Fortinet has restored the NSE 1-8 levels to help you achieve the certifications. As we introduced, Fortinet now uses both the NSE certification levels and the Fortinet Certification Framework, as the table shown:

New Framework	NSE Mapping
FCF	NSE 1–2
FCA	NSE 3
FCP	NSE 4–5
FCSS	NSE 6–7
FCX	NSE 8

From the table, you can find that the Fortinet certification framework hierarchy consists of five levels:

• FCF – Fortinet Certified Fundamentals
• FCA – Fortinet Certified Associate
• FCP – Fortinet Certified Professional
• FCSS – Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist
• FCX – Fortinet Certified Expert

Each level represents a distinct competency boundary, aligned with real-world job roles and enterprise requirements.

FCF – Fortinet Certified Fundamentals

The FCF is an entry-level certification focused on cybersecurity awareness, not hands-on engineering. It builds a shared security language across technical and non-technical roles. Currently, the FCF in Cybersecurity certification is available to confirm that you have:

• Basic technical knowledge for entry-level cybersecurity roles
• An understanding of:
  • Common cyber threats
  • Why cybersecurity matters
  • Core security concepts used in modern organizations

It is meant as a foundation for people starting a cybersecurity career or needing cybersecurity awareness.

Requirements:

To obtain the FCF in Cybersecurity certification, you must pass two exams:

• NSE 1 exam (Introduction to the Threat Landscape)
• NSE 1 exam (Getting Started in Cybersecurity) or NSE 2 exam (Technical Introduction to Cybersecurity)

FCA – Fortinet Certified Associate

The FCA marks the transition from security awareness to technical comprehension. It confirms that the candidate understands how security technologies work, even if they are not yet full engineers. You must pass the NSE 3 FortiGate Operator exam successfully to earn this FCA in Cybersecurity certification, then you can:

• Understand the roles of Fortinet’s core products (FortiGate, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager)
• Grasp essential security concepts (firewall policies, NAT, VPN, authentication)
• Read and interpret basic network and security diagrams
• Support security operations at a foundational level

FCP – Fortinet Certified Professional

The FCP is the most important and widely recognized Fortinet certification level. It validates whether a professional can operate Fortinet solutions in real production environments. Currently, there are four certifications below FCP:

• FCP in Security Operations
• FCP in Cloud Security
• FCP in SASE
• FCP in Secure Networking

FCP in Security Operations

The FCP in Security Operations is a professional-level certification focused on day-to-day security operations using Fortinet products. It proves that you can secure networks and applications in production environments by:

• Deploying Fortinet security solutions
• Managing and monitoring security operations devices
• Performing daily operational tasks related to security operations

It is highly recommended for cybersecurity professionals who need hands-on expertise to:

• Deploy security solutions
• Manage security operations platforms
• Analyze security data and events

To earn this certification, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 4 exam: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator (NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6)

2️⃣ One NSE 5 exam: Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiAnalyzer Analyst (FCP_FAZ_AN-7.6) OR Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiSandbox Administrator (FCP_FSA_AD-5.0)

FCP in Cloud Security

The FCP in Cloud Security is a professional-level certification focused on securing applications and workloads in public and private cloud environments using Fortinet technologies. It validates your ability to:

• Secure public and private cloud applications
• Deploy, manage, and monitor Fortinet application security products
• Perform day-to-day operational tasks related to:
  • Cloud-based security devices
  • Virtual machines (VMs)
  • Application security platforms

It is designed for cybersecurity professionals who need hands-on expertise to:

• Deploy Fortinet security solutions in cloud environments
• Manage and monitor cloud-based security devices and VMs
• Analyze security events related to cloud and application security

To complete this certification, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 4 exam: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator (NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6)

2️⃣ One NSE 5 exam: Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiWeb Administrator (FCP_FWB_AD-7.4)

FCP in SASE

The FCP in SASE is a professional-level certification focused on secure Internet and SaaS access using Fortinet SASE solutions, with an emphasis on design, deployment, and management. It validates your ability to:

• Secure Internet and SaaS access for users and devices
• Design, deploy, and manage Fortinet SASE architectures
• Operate small- to medium-sized SASE infrastructures
• Apply Zero Trust principles to modern, distributed workforces

As one of the FCP certifications, it is designed for cybersecurity professionals who need hands-on expertise to:

• Design and manage SASE architectures
• Support and operate Fortinet SASE platforms
• Analyze traffic and security posture across distributed users

To earn this certification, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 4 exam: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator (NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6)

2️⃣ One NSE 5 exam: Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiSASE and SD-WAN Core Administrator (NSE5_SSE_AD-7.6)

FCP in Secure Networking

The FCP in Secure Networking is a professional-level certification focused on securing enterprise networks by deploying, managing, and monitoring Fortinet network security infrastructure. It validates your ability to:

• Secure networks and applications using Fortinet technologies
• Deploy, manage, and monitor Fortinet network security products
• Perform day-to-day operational tasks in enterprise network environments
• Maintain a secure, reliable, and scalable network infrastructure

It is designed for cybersecurity and network professionals who need hands-on expertise to:

• Deploy and manage network security devices
• Monitor and troubleshoot enterprise network environments
• Analyze security and network behavior across wired and wireless infrastructure

To earn this certification, you must pass one NSE 4 exam and one NSE 5 exam within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 4 exam: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator (NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6)

2️⃣ One NSE 5 exam: (Choose one of the following exams)

1. Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiManager Administrator (FCP_FMG_AD-7.6)
2. Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiNAC Administrator (NSE5_FNC_AD_7.6)
3. Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiSwitch Administrator (NSE5_FSW_AD-7.6)
4. Fortinet NSE 5 – Secure Wireless LAN Administrator (FCP_FWF_AD-7.4)

FCSS – Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist

The FCSS certification moves beyond device management and focuses on solution-level thinking. An FCSS-level professional can:

• Design end-to-end security architectures
• Integrate multiple Fortinet technologies (Firewall, SASE, ZTNA, Cloud Security, SOC)
• Support large-scale and complex enterprise environments
• Optimize performance, scalability, and availability
• Align security architecture with business objectives

This level emphasizes design, integration, and optimization.

The same, there are FCSS certifications available currently:

• FCSS in Security Operations
• FCSS in Cloud Security
• FCSS in SASE
• FCSS in Secure Networking

FCSS in Security Operations

The FCSS in Security Operations is an advanced, solution-specialist–level certification focused on designing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise-grade Security Operations (SecOps) platforms using Fortinet technologies. It validates your ability to:

• Design Security Operations architectures
• Administer and manage advanced SecOps platforms
• Monitor, analyze, and respond to security events
• Troubleshoot complex incidents across integrated Fortinet solutions
• Operate enterprise-scale SOC infrastructures

This certification is available for experienced cybersecurity professionals who are responsible for:

• Designing and managing SOC platforms
• Supporting and operating advanced security operations tools
• Analyzing and correlating large volumes of security data
• Improving detection, response, and automation capabilities

To earn this certification, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 6 exam (choose ONE):

1. Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiSIEM Analyst (FCP_FSM_AN-7.2)
2. Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiSOAR Administrator (NSE6_FSR-7.3)

2️⃣ One NSE 7 exam: Fortinet NSE 7 – Security Operations Architect (NSE7_SOC_AR-7.6)

FCSS in Cloud Security

The FCSS in Cloud Security is an advanced, solution-specialist–level certification focused on designing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting cloud security solutions for enterprise public and private cloud environments using Fortinet technologies. It validates your ability to:

• Secure public and private cloud applications
• Design cloud security architectures
• Administer and monitor Fortinet cloud security platforms
• Troubleshoot complex cloud security issues
• Protect enterprise-scale cloud infrastructures using advanced Fortinet solutions

It is great for experienced cybersecurity professionals who need advanced expertise to:

• Design and manage cloud security architectures
• Support and operate enterprise cloud security platforms
• Analyze and troubleshoot advanced cloud security threats

To earn the FCSS in Cloud Security, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 6 exam: Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiMail Administrator (FCP_FML_AD-7.4)

2️⃣ One NSE 7 exam: Fortinet NSE 7 – Public Cloud Security Architect (NSE7_CDS_AR-7.6)

FCSS in SASE

The FCSS in SASE certification focused on designing, deploying, and managing enterprise-grade Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architectures using Fortinet solutions. It validates your ability to:

• Secure applications and enterprise networks across:
  • Multiple branches
  • Distributed users
  • Different geographic regions
• Design and operate advanced Fortinet SASE architectures
• Integrate SD-WAN, Zero Trust access, endpoint security, and cloud-delivered security
• Manage and troubleshoot large-scale SASE infrastructures

This specialist-level certification is designed for experienced cybersecurity professionals who need advanced expertise to:

• Design and manage SASE architectures
• Support and operate Fortinet SASE platforms at scale
• Analyze security posture across distributed networks and users

To earn the FCSS in SASE certification, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 6 exam (choose ONE):

• Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiClient EMS Administrator (FCP_FCT_AD-7.4)
• Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiEDR Administrator (NSE5_EDR-5.0)
• Fortinet NSE 6 – SD-WAN Enterprise Administrator (NSE5_SSE_AD-7.6)

2️⃣ One NSE 7 exam: Fortinet NSE 7 – FortiSASE Enterprise Administrator (NSE5_SSE_AD-7.6)

FCSS in Secure Networking

Also, an advanced, solution-specialist–level certification, the FCSS in Secure Networking certification focused on designing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise network security infrastructures using advanced Fortinet technologies. It validates your ability to:

• Design secure enterprise network architectures
• Administer and monitor Fortinet network security platforms
• Troubleshoot complex network security issues
• Secure campus, data center, branch, and OT networks
• Operate large-scale, high-availability firewall and network security infrastructures

It is designed for the experienced cybersecurity and network professionals who require advanced expertise to:

• Design and manage enterprise network security solutions
• Support and analyze complex Fortinet network environments
• Handle advanced troubleshooting and optimization tasks

To earn the FCSS in Secure Networking, you must pass two exams within two years:

1️⃣ One NSE 6 exam (choose ONE):

• Fortinet NSE 6 – LAN Edge Architect (FCSS_LED_AR-7.6)
• Fortinet NSE 6 – Network Security Support Engineer (FCSS_NST_SE-7.6)
• Fortinet NSE 6 – OT Security (NSE7_OTS-7.2.0)

2️⃣ One NSE 7 exam: Fortinet NSE 7 – Enterprise Firewall Administrator (FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6)

Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX)

The FCX is Fortinet’s highest certification, reserved for top-tier experts. It does not test feature knowledge alone. Instead, it evaluates strategic thinking, architectural mastery, and problem-solving under extreme complexity. As an FCX-certified expert, you can:

• Design global, multi-datacenter security architectures
• Implement high availability and disaster recovery strategies
• Diagnose and resolve complex, multi-layer failures
• Optimize large-scale networks for performance and security
• Provide strategic security leadership and governance

Fortinet recommends FCX for experienced networking and security experts who:

• Already work extensively with Fortinet solutions
• Have experience with complex, multi-layer network environments
• Can analyze and solve advanced security problems
• Are comfortable designing and troubleshooting under pressure

To earn this FCX certification, you must pass one written exam and one practical exam.

FCX Written Exam: NSE 8 – Network Security Expert 8 Written Exam

This written exam tests your expert-level design knowledge, troubleshooting logic, and Fortinet solution understanding. It is highly recommended to register for the NSE8_813 exam, since the NSE8_812 exam is retiring on December 31, 2025.

FCX Practical Exam: NSE 8 – Network Security Expert 8 Practical Exam

This practical exam validates your ability to build, configure, validate, and troubleshoot a complete Fortinet-based network security topology. You need to complete the NSE8_870 exam after passing the written exam.

By the way, in April 2026, Fortinet will release the fourth generation of the NSE 8 (FCX) certification exams. Then you can check the newest FCX exams for your certification.

Understand all the details about the Fortinet certifications and exams. Then you can choose the right Fortinet exams.