When PeopleCert first announced the ITIL (Version 5) Managing Professional Transition (MPT) course, we did what we have done since 2004: scheduled an early beta class for North America. At that point, the course was still taking shape. Based on the previous ITIL v3 and ITIL 4 capstone transition courses - each of which concluded with one exam - we initially planned MPT as one consolidated class leading to one exam. As we approached our launch date and additional details were released, PeopleCert established that MPT would include two distinct areas of study and two certification exams: Product, Service and Experience (PSE): 120 minutes, 40 case-based questions Transformation: 90 minutes, 40 case-based questions Both exams are open book , with a passing score of 70%. Depending on learners' prior certifications, those who pass both earn either their ITIL (Version 5) Managing Professional or ITIL (Version 5) Master designation. As of August 2026, prerequisite ...

If you already hold an ITIL 4 certification, you can now take a shorter route to ITIL (Version 5) Foundation. The exam may be streamlined. Your learning experience shouldn’t be. ITIL (Version 5) builds on concepts ITIL 4 professionals already know while expanding the framework for today’s digital product and service environment. That creates an interesting question for certified ITIL 4 learners: What does it really take to make the move from ITIL 4 to ITIL (Version 5)? A Foundation Bridge course can provide an abbreviated transition. It focuses on what has changed and gives eligible ITIL 4 certificate holders a shorter path to the new certification. For some learners, that may sound like all they need. At ITSM Academy, we see the opportunity differently. If you are going to update your certification, why not also give yourself the time, context, and instructor guidance to understand the new framework in depth? Go Beyond the Bridge For a limited time, learners with a valid ITIL 4 certif...

"We’re Not Ready for ITIL (Version 5). We’re Too Immature." It is a common reaction. When organizations hear about ITIL (Version 5), especially in the context of digital product and service management, AI governance, experience, and transformation, they may assume it is intended only for those with a mature ITSM program already in place. They think: We are still trying to get incident management under control. Our request process is inconsistent. We have too many silos. We are not ready for something more advanced. But that conclusion misses the point. You do not need to be mature to benefit from ITIL (Version 5). In many ways, less mature organizations may have the most to gain. ITIL Is Not a Reward for Maturity ITIL has never been something organizations earn the right to use once they have everything figured out. It is guidance that helps organizations improve how they create, deliver, and support value. That matters at every stage of maturity. For o...

If you have visited ITSM Academy's All Things ITIL page recently, you may have noticed some big changes. We are not just adding more content. We are curating practical, easy-to-consume insights designed to help you make sense of ITIL (Version 5) quickly and confidently. As updates continue across the ITIL landscape, ITSM Academy’s focus is simple: stay at the forefront and make it easier for you to keep up without getting overwhelmed. This collection is designed for IT professionals, team leaders, and organizations looking to build a shared understanding of ITIL and align on training and implementation decisions. It is especially useful for individuals and teams exploring ITIL (Version 5), comparing certification paths, or preparing for upcoming training. Clarity first. Credentials second. Outcomes always. That mindset guides how we build and organize every resource we share. As of April 7, 2026, on our  All Things ITIL  page, you will find: Introductory...

What We’ve Seen Go Wrong (After the Class Ends) After two decades of delivering ITSM training, we’ve had a front-row seat to what happens after the exam is over. And here’s the truth that many providers don’t talk about: passing the exam is not the hard part. What goes wrong usually happens when learners return to work, and good intentions collide with real organizations, real constraints, and real habits. Here are the most common patterns we’ve seen. 1. The credential becomes the finish line Too often, certification is treated as the outcome instead of a milestone. Learners celebrate (as they should), but there’s no next step defined for application. No time carved out to try something new. No expectation that behavior will change. Without intent, learning quietly fades back into routine. 2. “We took the class.” replaces “We changed how we work.” Organizations sometimes check the training box without addressing the environm...

What Actually Sticks After Class (And Why) After two decades of delivering ITSM training, we’ve had a front-row seat to what happens after the exam is over. What makes training stick isn’t memorizing a definition perfectly; it’s understanding the thinking behind it. It sticks because something shifted . Over the years, we’ve noticed a consistent pattern in what learners carry forward long after class ends. 1. Mental models, not mechanics The most durable takeaway isn’t a process diagram; it’s a new way of seeing. When learners grasp why practices exist and how value is co-created, they begin making better decisions, even in situations not covered in class. That mindset travels with them. 2. Shared language When teams learn together - or at least align around the same concepts - conversations change. Suddenly, people can say: “What outcome are we optimizing for?” “Who actually experiences this?” “Is this adding value, or just acti...

I got asked the question, "How do you see the job market valuing ITIL certifications today - particularly Foundation vs higher-level?" That got me thinking, and I had many thoughts, so I wanted to get them all down "on paper".  When we talk about ITIL certifications today, the first thing we have to acknowledge is that the job market has changed. Twenty years ago, only cutting-edge teams were adding ITIL certifications to their job requirements, as they understood it was a competitive differentiator.  Ten years ago, ITIL Foundation was often a checkbox. It signaled that someone understood incident, change, problem - the basics. It was credibility currency. Today, Foundation still matters - but it plays a different role. Foundation demonstrates literacy. It tells an employer: You understand value. You understand service relationships. You understand structured operating models. You speak the language. In a market f...

ITIL evolves. Your expertise remains valuable. A confident step forward for the ITIL community The new ITIL builds on everything professionals already value in ITIL, evolving the framework to reflect today’s digital, product-centric, and AI-enabled reality. Existing knowledge, experience, and certifications remain fully relevant as part of this evolution. If you are already certified or familiar with ITIL, this is not a reset. It is a natural next step that allows you to move forward with confidence, when and how it makes sense for you. The key innovations in New ITIL The new ITIL evolves to match today’s AI-driven, fast-changing environment. It provides practical, role-relevant guidance in digital product and service management that helps professionals and organizations deliver measurable value with consistency. Modern, integrated, and comprehensive ITIL (Version 5) provides guidance that works across the entire organization, from leadership and strategy to day-t...

Whether you’re just starting out in IT or you're looking to advance your career and make a bigger impact in your organization, ITIL certification is a smart investment in your future. Here are 10 compelling reasons to get ITIL certified. The 1st three are focused on Foundation, and the remaining seven spotlight the benefits of building on those credentials with Practice Manager, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader courses Start Here: Why ITIL Foundation is Your First Step 1. Understand the Language of Modern IT The ITIL Foundation certification introduces you to the key concepts, terms, and practices used across the IT Service Management (ITSM) landscape. Knowing how to “speak ITIL” helps you better communicate with colleagues, vendors, and leadership. No more lost-in-translation moments. 2. Get the Big Picture of Service Management ITIL Foundation gives you a clear view of how IT contributes to business success, showing how value flows through services. You'll l...

This blog is in response to those IT Professionals who want to know what to expect f or the “ Managing Across the Lifecycle ” (MALC) class, taking the exam and receiving both the MALC and ITIL Expert certifications upon passing the MALC exam.  If you have talked with others that took this class and the exam a few years ago you will be happy to know that the format of this class has changed from what it used to be.  Classes are filled with interesting dialogue, exercises and even laughter as IT managers and practitioners with varied skill sets work together to validate competencies and knowledge for: Key concepts of the service lifecycle Communication and stakeholder management Integrating service management processes across the service lifecycle Managing services across the service lifecycle Governance and organization Measuring and demonstrating business value Implementing and improving service management capability Sounds simple right?  It's the level of d...