Timeboxing
Start with ITIL v3 Foundation, which introduces service management and the ITIL lifecycle and awards 2 credits.
- ITIL Practitioner focuses on applying ITIL and CSI, is open book, and awards 3 credits.
- Intermediate modules build specialist knowledge and help you accumulate credits towards Expert level.
- ITIL Expert requires 22 credits and passing the MALC exam to prove integrated, real-world capability.
- ITIL Master is experience-based, requires Expert plus five years in senior ITSM roles, and is assessed via practical assignments.


- With the right tool and these essential features, project managers will be in a much better position to maintain the constraints of the project management triangle. Software solutions can enhance project visibility, foster better communication and support data-driven decisions throughout the project lifecycle.attending virtual classes via live online training; or,
- Enhance your skills with our expert-led coursesby self-studying with an
- ITIL Foundation online course . ITIL v3 certification levels
Instructor-ledTo gain ITIL v3 certification requires you to pass examinations at the following levels:
Introduction to Project Management course1. ITIL v3 Foundation certification
To start your ITIL certification journey, you must start with
£499 +vatITIL Foundation . This certification serves as an introduction to See all datesITIL and covers these topics: Service management as a practice;
- The ITIL service lifecycle;
- Instructor-ledGeneric concepts and definitions;
- Project Management EssentialsKey principles and models;
- Selected processes;
- Selected functions;£999 +vat
- Selected roles;
- Technology and architecture;See all dates
- Competence and training.Common challenges and solutions
- They can enrol in a classroom or Scope creep
online courseScope creep. To gain involves changes or expansion in the project’s scope after it has already started. This can lead to an increase in resources, time, and effort needed to complete the project.ITIL Foundation certificationSolutions they must pass the Establish a formal change control process to manage scope changes effectively.ITIL Foundation examClearly define project scope and requirements during the planning phase..Communicate regularly with stakeholders to manage expectations.If you become ITIL certified at Foundation level, you can then consider pursuing higher ITIL certifications.Implement a prioritisation system for new requests and changes.
ITIL Foundation is worth 2 credit points.Time constraints
2. ITIL v3 Practitioner certification
ITIL Practitioner certification teaches you how to apply the ITIL framework. It does it by:
Explaining the Continual Service Improvement (CSI) approach to structure improvement initiatives;
- Covering three key areas crucial for improvement initiatives:
- Organizational
- Change Management;Measurement and Metrics;
- Communication.
- ITIL v3 Foundation or an ITIL 4 Foundation certificate is a perquisite for the ITIL Practitioner exam. ITIL Practitioner is not a prerequisite for the ITIL v3 Intermediate level certifications.
The ITIL Practitioner examination is open book and consists of multiple-choice questions based on a scenario.
ITIL Practitioner is worth 3 credit points.
3. ITIL v3 Intermediate certifications
Intermediate levels come in two sets of modules:
Service Lifecycle Modules (worth 3 credit points each):
- Service Strategy (SS);
- Service Design (SD);
- Service Transition (ST);
- Service Operation (SO);
- Continual Service Improvement (CSI).
- Service Capability modules (worth 4 credit points each):
- Operational Support and Analysis (OSA);
- Planning, Protection and Optimization (PPO);
- Release, Control and Validation (RCV);
- Service Offerings and Agreements (SOA).
- ITIL intermediate certifications are a stepping stone from either Foundation or Practitioner and enable you to get sufficient credit points to gain Expert certification.
4. ITIL v3 Expert certification
You can earn ITIL Expert certification after gaining 22 credit points. The way to do that is to sit a MALC (Managing Across the Lifecycle) Exam. MALC tests your ability to integrate your ITIL knowledge in real-world settings.
Passing the MALC exam is worth 5 credit points. The MALC exam’s prerequisite is 17 credit points gained from either Lifecycle, Capability or Practitioner modules. 2 of the credit points must come from Foundation certification.
5. ITIL v3 Master certification
This certification shows that you can apply ITIL in an organisation. Every ITIL Master candidate will select a different range of personal experiences. That’s why there is no fixed syllabus for this qualification.
In the exam, you must explain and justify:
How you would select and apply elements of the ITIL Framework such as:
- ITIL knowledge; or,
- ITIL principles; or,
- ITIL methods; or,
- ITIL techniques; or,
- supporting management techniques;
- to achieve desired business outcomes in one or more practical assignments.
To be eligible for the ITIL Master certification, you must:
have achieved the ITIL Expert certificate;
- have worked in IT service management for at least five years in a leadership, managerial, or higher management role.
- Enhance your skills with our expert-led courses
ITIL 4 Foundation if you are already an ITIL v3 Foundation certificate holder. You must study ITIL 4 Foundation to become familiar with the new version.AXELOS has designed an ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module. It is designed for ITIL v3 candidates who are ITIL Experts. Candidates who have achieved 17 credits from across the v3 scheme are included too.
What’s the cost of ITIL v3 certification?
Studying for
ITIL certification may not be cheap. But it is worth it when you get certified. It helps you to climb the ladder of your ITSM career.For details of ITIL v3 Foundation costs click this button:
ITIL v3 certification path infographic
This infographic shows the ITIL v3 certification pathway.
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