Along the same lines as a recent comment, I'm thinking of taking a
ScrumMaster course -- not because I'm currently managing a team of
programmers, but because I may, in the future, need to do such a thing.

I recall looking at this a few years ago and the Scrum Alliance was quite
adamant that it was not going to do certification. You could prove you were
competent at using this approach because you had done it in the field.

Now, they have certification, testing, and continuing education for those
already certified and it seems to be developing into quite the business
(most training runs 2K for a basic two-day course).

Anyone have experience with the new certification?  Any insight into why
they went the certification route?