Written by

Tamatha Hazen

January 31, 2024

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

ITIL Certification cost

ITIL certification costs $500 to $2,500 on average through self-study or an accredited training course. The entry-level ITIL Foundation exam costs $680 if booked directly through PeopleCert. The total cost of ITIL 4 certification depends on the path and modules you select and the certification level you achieve.

ITIL Certification components

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a globally recognized framework that outlines the best practices for delivering IT services. There are two ways to gain your ITIL certification:

• Study on your own using available resources, then schedule an exam directly with PeopleCert.

• Attend an online or in-person training course with an accredited organization, which includes an exam voucher as part of the course fee.

ITIL Exam cost

For those who prefer self-study, you can use the available resources to prepare for the ITIL exam then book your test directly through PeopleCert for $680 to $865 per test. The practitioner-level exams cost $280 per test.

All of the ITIL exams are proctored tests administered by PeopleCert. The tests range from 60 to 90 minutes long, depending on the module. The closed-book tests have 40 multiple choice questions and require you earn a passing score of 65% for Foundation level and 70% for higher-level tests.

ITIL Certification courses

ITIL training courses are a convenient and cost-effective way to get ITIL certified. Self-paced learning, online courses, hybrid classes, and flexible learning paths are available. All accredited training programs include a test voucher in the course price, often at a cheaper rate than booking the exam directly through PeopleCert.

ITIL Certification paths

The ITIL 4 certification scheme offers three main designation paths, each with their own modules to complete. All certifications start with the prerequisite Foundation level. Once you've passed that exam, you can move on to one of the following paths:

• Managing Professional (MP)

• Strategic Leader (SL)

• Practice Manager (PM)

ITIL 4 Foundation

The ITIL 4 Foundation certification is the starting point for ITIL certification and costs $500 to $2,500 through an accredited trainer or $680 when booked directly through PeopleCert. The Foundation module takes 16 hours to complete and ends with a 60-minute exam, requiring 26 out of 40 correct answers to pass.

Candidates for this exam should have a basic understanding of the 7 guiding principles of ITIL:

1. Focus on value – Every service or product should create value for customers and stakeholders.

2. Start where you are – Leverage your organization's existing people, skills, knowledge, processes, and assets to move forward with what you've got.

3. Progress iteratively with feedback – Follow a step-by-step process that doesn't tackle everything at once but aims to deliver small chunks of value early, and have the customer validate you are moving in the right direction.

4. Collaborate and promote visibility – Rather than specialized teams working individually in siloes and then passing on their work to the next group, teams should collaborate and make work visible to everyone. This builds trust and leads to innovative solutions.

5. Think and work holistically – Focus on the big picture and be aware of what is changing around you. All the components in the organization should work together across teams, departments, and systems.

6. Keep it simple and practical – Establish the minimum required steps to achieve the objective and avoid over-complication.

7. Optimize and automate – Avoid people wasting time on simple, repetitive tasks that can be handled better by technology. This frees them up to focus on complex and creative tasks.

ITIL Managing Professional (MP)

A Managing Professional certification costs an additional $3,000 to $10,000 over and above the costs for the prerequisite Foundation Level. The MP designation enables you to better run successful IT services, teams, and workflows.

This advanced-level certification requires completion of the Foundation level plus these 4 additional modules and exams:

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support – This module covers core service management techniques, service performance, quality, and improvement methods.

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value – This module covers engagement and interactions with customers, users, suppliers, and partners. Topics like communication, relationship management, CX and UX design, and customer journey mapping are explained.

• ITIL 4 Specialist: High-Velocity IT – This module teaches you how to integrate agile and Leach methodologies with other technical skills like cloud, automation, and automatic testing for rapid delivery of products and services.

• ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve – This final module teaches the practical skills to create a learning and improving IT organization by leveraging agile and Lean development principles to plan and deliver continual improvements quickly.

ITIL Strategic Leader (SL)

A Strategic Leader certification costs another $1,500 to $5,000 in addition to the cost to earn the mandatory Foundation Level. The SL designation demonstrates that you have a clear understanding of how IT influences and directs business strategy.

This Leader-Level certification requires completion of the Foundation Level plus these 2 additional modules and exams:

• ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve – This is the same module offered in the MP certification. It is a universal module for both paths because it is designated for managers of all levels.

• ITIL 4 Leader: Digital and IT Strategy – This module covers how to align business and IT strategy and ways to handle disruptive technologies. The topics include remaining competitive in a fast-changing market, maintaining flexible and adaptable environments, and building and implementing successful IT and digital strategies.

ITIL Practice Manager (PM)

The ITIL Practice Manager certification costs $1,000 to $3,500 in addition to the cost to earn the Foundation level certification. This offers practice-based modules on a more flexible training schedule for those who want to demonstrate skills and abilities in specific ITIL 4 management practices.

The certification requires completion of the ITIL Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support module, plus 5 practices from the following list:

• Service Desk

• Incident Management

• Problem Management

• Service Request Management

• Monitoring and Event Management

• Change Enablement

• Deployment Management

• Release Management

• Service Configuration Management

• IT Asset Management

ITIL Master level

Attaining the Master level costs $6,000 to $20,000+ to complete the Foundation level and all 3 additional certifications. The Master level is the highest level of ITIL certification and also requires documented proof of 5 years in a managerial or leadership role in IT service management.

ITIL Extension Modules

There are four Extension Modules that allow you to learn about ITIL concepts with no formal entry-level requirements. The key concepts from the ITIL 4 Framework are covered as part of each module without the need to complete Foundation Level certification.

The current Extension Modules include:

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Sustainability in Digital & IT

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Acquiring & Managing Cloud Services

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Business Relationship Management (BRM)

• ITIL 4 Specialist: IT Asset Management (ITAM)

ITIL Certification cost factors

The primary cost factor for ITIL Certification is the level of certification you complete. Also, if you choose to take ITIL training courses rather than self-study, the course location and accreditation status influences the certification cost. Factors that may influence your final ITIL certification costs include:

• Accredited vs. non-accredited – PeopleCert requires all Accredited Training Organizations to include an exam voucher with every course. Non-accredited training programs may cost less, but without that voucher and exam, you will not be ITIL certified.

• In person vs. online – In most cases, virtual online training courses are cheaper than in-person learning that requires a physical training space.

• In-house program –These programs are delivered on-site at your organization and are more expensive than online training but can also be more tailored to your organization's specific needs and schedule.

• Additional resources – Some training programs charge higher course fees but include additional resources like extra mock exams, process diagrams, mind maps, and flashcards for better exam preparation.

Additional resource costs

In addition to the ITIL Certification courses and exams, other resources are available with varying costs.

ITIL Study Guides

ITIL Study Guides are included with the training course or available as free downloadable PDFs. Axelos, who produces the ITIL framework, offers several study guides on YouTube to learn about ITIL concepts for free. If you prefer to learn by reading, paperback and digital books are available for $20 to $100.

ITIL Practice Exam

Much like the study guides, many ITIL Practice Exams are available for free online or as part of a training course bundle. Paid practice exams are also available for download for $25 to $50 per exam.

ITIL Certification Re-attempt cost

PeopleCert offers a Take² re-sit exam option for an extra $89. This gives you an opportunity to take the proctored exam twice in the event you fail your first attempt. Many training programs offer a test retake voucher at their discounted price of $50 to $75 when purchased at the same time as the training course.

ITIL Certification renewal costs

Previously, ITIL Certification was awarded as a lifetime certificate. Now, with the new ITIL 4 scheme, certificates expire after 3 years and require renewal using one of these options:

• Retake the certification exam for another testing fee of $280 to $865 per certification through PeopleCert.

• Take further courses and certification exams in the same area of study before the expiration date.

• Collect and log Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points by working in the field, training, and other activities.

ITIL certification benefits

Earning ITIL certification is a valuable credential to add to your resume. Even the basic Foundation Level certification demonstrates your skills and knowledge in IT service management and can benefit you in the following ways:

• Increased job opportunities and higher salary since ITIL certified professionals are in high-demand and earn higher salaries than non-certified professionals.

• Better understanding of IT service management concepts and practices, helping you to improve efficiency and effectiveness within your IT operations.

• Enhanced ability to lead and manage IT service management teams, making you a more valuable asset to your organization.

• Increased credibility and visibility within the IT industry, making you a more attractive candidate for jobs and promotions.

• Better understanding of ITIL terminology, helping you communicate more effectively with other IT professionals.

• Improved customer service, which in turn can help you improve your organization's reputation and customer satisfaction.

ITIL Certification FAQs

What is ITIL Certification?

ITIL Certification is a set of credentials that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in Information Technology Service Management (ITSM). ITIL is a framework that provides best practices for delivering, managing, and supporting IT services.

How do you get ITIL Certification?

You earn ITIL Certification by completing modules through self-study or accredited training courses and passing a multiple-choice exam for each module. The entry-level certification is the Foundation Level, which is a pre-requisite for the advanced certification levels.

Is ITIL Certification worth it?

While ITIL Certification requires a commitment of your time and finances, the end result is a credential that improves your job opportunities, salary, leadership skills, and performance.

Does ITIL Certification expire?

The recently updated ITIL 4 Foundation certification expires after 3 years and can be renewed by retaking the same exam, taking additional courses and exams within the same produce suite, or logging the necessary Continuing Professional Development points for recertification.

Tips for obtaining ITIL certification

If you've decided to further your IT career by obtaining ITIL certification, here are some tips to help you find the right training program for you:

• Decide whether self-study or an accredited program is best for your budget, timeline, and learning style.

• Look for a training program that has been teaching ITIL concepts for several years.

• Choose from accredited training organizations with a high exam pass rate.

• Confirm the number of practice tests and other learning resources they include.

• Ask your employer if on-site training is available.

• Ask your employer if they offer reimbursement for the training and exam costs.