What Is ITIL Certification?

Key takeaways

An ITIL certification demonstrates your expertise in the IT Infrastructure Library framework.

• Earning an ITIL certification can be helpful for IT professionals who want to standardize practices within their organization or advance to a leadership role.

• There are a few different ITIL certifications to consider based on your experience and current and desired role.

• You can enhance your resume and strengthen your knowledge of IT service management (ITSM) best practices throughout the certification process.

In the following article, you can learn more about the certification process, compare courses and exams, and explore different ITIL certification paths. If you're ready to start preparing for the ITIL V4 exam, consider enrolling in the ITIL V4 Certification Preparation Specialization, in which you'll master the key principles and practices of ITIL V4.

What is ITIL certification?

ITIL certification validates your expertise in the ITIL framework and demonstrates your ability to approach IT service management with a structured, proven methodology. It shows that you can reduce costs, improve services, and drive efficiency using globally recognized best practices. There are several versions of ITIL, each of which is an evolution of the one that came before it.

Note: All training course information was sourced from this Axelos-accredited ITIL training website in August 2025.

What is ITIL certification for?

Earning an ITIL certification can enhance your resume by demonstrating a solid understanding of IT service management practices. If you're hoping to advance to another role or negotiate a higher salary, credentials like this can help you build the expertise and confidence you need. It may also be useful for professionals aiming to apply the ITIL framework within their current organization to support more structured and consistent service delivery.

What is ITIL foundation certification?

The ITIL 4 Foundation certification is the entry point into the ITIL certification path and is designed for professionals new to IT service management or those looking to formalize their experience with a globally recognized credential. This certification introduces the key elements, concepts, and terminology of ITIL, with a focus on how ITSM can drive business value. The latest version of the ITIL foundation certification is ITIL 4 Foundation, which incorporates modern project management approaches like Agile and Lean.

ITIL foundation certification cost: Starts at $732.50

Prerequisites: None

ITIL certifications to consider

• ITIL 4 Create, Deliver and Support (CDS): Focuses on managing the end-to-end delivery and support of IT services; ideal for roles in IT operations, service management, and technical support.

• Cost: Starts at $1186.50

• Prerequisites: Valid ITIL 4, v3 Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certificate plus training through an accredited organization.

• ITIL 4 Drive Stakeholder Value (DSV): Covers stakeholder engagement, customer journey management, and value co-creation; suited for professionals in service relationship and customer experience roles.

• Cost: Starts at $1186.50

• Prerequisites: Valid ITIL 4, v3 Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certificate plus training through an accredited organization.

• ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) and ITIL 4 Direct Plan and Improve Bundle: Focuses on strategic planning, governance, and continuous improvement; ideal for IT leadership professionals with ITSM aligned business goals. The bundle is the entry point for a journey towards an ITIL Managing Professional or ITIL Strategic Leadership role, including the ITIL 4 foundation and the DPI.

• Cost: Starts at $1,085.00 or $2,054.50 for the bundle

• Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for the ITIL 4 Foundation exams. For the DPI you must have a valid ITIL 4, v3 Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certificate plus training through an accredited organization.

• ITIL 4 High-Velocity IT: Provides knowledge of digital organizations and fast-paced operating models to support rapid delivery and maximize value.

• Cost: Starts at $1,221.50

• Prerequisites: Valid ITIL 4, v3 Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certificate plus training through an accredited organization.

• ITIL 4 Managing Professional Bundle: This training bundle includes everything you need to become a certified ITIL 4 Managing Professional, combining five certifications in total to build advanced ITSM skills and earn the Managing Professional designation.

• Cost: $5106.50 to enroll.

• Prerequisites: None required for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, but a valid ITIL 4 Foundation and training through an accredited organization is required for all the other exams.

• ITIL 4 Digital and IT Strategy: Focuses on aligning digital strategies with business goals, managing disruption, and driving strategic decision-making.

• Cost: Starts at $1221.50

• Prerequisites: Valid ITIL 4, v3 Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certificate plus training through an accredited organization.

• ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Learning Path: Includes three certifications focused on strategic alignment of IT and business. This pathway is designed for preparing professionals for high-level leadership roles in ITSM.

• Cost: Starts at $3108.00

• Prerequisites: None required for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, but qualifications vary for the other two certificates.

Read more: 10 Essential IT Certifications for 2024

The history of ITIL

The ITIL started in the 1980s when the United Kingdom's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) saw a need to establish standardized guidelines to avoid inconsistencies among the increasingly diverse IT architectures. 

The first version of ITIL was released in 1989, but the framework continues to be revised, overseen by Axelos. The current iteration, ITIL 4, has evolved to meet IT administrators' needs adapting to newer IT management approaches. Thus, along with providing best practices for incident management and continual improvement, it also addresses cloud computing, automation, AI, DevOps, Agile and more [1, 2]. 

Benefits of ITIL certification

The benefits of ITIL certification extend to both the individual and the IT environment. Consider these main advantages.

Higher earning potential 

Individuals with  ITIL certification can earn more. You’ll have a designation demonstrating your knowledge of the role ITSM can play in attaining larger business objectives. Plus, as ITIL is focused on value and streamlining ITSM efforts, employers will pay more for people who can help them save money by reducing operational costs.

ITIL-certified individuals can typically get roles as CIOs, VPs of IT, IT directors, IT managers, service delivery managers, IT project managers, and IT business analysts. Payscale reports the average annual salary for professionals who have ITIL certification as $102,000 per year [4]. Your salary will vary depending on your role, level of experience, location, and the company you work for.

Read more: 7 High-Paying IT Jobs

Increased efficiency and effectiveness

The ITIL framework helps IT administrators improve service timelines and customer satisfaction. The certification also educates you on best practices to increase the IT environment's visibility and flexibility. 

Better risk management 

ITIL 4 emphasizes the importance of customer feedback. Understanding public perception of IT service delivery can help anticipate risks. At the same time, the ITIL framework is about integrating ITSM into the business culture. Improving collaboration across teams can break down siloes, which also helps to reduce business risks.  

Read more: How to Manage Project Risk: A 5-Step Guide

Ability to build an Agile IT environment

The systematic approach of ITIL focuses on improving productivity while streamlining processes using best practices. ITIL 4, though, represents an overhaul aimed at helping ITSM to be more flexible. The certification encourages collaboration and communication, integrating Agile and DevOps practices and automating processes to improve outcome delivery. 

Read more: What is Agile? And When to Use it

4 ITIL certification paths

ITIL 4 offers three paths to certification as well as two extension modules. With ITIL certification, you demonstrate an understanding of how ITSM impacts business strategy and service delivery.

ITIL 4 Foundation

This first stage in ITIL certification fosters awareness of key IT and digital service delivery concepts. This level:

• Examines operations in modern IT and digital service organizations

• Addresses how to increase value stream speed and efficiency

• Explores the role of cultural or behavioral principles 

• Outlines commonly used service management terms and concepts

ITIL 4 Managing Professional (ITIL MP)

Building on the foundational certification, this stream goes deeper into the practical and technical knowledge to help managing professionals:

• Create, deliver, and support IT-enabled services

• Drive stakeholder value

• Support high-velocity IT

• Direct, plan, and improve successful IT-enabled workflows and teams

ITIL Strategic Leader

Expanding on the MP certification, this certification develops more of a strategic perspective. Preparing the IT administrator to play a more significant role in influencing and directing strategy, this certification has two components:

• ITIL 4 Strategist Direct, Plan, and Improve

• ITIL 4 Leader Digital and IT Strategy

ITIL extension modules

You can also access two specialized ITIL 4 certifications. These focus on emerging technologies, and no prerequisites are needed, so you can use them to gain a deeper understanding of ITIL principles as well as potentially open up new career opportunities:

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Sustainability in Digital and IT: Focuses on understanding and managing the environmental effect of digital and IT services

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Acquiring and Managing Cloud Services: Explores cloud technology and its use in business strategy

Path to ITIL certification

Making ITIL certification part of your career path can help set you apart from your peers in IT.  To achieve the benefits of ITIL certification, you’ll need to study the modules and test your understanding.

Training 

Accredited training organizations run ITIL training courses in a variety of formats. This means you can complete ITIL certification courses via e-learning courses in a collaborative virtual learning environment, in-person classes, or self-study.

Taking the exams

You’ll have to take a 40-question, 60-minute, closed-book, multiple-choice exam to earn your Foundation certification. A score of 26 out of 40 is considered passing.

After passing the Foundation certification, you can move to the Managing Professional certification. You must pass exams for four modules, each of which requires correctly answering 28 of 40 multiple choice questions on the 90-minute, closed-book exams:

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support: This module focuses on the creation of services, and you must pass 28 of 40 multiple-choice questions on the 90-minute exam.

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value: This module helps you learn how to work effectively with stakeholders.

• ITIL 4 Specialist: High-velocity IT: This module focuses on the skills needed to work with digital products and services or highly automated environments.

• ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve: This module helps you learn the skills needed to improve organization strategies and work with teams.

You can also earn the ITIL Strategic Leader certification after passing the Foundation exam. It consists of passing ITIL 4 Strategist Direct, Plan, and Improve module as described above as well as an  ITIL 4 Leader Digital and IT Strategy module. The latter helps leaders learn how to develop digital strategies throughout their organization and requires passing 21 of 30 multiple-choice questions on a 60-minute closed-book exam. 

Anyone can take the two extension modules, which require passage of multiple-choice, timed exams.

Read more: 10 Test-Taking Tips to Set You Up for Success

Maintaining certification

You'll need to renew your ITIL foundation certification every three years.

Alternative IT management certifications

If you're unsure if an ITIL certification is right for you, you have options. You can consider earning a Professional Certificate for your resume from a recognized industry leader like System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services by Google. This course is part of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. In this certificate program, you'll learn how to configure and manage servers and other industry tools. Focus areas include cloud infrastructure and resources, and how to recover an IT infrastructure when disaster strikes.

In the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program, I learned skills to assist customers with end-to-end support, ranging from identifying problems to troubleshooting and debugging.

— Janelle H.

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