ITIL 4 Foundation Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the ITIL 4 Foundation, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$363
Provider
PeopleCert/Axelos
Validity
Lifetime
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
6-12 months of relevant experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- There are no prerequisites for ITIL 4 Foundation. No prior ITIL certificate, degree or work experience is required.
- Training is not mandatory. PeopleCert has not mandated training for Foundation level, so self-study against the Official eBook is a valid route. Every higher ITIL module does require accredited training or official eLearning.
- A physical photo identity document is required for identity verification at onboarding, whether you sit online or at a centre.
- For an online proctored exam you need Windows 10, 10S, 11 or 11S, or macOS Mojave 10.14 or later; a dual-core 2.4GHz CPU with at least 4GB of RAM; Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Opera; broadband of at least 4 Mbps; a monitor of at least 15 inches at 1024 x 768 or higher; a keyboard set to English characters; speakers and a microphone.
- You need a webcam, built in or external, that can be rotated through a full 360 degrees for the room scan. A mobile phone cannot be used as the webcam or to take the exam.
- Candidates under 16 need a legal guardian's consent recorded at registration, with the guardian's full contact details, and the guardian must be present at onboarding on exam day.
- Requests for up to 25 percent additional time, a reader or a scribe must be submitted no later than 5 business days before any PeopleCert exam.
Number of Questions
40 questions
Duration
60 minutes. Candidates sitting the exam in a language other than their native language receive 25 percent extra time, giving 75 minutes.
Question Format
Standard multiple choice: a question with four options, one of which is correct, List: several numbered statements followed by four options pairing them, where you select the combination that is correct, Missing word: a sentence with a gap and four candidate words or phrases, Negative standard: a question asking which option is NOT correct, used only where the syllabus stresses something that should not be done
Passing Requirement
26 correct out of 40, which is 65 percent. The threshold is fixed and does not move between sittings.
How It Is Delivered
PeopleCert Online Proctoring using the PeopleCert Web Based Exam Driver, taken from home or an office with a live proctor, or in person at an accredited exam centre.
Languages Offered
English, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Thai
Visit the official PeopleCert/Axelos certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
Raw score out of 40. PeopleCert reports the outcome as pass or fail, together with a results analysis giving a percentage of success per syllabus topic.
Score You Need
26 correct out of 40, which is 65 percent. The threshold is fixed and does not move between sittings.
How It Is Calculated
Each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking, so unanswered and incorrect responses score identically. Every item is single-best-answer with four options. Scoring is compensatory across the whole paper: there is no minimum per learning outcome, so a weak topic can be offset elsewhere. PeopleCert does not publish a scaling or equating model for ITIL 4 Foundation, and the published cut score is a flat percentage of raw marks rather than a scaled figure.
When You Get Results
A preliminary pass or fail result appears the moment you complete the exam. PeopleCert's Quality and Assessment department then reviews it, and official results are announced within 2 business days of your answers being officially submitted by the exam supervisor. The digital badge is issued automatically on release. Results are withheld if your PeopleCert profile is incomplete.
In raw terms: 26 of 40 is the pass. 27 or more gives you a margin of one or more questions. The official exam specification splits the 40 questions as 9 at Bloom's Level 1, which is recall, and 31 at Bloom's Level 2, which is comprehension. The same specification weights the paper by learning outcome: seven practices in detail carries 17 of the 40 questions (42.5 percent), purpose and key terms of 15 practices carries 7 (17.5 percent), the guiding principles 6 (15 percent), key concepts 5 (12.5 percent), the four dimensions and the service value chain 2 each (5 percent), and the service value system 1 (2.5 percent).
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the ITIL 4 Foundation?
There are no prerequisites for ITIL 4 Foundation. No prior ITIL certificate, degree or work experience is required.. Training is not mandatory. PeopleCert has not mandated training for Foundation level, so self-study against the Official eBook is a valid route. Every higher ITIL module does require accredited training or official eLearning.. A physical photo identity document is required for identity verification at onboarding, whether you sit online or at a centre.. For an online proctored exam you need Windows 10, 10S, 11 or 11S, or macOS Mojave 10.14 or later; a dual-core 2.4GHz CPU with at least 4GB of RAM; Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Opera; broadband of at least 4 Mbps; a monitor of at least 15 inches at 1024 x 768 or higher; a keyboard set to English characters; speakers and a microphone.. You need a webcam, built in or external, that can be rotated through a full 360 degrees for the room scan. A mobile phone cannot be used as the webcam or to take the exam.. Candidates under 16 need a legal guardian's consent recorded at registration, with the guardian's full contact details, and the guardian must be present at onboarding on exam day.. Requests for up to 25 percent additional time, a reader or a scribe must be submitted no later than 5 business days before any PeopleCert exam..
How much does the ITIL 4 Foundation cost?
The ITIL 4 Foundation exam costs $363. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the ITIL 4 Foundation?
Visit the official PeopleCert/Axelos certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the ITIL 4 Foundation?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for ITIL 4 Foundation?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View ITIL 4 Foundation Guide