ITIL V3 Credit System and The Relationship Between V3 & V2

The ITIL Version 3 Qualification Scheme is supported by a credit system. Passing v3 modules will earn a candidate credits towards the new ITIL Expert Level which means that on successful completion of a balanced set of modules across the Service Capability and Service Lifecycle Intermediate Streams, a candidate will have attained the necessary credit to achieve the Expert award.  

Recognizing the value of earlier modules, the new credit system has also been widened to include earlier Version 1 and 2 ITIL qualifications, which at present includes the v2 Foundation, v2 Practitioner Modules and the v1 or v2 Service Manager. Other closely-related qualifications will also be considered for inclusion in the credit scheme. Details of these will be announced as they are confirmed.

The diagram to the right details the relationship between the Version 2 and Version 3 modules, with the number of credits allocated to each. Click the image to enlarge.

Bridging Courses

Candidates who hold earlier ITIL qualifications can update their knowledge and certification via a series of "bridging" courses, such as the Foundation Bridging Course. These courses will also earn a candidate credits towards the Expert.

The International v3 Examiner Panel have developed the credit system using an in-depth process of assessing existing ITIL qualification content and overage against the new version of ITIL, to create a fair and balanced system which accommodates a rage of certification combinations.

Relationship Between Version 3 & Version 2

Individuals with existing ITIL v2 qualifications can use those qualifications as credits towards the Expert or may find that the credits or qualifications they hold will make them eligible for the current v3 Bridging routes

Foundation level - There is a short bridging course which covers the differences between v2 and v3 and allows someone to take an exam to demonstrate their understanding of the ITIL v3 approach.

ITIL v2 Practitioner qualifications count towards the ITIL Expert in Service Management. Depending on whether an individual holds a single topic certificate or a clustered certificate the credits will vary.

Any ITIL v2 Service Manager who wishes to gain the v3 Expert Level can take a bridging course and must pass the v3 Managers Bridge examination. The course covers the new concepts within ITIL v3 and fully integrates the benefits of the Lifecycle approach.

It is recommended that candidates discuss their current qualifications with their Accredited Training Organisations to establish how many credits they hold, and which v3 modules it is recommended they take in order to compliment their current qualifications, or increase their knowledge in a specific area.