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Scrum.org · Project Management & Agile · Associate

Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I) exam guide

Exam PAL I

Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I) proves that managers and leaders understand how to support agile teams: empiricism, self-management, leadership styles, organizational design and Evidence-Based Management. It targets leaders rather than team members.

Questions36
Time limit60 minutes
Passing score85%
Exam fee$200 USD
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryOnline, unproctored, taken any time from a Scrum.org password (valid for one attempt, no expiry)

Format: Multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false. Fee note: Per attempt, plus applicable taxes; Scrum.org classes typically include one attempt.

Who it's for

Managers, executives, HR and PMO leaders responsible for agile teams or transformations.

What the exam covers

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework—
Developing People and Teams—
Managing Products with Agility—
Developing and Delivering Products Professionally—
Evolving the Agile Organization—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None (the PAL-E class or the self-paced Leading Agile Teams course is recommended)

Recommended: Leadership experience in an organization using or adopting Scrum.

Keeping it active

None. Scrum.org certifications are lifetime with no renewal or annual fee.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Supporting self-managing teams
  • Choosing appropriate leadership styles
  • Designing organizations for agility
  • Using Evidence-Based Management
  • Removing organizational impediments
  • Funding and governing products agilely

Job roles

Engineering ManagerAgile Transformation LeadHead of DeliveryPMO DirectorProduct DirectorIT Director

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Read the Scrum Guide and the Evidence-Based Management Guide.
  2. Week 1: Take the free Agile Leadership Open assessment.
  3. Week 2: Study leadership topics: servant leadership, autonomy, organizational culture and agile budgeting.
  4. Week 2: Retake the Agile Leadership Open until near 100%, then book.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Favor answers where leaders create the environment rather than direct the work.
  • Self-managing teams decide how to do their work; avoid answers where managers assign tasks.
  • Expect questions on measuring value with EBM rather than output metrics.
  • With 36 questions in 60 minutes, take time to read scenarios carefully.

Key terms for this exam

All 16 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does PAL I cost?

$200 USD per attempt, plus applicable taxes.

Who should take PAL I?

Leaders and managers of agile teams, not primarily Scrum Masters.

Does PAL I expire?

No. Scrum.org certifications are lifetime with no renewal or annual fee.

Is there a practice test?

Yes, the free Agile Leadership Open assessment.

PAL I vs PAL-EBM?

PAL I covers agile leadership broadly; PAL-EBM focuses on measuring and managing value with Evidence-Based Management.

Official page: www.scrum.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.