On July 15, 2026, Fortinet replaced FCF, FCA, FCP, FCSS and FCX with an eight-level NSE program. Tracks, the NSE 4 exam and recertification.
In 2026, the Fortinet certification program changed once again: since July 15, 2026, the FCF, FCA, FCP, FCSS and FCX designations have given way to an NSE program organized into eight levels, from NSE 1 to NSE 8. Levels NSE 5 to NSE 7 are divided into four tracks (Secure Networking, Security Operations, SASE and Cloud Security), and two industry certifications, OT Security and MSSP Security, complete the lineup. Here is how to read this new structure and choose your path.
For a long time, network professionals referred to "NSE 4" or "NSE 7" to describe their Fortinet level. This first NSE 1 to 8 program was later replaced by a five-level structure with English names: Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF), Fortinet Certified Associate (FCA), Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP), Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist (FCSS) and Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX).
The Fortinet Training Institute announced a new overhaul effective July 15, 2026. The number of levels increases from five to eight, NSE numbering returns, and the five FCx designations disappear. So if you read a job posting or course material today that still mentions "FCP FortiGate", it refers to the old scheme.
This change has several practical consequences:
The new scale runs from the most general to the most specialized:
Alongside this scale, Fortinet introduces so-called "Industry" certifications: OT Security, for industrial environments, and MSSP Security, for managed security service providers.
NSE 4 is the foundation of the technical levels. According to the rules published by Fortinet, it has no prerequisites, whereas NSE 5 requires an active NSE 4, and NSE 7 requires an active NSE 4 plus an active NSE 5 or NSE 6 in the same track. A higher-level exam passed before NSE 4 therefore does not yet grant a certification: it becomes active once the foundation is obtained.
The associated exam is titled "Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.6 Administrator". According to the Training Institute's exam page:
Fortinet recommends one to two years of networking experience and at least six months of hands-on FortiGate practice before taking it. For an administrator who already manages a FortiGate day to day, this is the first exam to aim for.
From NSE 5 onward, you choose a direction. Each NSE 5, NSE 6 and NSE 7 level exists in four tracks:
The industry certifications are added to these tracks. The examples published by Fortinet indicate that they build on an already advanced NSE path; if you are targeting OT, plan on completing the corresponding technical track first.
The right choice depends less on the title than on your current role and the one you are aiming for in two or three years. A few pointers:
If you are weighing several vendors, our article on the cybersecurity certification roadmap for 2026 provides an overview, and our Palo Alto Networks certification guide details the equivalent at another firewall vendor.
If you held an active certification on July 15, 2026, Fortinet planned an automatic conversion, with no new exam. The published mapping is as follows:
The issue and expiration dates of the original certification are retained. However, a certification that has already expired is not converted. Additional certifications may be granted based on exams passed after July 15, 2024.
According to the Training Institute's recertification policy, NSE 1 to 8 certifications and industry certifications expire two years after their issue date. Renewal must take place before the deadline; an expired certification requires you to meet all the initial requirements again.
For levels NSE 1 to 7, you can renew by passing a recertification assessment where one exists or by passing a higher-level exam. Passing a higher exam also renews lower levels that are still active. For NSE 8, an activity points system is introduced. Keep an eye on your dates: an expired NSE 4 blocks the recertification of an NSE 7.
Securevalley Training offers Fortinet certification preparation courses, delivered in Casablanca and Témara or remotely. They combine technical content with hands-on labs on the relevant products:
If your networking basics are still shaky, a preparation course such as CompTIA Network+ can come before NSE 4.
Credentials that were active on July 15, 2026 were converted into NSE certifications with the same expiration dates. On your CV, list the new NSE level you obtained, optionally mentioning the former title for recruiters who are not yet familiar with the overhaul.
No. The published rules state that NSE 4 has no prerequisites. Levels 1 to 3 remain useful for someone new to cybersecurity or for raising awareness among non-technical teams.
It depends on your hands-on FortiGate experience. Fortinet recommends at least six months of experience with the product and one to two years in networking. Instructor-led training with labs, followed by revision across the exam's five domains, is a reasonable basis for preparation.
The FortiOS 7.6 Administrator exam page lists English and Japanese. So plan to work on the technical terminology in English during your preparation.
The July 2026 overhaul does not change the fundamentals: a solid FortiOS foundation, then a specialization aligned with your job. Remember three points: NSE 4 remains the technical entry point, tracks are chosen from NSE 5 onward, and every certification must be renewed every two years. Before registering, check the Fortinet Training Institute website for the current exam version.