ITIL® Certifications
Build service management capability around your role
ITIL® Version 5 brings digital product management, service management, experience, strategy and transformation into one role-focused certification scheme. Rather than following one rigid ladder, you can build the knowledge most relevant to the work you do.
If you are new to ITIL, Foundation provides the natural starting point. Existing ITIL 4 professionals can continue to use their current knowledge and certifications while choosing an appropriate Version 5 transition or advanced route.
Start with the route that matches your ITIL experience
Version 5 provides a straightforward entry route for new learners and a focused bridge option for eligible ITIL 4 certification holders.
New to ITIL
Build a broad understanding of digital product and service management, the ITIL Value System, guiding principles, lifecycle and continual improvement.
ITIL® (Version 5) Foundation →Already ITIL 4 certified
Use the focused Foundation Bridge to understand the key Version 5 changes, or progress directly to eligible higher-level modules where your existing certification meets the prerequisite.
ITIL® Foundation Bridge (Version 5) →Develop capability in the areas most relevant to your role
Following Foundation, the Version 5 scheme lets you deepen your skills across five complementary areas. These modules can be valuable individually and also combine towards professional designations.
Product
Manage digital products across their lifecycle, connecting customer needs, product development, delivery and measurable business outcomes.
Service
Strengthen the design, delivery, operation and continual improvement of reliable digital services and service relationships.
Experience
Understand and improve the experiences of customers, users, employees and other stakeholders throughout product and service journeys.
Strategy
Connect technology, investment and organisational direction while developing strategic capability for complex digital environments.
Transformation
Plan, govern, embed and sustain transformation across digital products and services while demonstrating measurable value and learning.
AI Governance
Develop practical capability in responsible AI oversight, accountability, risk management and trust across products, services and organisational workflows.
Progress towards advanced ITIL designations
The professional designations recognise broader capability across practices, end-to-end product and service management, strategic leadership and transformation.
Practice Manager
Within Version 5, Practice Manager combines one bundled practice module — Monitor, Support and Fulfil; Plan, Implement and Control; or Collaborate, Assure and Improve — with Transformation. ExperTrain also continues to offer the ITIL 4 editions of these practice modules during the transition period.
Managing Professional
Demonstrate end-to-end capability across Product, Service, Experience and Transformation. Existing qualified professionals also have a dedicated transition route.
Strategic Leader
Develop leadership capability across digital strategy and organisational transformation by combining Strategy with Transformation.
ITIL Master
The highest Version 5 designation recognises broad capability across the three professional designation routes: Practice Manager, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader.
Your existing ITIL knowledge still matters
ITIL Version 5 is an evolution rather than a reset. Existing ITIL 4 certifications remain relevant during the transition, and many can be used as prerequisites for Version 5 modules.
The Foundation Bridge provides a concise update for eligible ITIL 4 certificate holders. For established Managing Professionals and other eligible senior certification holders, the Managing Professional Transition course provides a more direct upgrade route.
Prefer to see the complete scheme at a glance?
The original Version 5 pathway infographic is retained as a supplementary reference. On smaller screens it can be scrolled horizontally so the detail remains readable.
Choose by experience and career direction
New to ITIL?
Begin with Version 5 Foundation for a broad introduction to modern digital product and service management.
Start with Foundation →Already ITIL 4 certified?
Consider Foundation Bridge for a focused update, or select an advanced Version 5 module where your existing qualification meets the prerequisites.
Explore Foundation Bridge →Managing products or services?
Product, Service and Experience provide role-focused routes for professionals responsible for lifecycle management and stakeholder value.
Compare ITIL courses →Leading strategy or change?
Strategy and Transformation support leaders responsible for direction, investment, governance and organisation-wide change.
Explore leadership routes →Need help with ITIL terminology?
Our ITIL & IT Service Management Glossary provides plain-English explanations of common ITIL and service management terms.
Common questions about the Version 5 pathway
Is ITIL Version 5 replacing ITIL 4 immediately?
No. The two versions are running in parallel during the transition period, so existing ITIL 4 knowledge and certifications remain relevant while learners and organisations move to Version 5 at a suitable pace.
Do I have to take the Foundation Bridge?
No. Foundation Bridge is an optional focused route for eligible ITIL 4 certification holders who want to update to Version 5 Foundation. Existing ITIL 4 qualifications can also satisfy prerequisites for many higher-level Version 5 modules.
Which modules lead to ITIL Managing Professional?
The Version 5 Managing Professional designation brings together Product, Service, Experience and Transformation. Eligible existing Managing Professionals can use the dedicated Managing Professional Transition route.
What is ITIL Master?
ITIL Master is the highest designation in the Version 5 scheme and recognises professionals who achieve the Practice Manager, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader designations.
Ready to progress your ITIL certification?
Browse the current ITIL course range or contact ExperTrain if you would like help identifying the most appropriate route for your experience and goals.
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