ITIL (Version 5) Foundation Exam Goes Live Feb 12

ITIL (Version 5) Foundation Exam Goes Live Feb 12 – U.S. Classes Scheduled

The next evolution of ITIL is officially here.

The ITIL (Version 5) Foundation exam goes live on February 12, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the progression of modern service management and digital product and service management (DPSM).

For professionals and organizations asking, “What does this mean for us?”

The answer is both practical and strategic.

What ITIL (Version 5) Represents

ITIL (Version 5) is not a reset. It is an evolution.

It builds on the strengths of ITIL 4 while expanding guidance to reflect the realities of modern digital organizations:

Unified digital product and service lifecycle management
AI-ready governance and digital-first operating principles
Stronger integration between strategy, delivery, and measurable outcomes
Experience-centered service management
Clearer, role-aligned guidance for practitioners and leaders

In short, ITIL (Version 5) aligns the framework with how organizations actually operate today.

The Foundation Level: Why It Matters

The Foundation certification remains the entry point into the ITIL qualification scheme. It establishes shared language, foundational concepts, and structured thinking that organizations rely on to scale service and product management practices.

With the February 12 launch, candidates can now sit for the official ITIL (Version 5) Foundation exam.

For many organizations, this triggers important considerations:

RFx requirements referencing the latest ITIL version
Certification alignment across teams
Budget planning for 2026 training cycles
Transition strategies from ITIL 4

U.S. ITIL (Version 5) Foundation Classes Are Scheduled

With the exam going live, scheduled training is already underway.

Instructor-led virtual classes aligned to U.S. time zones are scheduled beginning February 24–27, 2026. These public sessions include:

Live, instructor-led delivery
Official exam voucher
Structured exam preparation
Access for both individual learners and corporate teams

Additional ITIL (Version 5) modules will be onboarded and scheduled as they are released throughout 2026.

Transition from ITIL 4

For professionals currently certified in ITIL 4, Version 5 does not invalidate prior investment.

ITIL (Version 5) is backward compatible and evolutionary in nature. Transition options and bridge pathways will support organizations needing explicit Version 5 alignment.

The key question is not whether Version 5 replaces Version 4 - it is how organizations will leverage Version 5 to strengthen governance, product thinking, AI readiness, and measurable value delivery.

Why This Launch Is Different

Previous ITIL updates reflected shifts in IT service management.

Version 5 reflects shifts in:

Digital operating models
Product-centric structures
AI-enabled workflows
Experience measurement
Enterprise-wide service ecosystems

It is designed not only for IT practitioners but for product leaders, service owners, digital transformation teams, and executive stakeholders.

Final Thoughts

February 12 is more than an exam date. It represents a formal recognition that service management has matured into digital product and service management.

Organizations that treat ITIL (Version 5) as a compliance exercise will miss its value.

Organizations that treat it as a strategic alignment opportunity will gain clarity, structure, and competitive advantage.

The next chapter of ITIL has begun.

Whether you’re new to ITIL or transitioning from ITIL 4, our goal is simple:

Clarity first. Credentials second. Outcomes always.

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