With the introduction of ITIL® (Version 5), many professionals are asking a very practical question:
“What is the official ITIL® 5 certification pathway, and what should I take next?”
This guide provides a clear, accurate explanation of the ITIL® (Version 5) qualification scheme, based strictly on the official structure defined by PeopleCert, the owner and accrediting body of ITIL® certifications.
If you are planning your certification journey or advising others, this article will help you make the right next decision with confidence.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is intended for professionals considering ITIL® (Version 5), as well as those transitioning from earlier versions who want a clear, role-based view of the certification pathway.
This section outlines the official ITIL® (Version 5) certification structure and how individual certifications combine into professional designations.
The ITIL® (Version 5) qualification scheme is designed as a role-aligned, progressive pathway that starts with a single entry point and leads to advanced professional designations.
At a high level, the scheme consists of:
• Three professional designation streams:
• ITIL® Practice Manager (PM)
• ITIL® Managing Professional (MP)
• ITIL® Strategic Leader (SL)
• ITIL® Master (Version 5) – the highest designation
The diagram below shows how ITIL® (Version 5) certifications and designations connect, and how learners progress from Foundation through to ITIL® Master.
ITIL® Official Qualification Scheme (version 5)
ITIL® Foundation (Version 5) or ITIL® 4 Foundation is the
only certification prerequisite for all
ITIL® (Version 5) Core Modules, including ITIL® Transformation.
ITIL® Foundation (Version 5) and ITIL® AI Governance have
no prerequisites.
ITIL® Transformation may be taken
immediately after ITIL® Foundation. While sequencing is flexible, the scheme illustrates the recommended learning pathway.
ITIL® Strategic Leader (Version 5) is awarded when the ITIL® Strategy and ITIL® Transformation certifications are achieved.
ITIL® Master (Version 5) is the highest designation, awarded when the ITIL® Practice Manager, ITIL® Managing Professional, and ITIL® Strategic Leader designations are all achieved.
ITIL (Version 5) What's Changing and What's Staying the Same
| What stays the same? |
What's new? |
| ITIL Guiding Principles |
One unified Digital Product and Service Lifecycle |
| Four Dimensions of Service Management |
Practical, experience-driven adoption |
| ITIL Service Value System |
Stronger focus on customer and employee experience |
| ITIL Practices (34) with only minor terminology updates |
AI-native guidance integrated across modules |
| Foundation as the single entry point | Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and outcomes |
| The global trust, scale, and recognition of ITIL | Simplified qualification scheme aligned with job roles |
What Foundation means in ITIL® 5
You must hold ITIL® Foundation (Version 5) before progressing to:
• ITIL® Practice Manager
• ITIL® Managing Professional
• ITIL® Strategic Leader
ITIL Foundation is the entry point for all learners. It introduces the shared language, core concepts, and unified lifecycle for managing digital products and services. It establishes a foundational understanding of value creation, collaboration, governance, and continual improvement.
The ITIL® Practice Manager (PM) designation focuses on
operational excellence and
hands-on practice application.
How to achieve ITIL® Practice Manager
To be awarded the ITIL® Practice Manager (Version 5) designation, you must complete:
2. ONE of the following combined practice modules:
3. ITIL® Transformation (Version 5)
Each combined practice module covers five defined ITIL practices.
- ITIL® Monitor, Support and Fulfil (MSF): it covers Service Desk, Incident Management, Problem Management, Service Request Management, Monitoring and Event Management practices
- ITIL® Plan, Implement and Control (PIC): it covers Change Enablement, Deployment Management, Release Management, Service Configuration Management and IT Asset Management practices
- ITIL® Collaborate, Assure and Improve (CAI): it covers Relationship Management, Supplier Management, Service Level Management, Continual Improvement and Information Security Management practices
Each combined practice module includes five defined practices.
Only one combined practice module is required — not all three.
Who should choose this path
This designation is ideal for:
• Service managers
• Operations leaders
• Process and practice owners
• Professionals responsible for day-to-day service performance
What the Managing Professional designation representsThe ITIL® Managing Professional (MP) designation is aimed at professionals responsible for end-to-end value delivery across products and services.
How to achieve ITIL® Managing Professional
To be awarded the ITIL® Managing Professional (Version 5) designation, you must complete:
5. ITIL® Transformation (Version 5)
Only when all four modules plus Transformation are completed is the designation awarded.
Who should choose this path
This pathway is well suited for:
• IT and digital managers
• Product and service owners
• Delivery and transformation leaders
• Professionals accountable for outcomes and value streams
What the Strategic Leader designation representsThe ITIL® Strategic Leader (SL) designation focuses on strategy, governance, and leadership in modern digital organizations.
How to achieve ITIL® Strategic Leader
To be awarded the ITIL® Strategic Leader (Version 5) designation, you must complete:
2. ITIL® Strategy (Version 5)
3. ITIL® Transformation (Version 5)
Who should choose this path
This designation is designed for:
• Senior leaders and executives
• Heads of IT, Digital, or Transformation
• Enterprise architects
• Professionals shaping organizational direction and investment decisions
ITIL® Transformation (Version 5) is a
core, universal module in the ITIL® 5 scheme.
Important points to understand:
• It is required for PM, MP, and SL
• It only needs to be taken once
• The achievement applies across all designations
This module equips professionals to design, plan, and manage improvement and change across the ITIL value system.
AI Governance is the extension module within the ITIL®
(Version 5) qualification scheme. It focuses on responsible, ethical, and compliant adoption of artificialintelligence.
The module addresses risk management, transparency, accountability, and regulatory considerations.
The previous ITIL® 4 extension modules are not included in the ITIL (Version 5) scheme.
What ITIL® Master representsITIL® Master (Version 5) is the highest possible designation in the ITIL framework.
How to achieve ITIL® Master
You are awarded ITIL® Master only when all three designations are achieved:
• ITIL® Practice Manager (PM)
• ITIL® Managing Professional (MP)
• ITIL® Strategic Leader (SL)
This designation recognizes deep expertise, broad capability, and proven application of ITIL® in complex real-world environments.
Here is a simple decision guide: • New to ITIL®?
• Focused on operational practices and service performance?
→ Choose ITIL® Practice Manager
• Managing products, services, and value streams end to end?
→ Choose ITIL® Managing Professional
• Operating at a strategic, governance, or leadership level?
→ Choose ITIL® Strategic Leader
• Aiming for the highest professional recognition?
→ Work toward ITIL® Master
There is no single mandatory order beyond the Foundation prerequisite, the scheme is designed to support role-based progression.
• ITIL® 4 certifications remain valid
• ITIL® 4 Foundation remains a valid prerequisite
• ITIL® 4 combined practice modules (MSF, CAI, PIC) continue to count toward Practice Manager
• Clear transition routes exist for MP, SL, and Master holders
• No forced migration — transition when it fits your role
The
ITIL® (Version 5) certification pathway is:
• Clear
• Structured
• Role-aligned
• Designed for modern, digital, and AI-enabled organizations
Understanding the pathway allows you to invest in the right certification at the right time, rather than simply taking the next exam.
As ITIL® (Version 5) continues to roll out globally, this pathway will remain the authoritative reference for planning your ITIL® journey.
ITIL® 4 certifications remain valid and continue to run in parallel during the transition period, allowing individuals and organizations to move to ITIL® (Version 5) at their own pace.
