ITIL Certification Requirements: Eligibility, Process

What Is an ITIL Certification?

ITIL framework offers practices for IT service management to promote the standardization of multiple stages and processes in the IT life cycle.

The British Government Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) started the ITIL in the 1980s. ITIL was created to build specific guidelines for avoiding inconsistencies among the multiple IT architectures. The earliest version of ITIL focused on technological support and service delivery. Over 40 years, multiple revisions of this framework took place to meet IT administrators' needs to adapt to new approaches to IT management.

The ITIL certification is offered by Axelos, a company by the UK Cabinet Office and Capita plc. These certifications are designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in implementing and managing ITSM processes. Given ITIL's focus on refining ITSM processes and optimizing value, employers highly value certified professionals who can help in cost reduction and operational savings.

Importance of ITIL Certification in the IT Industry

The importance of ITIL Certification in the IT Industry is as follows:

• Better Earning Potential

ITIL certifications, as noted by Global Knowledge, rank among the top 5 highest-paying certifications in the IT field. Earning this certification demonstrates your adeptness in employing a methodical and professional approach to IT Service Management (ITSM). 

Professionals with ITIL certifications often secure roles such as IT directors, managers engineers, support analysts, service delivery managers, project managers, and business analysts, with salary prospects varying based on factors like role, experience level, location, and company.

• Enhanced Efficiency 

ITIL contributes to increased efficiency and effectiveness in IT service delivery. This framework equips IT administrators with tools to enhance service timelines and elevate customer satisfaction. By following best practices, it facilitates greater visibility and adaptability within IT environments.

• Risk Management

ITIL 4 underscores the significance of customer feedback, enabling a proactive approach to risk management. Understanding public perceptions of IT service delivery assists in anticipating potential risks. ITIL's ethos revolves around integrating ITSM into the broader business culture, maintaining collaboration across teams, thereby reducing overall business risks.

• Building an Agile IT Environment

The systematic nature of ITIL aims to boost productivity by refining processes through the adoption of best practices. ITIL 4 certification signifies a significant evolution towards a more flexible ITSM approach. It promotes collaboration, communication, and the integration of Agile and DevOps methodologies, advocating for process automation to enhance outcome delivery.

ITIL Certification Levels

The range of ITIL 4 certifications offers different benefits at each level. Let's acknowledge the specifics of each certification:

Foundation Certification

This introductory certification familiarizes candidates with ITIL 4, shaping their perception of ITSM and service management as essential elements in delivering, creating, and consistently enhancing the value of services and products. Key areas covered include adopting a comprehensive view towards value co-creation through services, understanding ITIL 4's guiding principles, comprehending the service management’s four dimensions, and acknowledging the impact of numerous ITIL 4 management practices on improving outcomes and operations.

Practice Manager (PM) Certification

The ITIL Practice Manager (PM) certification focuses on practice-based modules.  It favors a more flexible training schedule. To earn this certification, you must complete five practices offered through day-long training, the three-day bundled course, and the ITIL Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support module.

The five practices under the PM certification are Service Desk, Incident Management, Problem Management, Service Request Management, and Monitoring and Event Management.

Managing Professional Certification

This certification equips candidates with the knowledge required to manage digitally-driven business functions while emphasizing stakeholder value creation. To attain this certification, candidates need to complete the ITIL 4 Foundation module and four higher-level modules.

Strategic Leader Certification

To obtain the ITIL Strategic Leader (ITIL SL) certification, candidates should complete the two additional higher-level modules and the ITIL 4 Foundation module: ITIL 4 Strategist: Improve & Direct Plan and ITIL 4 Leader: IT Digital & Strategy.

Master Certification

Achieving the "ITIL Master" designation requires candidates to finish all Strategic Leader and Managing Professional certification modules. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience in roles focusing on service management leadership, roles of general management, and management advisory.

ITIL Certification Exam Preparation and Resources

Preparation for the ITIL exam significantly influences your success. Here are some helpful tips for managing your exam preparation stress:

1. Enroll in an Exam Prep Course: Accredited courses led by knowledgeable instructors offer interactive ITIL 4 Foundation training, providing in-depth insights into ITIL concepts. 
2. Develop an ITIL 4 Foundation Exam Study Guide: Summarize key service concepts, the four dimensions of service management, ITIL guiding principles, interconnections among service value chain activities, the purpose and components of the ITIL service value system, and various ITIL practices.
3. Utilize Flashcards for Review: Create flashcards to grasp definitions, practices, and concepts related to the ITIL service lifecycle, aiding in better understanding similar-sounding terms in manageable portions.
4. Understand the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the exam format using mock exam simulators and practice questions to anticipate the test content.
5. Take Practice Exams: Practice tests are crucial. They familiarize you with the format, simulate exam conditions, and assess your preparedness level while identifying weak areas to focus on. 

Career Opportunities with ITIL Certification

There are multiple ITIL jobs available. Fulfilling the ITIL certification requirements and earning the certificate can help individuals get highly relevant IT positions and advance their careers in IT quickly. Some of the positions you will be eligible for are:

• Network Specialist
• Help Desk Analyst
• Network Administrator 
• Network Analyst
• Service Delivery Manager
• IT Analyst
• IT Manager
• Network Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• IT Project Manager
• IT Director

How to Get an ITIL Certification?

You can get an ITIL certification by taking the certification exam. However, the rules for this exam are different for different candidates. Moreover, candidates can avail of the formal rules as a part of any corporate training event or as an individual.

Simplilearn offers an ITIL 4 Foundation. This certification course provides you with training on best practices and essential concepts of the ITIL 4 lifecycle. With this course, you even become proficient in ITIL 4 work process enhancement and service management as you learn with an accredited course curriculum, mock assessments, and real-world case studies. Enroll today with Simplilearn to crack the ITIL certification exam!

FAQs about ITIL Certification

1. What are the minimum requirements for ITIL certification?

Qualified individuals must prove they have at least 17 credits from Intermediate Level modules and the ITIL® Foundation Level.

2. What is the highest salary in ITIL?

The highest salary an individual with an ITIL certification earns can range from Rs. 17 Lakhs to Rs. 50 Lacs per annum.

3. What is the entry-level qualification for ITIL?

An individual must have at least 2 years of experience in IT services.

4. Is the ITIL exam difficult?

The ITIL certification exam is considered to be of moderate difficulty.