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ISO/IEC 20000 for individuals

Certify your ability to:

  • Understand the relationship between ISO/IEC 20000 standard and ITSM and use best practices in ITSM to apply appropriate methods within an organization.
  • Understand, identify and explain the potential issues regarding applicability, eligibility and scoping to assist in certification readiness assessment and certification audits as well as advising on the implementation of continual improvement processes.
  • Produce a gap analysis supported by an improvement and implementation plan.
  • Describe the scope, aims and use of the ISO/IEC 20000 specification and code of practice, through an understanding of the roles of the component parts of the standard.
  • Recognize the need to plan and implement ITSM processes, report on the IT services and major metrics of the ITSM processes, schedule and conduct regular reviews, assessments and audits and plan for continual service improvement.
compliancecyber security frameworks

Demonstrate your ongoing commitment to exceptional IT Service Management

ISO/IEC 20000 is the international standard specifically for IT Service Management. It describes an integrated set of management processes which form a service management system for the effective delivery of services to the business and its customers.

ISO/IEC 20000 options are available for both individuals and organizations via APMG:

For individuals

  • ISO/IEC 20000 certifies an individual as an IT Service Management professional - able to enhance an organization using the ISO/IEC 20000 standard.
  • ISO/IEC 20000 training courses are delivered by APMG accredited training providers - self-study is also available.
  • APMG accredits training providers wishing to deliver ISO/IEC 20000 training courses and exams.

For organizations

  • ISO/IEC 20000 certification confirms an organization has an advanced IT Service Management approach - in accordance with a globally recognized standard.
  • ISO/IEC 20000 certification is performed by APMG appointed Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs)
  • Organizations can apply to become APMG appointed ISO/IEC 20000 Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs)
db iso 20000 foundation

Foundation

Learn how the standard operates in a typical IT service provider organization.

Service Management, Compliance, IT Management
Who is Foundation for?

Staff working within a service provider organization that requires a basic understanding of the standard. It is equally relevant for those working within service providers who are already certified to ISO/IEC 20000 or those considering its implementation.

What are the key things you will learn?
  • The fundamental requirements for an SMS and the need for continual improvement.
  • The processes, their objectives and high level requirements.
  • Applicability and scope definition requirement.
  • The purpose of internal and external audits, their operation and the associated terminology.
  • The relationship with best practices, ITIL®  , and related standards, ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001.
Exam format:
  •     Multiple choice
  •     40 questions per paper
  •     26 marks required to pass (out of 40 available) - 65%
  •     60 minutes duration
  •     Closed book
db iso 20000 practitioner

Practitioner

Learn to apply the content of the ISO/IEC 20000 standard within an organization.

Service Management, Compliance, IT Management
What is required?

At least one of the following certificates:

  • ISO/IEC 20000 Foundation certificate.
  • ITIL Foundation certificate.

 

Who is Practitioner for?

Practitioners, managers and consultants involved in an SMS implementation and/or on-going activities based on ISO/IEC 20000.

What are the key things you will learn?
  • How to assist and advise organizations in the achievement of conformance to ISO/IEC 20000-1 and certification.
  • How to explain and advise on issues regarding applicability and scope definition.
  • Explain the use of technology and tools to support the implementation and improvement of an SMS, the achievement of certification and the on-going demonstration of conformity to ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • How to produce and assess a gap analysis supported by an improvement and implementation plan.
  • Understand, create, apply and evaluate a service management plan including the service management policy and objectives.
  • Understand, create, apply and evaluate processes, procedures, process specific  plans and  process specific policies required by ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • Assist, advise and assess organizations on the implementation of continual improvement processes.
Exam format:
  •     Complex Multiple Choice
  •     4 questions per paper, 20 marks available per question
  •     40 marks required to pass (out of 80 available) - 50%
  •     Three hours duration
  •     Open book (a copy of Part 1 is permitted)
db iso 20000 auditor

Auditor

Learn the principles of IT Service Management & the requirements of ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011 (Part 1).

Service Management, Compliance, Auditing, IT Management
What is required?
  • A minimum of three years' experience conducting audits in an IT environment is recommended.  
Who is Auditor for?
  • Third-party auditors who work for RCBs and will conduct audits to certify service providers against ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • Internal auditors who wish to understand the specific requirements of auditing IT service management systems for conformity with the ISO/IEC 20000-1 standard. Internal auditors working in an organization which is implementing or already has ISO/IEC 20000 certification will find this course useful to improve not only their understanding of the subject but also the application of ISO/IEC 20000 within their organization.
What are the key things you will learn?
  • The scope and purpose of Parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 of ISO/IEC 20000 and how these can be used during auditing and certification.
  • The key terms and definitions used.
  • SM general principles.
  • The structure, processes, objectives and high level requirements of ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • Understand, explain and advise on issues regarding applicability and scope definition.
  • The purpose of internal and external audits, their operation and the associated terminology.
  • Understand and explain the relationship between ISO/IEC 20000 and ITSM best practices, ITIL®,  and related standards, ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001, and how this can be used to support the achievement of certification to ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • Advise and assist in ISO/IEC 20000 certification readiness assessments to evaluate an SMS against the requirements of ISO/IEC 20000-1.
  • Audit organizations to identify conformity  and improvements against ISO/IEC 20000-1.
Exam format:
  •     Multiple choice
  •     40 questions per paper
  •     26 marks required to pass (out of 40 available) - 65%
  •     60 minutes duration
  •     Closed book

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Advanced options

SFIA Framework

Visit SFIA
The SFIA Framework is the global common reference for skills and competency for the digital world
SFIA is a globally recognised framework that “identifies skills needed for the Information age”. This APMG certification has been mapped against the SFIA Framework to help you see which certifications are most relevant to your professional development.
Foundation
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Methods and Tools level 3
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Organisational Capability Development level 5, Business Process Improvement level 5, Methods and Tools level 4
...
Practitioner
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Generic attribute Business Skills up to level 4, Methods and Tools up to level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Organisational Capability Development level 5, Business Process Improvement level 5
...
Auditor
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Generic attribute Business Skills up to level 4, Audit up to level 4, Methods and Tools up to level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Generic attribute Knowledge level 5, Audit level 5
...

ISO/IEC 20000 for organizations

Certify your organization in the international IT Service Management standard

Achieve world-class IT Service Management (ITSM) processes

Becoming a ISO/IEC 20000 certified organization provides myriad benefits, including:

  • Continual improvement of IT services - inspiring customer confidence
  • Increased rate of change and staff productivity - leading to reduced long-term cost and risk of failure to meet business objectives
  • An accurate assessment of your organization's internal process and activities with which to effectively implement improvements
  • Access to key markets - in which it is mandatory to be ISO 20000 compliant

The world's most trusted ISO/IEC 20000 certification providers

  • Certification is delivered by APMG's Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs) - rigorously assessed against exacting standards
  • Contact a RCB from the list below to begin the ISO 20000 certification process

Become a Registered Certification Body (RCB)

Apply to become an ISO 20000 Registered Certification Body (RCB) - appointed by APMG to assess and award organizations their ISO 20000 certificates.

Become a RCB

RCBs
Certified organizations
Company
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FAQs

What is a ISO/IEC 20000 digital badge?

Digital badges allow you to easily showcase your achievements online.

When you pass an exam - you'll instantly have the option to claim a digital badge representing your new certificate.

Your badge can be embedded on an email signature, website, social media or digital CV.

With just one click employers, customers and clients can easily view and verify your credentials and skills.

Please download our digital sharing presentation for more information.

How do I claim my ISO/IEC 20000 digital badge?

Once you’ve been notified that you’ve passed your exam - you will have the option to create a digital badge in APMG's Candidate Portal.

Visit APMG's Candidate Portal, view your exam results and select 'Create Badge'.

This takes you to the Credly website where the digital badges are hosted. You will be guided through the Credly account creation process.

Once you have created an account with Credly - login into the account and accept your pending badge.

What is ISO/IEC 20000?

ISO/IEC 20000 is the international standard for IT service management and allows organizations to prove best practice in their IT management.

ISO/IEC 20000 was released in 2005 based on the ITIL® best practice framework and updated in 2011. Worldwide, the adoption of ISO/IEC20000 has grown rapidly and it has become a competitive differentiator for delivery of IT services.

ISO/IEC 20000 can be used:

By businesses that are going out to tender for their services
To provide a consistent approach by all service providers in a supply chain
To benchmark IT service management
As the basis for an independent assessment
To demonstrate the ability to meet customer requirements
To improve services.

ISO/IEC 20000 promotes the adoption of an integrated process approach to effectively deliver managed services to meet the business and customer requirements. For an organization to function effectively it has to identify and manage numerous linked activities. Activities using resources are managed in order to enable the transformation of inputs into outputs and can be considered as a process.

The APMG-International website has resources for individuals and organizations wanting to find out more about ISO/IEC 20000. Go to:https://apmg-international.com/all-atos

How can I train for the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations?

Training for ISO/IEC 20000 is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) – who are assessed and certified by APMG-International. Individuals can be certified through foundation, practitioner and auditor exams.

The full list of ISO/IEC 20000 ATOs can be found at: https://apmg-international.com/all-atos

Business certification to ISO/IEC 20000 is through Registered Certification Bodies or RCBs. For more information about our ISO/IEC 20000 Organizational Certification Scheme and a full listing of Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs), visit our dedicated website at:
www.isoiec20000certification.com

Do I have to receive training to sit the exam?

In addition to receiving accredited training, individuals also have the option of self-study to prepare for the Foundation and Practitioner examinations. APMG-International administers public exam sessions around the world to accommodate those who self-study for Foundation and Practitioner.

It is mandatory to attend an APMG accredited course for the Auditor Level. There is no self-study option available for the Auditor Level.

How does ISO/IEC 20000 compare with ITIL?

ITIL is a set of processes and good practice that has been developed by a global network of experts and is owned by the UK Government.

An ISO standard is developed by national bodies participating in the development of the standard through technical committees. The standards are drafted in accordance with specific rules and a standard needs to attract at least 75% of support from the national bodies via a casting of votes before it can be accepted.

An ISO standard is high level guidance whereas the ITIL processes are more detailed and organizations can adopt and adapt them for their own ends.

Put simply, ISO/IEC 20000 tells you WHAT to do and ITIL tells you HOW to do it.

ITIL certification is concerned with people whereas ISO/IEC 20000 certifies companies and ensures they are compliant to the standard.

ITIL can't be used to certify organizations, because each one will need to adapt the method to suit its requirements. ISO/IEC 20000 refers frequently to the ITIL glossary, but it stipulates that certain standards must be adopted in order to grant a certificate.

How do I sit the exams?

Most, if not all ISO/IEC 20000 accredited training organizations/course providers include the examinations as part of the associated training course. Alternatively, and for individuals that have self-studied, APMG-International administers public exam sessions around the world. Sessions are run at certain APMG-International offices. There are four dedicated centers in the UK for public examinations, and in the United States we utilize the public library network to facilitate sessions.

How much does it cost to sit the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations?

If you are sitting the examinations through an accredited training organization, the costs of the exams are generally included in the course fee. APMG-International use a global pricing structure, so for those sitting exams at a public exam centre, the cost is dependent on where the exams are being sat. To find out the cost in your region, please contact the APMG-International Service Desk on +44 (0)1494 452450 or at:
servicedesk@apmg-international.com

Are there any pre-requisites for the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations?

The Foundation is the first of the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations you are required to pass to become an ISO/IEC 20000 Practitioner. Though not a mandatory requirement, passing the Foundation examination prior to taking the ISO/IEC 20000 Auditor qualification will provide a helpful basis on which to complete further study.

The BCS ISO/IEC 20000 Foundation certificate is also an acceptable pre-requisite for the ISO/IEC 20000 Practitioner exam. ITIL Foundation certification (v3 or later version) is recommended, but not a mandatory pre-requisite for Practitioner certification.

What are the main publications for ISO/IEC 20000 and where can I purchase them?

The ISO/IEC 20000 standards are the basis for the exams and can be purchased from BSI. The ISO/IEC 20000 pocketbook covers areas of the syllabus and can also be purchased from APMG Business Books at:
www.apmg-businessbooks.com

Which languages are ISO/IEC 20000 examinations available in?

The Foundation exam is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

The Practitioner exams are available in English, German, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese and Chinese (complex).

The Auditor exam is available in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese (simple and complex) and Spanish.

How long will it take to learn the ISO/IEC 20000 material?

For individuals self-studying it is almost impossible to say. As all candidates have different experience and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the required study material and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning.

How long are the ISO/IEC 20000 certifications valid for?

The qualifications currently do not have a defined validity period.

When can I expect the results of my ISO/IEC 20000 examinations?

ISO/IEC 20000 foundation examinations can be marked on location after the exam, but this is down to the discretion of the invigilator at the time. Practitioner answer sheets are marked at APMG-International offices and results released soon after.

If you have taken your exam via an ATO (ACP), practitioner results are sent by the relevant APMG-International office directly to ATOs. Your ATO should notify you of your results so please contact them for further details regarding this.

If you did not take your exam through an ATO, your results will be sent directly to you via the relevant APMG-International office approximately 7-14 days after the date of your exam.

When will I receive my certificate?

Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from their APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.

What are the pass marks for the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations?

Pass marks for the ISO/IEC 20000 examinations are as follows:

Foundation: You will need to score 26/40 (65%) to pass the foundation exam.
Practitioner: You will need to score 40/80 (50%) to pass the practitioner exam.
Auditor: You will need to score 26/40 (65%) to pass the Auditor exam.

What pass mark is required to be eligible to become an ISO/IEC 20000 trainer?

The requirements are as follows:
ISO/IEC 20000 Practitioner not less than 66% (53/80 marks)
ISO/IEC 20000 Auditor not less than 75% (30/40 marks).

Can I use the ISO/IEC 20000 logo?

Only organizations licensed to do so are permitted to use the ISO/IEC 20000 logo. Such organizations include ISO/IEC 20000 ATOs (ACPs) and Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs) certified by itSMF-UK / APMG-International.

How does an organization get formally assessed against ISO/IEC 20000?

Any organization wishing to be formally certified against the scheme will need to be assessed by a Registered Certification Body (RCB). Once the requirements of ISO/IEC 20000 have been satisfied, the RCB will issue a certificate of conformance and the organization will be eligible to use the itSMF ISO/IEC 20000 logo as a sign of their achievement and may also request a listing on our dedicated website, enabling instant verification by visitors. www.isoiec20000certification.com

How many organizations have been assessed against ISO 20000?

Over 600 organizations have been assessed by over 30 registered certification bodies against the standard that itSMF-UK developed.

How does our scheme compare with others on the market?

It is difficult to compare one scheme with another. The itSMF scheme forms the basis of the majority of existing schemes so we believe it provides a very solid foundation which has been proven in practice through a number of certification bodies.

How do I access my digital badge and/or certificate?

You can always access all your electronic certificates and badges via the APMG Candidate Portal. Once you have logged on to the Candidate Portal, click on the ‘Badges and Certificates’ option from the menu bar at the top of screen. From here you should click on the ‘Create Badge/Certificate’ button. This will take you to the Credly platform to create and account and download your badge and certificate.

Step-by-step guidance is available to download from the ‘Badges and Certificates’ area in your Candidate Portal.

Electronic certificates are environmentally friendly, but you can print the certificate yourself at home or work, if required.

If you have any problems with accessing your digital certificate, please contact our Customer Interaction Team - servicedesk@apmg-international.com

Can I earn PMI® PDUs for attending an accredited training course?

It is possible to earn PMI Education PDUs for attending third-party provider training (training courses not offered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner), as long as the training meets the requirements around the skill areas of the PMI Talent Triangle. Please check the PMI website (https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/earn-pdus/education) for further details on how to record your PDUs and what supporting evidence is required.

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