The final piece of the rollout
On May 14, 2026, PeopleCert will release the ITIL Managing Professional Transition (Version 5) module. This is the last major milestone in the ITIL v5 rollout that began in February. For holders of the ITIL 4 Managing Professional certification, it represents the direct upgrade path to the new framework version.
Who should take it
The Transition module targets experienced ITSM professionals who already hold one of the following:
- ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP)
- ITIL v3 Expert
- ITIL v3 Master
The goal is not to teach fundamentals from scratch but to highlight what changed between ITIL 4 and ITIL v5. The module is relevant for IT service managers, delivery managers, consultants, and operations leads who need a current certification designation.
What the course covers
The five-day course walks through updates across all four core ITIL v5 modules:
- ITIL Product — product lifecycle management
- ITIL Service — value-driven service design and delivery
- ITIL Experience — user experience and demand management
- ITIL Transformation — organizational change and continual improvement
A strong emphasis is placed on aligning service management with governance and organizational strategy — an area that ITIL v5 has significantly expanded compared to version 4.
Exam format
PeopleCert has introduced an open-book format for higher-level ITIL v5 modules. The exam tests the ability to apply concepts and make informed decisions rather than memorize definitions. Final details specific to the MP Transition exam are being finalized ahead of the launch date.
The complete ITIL v5 rollout timeline
For context, here is the module availability schedule for ITIL v5 in 2026:
- February 12 — ITIL Foundation
- February 26 — Foundation Bridge
- March 12 — Product, Service, Experience
- April 9 — Strategy, Transformation
- May 14 — Managing Professional Transition
After May, the Strategic Leader Transition and finalization of the Practice Manager pathway are expected in the second half of the year.
Practical recommendation
If your team holds ITIL 4 MP certifications, planning the transition sooner rather than later makes sense. ITIL 4 certifications remain recognized as prerequisites for ITIL v5, so none of them lose their value. However, the Transition module is the fastest path to a current designation — instead of completing all four modules individually, a single five-day course covers the full scope.
For organizations aligning their ITSM processes with ITIL v5, having a team with current certifications ensures that internal practices reflect the latest state of the framework.