increments and iterations, and manage team backlogs and programs.
Demand and benefits
The highest demand for this certification is in lean enterprises that have multiple teams and programs. Benefits include:
Handling complex projects. To benefit from this methodology and implement it in your projects, you must have a full understanding of it. SAFe certification and training will teach you all you need to know about SAFe.
Worldwide recognition. You can seek your ideal job in your dream country or company if you have a SAFe certification. This accreditation is widely recognized and in high demand across the world.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring professionals with this certification are industries that utilize project management, including the manufacturing, construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate development industries.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager course, you can take the SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager exam. On passing the exam you will get the Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager credential.
- This SAFe certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. Most centres will charge $1200 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- Your first attempt of the SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager exam is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe PO/PM exam retake fee is $50.
SAFe® Scrum Master
This two-day course aims to grant attendees an understanding of what the role of Scrum Master in an enterprise entails. This course gives a focus to the basics of team-level Scrum and also explores what the role of a Scrum Master is. It teaches how to successfully plan and implement Program Increment throughout the different levels of an organization.
Demand and benefits
The need to understand how Scrum can be executed in the whole organization and the main components of Agile regarding scaling development has increased the demand for this certification. Other benefits include:
It adds weight to your resume. Including a SAFe certification in your resume distinguishes you from the competition. It gives your CV a lot of weight and is in high demand all around the world.
It increases your salary. You can expect a salary hike in your current job or a good hike in your next job if you are SAFe Scrum Master certified.
Top industries hiring
The top industries hiring SAFe Scrum Master Professionals are the investment banking industry, the engineering industry, and the construction industry.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Consultants
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe Scrum Master course, you can take the SAFe Scrum Master exam. On passing the exam you will get the Certified SAFe® Scrum Master credential.
- This Certified SAFe® Scrum Master certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. The approximate charges are $1200 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- Your first attempt of the SAFe Scrum Master exam is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The SAFe Scrum Master Exam retake fee is $50.
7. SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master
This is a two-day course meant to prepare Scrum Masters for leadership roles in organizing teams, implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), and facilitating enterprise success. Some subjects covered in this course include executing programs, improving them continuously, and facilitating cross-team interactions.
Demand and benefits
As more organizations implement actionable tools for building teams, they seek people with this certification to support this growth. Benefits of SAFe Advanced Scrum Master are:
Scaling an Agile company. SAFe certification offers a deep understanding of concepts and procedures and knowledge of different elements of working in a scaled agile company that you wouldn't have otherwise.
International recognition. SAFe certifications are valued internationally, and every IT organization around the globe recognizes them and regards them as niche qualifications.
Top industries hiring
Top industries hiring professionals with this certification are the industries that use project management, such as the manufacturing and construction industries and product development industries.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master course, you can take the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master exam. Passing the exam will make you Certified SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master.
- This SAFe certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. Fees are about $1200 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- The exam fee for your first test is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The exam retake fee is $50.
8. SAFe® Practitioner / SAFe® for teams
This two-day course provides you with the skills you need to become a team member contributing highly to an Agile Release Train. Each person learns how to deliver value in a team and what they can do to better perform their role in XP, Kanban, and Scrum. It also covers why the DevOps culture is important, integrating the continuous delivery pipeline and improving continuously.
Demand and benefits
Every company with an Agile Release Train needs a SAFe practitioner who is high performing in the team, which is why there is demand for this certification. Additionally, with the availability of different SAFe certifications, professionals can choose a path that aligns with their career goals, further enhancing their value in the marketplace. Other benefits include:
- Salary boost: Because scaling Agile is a specialized expertise, SAFe specialists are well compensated. The certificate also boosts your employability by enhancing your reputation and making you market-ready.
- Continuous delivery: SAFe training prepares professionals to work with a team to handle an increasing quantity of work by attaining Continuous Delivery, which allows for more frequent updates.
Top industries hiring
The top industries hiring professionals with this certification are the professional service industries, the IT industry, product development industries, and the software development industry.
Where to take training for certification?
Who should take the training (roles) for certification?
- Managers
- Directors
- Agile Coaches
- Software engineers
- Product owners
- Project managers
- Scrum masters
- Release Train Engineers
- Development managers
- Consultants
- Professional service consultants
- Business analysts
Duration to get certified
- After completing the SAFe For Teams course, you can take the SAFe Practitioner exam. Clearing the test will make you a Certified SAFe Practitioner.
- This SAFe certification is valid for a year, after which you have to renew it.
Course fee for certification
- The fee for the course varies depending on your location. Fees are about $1200 for this course.
Application fee for certification
- The application fee is included in the course fees.
- The annual renewal cost is $100.
Exam fee for certification
- Your first attempt of the Certified SAFe Practitioner exam is included in the course fee.
Retake fee for certification
- The exam retake fee is $50.
Conclusion
Agile frameworks aren't new, and they've been around for a long time. Industry experts feel that instructor-led agile training certifications may enhance a company's entire culture. SAFe certification will help you grasp the complexities of scaling agile at the corporate level. To explore the various certification paths, you can refer to the SAFe certifications list, which outlines the different options based on your career goals and organizational needs.
Big companies may use SAFe to apply agile methodologies to their existing projects, allowing large teams to operate more efficiently. Successfully scaling agile methods to enterprise levels requires some degree of SAFe understanding, skill, and expertise. SAFe is among the few frameworks which have integrated lean and system thinking alongside Agile development effectively.
Having a SAFe certification makes it possible for you to advance in your professional career. Once you hold this certification, you can verify that you have what it takes to help scale Agile. These certifications will help you move from being a SAFe practitioner to being a SAFe Expert.
