Straight answers, checked at the source.

ITIL 5, officially ITIL (Version 5), is the latest version of the ITIL framework, published by PeopleCert in 2026. It provides guidance for digital product and service management in the digital and AI-driven world, with one unified product and service lifecycle.

Yes. ITIL (Version 5) was announced in January 2026 and the ITIL Foundation (Version 5) exam has been available since 12 February 2026. Five advanced modules followed in March and April 2026, the Managing Professional Transition in May and AI Governance in July. The three Practice Manager modules (MSF, PIC and CAI) are not released yet.

PeopleCert uses "ITIL (Version 5)" to signal an evolution of the framework rather than a reset. "ITIL 5" and "ITIL v5" are common informal names for the same version.

ITIL (Version 5) is an evolution. It keeps the guiding principles, the value system, the four dimensions and the 34 practices, and adds one unified product and service lifecycle, AI-native guidance, a stronger focus on digital experience and a simplified, role-aligned qualification scheme.

Discover, design, acquire, build, transition, operate, deliver and support. They are not sequential: organizations use them iteratively.

All 34 practices are available through PeopleCert Plus membership. The 15 practices of the Practice Manager modules (currently the ITIL 4 Specialist modules) also come as training materials with the corresponding courses.

ITIL Foundation, eight advanced modules and one extension module. The advanced modules are Monitor, Support and Fulfil; Plan, Implement and Control; Collaborate, Assure and Improve; Product; Service; Experience; Strategy; and Transformation. The extension module is AI Governance.

Hold all three designations: Practice Manager, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader. ITIL Transformation counts for all three, so you take it only once.

Practice Manager: Foundation, one of MSF, PIC or CAI, and Transformation. Managing Professional: Foundation, Product, Service, Experience and Transformation. Strategic Leader: Foundation, Strategy and Transformation.

No. ITIL AI Governance (Version 5) is a standalone extension module with no prerequisite, and it is not part of any designation.

Not for ITIL Foundation or ITIL AI Governance, where self-study is allowed. Every other module requires accredited training or official PeopleCert eLearning.

Yes. They carry a 3-year renew-by date. You can renew through PeopleCert Plus CPD (20 points a year for 3 years), by passing another ITIL certification, or by retaking the same one. Passing any Version 5 exam also renews your ITIL 4 certificates.

Prices are set by PeopleCert and accredited training organizations and vary by country, format and whether training is included. Ask an accredited training organization for a quote.

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.

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.

Holders of any ITIL 4 certificate, except ITIL 4 Specialist: Acquiring and Managing Cloud Services and ITIL 4 Specialist: Sustainability in Digital and IT. It is a 1-day course with a 20-question, 30-minute closed-book exam.

ITIL Transformation (Version 5). One pass upgrades whichever of the two designations you hold. If you also hold ITIL 4 Managing Professional, take the Managing Professional Transition instead: it includes the Transformation exam.

Holders of ITIL 4 Managing Professional, ITIL 4 Master, ITIL v3 Expert and ITIL v3 Master. It has two open-book exams, MPT and ITIL Transformation, and recommended training from 5 days.

Take ITIL Foundation (Version 5). ITIL v3 Foundation and Intermediate certificates are not accepted as prerequisites for Version 5 advanced modules.

ITIL (Version 5) is the current version and ITIL 4 is planned to sunset on 31 December 2027. ITIL 4 certificates stay valid as prerequisites for Version 5 advanced modules.

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.

Only the module's official core guidance book, paperback or eBook, with your own annotations inside the book. Loose notes, sticky notes and any training materials are not allowed.

40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book. You need 26 correct answers (65%) to pass.

Foundation and the Foundation Bridge are available in 9 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese, German, French, Polish, Italian and Japanese. Coverage for advanced modules varies by module.