IModern, integrated and comprehensive approach
Guidance that works across the whole organization, from leadership and strategy to day-to-day operations, in stable and fast-changing environments.
Updated 27 September 2026 · ITIL® (Version 5)
The language of growth, rewritten for the AI age.
A clear, independent guide to ITIL (Version 5): what changed, which certification fits your role, and the exact route from ITIL 4 or v3. Checked against PeopleCert sources.
- management practices
- 34
- lifecycle activities
- 8
- designations lead to ITIL Master
- 3
- entry point: ITIL Foundation
- 1
- ITIL 4 sunset planned, 31 Dec
- 2027
01 · What's new
Evolution, not revolution. Five shifts that matter.
Our summary of PeopleCert's five key innovations. Your ITIL 4 knowledge carries over: the guiding principles and value system stay, and the 34 practices remain largely the same.
I
IIAI-native and complexity-ready
Practical guidance for working in complex, AI-enabled environments: how to adapt, decide and manage change as technology and expectations evolve.
IIIIntegration of products and services
End-to-end lifecycle guidance for digital products and services, managed together for holistic value.
IVEmphasis on digital experience
Design, deliver and improve with a clear view of how different stakeholders experience value.
VContinuity with previous versions
Proven concepts from ITIL 4 and earlier, including the value system and guiding principles, carry over.
02 · The qualification scheme
Three streams. One summit.
Eight advanced modules and one extension. ITIL Transformation is shared by all three designations, and you take it once.
Entry pointITIL Foundation
Or any ITIL 4 certificate. ITIL 4 holders (except Cloud and Sustainability) can take the 1-day Bridge.
Practice ManagerChoose one + Transformation
Monitor, Support and FulfilPlan, Implement and ControlCollaborate, Assure and ImproveTransformation
Managing ProfessionalAll four
ProductServiceExperienceTransformation
Strategic LeaderBoth
StrategyTransformation
Highest designationITIL Master
Awarded when you hold all three designations.
ExtensionITIL AI GovernanceNo prerequisite. Not part of any designation.
Version 5 MSF, PIC and CAI are not released yet. Until then, any one of ITIL 4 Specialist: MSF, PIC or CAI fulfils the Practice requirement.
03 · Path finder
What do you hold today?
Pick your highest ITIL certificate. We draw the official route to ITIL (Version 5), station by station.
Open the full path finderYour routeFrom ITIL 4 Foundation
Go straight to advanced modules
- Station 01Optional: ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5)
- DestinationAny advanced module
ITIL 4 Foundation is a valid prerequisite. The 1-day Bridge gives you the Version 5 Foundation certificate and is scheduled to retire on 31 Dec 2027.
Bridge · 20 questions · 30 min · 65% · closed bookPlan your training
04 · Tools
Decide in minutes, not meetings.
Every tool uses the same verified data as this page.
Simulator
Path finderEnter the ITIL certificates you hold, from v3 to ITIL 4 designations, and see the exact exams to Version 5.
Transition
Transition matrixITIL 4 PM → TransformationITIL 4 SL → TransformationITIL 4 MP → MPTITIL 4 Master → MPTv3 Expert → MPTv3 Master → MPT
Assessment
Exam explorerFormat, pass mark and what you may bring into every open-book exam.
Closed book · Foundation, BridgeOpen book · most advanced
Compare
ITIL 4 vs ITIL 5Every concept side by side: what stays, what is renamed and what is new.
Evolution
From 1989 to Version 51989First books
2000ITIL v2
2007ITIL v3
20112011 edition
2019ITIL 4
2026Version 5
05 · Exams at a glance
Open book, where it counts.
Source: PeopleCert, verified 27 September 2026.
ITIL FoundationClosed book
40 questions · 60 min · 65%ITIL Foundation BridgeClosed book
20 questions · 30 min · 65%Product · Service · Experience · Strategy · TransformationOpen book
40 questions · 90 min · 70%Managing Professional TransitionOpen book
40 + 60 questions · 90 + 120 min · 70%ITIL AI GovernanceOpen book
40 questions · 90 min · 70%Practice Manager modulesOpen book planned
Format to be confirmedOpen book means the module's official book or eBook only, annotated in the book (for the MPT exam, the ITIL Product, Service and Experience books). Loose notes and training materials are not allowed.
Do I need to retake Foundation if I hold ITIL 4?
No. ITIL 4 Foundation, or any ITIL 4 certificate, is a valid prerequisite for all ITIL (Version 5) advanced modules. The optional Foundation Bridge gives you the Version 5 Foundation certificate.
When does ITIL 4 end?
PeopleCert currently plans to sunset all ITIL 4 modules on 31 December 2027. The Foundation Bridge is scheduled to retire on the same date. Exam voucher validity dates will be announced by PeopleCert.
Are the ITIL 5 exams open book?
Foundation and the Foundation Bridge are closed book. Product, Service, Experience, Strategy, Transformation, the Managing Professional Transition and AI Governance are open book, with the official book or eBook only (for the MPT exam, the official ITIL Product, Service and Experience books). For the Practice Manager modules, open book is currently planned.
Is training mandatory?
Not for ITIL Foundation or ITIL AI Governance, where self-study is allowed. Every other module requires accredited training or official PeopleCert eLearning.
07 · Coexistence31 Dec 2027
···days to gountil the planned sunset
ITIL 4 and Version 5 run in parallel. PeopleCert currently plans to sunset all ITIL 4 modules, and the Foundation Bridge, on this date.
Check what it means for you
João RodriguesPeopleCert ITIL Ambassador
08 · Who writes this
“Written by the people who teach it, not by a marketing team.”
This site is maintained by João Rodrigues, PeopleCert ITIL Ambassador, ITIL 4 and ITIL v5 Master, and contributor to the official ITIL Foundation (Version 5) book, through Better Skills, a PeopleCert Accredited Training Organization based in Portugal.