Fortinet’s New Certification Program — Starting July 15, 2026
Starting on July 15, 2026, Fortinet will change its certification program.
Apparently, Fortinet finally realized its mistake and decided to bring back the old system 😁
Fortinet will stop issuing new certifications under the current names:
FCF → FCA → FCP → FCSS → FCX
The program will return to the traditional structure:
NSE 1 → NSE 2 → NSE 3 → NSE 4 → NSE 5 → NSE 6 → NSE 7 → NSE 8
However, the new system will be slightly different from the previous NSE program because Fortinet has made major changes to:
- The requirements for earning each certification level.
- The relationship between the different levels. For example, you cannot be awarded an NSE 5 certification without holding an active NSE 4 certification.
- The available certification tracks and specializations.
- The certification renewal process.
- The prices of some certification exams.
Certification Details Under the New System
NSE 1, NSE 2, and NSE 3
These three certifications are completed online through the Fortinet Training Institute.
There is no Pearson VUE proctored exam for these levels.
- NSE 1: Complete the required online course.
- NSE 2: Complete the required online course.
- NSE 3: Complete the required online course and pass the online exam.
NSE 4
NSE 4 is the first level that requires a proctored certification exam.
The exam is:
NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS 7.6 Administrator
You do not need to complete NSE 1, NSE 2, or NSE 3 before taking the NSE 4 exam.
NSE 5
To be awarded an NSE 5 certification, you must hold an active NSE 4 certification.
Technically, you can take an NSE 5 exam before completing NSE 4, but the NSE 5 certification will not be issued until you meet the NSE 4 requirement.
After completing NSE 4, you can choose from four NSE 5 certification tracks.
You need to pass one exam from the required track, in addition to holding NSE 4, to earn the corresponding NSE 5 certification.
NSE 5 Secure Networking
Available exams:
- FortiSwitch Administrator
- SD-WAN Core Administrator
- Secure Wireless LAN Administrator
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 5 in Secure Networking
NSE 5 SASE
There is currently one exam:
- SASE and SD-WAN Core Administrator
Complete:
NSE 4 + SASE and SD-WAN Core Administrator
You will earn:
NSE 5 in SASE
NSE 5 Cloud Security
Available exams:
- FortiAppSec Administrator¹
- FortiADC Administrator¹
- FortiWeb Administrator
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 5 in Cloud Security
Note: Exams marked with ¹ are planned to be added during the third quarter of 2026.
NSE 5 Security Operations
There is currently one exam:
- FortiAnalyzer Analyst
Complete:
NSE 4 + FortiAnalyzer Analyst
You will earn:
NSE 5 in Security Operations
NSE 6
To be awarded an NSE 6 certification, you must hold an active NSE 4 certification.
Important: You can earn NSE 6 without earning NSE 5 first.
After completing NSE 4, you can choose from four NSE 6 certification tracks.
You need to pass one exam from the required track, in addition to holding NSE 4, to earn the corresponding NSE 6 certification.
NSE 6 Secure Networking
Available exams:
- FortiAnalyzer Administrator¹
- FortiManager Administrator
- FortiNAC Administrator
- FortiVoice Administrator¹
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 6 in Secure Networking
NSE 6 SASE
Available exams:
- FortiClient EMS Administrator
- FortiDLP Administrator
- FortiEDR Administrator
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 6 in SASE
NSE 6 Cloud Security
Available exams:
- FortiCNAPP Analyst
- FortiDDoS Administrator¹
- FortiMail Administrator
- FortiMail Workspace Administrator
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 6 in Cloud Security
NSE 6 Security Operations
Available exams:
- FortiDeceptor Administrator¹
- FortiNDR Cloud Analyst
- FortiRecon Analyst
- FortiSIEM Analyst
- FortiSOAR Analyst
Complete:
NSE 4 + one of these exams
You will earn:
NSE 6 in Security Operations
NSE 7
To earn an NSE 7 certification, you must have:
- An active NSE 4 certification.
- An active NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification in the same track.
- The corresponding NSE 7 Architect exam.
You only need NSE 5 or NSE 6. You are not required to hold both.
NSE 7 Secure Networking
To earn:
NSE 7 in Secure Networking
You need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6 in Secure Networking
- Secure Networking Architect¹
NSE 7 SASE
To earn:
NSE 7 in SASE
You need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6 in SASE
- SASE Architect¹
NSE 7 Cloud Security
To earn:
NSE 7 in Cloud Security
You need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6 in Cloud Security
- Public Cloud Security Architect
NSE 7 Security Operations
To earn:
NSE 7 in Security Operations
You need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6 in Security Operations
- Security Operations Architect
Industry Certifications
Fortinet is also introducing a separate category called Industry Certifications.
These are industry-focused certifications outside the standard NSE 1–8 progression.
There are currently two specializations:
- MSSP Security
- OT Security
MSSP Security
To earn the MSSP Security Industry Certification, you need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6
- NSE 7 in the same track as your NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification
- The MSSP Security exam
After completing these requirements, you will earn the:
MSSP Security Industry Certification
OT Security
To earn the OT Security Industry Certification, you need:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 or NSE 6
- NSE 7 in the same track as your NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification
- The OT Security exam
After completing these requirements, you will earn the:
OT Security Industry Certification
What Happens If You Already Hold an Older Fortinet Certification?
This is probably the most important question.
If your current certification is active on July 15, 2026, Fortinet will issue the corresponding certification or certifications under the new NSE program.
FCF
If you hold an active FCF certification, you will receive:
- NSE 1
- NSE 2
FCA
If you hold an active FCA certification, you will receive:
- NSE 3
FCP
If you hold an active FCP certification, you will receive:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5 and/or NSE 6, depending on the exams you previously passed and how those exams map to the new certification tracks.
You may receive NSE 5, NSE 6, or both.
FCSS
If you hold an active FCSS certification, you may receive:
- NSE 6
- NSE 7
- Or both, depending on the exams you previously passed and how those exams map to the new system.
Fortinet will not simply rename every FCP or FCSS certification into one fixed new certification.
Instead, Fortinet will review the historical exams associated with your active FCP or FCSS certification and map each qualifying exam to its corresponding new NSE level and track.
Transition Example 1
You currently hold:
FCP in Secure Networking
You previously passed:
- FortiGate Administrator
- FortiSwitch Administrator
You will receive:
- NSE 4, based on FortiGate Administrator.
- NSE 5 in Secure Networking, based on FortiSwitch Administrator.
Transition Example 2
You currently hold:
FCP in Secure Networking
You previously passed:
- FortiGate Administrator
- FortiManager Administrator
You will receive:
- NSE 4
- NSE 6 in Secure Networking
This is because FortiManager Administrator will become part of NSE 6 instead of NSE 5 under the new certification program.
Transition Example 3
You currently hold:
FCSS in Secure Networking
You previously passed:
- Network Security Support Engineer
- Enterprise Firewall Administrator
You will receive:
- NSE 6 in Secure Networking, based on Network Security Support Engineer.
- NSE 7 in Secure Networking, based on Enterprise Firewall Administrator.
Certification Renewal Under the New System
Fortinet is introducing a new renewal option called a:
Recertification Assessment
A Recertification Assessment is an alternative to retaking the full proctored certification exam.
It includes:
- Self-paced online training.
- An online test.
The assessment must be available for the relevant exam, and the original qualifying exam generally must not be more than two years old.
Renewing NSE 4
You can renew NSE 4 by:
- Passing the next version of the NSE 4 FortiOS Administrator exam.
- Completing the NSE 4 Recertification Assessment before the certification expires, provided the assessment is available and you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Earning or renewing any NSE 7 certification.
Renewing NSE 5
You can renew NSE 5 by:
- Passing an NSE 5 exam in the same track.
- Completing an eligible NSE 5 Recertification Assessment in the same track.
- Earning or renewing NSE 7 in the same track.
You must also maintain an active NSE 4 certification.
Renewing NSE 6
You can renew NSE 6 by:
- Passing an NSE 6 exam in the same track.
- Completing an eligible NSE 6 Recertification Assessment in the same track.
- Earning or renewing NSE 7 in the same track.
You must also maintain an active NSE 4 certification.
Renewing NSE 7
You can renew NSE 7 by:
- Passing the next version of the NSE 7 exam in the same track.
- Completing an eligible NSE 7 Recertification Assessment in the same track.
At the time of renewal, you must also hold:
- An active NSE 4 certification.
- An active NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification in the same track.
New Fortinet Exam Prices
From July 15 through November 1, 2026
The following exams will cost:
USD 200 per exam
This applies to:
- NSE 4
- NSE 5
- NSE 6
- NSE 7
- Industry Certification Exams
Starting November 2, 2026
The following exams will cost:
NSE 4, NSE 5, and NSE 6: USD 200 per exam
NSE 7 and Industry Certification Exams: USD 400 per exam
Prices do not include applicable taxes.
Exam Vouchers and Training Materials
If you need a Fortinet exam voucher, training materials, or practice questions based on the official exam objectives, visit: Brave-Dumps.com or WhatsApp +201224560923
Because Fortinet regularly updates its certification requirements, I always recommend checking your Fortinet Training Institute account when your certification approaches expiration.
You can also contact Fortinet EMEAR Training at:
Ask them which renewal option applies to your current certifications, and they should provide the exact requirements based on your certification history.