ITIL Foundation credential artwork

ITIL Foundation

Validates foundational knowledge of ITIL concepts, the four dimensions, guiding principles, management practices and continual improvement.

Summary

ITIL Foundation is PeopleCert's entry-level ITIL certification, covering the shared language of digital product and service management. It is the first step in the ITIL scheme, and the exam is 40 questions taken online.

Good fit if

  • You want a shared vocabulary for managing IT services
  • You are new to IT service management
  • A job posting or your employer lists ITIL Foundation

Look elsewhere if

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

No required prerequisites. Anyone can take the exam. Training is optional.

Already hold ITIL 4 Foundation? The shorter Foundation Bridge (Version 5) exam upgrades it to the Version 5 certificate.

Cost

USD · PeopleCert US pricing
$690
PeopleCert sells the exam only in bundles: $690 with the eBook, $1,029 with eLearning, or $1,338 with eLearning, the Official Mock Exam and a free retake. Accredited partners sell the official voucher alone, for example Dion Training from $599.

What holders say

Matters most as a step into service delivery, leadership or ITSM-heavy shops

People in IT support see ITIL as a first step toward service delivery, change management or team-lead roles, and some ServiceNow-centric employers require it. For newcomers, understanding the concepts matters more.

r/ITIL_CertificationReddit r/ITIL_Certification: Anyone who paid for ITIL Foundation out of their own pocket, was it useful in getting a job?r/ITILReddit r/ITIL: Is ITIL 4 Foundation valuable for a software dev with several years' experience?

Whether it moves the needle depends on your employer's tooling and process maturity

Hiring managers say ITIL on a resume signals you understand why process matters, not deep skill. It carries more weight at employers built around ITIL or ServiceNow.

r/ITIL_CertificationReddit r/ITIL_Certification: Anyone who paid for ITIL Foundation out of their own pocket, was it useful in getting a job?r/ITIL_CertificationReddit r/ITIL_Certification: Does ITIL certification really help you get better IT jobs

Renewal

ITIL Foundation must be renewed every 3 years from your certification date.

Validity
3 years
Renewal requirement
60 CPD points
20 a year for three years
Renewal fee
$133 USD
PeopleCert Plus, per year

Logging CPD points needs a PeopleCert Plus membership. Passing another ITIL certification, or retaking this exam, also renews it with no membership. Passing any Version 5 certification renews your ITIL 4 certificates.

PeopleCert renewal options ↗

Alternatives

ServiceNow Certified System Administrator credential artwork
CSA$300 required · Intermediate

For ITSM roles centered on the ServiceNow platform rather than the framework itself.

SAFe Agilist credential artwork
SA$495 required · Entry

For teams organized around Agile release trains rather than ITIL practices.

PRINCE2 Project Management Foundation credential artwork
PRINCE2 Project Management Foundation$701 required · Entry

PeopleCert's entry-level project management certification, if you run projects rather than services.

FAQ

Should I take ITIL 4 or ITIL 5 Foundation?

If you are starting now, take ITIL Foundation (Version 5). ITIL 4 Foundation is still sold and still valid, but PeopleCert plans to retire the ITIL 4 modules on 31 December 2027.

How many questions are on the ITIL Foundation exam?

40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book. You need 26 correct (65%) to pass.

Can I buy the ITIL Foundation exam without a course?

Yes. PeopleCert's cheapest option is the $690 exam bundle, which adds the official eBook to the voucher. Accredited partners also sell the official voucher on its own, for example Dion Training from $599.

How do I upgrade from ITIL 4 to ITIL 5?

Take the ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5): 20 questions in 30 minutes, $263 for the exam bundle. It is optional, because ITIL 4 certificates still count as prerequisites for the Version 5 higher modules. The Bridge is planned to retire on 31 December 2027.

Does ITIL Foundation expire?

Yes. It must be renewed every 3 years, by logging CPD points with PeopleCert Plus, passing another ITIL exam or retaking this one.

Last updated October 2026