Cybersecurity Certification
NSE Certification Program Prepares Professionals for Critical Cybersecurity Careers
NSE BrochureThe Fortinet NSE Certification Advantage
The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification program has been carefully crafted and researched over several years to address the rapidly evolving threat landscape as well as job-market needs. Our primary objective is to satisfy both current and future requirements, ensuring that the NSE Certification program remains at the forefront of network security expertise.
The certification program includes a wide range of self-paced (free) and instructor-led courses, as well as practical, hands-on exercises that demonstrate mastery of complex cybersecurity concepts. Each certification program assesses specific levels of cybersecurity expertise, from foundation to architect.
of organizations prefer to hire candidates with certifications.
of IT decision makers say they have someone on their team with a technology-focused certification.
certifications issued*.
*Last updated 9/2025
NSE Certification Levels
Below is a list of all the NSE certifications along with requirements to achieve your certification. Click on the Learn more links to access the self-paced courses and see detailed information on requirements, prerequisites, recertification, duration of courses and labs, class schedules, and more or download the Quick Reference Guide. For a summary of the recent program updates, click here, or view our FAQs.
| Certification Levels | Exam Levels | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
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NSE 8 | The FCX in Cybersecurity certification validates your comprehensive and expert knowledge of network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting for complex networks. To attempt both the written and practical exams, candidates must have related industry experience. It is recommended that candidates complete the appropriate Professional and Solution Specialist certification training and have extensive experience with Fortinet products in a production environment. | You must pass both the NSE 8 written exam and NSE 8 practical exam. |
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NSE 6 and NSE 7 | The FCSS in Secure Networking certification validates your ability to design, administer, monitor, and troubleshoot Fortinet network security solutions. The certification exams cover network security infrastructures using advanced Fortinet solutions. | You must pass one NSE 6 exam and one NSE 7 exam. |
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NSE 6 and NSE 7 | The FCSS in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certification validates your ability to design, administer, monitor, and troubleshoot Fortinet SASE solutions. The certification exams cover SASE infrastructures using advanced Fortinet solutions. |
You must pass one NSE 6 exam and one NSE 7 exam. |
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NSE 6 and NSE 7 | The FCSS in Cloud Security certification validates your ability to secure public and private cloud applications by designing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet application security solutions. The certification exams cover enterprise cloud infrastructures using advanced Fortinet solutions. | You must pass one NSE 6 exam and one NSE 7 exam. |
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NSE 6 and NSE 7 | The FCSS in Security Operations certification validates your ability to design, administer, monitor, and troubleshoot Fortinet security operations solutions. The certification exams cover security operations infrastructures using advanced Fortinet solutions. | You must pass one NSE 6 exam and one NSE 7 exam. |
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NSE 4 and NSE 5 | The FCP in Secure Networking certification validates your ability to secure networks and applications by deploying, managing, and monitoring Fortinet network security products. The certification exams cover the day-to-day tasks related to Fortinet network security devices. | You must pass the NSE 4 exam and one NSE 5 exam. |
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NSE 4 and NSE 5 | The FCP in SASE certification validates your ability to secure internet and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) access using Fortinet SASE solutions. The certification exams cover the design, deployment, and management of small and medium sized SASE infrastructures. | You must pass the NSE 4 exam and one NSE 5 exam. |
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NSE 4 and NSE 5 | The FCP in Cloud Security certification validates your ability to secure public and private cloud applications by deploying, managing, and monitoring Fortinet application security products. The certification exams cover the day-to-day tasks related to Fortinet application security devices and VMs. | You must pass the NSE 4 exam and one NSE 5 exam. |
Learn More |
NSE 4 and NSE 5 | The FCP in Security Operations certification validates your ability to secure networks and applications by deploying, managing, and monitoring Fortinet security operations products. The certification exams cover the day-to-day tasks related to Fortinet security operations devices. | You must pass the NSE 4 exam and one NSE 5 exam. |
Learn More |
NSE 3 | The FCA in Cybersecurity certification validates your ability to execute high-level operations on a FortiGate device. This curriculum covers the fundamentals of operating the most common FortiGate features. | You must complete the FortiGate Operator course and pass the online NSE 3 exam. |
Learn More |
NSE 1 and NSE 2 | The FCF in Cybersecurity certification validates that you have mastered the technical skills and knowledge that are required for any entry-level job role in cybersecurity. This curriculum will offer courses that cover today’s threat landscape and the fundamentals of cybersecurity. | You must successfully complete the Introduction to the Threat Landscape course and either the Getting Started in Cybersecurity course or the Technical Introduction to Cybersecurity course. |
Training Delivery Options
Live sessions delivered either onsite (in-person), or online (over a virtual classroom application), include standard NSE training content in scheduled public or private classes. Classes are lead by Fortinet trainers or our Authorized Training Centers.
- Private courses also include possibility of content customization depending on customer needs.
- Class length and size will vary depending upon the course.
- Instructor delivers the training content and provides access to interactive labs where students reinforce the knowledge gained with hands-on activities.
Access to NSE pre-recorded lessons, online videos, and digital resources through the Training Institute portal.
- All self-paced courses are open free of charge. Free self-paced course access includes the theoretical lectures of NSE training content.
- On-demand lab access with interactive hands-on activities is available to purchase to enrich the learning experience and reinforce the knowledge gained with pre-recorded, self-paced lessons.
- If on-demand lab access is purchased, the self-paced course page will be enhanced with the lab link and lab guides, and it will be part of the requirements to complete the learning activities within the self-paced course.
Contact the team for customized instructor-led training delivered on private premises, and/or for further information about how to purchase Fortinet Instructor-led Training and on-demand hands-on lab access within the self-paced courses.
Explore Cybersecurity Certifications by Role
Fortinet Education Pathways align NSE training and certification to NICE framework job roles.
Explore certifications for cybersecurity roles in the following:
NSE Certification Resources
ExamsExams for NSE 4-8 are proctored, both online and in person, by Pearson VUE or ProctorU (NSE 8).
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RecertificationAll Fortinet certifications expire two years after being earned except FCX, which is valid for three years.
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Join the CommunityDiscuss courses, certifications, and more on Fuse.
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Program Policies & FAQs |
Credly Certification BadgesLearn more about all our new badges.
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Fortinet NSE Training Qualifies for ISC2 Credit
Fortinet is part of the ISC2 CPE Submitter Program, a Continuing Professional Education credit program. Learners can now earn one credit for every hour of training they do with Fortinet. The credits go towards maintaining the individual’s CISSP credentials.
Valid Fortinet training includes the above mentioned NSE free training and all other courses, fast tracks, webinars or other educational sessions.
Additional benefits are provided to Fortinet-certified individuals wanting to advance their cybersecurity skills.
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Fortinet Certifications Now Count Towards CompTIA Renewals
You can now use your Fortinet NSE certifications to get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) towards renewing the below CompTIA certifications:
Find out moreTraining and Certification Awards
| 2025 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Award Winner for Best Security Awareness Program | 2025 Global InfoSec Award Winner for Best Cybersecurity Training and Security Awareness Training | 2025 Globee Awards Gold Winner Cybersecurity Education and Training | 2025 CS Excellence Cybersecurity Training & Certification Program |
2024 Global InfoSec Award Winner for Best Cybersecurity Training and Security Awareness Training |
The Prestige of NSE 8 Certification
Luke Titmus talks about the challenges of finding people with the right technical skills as cyberattacks are continuing to get more complex.
"Every single level in the Fortinet NSE Certification program is essential, and it all culminates up to level 8, which is the highest level. It gave me a great leg up in my career and has allowed me to take on more advanced projects as I became qualified and experienced in those areas over time."
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Rickard Sellstedt talks about the importance of certification and continuous learning of cybersecurity.
"When an individual is successful at achieving Level 8, it really shows that they know what they’re doing and that they have expert knowledge in network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting for complex networks. What NSE Level 8 also tests is an individual’s proficiency in networking and security in general. You have to bring all your accumulative knowledge to the table when testing for NSE 8."
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Jeff Robbins Talks How to Cultivate the New Generation of Cyber Professionals
"I lead by example, and I wanted to set our engineers apart from others and show a career path. Having the Level 8 certification shows our customers that we have the strongest bench out there. The certification shows that we are all-in. Showing deep technology creds is important to customers when we are talking about such important technology as cybersecurity."
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Sylvia Schlaphof Discusses the Hands-On NSE 8 Exam Environment
"Fortinet has done a great job setting up the exam. It’s really a hands-on exam with real devices, not a simulation. That’s what I loved about it. When I passed, it felt like a big achievement. And, of course, people are impressed. Especially because I was the first woman to accomplish it."
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Mathew Watkinson Outlines the Breadth of Knowledge Required for NSE 8 Certification
"I know a lot of people who are really good at networking... on FortiGate, on the switches, on the wireless, on the authenticator, email, the web – everything comes together in that exam. So, you need to be good at all of it – not just really good at one thing – to be able to get you through an exam."
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Mohammad Al-Zard Reviews the Process of Getting to NSE 8
"I strongly believe the saying “knowledge is power.” It gives me more confidence, and customers have more... At the end, the solution was delivered ahead of schedule and the client was very happy. I attribute this in part to the skills I learned studying for the certification."
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