Short answer
- ITIL (Version 5) is available now. PeopleCert is releasing it in phases; the Foundation exam and a short Bridge exam for ITIL 4 holders are already on sale (PeopleCert).
- ITIL 4 isn’t gone yet. PeopleCert’s “current plan is to sunset all ITIL 4 modules on 31 December 2027” (PeopleCert ITIL FAQ).
- The Bridge exam is 20 questions in 30 minutes, for holders of almost any ITIL 4 certification (PeopleCert).
- The detail most people miss: ITIL certificates expire after three years, and passing any ITIL (Version 5) exam also renews your ITIL 4 certificates. For many ITIL 4 holders, the Bridge exam is the cheapest way to renew.
ITIL 4 Foundation holders are dealing with two things at once: a new version of the framework, and a certificate that has to be renewed every three years. This guide explains both, compares the exams, and works out which route costs least. Every fact links to PeopleCert, which runs ITIL certification. We checked the pages on September 22, 2026.
What’s new in ITIL (Version 5)
PeopleCert describes the new version as “an evolution rather than a revolution” (PeopleCert ITIL FAQ). According to the Foundation page, the course covers the digital product and service lifecycle, value co-creation, the ITIL value system, guiding principles, the four dimensions of service management, management practices and continual improvement (PeopleCert).
PeopleCert hasn’t published a complete release schedule; it describes “a gradual, phased release, with new modules and learning options introduced over time” (PeopleCert).
The exams side by side
| ITIL 4 Foundation | ITIL Foundation (Version 5) | ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Newcomers | Newcomers | Holders of an ITIL 4 certification |
| Questions | 40 | 40 | 20 |
| Time | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Pass mark | 65% | 65% | 65% |
| Format | Closed book, multiple choice | Closed book, multiple choice | Closed book, multiple choice |
| Exam bundle price (US) | $690 | $690 | $263 |
Sources: ITIL 4 Foundation, ITIL Foundation (Version 5), ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5).
PeopleCert sells exams as bundles: the exam voucher comes with an official eBook and a Learning Resource Kit. More expensive “eLearning” and “eLearning+” bundles add a course, sample papers, and in the case of eLearning+ a free retake and an official mock exam. Prices depend on the location you select on PeopleCert’s site; with the location set to the United States, the exam bundles cost $690 (Foundation) and $263 (Bridge), and the eLearning bundles $1,029 and $476.
Bridge eligibility: “Any ITIL 4 certification, excluding: ITIL 4 Specialist: Acquiring and Managing Cloud Services, and ITIL 4 Specialist: Sustainability in Digital and IT” (PeopleCert).
The renewal rule that changes the math
ITIL (Version 5) certificates must be renewed every three years, and so must ITIL 4 certificates (PeopleCert: keep your certification current). PeopleCert offers three ways to do it (PeopleCert ITIL FAQ):
- Become a PeopleCert Plus member and log 20 CPD points a year for three consecutive years. PeopleCert Plus costs $133 a year (PeopleCert).
- Pass another certification from the ITIL product suite.
- Retake the same certification.
And the sentence that matters for ITIL 4 holders: “If you hold ITIL 4 certifications, these will also be renewed by taking and passing any ITIL (Version 5) certification, as all ITIL certificates sit within the same product suite.”
Three ways to keep an ITIL 4 Foundation certificate current
| Route | What you pay over one three-year cycle | What you end up with |
|---|---|---|
| PeopleCert Plus with CPD | 3 × $133 = $399 | ITIL 4 Foundation, renewed |
| Retake ITIL 4 Foundation | $690 | ITIL 4 Foundation, renewed (until ITIL 4 exams end) |
| Take the Bridge exam | $263 | ITIL Foundation (Version 5), plus your ITIL 4 certificates renewed |
Prices from PeopleCert’s store with the location set to the United States (PeopleCert Plus, ITIL 4 Foundation, Bridge). At $263, the Bridge costs $136 less than three years of PeopleCert Plus and $427 less than retaking ITIL 4 Foundation, and it’s the only route that also moves you to Version 5.
Should you take ITIL 4 or ITIL 5 now?
- New to ITIL: take ITIL Foundation (Version 5). It’s the current version, and ITIL 4 modules are planned to end on December 31, 2027. PeopleCert hasn’t yet announced voucher validity dates for ITIL 4 (“Exam voucher validity dates for ITIL 4 will be announced in due course”).
- Holding ITIL 4 Foundation: take the Bridge before your certificate’s three-year renewal date. It’s shorter than a full exam, renews what you have and moves you to Version 5.
- Holding higher ITIL 4 modules: PeopleCert says ITIL 4 qualifications “are fully recognized as prerequisites for all higher-level ITIL (Version 5) certifications,” so you don’t lose your progress.
For ITIL next to PMP, PRINCE2, Six Sigma and other certifications, including three-year costs, see the Certification Cost Index. If you’re weighing project management certifications as well, our PMP cost guide and CAPM cost guide break those down.
Frequently asked questions
What is ITIL 5?
ITIL (Version 5), PeopleCert’s update of the ITIL framework for IT service and digital product management, released in phases.
Is ITIL 4 still valid?
Yes. ITIL 4 certifications remain valid and recognized, but they must be renewed every three years, and PeopleCert plans to retire ITIL 4 modules on December 31, 2027.
How long is the ITIL 5 Foundation exam?
60 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions, closed book, 65% to pass. The Bridge exam is 30 minutes and 20 questions.
Do I need ITIL 4 to take ITIL 5?
No. The Foundation (Version 5) exam lists no prerequisites. The Bridge exam is only for people who already hold an ITIL 4 certification.
Does passing ITIL 5 renew my ITIL 4 certificate?
Yes. PeopleCert states that passing any ITIL (Version 5) certification also renews your ITIL 4 certifications.
How we checked these facts. Every fact comes from PeopleCert’s pages, linked where it appears, checked on September 22, 2026. PeopleCert’s prices depend on the location you select and include VAT where applicable; confirm the price for your country before buying. Certificate Quest is not affiliated with PeopleCert and earns nothing from links on this page.