ITIL evolves. Your expertise remains valuable.
A confident step forward for the ITIL community
The new ITIL builds on everything professionals already value in ITIL, evolving the framework to reflect today’s digital, product‑centric, and AI‑enabled reality. Existing knowledge, experience, and certifications remain fully relevant as part of this evolution.
If you are already certified or familiar with ITIL, this is not a reset. It is a natural next step that allows you to move forward with confidence, when and how it makes sense for you.
The key innovations in New ITIL
The new ITIL evolves to match today’s AI‑driven, fast‑changing environment. It provides practical, role‑relevant guidance in digital product and service management that helps professionals and organizations deliver measurable value with consistency.
Modern, integrated, and comprehensive
ITIL (Version 5) provides guidance that works across the entire organization, from leadership and strategy to day‑to‑day operations. It helps teams collaborate more effectively, align priorities, and create value consistently in both stable and rapidly changing environments.
AI‑native and practical by design
ITIL (Version 5) supports professionals working in AI‑enabled contexts. It provides clear, practical guidance for adapting ways of working, making informed decisions, and responding to change as technology, business needs, and customer expectations evolve.
End‑to‑end lifecycle for digital products and services
Digital experience is a core focus in ITIL (Version 5). The framework helps teams design, deliver, and improve digital products and services with greater visibility, stronger collaboration, and a clearer understanding of how different stakeholders experience value.
Why the new ITIL
A new digital landscape
The digital landscape has changed dramatically. Organizations must operate faster, smarter, and with greater flexibility, particularly as AI reshapes how work is designed, delivered, and governed.
Digital‑first business models
Modern organizations are increasingly digital‑first and product‑centric. While earlier versions of ITIL focused primarily on service management, today’s organizations manage integrated products and services that require updated, holistic guidance.
The AI revolution
AI and automation are transforming operations across industries. The new ITIL is AI‑native by design, helping organizations adopt and scale AI responsibly while maintaining trust, transparency, and control.
Greater adaptability
Organizations need frameworks that support agility and rapid change. ITIL evolves to enable adaptive, outcome‑focused practices aligned with real‑world operating needs.
Stronger interconnection and value focus
Achieving measurable value is essential. The new ITIL strengthens the connection between people, practices, and technology to support sustainable business outcomes.
A simpler, clearer qualification scheme
The new ITIL introduces a simpler, more streamlined qualification structure, designed to support progressive learning as professionals develop their capability over time.
ITIL Foundation remains the entry point, while advanced modules build role-relevant capability across different levels of responsibility. The updated scheme also reflects a stronger focus on transformation and the responsible adoption of AI, in line with how organizations operate today.
Carry on from where you are
Your existing ITIL knowledge and certifications continue to hold their value as ITIL evolves. ITIL (Version 5) is being introduced through a gradual, phased release, with new modules and learning options introduced over time. In the meantime, ITIL 4 remains available for those who wish to continue their current certification journey.
I have ITIL 4 Foundation certification. How should I go about transitioning to ITIL (Version 5)?
If you hold an ITIL 4 Foundation certificate you are not required to retake your Foundation certification to access ITIL (Version 5) upper-level modules.
ITIL (Version 5) represents an evolution rather than a revolution, and ITIL 4 qualifications are fully recognized as exam prerequisites for all advanced ITIL (Version 5) qualifications.
I have a single ITIL 4 certificate, but no ITIL 4 designation. What is the best way to continue my ITIL journey?
With any ITIL 4 certificate, you already have a strong starting point for progressing into ITIL (Version 5). ITIL 4 certificates are recognized as valid exam pre-requisites for ITIL (Version 5) advanced level modules. The best way to continue your journey is to choose an ITIL (Version 5) path that aligns with your goals. Your ITIL 4 experience is not lost, it provides context and understanding that will make learning ITIL (Version 5) easier and help you connect proven best practices with the latest guidance in digital product and service management.
I am one certificate away from the ITIL 4 Managing Professional designation. What is the best way to continue my ITIL journey?
This is great ITIL progress. When you are close to achieving an ITIL 4 designation you have two possible routes:
1. Complete your journey to ITIL 4 Managing Professional and then take the ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module which will upgrade your designation to ITIL (Version 5).
2. Start with any ITIL (Version 5) advanced module and continue your ITIL journey within the ITIL (Version 5) qualification scheme.
An official retirement date for ITIL 4 has not been announced, but to allow time for professionals, organizations and partners to transition, ITIL 4 is likely to run in parallel with ITIL (Version 5) for approximately 12 months.
I have ITIL v3 Foundation or ITILv3 Intermediate certifications. How should I go about transitioning to ITIL (Version 5)?
If you have successfully completed the ITIL v3 Foundation or Intermediate certifications, we recommend the ITIL Foundation (Version 5) module to begin your transition into ITIL (Version 5). Compared to ITIL v3, ITIL Foundation (Version 5) introduces a significant amount of new content and updated approaches, making refreshed training and certification essential. This ensures that professionals gain a solid understanding of the latest concepts and are fully prepared to adopt and adapt ITIL (Version 5) in modern, dynamic business environments.
I have ITIL v3 Expert. How should I go about transitioning to ITIL (Version 5)?
ITILv3 Experts can step straight into our ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module. This module is intended to introduce Foundational concepts and then build on these with key concepts from our new Experience, Product, Service and Transformation modules. This module is still subject to testing and further information will be released shortly.
I have ITIL 4 Managing Professional. How should I go about transitioning to ITIL (Version 5)?
ITIL 4 Managing Professionals can step straight into our ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module. This module is intended to introduce Foundational concepts and then build on these with key concepts from our new Experience, Product, Service and Transformation modules.
The ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module is still subject to testing and further information will be released shortly.
I have ITIL 4 Master. How should I go about transitioning to ITIL (Version 5)?
ITIL 4 Masters can step straight into our ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module. This module is intended to introduce Foundational concepts and then build on these with key concepts from our new Experience, Product, Service and Transformation modules. This will upgrade the Managing Professional, Practice Manager and Strategic leader designation as well as the Master designation
The ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5) Transition module is still subject to testing and further information will be released shortly.
The routes outlined above reflect some of the most commonly asked-about ITIL transition paths. We’ll keep this information updated as guidance evolves and new details become available. If you’d like to discuss your personal certification journey or explore the best path for your goals,
our support team will be happy to help.