CIS-ITSM vs CIS – Data Foundation Exam Sequence

[mania]

Hi,

I’m planning to take for the CIS-ITSM certification exam. Is it mandatory to complete the CIS – Data Foundation exam before taking CIS-ITSM , or can CIS-ITSM be taken independently?

Are there any prerequisites or restrictions regarding the order of these exams?

Thanks!

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @mania 

CIS-DF is a prerequisite for the 6 mainline certifications. Until June 2026, the first attempt for the CIS-DF exam is free of cost.

Now, regarding CIS-ITSM: you can appear for the CIS-ITSM exam without taking the DF exam only until January 2026. After that, it will be mandatory to first appear for the CIS-DF exam before proceeding with ITIL 6 mainline certifications.

You can take the CIS – ITSM exam first. The Data Foundations prerequisite has been temporarily suspended until Jan 31, 2026.

As per the latest update from ServiceNow on 17th November, the CIS – Discovery Fundamentals (CIS-DF) certification is now mandatory for seven CIS mainline exams. This requirement cannot be ignored.

This means that if you are planning to pursue any of these seven CIS mainline certifications, you must first complete CIS-DF. If you have already passed any of these CIS mainline certifications, you are required to complete CIS-DF by December 2026; otherwise, all related CIS certifications will expire.

• Certified Implementation Specialist - Discovery
• Certified Implementation Specialist - Hardware Asset Management
• Certified Implementation Specialist - IT Service Management
• Certified Implementation Specialist - Security Incidence Response
• Certified Implementation Specialist - Service Mapping
• Certified Implementation Specialist - Software Asset Management
• Certified Implementation Specialist - Vulnerability Response

https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp/en/credentials/why-the-cis-data-foundations-cmdb-and-csdm-exam-a...