If you receive a Deferral Decision regarding a Scrum Alliance application that you believe to be incorrect, you may appeal the decision to Scrum Alliance. Scrum Alliance may select certain Guide community Members to participate in a “Certification Appeal Committee” to review and consider your appeal. An appeal must be made within 30 days of the decision. We recommend you complete a feedback call with your reviewers before submitting your appeal. You, as the individual making the appeal, have the burden of proof. Your appeal will not be accepted for review if it does not include relevant documentation that (i) clearly demonstrates the basis for your appeal, and (ii) you fully satisfy all of the standards of the designation for which you are applying for. Scrum Alliance staff members may participate in Certification Appeal Committee proceedings in a non-voting capacity. The decision of the Certification Appeal Committee is made by a majority vote of the Committee members. Thereafter, the Committee informs Scrum Alliance of its decision with regards to the appeal and provides a written explanation of the basis for such decision. 

If, after reviewing the Formal Process for Applicant Appeals below, you wish to appeal your decision, please contact the Scrum Alliance Providers Team. 

If you feel there has been a violation of the Scrum Alliance Code of Ethics, please submit the provided form.

FORMAL PROCESS FOR APPLICANT APPEALS

I. Review of Decision of Deferral

In the event an Applicant receives a Decision of Deferral, the Applicant may request a review of the decision. An Applicant requesting a review of any Decision of Deferral must submit a written Request for Review within 30 calendar days of the date of the notice of decision. The Request for Review shall include a written statement detailing the basis for the appeal and any relevant supporting documentation that the Applicant wishes to be considered. The written submission must clearly demonstrate that the Applicant fully satisfies the applicable standards. If a written Request for Review is not received within the 30 day period, the Decision of Deferral will stand. SAI does recommend that Applicants who have been deferred complete a feedback call with reviewers prior to submitting a Request for Review. 

II. Review Notices

A. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to provide clear and thorough evidence in support of their Request for Review. 

B. After Scrum Alliance’s timely receipt of a complete Request for Review, Scrum Alliance will provide a written notice to Applicant.  

C. If the validity of the Request for Review is determined to be incomplete or invalid, Scrum Alliance may refuse the Request for Review. 

D. If the validity of the Request for Review is determined to be complete, Scrum Alliance will assemble a Certification Appeal Committee to review the Request for Review and provide a written notice to Applicant with a meeting date to address the Request for Review (the “Review Meeting”).

E. Scrum Alliance staff shall prepare at least the following documents (the “Review Record”) for the Review Meeting: 

1. Application and materials. 

2. Notice of Decision of Deferral with any applicable attachments that were provided. 

3. The Request for Review and any supporting documentation. 

4. Any other relevant material, including correspondence with the Applicant or relevant materials. 

5. A Review Summary, prepared by Scrum Alliance staff, which shall also be sent to the Applicant at least 20 days prior to the meeting. (Please note that identifying information may be redacted, as applicable.) 

III. Certification Appeal Committee Composition

A. The voting members of the Certification Appeal Committee at the Review Meeting shall consist of no fewer than three Scrum Alliance representatives, none of whom shall be staff members; representatives may include Scrum Alliance community members. Scrum Alliance staff may attend and participate in the meeting but may not vote. 

B. Committee members may not participate in discussions of, or vote on, any review in which the member had or has had a substantial personal or professional relationship with the Applicant requesting the review. 

C. Those selected for the Certification Appeal Committee shall have substantial knowledge of the subject area of the Applicant and have been previously vetted by Scrum Alliance. 

D. The Applicant seeking review may not attend the Review Meeting but must submit in writing any information or arguments that the Applicant wishes to be considered in advance of the Review Meeting. 

IV. Review Meeting

A. The Certification Appeal Committee may conduct the Review Meeting in-person or virtually. 

B. After discussion, the Certification Appeal Committee will reach a determination based on the Review Record before it, by majority vote of those members of the Certification Appeal Committee present, which, if any, action is appropriate under the circumstances. The Certification Appeal Committee may affirm, modify, or reverse the Decision of Deferral, in accordance with Scrum Alliance’s Certification Appeal Policy and Procedures. 

C. The Certification Appeal Committee may impose conditions on the Applicant, such as the completion of additional training to assist with continued professional development, in which case the Certification Appeal Committee will also specify an alternative decision that shall become effective if the Applicant declines to accept the conditions within the specified timeframe.

V. Certification Appeal Committee Notifications 

A. Scrum Alliance shall issue a Notice of Certification Appeal Committee Decision advising the Applicant of the decision no later than ten (10) business days after the Review Meeting. 

B. The Notice of Certification Appeal Committee Decision will describe the basis of the decision and, if applicable, any additional requirements for the Applicant to complete prior to certification. 

C. Upon receipt of the Notice of Certification Appeal Committee Decision, Scrum Alliance shall consider the issue closed and the decision final. 

VI. Post Certification Appeal Committee Meeting

A. Following issuance of the Notice of Certification Appeal Committee Decision, Scrum Alliance will revoke access to the Review Record and keep it confidential. 

B. In the event of a decision including additional requirements for the Applicant to complete, the requirements will be added to the Applicant’s file for future review, but any other non-relevant information related to the appeal will be held confidential. Non-relevant information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Written Request for Appeal and any supporting evidence;

2. Basis of the Decision;

3. Members of the Certification Appeal Committee; and

4. Any notes or minutes related to the Appeal.

C. Scrum Alliance will take measures, within reason, to ensure that any members of the Certification Appeal Committee are not included in any future Applicant review. This measure may not extend to another subject matter if the Applicant chooses to pursue additional authorization for other subject matters.