Short answer
You don’t start over. ITIL® (Version 5) is designed to build on what you already have. Your next step depends on where you are today, not some forced reset. The path forward depends on your existing certifications.
If you have ITIL® 4 Foundation
You’re in a good spot.
- You do not need to retake Foundation
- You can move directly into higher-level ITIL® (Version 5) modules
- A short Bridge course can help you get up to speed quickly (link here)
Also worth calling out as this was common question: The 34 ITIL practices are not being replaced.
They remain largely the same, with some updates and reorganization under ITIL® (Version 5). So, if you’re worried that everything you learned is suddenly obsolete it’s not.
If you have ITIL® 4 certifications (beyond Foundation)
Keep going.
- Your certifications are still valid
- They count as prerequisites for ITIL® (Version 5)
- You continue forward, not restart
This is by design. ITIL 5 builds on ITIL 4, it doesn’t wipe it out and start over.
If you’re close to an ITIL® 4 designation
If you’re partway through something like:
- Managing Professional
- Strategic Leader
Finish it.
That’s almost always the smarter move. You’ve already done most of the work, and completing the designation:
- gives you the full recognition
- keeps your path clean
- makes transitioning afterward easier
If you have ITIL v3 certifications
This is where things are different.
- ITIL v3 is not accepted as a prerequisite for ITIL® (Version 5) higher-level modules
- The recommended path is to start with ITIL® (Version 5) Foundation
That might feel like a reset, but realistically, it reflects how much has changed since v3.
If you’ve been working in ITSM the whole time, Foundation will feel familiar, but the structure and terminology have shifted enough that skipping it isn’t practical.
If you already hold an ITIL® higher level designation
You’re exactly who the transition path is designed for.
A formal Managing Professional Transition (Version 5) module is expected as part of the rollout. This course is designed for individuals holding the ITIL v3 Expert, ITIL v3 Master, ITIL 4 Managing Professional, or ITIL 4 Master titles who wish to upgrade their existing designation through a condensed transition route
At a high level:
- It’s a condensed upgrade path for experienced ITIL professionals
- Designed for those with ITIL 4 Managing Professional (or equivalent)
- Covers the updated models and new areas in ITIL® (Version 5)
We’ll cover this in detail once it’s officially available, but the key point is simple: You won’t need to redo everything you’ll upgrade what you already have.
Final thought
The transition to ITIL® (Version 5) is designed to be gradual.
You build on what you already have, you don’t lose it.
And just as important:
ITIL is a framework, not a checklist.
The version changes, but the goal stays the same, applying what works, not everything at once.