Upgrade to ITIL (Version 5)

Upgrade to ITIL® (Version 5)

You should find everything you need to know below, if not, don't hesitate to contact us here

Why the shift to ITIL (Version 5)?

ITIL has been driven primarily due to following factors:

Digital now drives business at its core, blending digital and business strategies while IT strategies are often separate or moved to the cloud. ITIL has evolved over time from IT service management to broader service and enterprise management, and now emphasises on digital product and service management to offer best practice guidance for today's modern business organisations.

Digital products and services are components within holistic business solutions, in other words these are two sides of the same solution

ITIL (version 5) provides an AI-native approach that helps organisations adapt and innovate confidently.

In summary, ITIL (version 5) reflects the demands of today’s dynamic environment, offering actionable guidance to support professionals and organisations in the delivery and enhancement of digital products and services.

The ITIL® 5 Certification Scheme

How to upgrade to ITIL 5

ITIL 4 Foundation

Holders of ITIL 4 Foundation do not need to retake ITIL 5 Foundation. ITIL 4 Foundation qualifies candidates to progress through the ITIL 5 certification scheme accordingly. Simply put, ITIL 4 respects investments already made.

ITIL 4 Practice Manager

(Current holders): To upgrade to ITIL 5, holders of ITIL 4 Practice Manager will be required to take the ITIL 5 Transformation module. ITIL 5 Transformation only needs to be taken once across the entire ITIL 5 certification scheme. The expected release date for ITIL 5 Transformation is the 9th April 2026.

(On-route): Those candidates who have already started the Practice Manager journey, for clarification, the only change is the Transformation module which is now required, CDS no longer applies to the ITIL 5 Practice Manager designation.

ITIL 4 Managing Professional

(Current holders): The core modules (CDS, DPI, DSV, HVIT) have been replaced with three ITIL 5 modules, Product, Service and Experience. Holders of ITIL 4 Managing Professional will be required to undertake Managing Professional Transition (MPT) which is a bridge course, migrating the new ITIL 5 core modules (Product, Service and Experience). This MPT course also incorporates ITIL 5 Transformation. MPT will be a five day course. The expected release date for MPT is the 14th May 2026.

(On-route): Those candidates who have already started the ITIL 4 Managing Professional journey, from a financial perspective, such candidates should take stock based on what stage they are currently at with a view of upgrading/transitioning to ITIL 5 Managing Professional. For example, those candidates who have already obtained three
ITIL 4 modules would be best placed to continue their ITIL 4 Managing Professional journey, and then undertake MPT. Those who already have two modules can also continue their ITIL 4 Managing Professional journey and then take MPT, or revert to the ITIL 5 certification scheme (e.g., Product, Service, Experience and Transformation).

ITIL 4 Strategic Leader

(Current holders): To upgrade to ITIL 5, holders of ITIL 4 Strategic Leader will be required to take the ITIL 5 Transformation. module. ITIL 5 Transformation only needs to be taken once across the entire ITIL 5certification scheme. The expected release date for ITI 5 Transformation is the 9th April 2026.

(On-route): Those candidates who have already started the ITIL 4 Strategic Leader journey, for clarification, DPI and DITS no longer apply to the ITIL 5 Strategic Leader designation. So, candidates who already have either DPI or DITS are best reverting to the ITIL 5 certification scheme. For example, if candidates continue with the ITIL 4 journey with a view of upgrading to
ITIL 5 Strategic Leader, they will have two course modules to complete (DPI or DITS whichever is relevant, plus ITIL 5 Transformation. Alternatively, the ITIL 5 certification scheme only requires two course modules, ITIL 5 Strategy and Transformation.

ITIL 4 Master

The core modules (CDS, DPI, DSV, HVIT) have been replaced with three ITIL 5 modules, Product' Service and Experience. Holders of ITIL 4 Master will be required to undertake Managing Professional Transition (MPT) which is a bridge course, migrating the new ITIL 5 core modules (Product, Service and Experience). This MPT course also incorporates ITIL 5 Transformation. MPT will be a five day course. The expected release date for MPT is the 14th May 2026.

Once having completed MPT this will by default, upgrade/transition candidates to ITIL 5 Master, e.g., already having Practice Manager and Strategic Leader designations and undertaken Transformation as part of MPT.

Foundation Upgrade

Practice Manager Upgrade

Managing Professional Upgrade

Strategic Leader Upgrade

Master Upgrade