ITIL® online courses

ITIL certification levels

There are 5 levels of ITIL certification. The below list contains a brief overview of each level, but you can find in-depth information about ITIL certification levels here.

• ITIL Foundation – 1-hour exam, 40 multiple-choice questions. You must get 65% or more correct to pass. Suitable for anyone requiring a basic understanding of the ITIL framework. This is a pre-requisite for all the other levels. For most people the Foundation certification is sufficient to help progress their ITSM career.
• ITIL Practitioner – 2.25-hour exam, 40 multiple-choice questions. You must get 70% or more correct to pass. Suitable for anyone wanting to learn how to apply ITIL in practice.
• ITIL Intermediate - module-based, allowing you to choose the modules relevant to your career. Suitable for experienced IT service professionals requiring detailed knowledge.
• Expert – 2-hour exam, 10 multiple-choice questions. You must score 70% or more to pass. You must also have 17 credits from other ITIL qualifications. Suitable for experienced IT service professionals wishing to prove they understand all aspects of ITIL.
• Master – written assessment and interview. No exam required. Must have ITIL Expert and 5 years managerial experience in IT services. Suitable for senior IT services staff wishing to prove they can apply ITIL.

Is ITSM the career for you?

IT service management (ITSM) refers to the creating, supporting and managing of IT services, either in-house or to meet customer needs. ITSM teams use best practice methods such as ITIL to ensure the IT requirements of their organisation or customer are met.

A career in ITSM is therefore an IT career. Some ITSM career paths are technical, others are business-related. Whichever path you choose, employers will normally want to see ITIL certification on your CV.

You’ll also need a high level of technical literacy, analytic and problem-solving skills. Some roles require customer service skills. Deadlines and technical issues can make an IT career demanding. But the job satisfaction, salary and opportunity for progression are all worth it.

Entry-level roles include the service desk technician and IT project support; senior roles include the service desk manager and IT project manager. You’ll also find several roles in cyber security, change management and IT architecture. Find out more about the many different ITSM job roles here.

Will ITIL Foundation get you a job?

We can’t guarantee you that gaining the ITIL Foundation certification will get you a job. But it’s an excellent place to start.

Because so many organisations use ITIL to manage IT services, this makes ITIL certification very desirable to employers. Without it, you’ll be at a disadvantage compared to those who do have certification. If you browse the many IT jobs on the internet, you’re bound to see ITIL as one of the requirements.

If you want to gain employment in an ITSM role, gaining ITIL certification will improve your CV and show that you understand the ITIL framework. However, you will also need the experience required for a career in the IT industry. Read this article for further information about starting a career in IT service management.

Is ITIL suitable for your organisation?

If your organisation provides IT services, or has an IT department, then ITIL is the ideal method to use. Providing accredited ITIL training for your IT staff equips them with the skills needed for successful IT service delivery.

Contact us to discuss the most cost-effective way to train your organisation, team or department.