The entry point to ITIL 4 — the world's most widely adopted IT service management framework, used by thousands of organisations globally.
Exam cost
$385 USD
Duration
60 minutes
Passing score
26 / 40 (65%)
Valid for
3 years
ITIL 4 Foundation practice questions — live on Courseiva
1,000+ ITIL 4 practice questions covering key concepts, guiding principles, SVS, and all 34 management practices.
Key facts for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam.
Exam cost
$385 USD / ~£300
Duration
60 minutes
Question count
40 questions
Passing score
26 / 40 (65%)
Validity
3 years
Delivered by
PeopleCert
Online proctored
Yes — available
Retake policy
No mandatory wait after failure; fees apply per attempt
Question formats
ITIL 4 Foundation is the entry-level certification for the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework, published by Axelos and now managed by PeopleCert. ITIL 4 is the most widely used IT Service Management (ITSM) framework in the world, guiding how IT teams plan, deliver, support, and improve digital services. The Foundation exam validates understanding of the ITIL 4 service value system, guiding principles, four dimensions of service management, and the 34 ITIL management practices. It is vendor-neutral and applicable across all industries and IT functions.
Official prerequisite
None
Recommended experience
1–2 years of IT experience is helpful but not required. Basic familiarity with IT departments and how IT services work.
No formal prerequisites. ITIL 4 Foundation is suitable for anyone who works in or with IT departments — from helpdesk technicians to IT directors.
Should you skip this exam?
If you are a developer with no interest in IT operations or service management, ITIL 4 adds less value. It is most relevant for roles in IT support, service delivery, operations, and IT management.
Courseiva study tip
The ITIL 4 Foundation exam is primarily definitional — it tests whether you understand the ITIL 4 terminology, guiding principles, and the service value chain. The 7 guiding principles and 4 dimensions of service management appear repeatedly. Memorise these cold before taking practice exams.
UK salary range
£30,000–£55,000
US salary range
$50,000–$85,000
Job roles that cite ITIL 4 Foundation
What certification to take next
ITIL 4 Foundation is the entry-level certification for the ITIL framework — the world's most widely adopted IT service management (ITSM) methodology. It validates understanding of the ITIL 4 service value system, the 7 guiding principles, the 4 dimensions of service management, and the 34 ITIL management practices.
The ITIL 4 Foundation exam costs approximately $385 USD through PeopleCert. Prices vary by reseller and region. Training courses cost extra — online self-paced courses range from $50–$500 depending on provider.
26 out of 40 questions (65%) is the passing score for ITIL 4 Foundation.
ITIL 4 Foundation is not particularly hard — most candidates with IT backgrounds pass on the first attempt with 20–30 hours of study. The exam is terminology-heavy, so memorising the 7 guiding principles, 4 dimensions, and key ITIL 4 concepts is the main task.
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a set of best practices for IT service management (ITSM). ITIL 4, the current version, organises IT service management around the Service Value System — covering how organisations create value from IT services through planning, delivery, support, and continual improvement.
Yes — ITIL 4 Foundation is valid for 3 years, after which it must be renewed through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits with PeopleCert.
The 7 ITIL 4 guiding principles are: Focus on value; Start where you are; Progress iteratively with feedback; Collaborate and promote visibility; Think and work holistically; Keep it simple and practical; Optimise and automate. These appear frequently in the Foundation exam.
See how ITIL 4 Foundation stacks up against related certifications.
Courseiva provides free ITIL 4 Foundation (ITIL4-Foundation) practice questions with original exam-style questions, detailed explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics. Courseiva is an independent platform and is not affiliated with PeopleCert.