ITIL® 4 and 5 certification: Your guide with all the information you need

ITIL® 4 and 5 certification levels
ITIL® 4 and 5certification is divided into different certification levels, allowing you to systematically expand and refine your ITIL® expertise. Appropriate training courses will prepare you for the respective exam. After successfully completing one level, you can advance to further levels to continue expanding your knowledge and qualifications in ITIL®.

In this guide to ITIL® certifications, you will learn everything you need to know in this context: Why should you pursue ITIL® certification? How are the certifications in ITIL® 4 and ITIL® 5 structured, and what development paths are available? Which certifications fit your job profile? How are the exams conducted? In addition, you will receive an overview of the current developments in the ITIL® certification landscape as well as practical tips on how to prepare for the exams and successfully pass the certifications.

Advantages of ITIL® certification

ITIL® certification offers you the following advantages:

• Career opportunities: ITIL® certificates are internationally recognized and facilitate access to more responsible positions and higher salaries.

• Business benefits: ITIL® ensures more efficient IT Service Management (ITSM), improves customer satisfaction and optimizes the use of resources, from which companies can benefit greatly.

• Specialist knowledge: The official courses and seminars in preparation for certification provide in-depth knowledge that can be used in a wide range of industries.

Administration of ITIL® and certification by PeopleCert

The ITIL® framework is continuously developed and managed by PeopleCert. As the official owner of ITIL®, PeopleCert ensures that the content meets current IT service management requirements and is regularly updated. At the same time, PeopleCert is also the global exam provider for ITIL® and is responsible for conducting the certifications and awarding the certificates. This integrated responsibility ensures consistent quality and reliability throughout the entire certification process.

ITIL® 5 certification

With the continuous development of ITIL®, PeopleCert is also expanding the certification landscape and enabling professionals to adapt their existing knowledge to new requirements in digital product and service management. For ITIL® 4-certified professionals in particular, the focus is on knowledge transfer in order to efficiently integrate current concepts, methods, and technological developments.

As an introduction to the updated certification structure, ITIL® offers a bridge course that builds specifically on ITIL® 4 Foundation. This allows you to learn about key new features in a compact format and bring your existing certification level up to date without having to complete the entire Foundation qualification again.

ITIL® Version 5 Foundation Bridge: the compact transition from ITIL® 4

The ITIL® Version 5 Foundation Bridge course is aimed at professionals who are already ITIL® 4 Foundation certified and provides a compact overview of the key new features in the current version. The focus is on modern approaches to digital product and service management, experience orientation, and the increased use of data- and AI-supported methods.

In preparatory courses, you will learn, among other things:

• The four dimensions of service management
• Key concepts of digital product and service management
• The digital product and service lifecycle
• Structure and components of the ITIL® Service Value System
• Identification, analysis, and management of value streams

The course specifically prepares you for the bridge exam and enables you to transfer existing ITIL® 4 knowledge to the updated certification basis.

ITIL® Version 5 Foundation Bridge exam requirements

• 20 multiple-choice questions
• 30 minutes processing time
• no aids allowed

An existing ITIL® 4 Foundation certificate is required to participate.

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ITIL® 5 certification: The structure

With the continuous development of ITIL®, PeopleCert is also gradually adapting the certification scheme for ITIL® 5 to new requirements in IT service management. The focus is increasingly on practical skills, modular qualification paths, and greater integration of operational, tactical, and strategic capabilities.

The current certification model reflects this development and shows how ITIL® careers can be built up along various specialization paths. In addition to the Foundation certification as an entry point, there are several qualification paths available that address different roles and areas of responsibility in service management.

The following overview illustrates the structural composition of ITIL® certifications and shows the central qualification areas of Practice Manager, Managing Professional, and Strategic Leader, as well as their main areas of focus.

You can find an overview of all available modules here.

You will find more detailed information about the individual modules in the individual course descriptions. Basic information is provided below.

ITIL® Version 5 Foundation: the introduction to the new certification structure

ITIL® Version 5 Foundation forms the basis for further certifications and teaches fundamental concepts of digital product and service management. The focus is on holistic management of digital services, a stronger focus on experience, and practical methods for creating value in modern organizations.

In preparatory courses, you will learn, among other things:

• The four dimensions of ITIL® service management and how they interact
• Key concepts of digital product and service management and the service economy
• The digital product and service lifecycle and its significance for value creation
• Structure, purpose, and components of the ITIL® Service Value System. Identification, analysis, and control of value streams, including value stream management.
• Approaches to targeted organizational optimization and the development of professional skills

The course prepares you specifically for the Foundation exam and provides practical examples of how to apply ITIL® principles in your everyday work.

ITIL® Version 5 Foundation exam requirements

• 40 multiple-choice questions
• 60 minutes processing time
• no aids allowed

Depending on your prior knowledge and learning objectives, you can complete the ITIL® Version 5 Foundation in different course formats.

The ITIL® Version 5 Foundation Compact Course is aimed at participants who want to prepare for the certification exam in an efficient and focused manner. The exam-relevant content of the official syllabus is taught in a condensed form and presented in a structured manner. This format is particularly suitable for people who are new to IT service management or who have a clear focus on the exam.

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The ITIL® Version 5 Foundation – Practical Course goes beyond mere exam preparation. In addition to the theoretical basics, the focus here is on in-depth examination of application examples, discussions, and practical exercises. The practical course offers more scope for transfer to your own work context and is particularly suitable for professionals who want to actively implement or further develop ITIL® in their organization.

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Both course formats prepare you for the same Foundation exam and lead to the official ITIL® Version 5 Foundation certificate.

ITIL® 4 certification: The structure

In addition to the current ITIL® Version 5 certification structure, ITIL® 4 remains a central component of the IT service management landscape. Numerous organizations and professionals continue to work with ITIL® 4 and are expanding their qualifications within this framework.

Below you will find an overview of the structure and qualification paths of the ITIL® 4 certifications, which are still recognized, valid, and established in many companies.

The possible ITIL® 4 certifications are modular and build on each other. The ITIL® 4 Foundation certification forms the basis in every case.

Depending on your job profile, you can gain further qualifications in specialized areas:

• ITIL® 4 Practice Manager: If you work in IT operations and want to gain practical know-how for applying ITIL®, this ITIL® certification is the right choice for you.

• ITIL® 4 Managing Professional: This track is right for you if you work in a management position IT service management and want to deepen your practical and technical skills for ITIL® in the workplace.

• ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader: This ITIL® certification is right for you if you work in a senior IT service position and want to expand your skills and knowledge in strategic IT service management.

• ITIL® 4 Master: You automatically achieve the highest ITIL® certification once you have successfully completed the three certifications Practice Manager, Managing Professional, and Strategic Leader.

ITIL® 4 Foundation: the beginning of every certification journey

ITIL® 4 Foundation represents the basic certification in IT Service Management, is a prerequisite for further levels and is generally regarded as central for specialists and managers in ITSM. In the preparatory courses you will learn the following:

1. introduction to service management with ITIL® 4

2. the ITIL® 4 service management concept and service lifecycle model

3. guiding principles and dimensions in ITIL® 4

4 The four dimensions of IT service management according to ITIL® 4

5 The ITIL® 4 Service Value System and its components

6. continuous improvement processes according to ITIL®

7. overview of the ITIL® Practices

8 ITIL® 4 Foundation: Exam preparation

The course prepares you for the exam and offers practical exercises and case studies in virtual learning groups. In addition to exam knowledge, you will learn how to apply methods and best practices from the ITIL® framework in your day-to-day work to professionalize IT service management in your company.

At skill it, you will find two variants of this course, which you can use to optimally prepare for the certification:

ITIL® 4 Foundation – Compact Course: The ITIL® 4 Foundation Compact Course is ideal for you if you already have experience with ITIL® and your main goal is to obtain the certificate.

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ITIL® 4 Foundation Practice: The ITIL® 4 Foundation Practice course is aimed at you if you are new to ITIL® or if you are also interested in the practical implementation of ITIL®. In this course, you will have sufficient time to cover the topics in detail, work through practical examples, and participate in discussions.

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You will receive your ITIL® 4 Foundation certificate after passing the online exam, which you can take flexibly on a date of your choice at PeopleCert. You can take the exam in German or English and must meet the following requirements:

• You answer 40 multiple-choice questions.

• You pass with at least 65% (26 out of 40 points).

• You have 60 minutes to do this.

• You may not use any aids.

ITIL® 4 Practice Manager certification

The ITIL® 4 Practice Manager certification builds on ITIL® 4 Foundation and consists of three practice modules. Each module covers five practices:

ITIL® 4 Practice Manager: Monitor, Support, and Fulfil:
Here you will learn the key concepts, activities, and success factors of the five relevant core operational practices related to monitoring, supporting, and fulfilling service requests.

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ITIL® 4 Practice Manager: Plan, Implement and Control:
This module shows you how to implement changes to your IT services efficiently and smoothly. This allows you to increase value for your organization and users while minimizing disruption.

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ITIL® 4 Practice Manager: Collaborate, Assure and Improve:
In this module, you will learn how to establish cross-practice collaboration, governance, and effective service value streams. This will enable you to maximize the value of the practices applied, both operationally and strategically.

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All three modules for the ITIL® 4 Practice Manager certification conclude with an official exam in which you must meet the following requirements:

• You answer 60 multiple-choice questions.

• You pass with at least 65% (39 out of 60 points).

• You have 90 minutes to do this.

• You may not use any aids.

ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification

The ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification builds on ITIL® 4 Foundation and consists of four modules:

ITIL® 4: Create, Deliver and Support:
In this module you will learn how to apply Service Value System concepts, plan and manage resources and make the best use of information and technology. With the appropriate ITIL® practices, you will support the creation, delivery and support of services, coordinate and prioritize tasks. You decide between "build vs. buy" and implement service integration effectively. The shift-left approach and value streams will help you to develop and offer new services efficiently.

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ITIL® 4: Drive Stakeholder Value:
In this module you will learn how to interact effectively with customers, suppliers and partners to drive stakeholder value. It shows you how to nurture relationships, understand markets and realize value from demand through IT-enabled services. You will be given the tools to increase stakeholder satisfaction and secure a competitive advantage.

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ITIL® 4: Direct, Plan and Improve:
In this module, you will learn how to adapt service management to modern business requirements, successfully implement transformations and promote a culture of continuous improvement. It provides you with efficient concepts, principles and methods for the efficient design of services, but also with regard to employee management and development. You will understand how to integrate the ITIL® principles into your organization to build a successful service mentality.

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‍ITIL® 4: High Velocity IT:
In this module you will learn how digital organizations and operating models work in high velocity environments. The focus is on delivering resilient products and services quickly to create maximum value with the help of ITIL®. You will gain insights into Agile and Lean ways of working as well as technical practices and technologies such as cloud, automation and automated testing.

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All four modules for the ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification conclude with an official exam in which you must meet the following requirements:

• You answer 40 multiple-choice questions.

• You pass with at least 70% (28 out of 40 points).

• You have 90 minutes to do this.

• You may not use any aids.

ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader certification 

The ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader certification builds on ITIL® 4 Foundation and consists of two modules:

ITIL® 4 Direct, Plan and Improve:
In this module, you will learn how to adapt service management to modern business requirements, successfully implement transformations and promote a culture of continuous improvement. It provides you with efficient concepts, principles and methods for the efficient design of services, but also with regard to employee management and development. You will understand how to integrate the ITIL® principles into your organization to build a successful service mentality.

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‍ITIL® 4 Leader: Digital and IT Strategy:
In this module, you will learn how to develop digital IT strategies and integrate them in such a way that they support your organization's goals and promote business success. The focus is on the challenges of digital transformation and how to make the best use of modern technologies to achieve the greatest possible benefit for your company. You will also learn how to apply a flexible and structured approach to successfully master the challenges of service management.

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Both ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader modules conclude with an official exam:

• In the exam for Direct, Plan and Improve, you have to answer 40 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes.  

• For the Digital and IT Strategy exam, you have to complete a practical assignment and an official exam. In addition, you will complete four group assignments in the Digital and IT Strategy course, which will be assessed by your trainer. This allows you to deepen your knowledge of the subject matter and apply it in practice.  

If all conditions are met, you can take the final exam for ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader certification. To do so, you must meet the following requirements:

• You answer 30 multiple-choice questions.

• You pass with at least 70% (21 out of 30 points).

• You have 60 minutes to do this.

• You may not use any aids.

Your ITIL® 4 certification with skill it

The various ITIL® 4 certification courses/modules at skill it offer you high-quality training and exam preparation in ITIL® 4, enabling you to obtain your ITIL® certificate with confidence. Costs start at €1,060 plus VAT and range up to €1,660 plus VAT, depending on the course/module you choose. An exam voucher for the PeopleCert certification exams is always included. With this comprehensive package, you are not only investing in valuable knowledge, but also securing the opportunity to have your new expertise officially certified.

In our course overview for ITIL® 4 certifications, you will find all of the modules presented above in a single overview. If necessary, you can view all of the information listed above in detail in the individual course descriptions.