Roadmap to Success: ITIL Foundation

Roadmap to Success is a series of posts designed to help learners better understand certification pathways, career opportunities associated with those certifications, and the next steps beyond certification.

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) has emerged as a standard method and approach to IT that is increasingly in demand among employers. ITIL® is a framework of best practices used to improve IT services. The ITIL® Foundation certification generally offers a general awareness of key elements, concepts, and terminology used in the ITIL® service lifecycle.

Disclaimer: CBT Nuggets is not engaged in any partnership or affiliation with AXELOS Limited nor any applicable Examination Institute. CBT Nuggets is not an Accredited Training Organization authorized to provide ITIL training or content. ITIL® is a registered trademark of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved. CBT Nuggets disclaims any implied or perceived affiliation between itself and AXELOS Limited. Any information found herein is for informational purposes only.

ITIL® Foundation Level

The ITIL® Foundation Level certification (or qualifications, as Axelos terms them) is intended to equip learners with a general awareness of the ITIL® service lifecycle, including the links between lifecycle stages, the processes used, and their contribution to service management practices.

Learners pursuing this certification path should be familiar with ITIL® and work for an organization that has adopted the framework. ITIL® Foundation Level is an entry-level qualification, so learners new to the industry can start here to create a strong understanding of globally recognized best practices associated with IT service lifecycles. There is no formal prerequisite for the ITIL® Foundation Level qualification.

Learn more by exploring our blog posts:

• 5 Reasons to Learn ITIL®

• ITIL® vs PMI®

Exam Details

• Time allotted for the exam: 1 hour (60 minutes)

• Number of questions: 40 questions

• Passing score: 65% (26 out of 40 questions)

• Question types: Multiple choice

• Exam registration: ITIL® Examination Institutes

• Exam cost: $219 (Cost may vary based on testing location)

• Exam Content Outline: ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management Syllabus (free resource)

• ITIL® Foundation Sample Papers (AXELOS user profile required; free resource)

The Next Step

The ITIL® Foundation Level qualification is a building block for learners to develop service lifecycle best practices expertise. ITIL® provides learners with several levels to continue to advance during their training. Learners can continue progressing through the Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, and Master Level qualifications.

The practitioner-level qualification provides practical guidance on using Continuous Service Improvement (CSI) to help organizations optimize the adoption and adaptation of ITIL®. It also equips learners to use other IT frameworks, practices, and methodologies, including Lean, DevOps, Agile, and SIAM.

Many learners pursuing ITIL® qualifications seek to diversify their training. Because ITIL® is a framework of best practices, many learners find project management training to be an excellent supplement to their development and resumes:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)® 2016

• Project Management for the Real World

Learners who can effectively apply the ITIL® framework to projects they manage can be leaders in the IT industry. Recertification ITIL® qualifications are not subject to recertification.

ITIL® Qualification Levels

There are five levels of ITIL certifications. Each level of qualification provides eligibility for subsequent levels:

• Foundation Level

• Practitioner Level

• Intermediate Level

• Expert Level

• Master Level

Each exam serves as a prerequisite for the next level. For example, a learner must earn the Foundation Level qualification before being eligible for the Practitioner Level qualification exam, and so on.

Career Considerations

Indeed.com provides a helpful salary guide to help learners determine appropriate pay scales for job opportunities associated with the ITIL® Foundation qualification. Depending on professional experience, an employee with the ITIL® Foundation qualification can earn, on average, $91,000. 

Payscale.com reports a range of salaries for employees holding the ITIL® Intermediate Level qualification. Depending on professional experience, an employee who holds an ITIL® Intermediate Level qualification can earn anywhere from $59,660 to $162,344. Roles or titles for ITIL® Foundation Level-qualified employees include IT project manager, IT manager, IT director, senior project manager, and service delivery manager.

Concluding Thoughts

Earning an ITIL® Foundation Level qualification sets you on a course to conquer the ITIL® framework and implement best practices for service delivery. As ITIL® continues to gain momentum worldwide, learners pursuing this path will equip themselves for ample career opportunities and professional development.