ITIL V5 Certification Renewal Explained (2026 Guide)
If you have earned or plan to earn an ITIL Foundation (Version 5) certificate, understanding the renewal rules is just as important as passing the exam. PeopleCert states that ITIL Version 5 certificates are issued with a three-year renewal date, and professionals must take action before that deadline to keep the certification current. That means renewal is no longer something to think about years later; it is part of your ongoing certification strategy from day one.
The good news is that renewal is flexible. Instead of relying on only one pathway, PeopleCert offers three ways to stay current: log Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points, take another ITIL certification from the same product suite, or retake the same certification. For most professionals, the CPD path is the most practical because it rewards everyday learning and professional activity rather than forcing another exam immediately.
What Is the Renewal Period for ITIL V5 Certification?
PeopleCert lists a clear renewal rule for ITIL Foundation (Version 5): renewal every 3 years. The certification page also states that 60 CPD points are needed for renewal if you use the CPD route. This aligns with the general PeopleCert renewal policy, which states that certificate holders must renew their certifications within 3 years of the original certification date to keep them current.
For professionals managing multiple ITIL credentials, this rule is especially important because PeopleCert groups certifications by product suite. The ITIL suite includes all ITIL 4 and Version 5 certifications, and certifications within the same suite share the same renewal date. That can make long-term maintenance simpler if you plan your certification path strategically.
What Are the CPD Requirements for ITIL V5 Renewal?
The CPD route requires professionals to log 20 CPD points per year for 3 consecutive years, for a total of 60 points. PeopleCert’s CPD guide makes this requirement explicit and explains that candidates must maintain this yearly rhythm, not simply collect all points at the end of the cycle.
The guide also breaks CPD into three categories:
- Professional Experience
- Professional Education
- Community
There are also category-specific rules. PeopleCert requires a minimum of 5 points in Professional Experience each year. It also states that Professional Education and Community each allow a maximum of 15 points per year. This structure is designed to encourage balanced development instead of relying too heavily on a single type of learning activity.
CPD Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every 3 years |
| Total CPD needed | 60 points |
| Annual CPD target | 20 points per year |
| Professional Experience | Minimum 5 points per year |
| Professional Education | Maximum 15 points per year |
| Community | Maximum 15 points per year |
What Activities Count Toward PeopleCert CPD?
One reason the CPD route appeals to working professionals is that it recognizes real-world learning. PeopleCert says CPD can be logged for activities across work, training, and community participation. That means renewal can be built into your normal professional routine instead of treated as a separate administrative burden.
Examples listed in the guide include:
Professional Experience
- Applying best practice in the workplace
- Coaching colleagues
- Mentoring individuals or groups
- Work shadowing colleagues
Professional Education
- PeopleCert certifications
- Other certifications from accredited training organizations
- Professional qualifications from awarding bodies
- In-house training
- e-learning
- Reading relevant books, publications, research, and white papers
- Engaging with podcasts and webinars
Community
- Organizing industry or best-practice events
- Contributing to discussion forums
- Authoring thought leadership
- Attending industry events
- Reading community forums
- Volunteering to share knowledge and experience
The easiest way to avoid a last-minute renewal scramble is to treat CPD like a monthly habit. If you spread learning activities across the year, reaching 20 points annually becomes much more manageable.
Do You Need PeopleCert Plus to Log CPD Points?
Yes. PeopleCert’s CPD guide states that to unlock the ability to log CPD points, you need to be subscribed to the PeopleCert Plus plan. The “keep your certifications current” page also positions PeopleCert Plus as the route to access the CPD program and maintain certifications through annual CPD logging.
The platform also lets candidates view their certification status and renewal progress. According to the CPD guide, certification indicators show whether your credential is active, needs more points for the year, or is no longer current. It also explains that you can review your certifications and CPD status from your account profile.
What Other Renewal Options Are There Besides CPD?
PeopleCert offers two alternatives to the CPD route. The first is to take another certification from the same product suite before your renewal date. For ITIL professionals, that means passing any other ITIL certification can renew your existing ITIL certifications in the same suite. The second option is to retake the same certification before it expires.
This product suite rule can be especially useful for professionals who want to continue growing their credentials. PeopleCert gives the example that if someone holds ITIL 4 Foundation and later earns an ITIL Practitioner or Specialist certification, all certifications in the ITIL product suite are renewed. Invensis Learning also considers this one of the most effective renewal strategies because it extends validity while adding a new credential.
The 3 Renewal Paths
| Renewal Path | What You Do | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CPD route | Log 20 points per year for 3 years | Professionals who want flexible renewal through everyday learning |
| New ITIL certification | Pass another ITIL certification in the same product suite | Professionals planning career progression |
| Retake same exam | Sit the same certification exam again | Professionals who prefer a direct exam-based renewal |
What Should ITIL 4 Holders Know About Version 5 Renewal?
PeopleCert explains that if you hold ITIL 4 certifications, they can also be renewed by taking and passing any ITIL Version 5 certification, because all ITIL certificates fall under the same product suite. That means renewal and progression can happen at the same time.
For ITIL 4 Foundation holders, ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5) is an optional route for updating knowledge. PeopleCert says this one-day bridge covers the key changes introduced at the Foundation level and awards the ITIL Foundation (Version 5) certificate on successful completion.
The renewal guide offers a practical strategy: instead of only bridging at the Foundation level, some professionals may gain more long-term value by taking an advanced ITIL Version 5 module near their renewal date, as it renews the existing certification and helps them progress toward higher-level designations at the same time.
What Happens If You Do Not Renew on Time?
PeopleCert states that candidates who do not renew their certifications will still appear on the Successful Candidates Register (SCR) and the Candidate Verification Service, but a note will be added indicating that their certifications are outdated and require renewal. This is important for professionals who rely on certification status for employability, consulting credibility, or internal career progression.
In practical terms, letting a certification lapse may not erase your achievement, but it can weaken the value of the credential in the eyes of employers or clients. For that reason, it makes sense to choose a renewal route early and manage it proactively.
Do not assume you can wait until the final month and solve renewal quickly. The CPD path requires annual progress, and strategic renewal through another ITIL certification works best when planned around your career goals and exam readiness.
What Is the Best Renewal Strategy for Most Professionals?
For most working professionals, the best renewal strategy depends on career stage. If you want flexibility and steady skill development, the CPD route is usually the most sustainable. If you are actively expanding your ITIL portfolio, taking another certification in the same product suite may deliver more value because it renews your existing credentials and adds a new one. Retaking the same exam is usually the most straightforward option, but it is often the least strategic unless you specifically prefer exam-based validation.
A smart approach is to decide your renewal plan as soon as you earn the certification. That way, you can align CPD activity, training choices, and future ITIL modules with your renewal timeline instead of treating certification maintenance as a surprise deadline.
Conclusion
ITIL V5 certification renewal is straightforward once you understand the rules. The core points are simple: certificates are renewed every 3 years, the CPD route requires 20 points per year for 3 years, PeopleCert Plus is needed for CPD logging, and alternative renewal routes include earning another ITIL certification or retaking the same exam.
For professionals who want to protect the value of their certification and keep building credibility in service management, the best move is to create a renewal plan early. Whether you choose CPD, a new module, or a retake path, the important thing is to stay ahead of the deadline and treat renewal as part of continuous career growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the ITIL V5 certification valid?
ITIL Version 5 certifications are issued with a three-year renewal date.
2. How many CPD points do I need for ITIL V5 renewal?
You need 60 CPD points total, earned as 20 CPD points per year for 3 consecutive years.
3. Do I need PeopleCert Plus to log CPD points?
Yes. PeopleCert says you must be subscribed to PeopleCert Plus to log CPD points.
4. Can another ITIL exam renew my current certification?
Yes. Passing another ITIL certification within the same product suite can renew your ITIL certifications.
5. Can ITIL 4 certifications be renewed through ITIL Version 5?
Yes. PeopleCert states that ITIL 4 certifications can be renewed by passing any ITIL Version 5 certification, as they belong to the same product suite.
6. Is the ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5) mandatory?
No. ITIL 4 Foundation holders do not need to retake the Foundation to progress to higher-level Version 5 modules. The Bridge is optional for those who want a quick update at the Foundation level.
7. When does the ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5) retire?
PeopleCert says the final retirement date is 31 December 2027.