How do I start with Fortinet NSE certification?

Start with NSE 1-3 which are free, self-paced online courses covering cybersecurity fundamentals — no exam cost, just complete lessons and pass quizzes. For technical certification, start with NSE 4 (Network Security Professional) which requires passing the FortiGate Administrator exam ($200, proctored at Pearson VUE). NSE 4 is the foundation for all advanced NSE certifications.

Do Fortinet certifications expire?

Yes, effective July 15, 2026, all NSE 1-7 certifications are valid for 2 years from the date requirements are fulfilled. NSE 8 (Expert) is valid for 3 years. Recertification requires passing current exams. Passing a higher-level exam (e.g., NSE 7) renews all lower-level active certifications in the same track.

Does Fortinet offer online proctoring?

Yes, Fortinet NSE 4-7 exams are available through Pearson VUE OnVUE online proctoring or at Pearson VUE test centers. NSE 8 has a hybrid model: the written exam is at Pearson VUE, the practical exam is on-site at Fortinet venues (mandatory for Core module, optional for elective modules through ProctorU).

What are the NSE 4 exam details and cost?

NSE 4 (FortiGate Administrator / FortiOS Administrator) costs $200 as of October 15, 2025 pricing. The exam contains multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. NSE 4 validates skills in FortiGate configuration, firewall policies, VPN, routing, and Security Fabric integration. It is the most common Fortinet certification held by network security professionals.

How much do Fortinet NSE exams cost in 2026?

As of October 15, 2025, NSE 4-7 exams are $200 each. NSE 8 Written exam is $400. NSE 1-3 are free (self-paced online). Exam vouchers can be purchased through the Fortinet Training Institute Help Desk or at Pearson VUE. FTE4 vouchers can be exchanged for two $200 vouchers.

What is the NSE certification restructure in July 2026?

Effective July 15, 2026, the NSE program transitions from 5 levels (NSE 4-8) to 8 levels (NSE 1-8) with solution tracks. Each level now requires passing one exam. FCP and FCSS certifications will be replaced by NSE 5-7 certifications aligned to tracks: Secure Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, and Security Operations. Industry certifications (e.g., OT Security) are also introduced.

What is the retake policy for Fortinet exams?

Candidates must wait 15 calendar days between unsuccessful exam attempts. There is no limit on the number of retakes, but each attempt requires a new exam voucher or full payment. Rescheduling/cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the appointment through your Pearson VUE account.

Fortinet

50 exams available

Fortinet is one of the largest cybersecurity vendors globally with over 700,000 customers and the most deployed network security appliances worldwide. The NSE (Network Security Expert) certification program is being restructured effective July 15, 2026 to 8 levels (NSE 1-8) across solution tracks including Secure Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, and Security Operations. Fortinet certified professionals are critical for organizations deploying the Fortinet Security Fabric, making NSE credentials among the most valuable in network security.

Common roles

Network Security EngineerSOC AnalystSecurity ArchitectFortiGate AdministratorCloud Security EngineerOT Security Specialist

Certification tiers

Fundamentals

NSE 1NSE 2

Professional

NSE 4

Analyst

NSE 5 (Secure Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, Security Operations)

Specialist

NSE 6 (Secure Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, Security Operations)

Architect

NSE 7 (Secure Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, Security Operations)

Expert

NSE 8

FCP_FAZ_AD-7.4

FCP - FortiAnalyzer 7.4 Administrator

Exam	Name	Level	PDF questions	Free samples
FCP_FAZ_AD-7.4	FCP - FortiAnalyzer 7.4 Administrator	NSE 5	39	free samples
FCP_FCT_AD-7.2	FCP - Forti Client EMS 7.2 Administrator	NSE 5	26	free samples
FCP_FGT_AD-7.4	FCP - FortiGate 7.4 Administrator	NSE 4	51	free samples
FCP_FGT_AD-7.6	FCP - FortiGate 7.6 Administrator	NSE 4	43	free samples
FCP_FMG_AD-7.4	FCP - FortiManager 7.4 Administrator	NSE 5	35	free samples
FCP_FMG_AD-7.6	FCP - FortiManager 7.6 Administrator	NSE 5	28	free samples
FCP_FWB_AD-7.4	FCP - FortiWeb 7.4 Administrator	NSE 5	24	free samples
FCP_WCS_AD-7.4	FCP - AWS Cloud Security 7.4 Administrator	NSE 5	27	free samples
FCP_ZCS-AD-7.4	FCP - Azure Cloud Security 7.4 Administrator	NSE 5	36	free samples
FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4	FCSS - Enterprise Firewall 7.4 Administrator	NSE 7	26	free samples
FCSS_SASE_AD-23	FCSS - FortiSASE 23 Administrator	NSE 6	32	free samples
FCSS_SASE_AD-24	FCSS - FortiSASE 24 Administrator	NSE 6	20	—
FCSS_SASE_AD-25	FCSS - FortiSASE 25 Administrator	NSE 6	24	free samples
FCSS_SDW_AR-7.4	FCSS - SD-WAN 7.4 Architect	NSE 7	22	free samples
NSE4_FGT-6.0	Fortinet NSE4 - FortiOS 6.0	NSE 4	88	—
NSE4_FGT-6.2	Fortinet NSE4 - FortiOS 6.2	NSE 4	81	—
NSE4_FGT-6.4	Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 6.4	NSE 4	77	free samples
NSE4_FGT-7.0	Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.0	NSE 4	66	free samples
NSE4_FGT-7.2	Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.2	NSE 4	65	free samples
NSE4-5.4	Fortinet Network Security Expert - FortiOS 5.4	NSE 4	46	—
NSE5_EDR-5.0	Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiEDR 5.0	NSE 5	32	free samples
NSE5_FAZ-5.4	FortiAnalyzer 5.4 Specialist	NSE 5	21	—
NSE5_FAZ-6.0	Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer 6.0	NSE 5	21	—
NSE5_FAZ-6.2	Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer 6.2	NSE 5	34	free samples
NSE5_FAZ-7.0	Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer 7.0	NSE 5	29	free samples
NSE5_FAZ-7.2	FortiAnalyzer 7.2 Analyst	NSE 5	36	free samples
NSE5_FCT-7.0	NSE 5 - FortiClient EMS 7.0	NSE 5	27	free samples
NSE5_FMG-6.0	Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiManager 6.0	NSE 5	21	—
NSE5_FMG-7.2	Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiManager 7.2	NSE 5	34	free samples
NSE5_FSM-5.2	NSE 5 - FortiSIEM 5.2	NSE 5	20	—
NSE6_FAC-6.1	Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiAuthenticator 6.1	NSE 6	29	—
NSE6_FAC-6.4	Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiAuthenticator 6.4	NSE 6	29	free samples
NSE6_FNC-8.5	Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiNAC 8.5	NSE 6	28	free samples
NSE6_FSW-7.2	Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiSwitch 7.2	NSE 6	31	free samples
NSE6_FWB-5.6.0	FortiWeb 5.6.0 Specialist	NSE 6	28	—
NSE6_FWB-6.1	Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiWeb 6.1	NSE 6	22	—
NSE6_FWF-6.4	Fortinet NSE 6 - Secure Wireless LAN 6.4	NSE 6	25	free samples
NSE7	NSE7 Enterprise Firewall - FortiOS 5.4	NSE 7	40	free samples
NSE7_EFW-7.0	NSE 7 - Enterprise Firewall 7.0	NSE 7	25	free samples
NSE7_EFW-7.2	Fortinet NSE 7 - Enterprise Firewall 7.2	NSE 7	38	free samples

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