ITIL Certification: Levels, Costs, Renewal and How to Get ITIL 4 Certified

Ready to take your IT career to the next level? If you're looking to become a Master in IT Service Management (ITSM), ITIL Certifications are your golden ticket. In this guide, we'll dive deep into the world of ITIL Certifications, breaking down everything you need to know to get started and advance in this field.We'll cover the ITIL framework, the different certification levels, and how these credentials can open doors for you in the IT industry. Plus, we'll share some insider tips on how to become an ITIL Master. So, buckle up and get ready to boost your ITSM skills and career prospects.

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What is the ITIL certification?

An ITIL certification is an individual credential that proves a person understands and can apply the ITIL 4 guidance for IT Service Management. The credential demonstrates knowledge of the framework’s concepts, practices, and terminology, and — depending on the level — the ability to use those ideas in real work settings.

The ITIL framework is the body of guidance itself. Anyone can read the documentation and adopt the practices to shape their Service Management. You can work with ITIL without being certified, but the certification provides formal validation of your knowledge and is often used by employers as proof of competence.

Who should get ITIL certified

Support technicians, ITSM practitioners, service managers, consultants, and service leaders all benefit. People who participate in service design, operation, transition, or continual improvement commonly take these exams. Certifications also help professionals who need a common language to coordinate across teams or who want formal proof of their Service Management skills.

Why is an ITIL certification important?

ITIL certification remains one of the most recognized credentials in ITSM because it gives professionals and employers a shared frame of reference. The guidance has shaped Service Management practices for years, so having certified staff helps teams work with the same concepts, terminology, and expectations. Many organizations still use ITIL as a foundation for their operating models, which keeps the certification relevant for anyone involved in service delivery.

Benefits for professionals

• Better job opportunities, since many roles in support and operations ask for ITIL knowledge.
• A common language to work effectively with teams across service design, transition, and operations.
• Clear career progression, with modules that match roles ranging from analyst to service manager.
• Mobility across regions and industries thanks to a credential that is recognized worldwide.

Benefits for organizations

• Stronger alignment between business needs and the way IT services are planned and delivered.
• More consistent processes across teams, which reduces confusion and improves collaboration.
• A stronger focus on service value, helping teams understand why work is prioritized the way it is.
• A foundation for ongoing improvement, since teams share the same principles and practices.

The ITIL Certifications scheme consists of several levels designed to provide IT professionals with a structured path for career development in ITSM. It can be adapted to the learning requirements of the individual and the organization. That's why it uses a modular, tiered approach to allow end-learners to develop a comprehensive view of service management or to focus on specific areas of knowledge. Here’s an overview of the complete ITIL certification scheme:

1. ITIL Foundation

The Foundation module is the entry level qualification and is for professionals just starting out on their ITIL 4 journey or even for existing ITSM workers who are looking to update their existing knowledge.

Key topics covered

• Service value system (SVS): how components and activities create value.
• Guiding principles and governance elements.
• Overview of practices (what they are and why they matter).
• Value streams and service value chain: how work flows to produce outcomes.
• Basic continual improvement ideas and basic roles.

Foundation lets teams speak the same language, map roles to practices, and interpret higher-level modules more easily. Typical next steps after Foundation include taking practice-focused or role-focused modules that match your job.

2. ITIL Practice Manager (PM)

This certification is designed for professionals looking to develop practical competence in managing one or more ITIL practices end-to-end, with emphasis on applying methods, KPIs, and tooling to operate those practices well.

It's perfect for practice leads, process owners, senior practitioners and anyone responsible for the day-to-day maturity and performance of a specific practice (for example incident, change, problem, or service desk).

What it covers

• Deep dive into selected ITIL practices: purpose, inputs/outputs, workflows and typical metrics.
• How to design or adapt practice workflows to organisational context.
• Tooling and automation patterns relevant to the practice.
• Measurement, improvement loops, and governance for the practice.

Graduates leave with templates for playbooks, suggested KPIs, and approaches to integrate the practice with other teams. Practical assessment tends to focus on scenario-based application rather than pure theory.

To become an ITIL PM, end-learners must complete five of the following modules (plus the Foundation and the Create, Deliver and Support certifications):

Monitor, support & fulfil:

1. ITIL 4 Incident Management.
2. ITIL 4 Service Desk.
3. ITIL 4 Problem Management.
4. ITIL 4 Service Request Management.
5. ITIL 4 Monitoring and Event Management.

Plan, implement, and control:

1. ITIL 4 Change Enablement.
2. ITIL 4 Deployment Management.
3. ITIL 4 Release Management.
4. ITIL 4 Service Configuration Management.
5. ITIL 4 IT Asset Management.

Collaborate, assure, and improve

1. ITIL 4 Relationship Management.
2. ITIL 4 Supplier Management.
3. ITIL 4 Service Level Management.
4. ITIL 4 Continual Improvement.
5. ITIL 4 Information Security Management.

3. ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP)

This certificate is aimed at IT professionals working within digital teams, and it focuses on providing you with all the practical and technical knowledge you’ll need to effectively run IT projects, services, workflows, and manage the teams within them. To become an ITIL MP, end-learners must complete the following modules:

1. ITIL 4 Foundation.
2. ITIL 4 Create, Deliver, and Support.
3. ITIL 4 Drive Stakeholder Value.
4. ITIL 4 High-velocity IT.
5. ITIL 4 Direct, Plan, and Improve.

4. ITIL 4 Strategic Leader (SL)

The ITIL SL stream recognises that ITIL’s value goes beyond just IT operations. It fact, it poses that it would be beneficial to all digitally enabled services. Following this stream will show that you appreciate and understand how IT can affect and influence overall business strategy. To become an Strategic Leader, end-learners must complete the following modules:

1. ITIL 4 Foundation.
2. ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve.
3. ITIL 4 Digital and IT Strategy.

5. ITIL Master

This is the highest level of ITIL Certification, demonstrating expert-level proficiency and the ability to implement and manage ITIL-based initiatives. To achieve ITIL Master certification, candidates must explain and justify how they have personally selected and applied a range of knowledge, principles, methods, and techniques from the ITIL framework and supporting management techniques to achieve desired business outcomes.

The ITIL Master qualification does not have a formal exam but requires candidates to submit a comprehensive case study of a real-world project where they have applied ITIL principles and practices. This project must demonstrate the candidate's ability to implement ITIL-based initiatives successfully. The assessment involves a review of the case study by a panel of ITIL experts, and possibly an interview. 

Just to be clear: end-learners must complete the ITIL Practice Manager, ITIL Managing Professional, and ITIL Strategic Leader to be eligible to become an ITIL Master.

ITIL certification requirements, exams, and renewal

Each ITIL 4 level has its own prerequisites, exam structure and renewal rules set by PeopleCert®. The framework defines the learning path, while the exams validate knowledge at each stage. Renewal keeps credentials current with the latest guidance and confirms ongoing professional development.

Prerequisites for each ITIL 4 level

• ITIL 4 Foundation: no prerequisites.
• Practice Manager (PM): ITIL 4 Foundation + selected practice modules.
• Managing Professional (MP): ITIL 4 Foundation + required MP modules.
• Strategic Leader (SL): ITIL 4 Foundation + required SL modules.
• ITIL 4 Master: completion of PM + MP + SL and proof of practical experience applying ITIL in real projects.

Exam formats and passing scores

ITIL 4 exams follow a multiple-choice format. Candidates typically answer around 40 questions within a time window of about one hour. Passing scores are usually set near the 65–70% range. Exams are taken online through a supervised session, and results are issued shortly after completion.

The ITIL Foundation exam is the entry-level certification that covers the key concepts, terminology, and elements of the ITIL framework. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you have 60 minutes to complete it.

The ITIL Practice Manager certification involves exams that cover ITIL management practices across Service Management and general management domains. Each exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, lasts 90 minutes, and requires a passing score of 70% (28 correct answers out of 40). 

For those aiming to advance further, ITIL Managing Professional (MP) certification consists of four modules, each with its own exam. Each exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, lasts 90 minutes, and requires a passing score of 70% (28 correct answers out of 40).

The ITIL Strategic Leader (SL) certification consists of two modules with 30 multiple-choice questions and a case study, with a total duration of 60 minutes for the multiple-choice section and additional time for the case study.

Finally, the ITIL Master qualification does not have a formal exam but requires candidates to submit a comprehensive case study of a real-world project where they have applied ITIL principles and practices. This project must demonstrate the candidate's ability to implement ITIL-based initiatives successfully. The assessment involves a review of the case study by a panel of ITIL experts, and possibly an interview.

How long is ITIL 4 certification valid?

ITIL 4 certifications remain valid for three years. After that period, you must renew to keep your credential active. Renewal can be done by retaking the relevant exam or by meeting the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements defined by PeopleCert at the time. If you don’t renew, the credential is marked as “expired” in the official registry and no longer counts as an active qualification.

How long does it take to get ITIL certified?

Preparation time varies depending on experience and study habits. Many candidates complete Foundation in a few weeks of part-time study. Advanced levels usually take several months, since they involve broader content, scenario-based application, and, in some cases, multiple modules before reaching the next credential.

Which ITIL certification should I start with?

If you're new to ITIL, the best place to start is the ITIL Foundation certification. This certification provides a solid introduction to the ITIL framework and covers the essential concepts and terminology. It is suitable for IT professionals, business managers, and anyone involved in ITSM.

Here are the steps to get started with ITIL Certifications:

1. Study the ITIL Foundation syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the ITIL Foundation exam.
2. Take a training course: Enroll in an accredited ITIL Foundation training course to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and prepare for the exam.
3. Practice with sample exams: Use practice exams to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need further study.
4. Schedule the exam: Register for the ITIL Foundation exam with an accredited exam provider.
5. Pass the exam: Successfully complete the exam to earn your ITIL Foundation certification.

ITIL certification costs

Each certification level has its own exam requirements, format, and pricing tailored to assess specific knowledge and skills.

• The pricing for the ITIL Foundation exam is approximately $300 to $400 USD.
• The ITIL Practice Manager certification involves several exams that cover ITIL management practices. The pricing for each module is approximately $400 to $500 USD.
• The ITIL Managing Professional (MP) certification consists of four modules, each with its own exam. The pricing for each module ranges from $400 to $500 USD.
• The ITIL Strategic Leader (SL) certification has two modules, and the pricing is approximately $500 to $600 USD.
• Finally, the pricing for the ITIL Master qualification varies significantly, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 USD or more, depending on the complexity and requirements of the case study and assessment process.

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Is ITIL certification worth it?

From an organizational perspective, ITIL-certified employees will likely help with IT service delivery and support operations and outcomes (based on the above benefits). Importantly, ITIL is only guidance rather than prescriptive, so organizations can “adopt and adapt” only what they need and in the context of their particular needs.

From an employee professional transition perspective, ITIL poses several benefits to individuals, though the value of an ITIL Certification is very much dependent on various factors. For example, the employee’s desire to self-improve through education and qualifications. Or the local job market and the need to either differentiate or meet minimum entry requirements for particular roles where ITIL certification is mandated.

ITIL-certified professionals are future-ready and remain ahead of job challenges caused by changing technology. Investing in ITIL certification training can be a valuable step towards achieving certification and advancing in the ITIL service value system.

Employers and employees should look at ITIL Certification alongside practical experiences. Such prospective recruits can demonstrate how they have used ITIL best practices to improve operations and outcomes (rather than simply showing that they can pass an exam). To quote ITSM industry authority Paul Wilkinson, “while there is value in the certificate, there is more value in applying the knowledge in practice.”