Table of Contents
Introduction
If you’ve researched ITIL certification before, you may have seen references to an exam called “ITIL Practitioner” or a credential called “MALC.” Neither applies anymore — ITIL Practitioner was retired when ITIL 4 launched in 2019, and MALC is actually an unrelated agile project management credential, not part of ITIL at all. Here’s the actual, current certification path for 2026.
The Current Certification Path
- Foundation: the entry point for everyone. ITIL 4 Foundation remains accepted as the prerequisite for advanced study — you don’t need to retake it if you already hold it.
- Advanced qualifications: choose from Practice Manager (covering specific ITIL practices), Managing Professional (Product, Service, and Experience management), Strategic Leader (strategic application of ITIL), or the newly introduced ITIL Transformation track.
- Master: the top of the pathway, reserved for those who’ve completed the advanced qualifications and demonstrated applied expertise.
ITIL 4 vs. ITIL Version 5: What Changed
- Scope: ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management; Version 5 expands to digital product and service management more broadly
- Structure: ITIL 4 uses a six-activity Service Value Chain; Version 5 returns to a defined lifecycle with eight stages
- AI: ITIL 4 covers general automation principles; Version 5 builds AI in by design, with a dedicated AI Capability Model
- Experience management: Version 5 adds a dedicated module covering customer and employee experience
- Sustainability: Version 5 embeds it as a core design principle, which ITIL 4 doesn’t address explicitly
Roughly 40% of Version 5 content carries over from ITIL 4, with the rest new or updated — so existing ITIL 4 knowledge isn’t wasted if you move to the newer track.
Which Track Should You Pursue?
If you already hold ITIL 4 Foundation, it still counts as your prerequisite — you can move directly to Version 5 advanced modules, or take the optional Foundation Bridge if you want your foundational credential itself updated.
If you’re starting fresh, check with your employer or target employers about which version they currently expect, since adoption of Version 5 will vary by organization during the transition period.
Conclusion
Last updated: October 2026.
The ITIL certification landscape has changed significantly since the Practitioner-exam era — the current path runs Foundation through advanced qualifications to Master, with ITIL Version 5 now layering in AI and experience management on top of the ITIL 4 foundation.
Confirm with PeopleCert or your training provider directly for the latest exam structure before registering, since certification details continue to evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to retake ITIL Foundation if I already have ITIL 4?
No — ITIL 4 Foundation is accepted as the prerequisite for Version 5 advanced qualifications, so you can move forward without retaking it.
Is the ITIL Practitioner exam still offered?
No, it was retired when ITIL 4 launched in 2019. If you’re researching older guides that mention it, that information is outdated.
Is MALC part of the ITIL certification path?
No — MALC is an unrelated agile project management credential, not an ITIL qualification. This is a common mix-up in older or inaccurate ITIL guides.
