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.