What are the NSE 8 certification requirements and prerequisites?

As of 2026, the NSE 8 Certification consists of two practical exams:

1. Pass the NSE 8 Core exam
2. Pass one NSE 8 Elective exam within one year of passing the Core exam

You must first pass the core exam before moving on to the elective exam. Passing only the core exam is not a certification. You must pass both practical exams to obtain the NSE 8 certification.

To be eligible to schedule the Core exam, you must have the following certifications active as prerequisites: 

1. NSE 4 certification
2. NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification from any of the four NSE certification tracks
3. NSE 7 certification on the same track as the NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification

The following chart outlines the NSE 8 Certification assessment process:

After you have passed the prerequisites, you can register to take the practical exams. The NSE 8 Core exam will be on-site only after July 15, 2026, at selected Fortinet offices and events. The NSE 8 Elective exams are available both on-site and remotely online through ProctorU. To schedule the NSE 8 core or elective exam module, see How do I schedule my NSE 8 practical exams? 

The NSE8_812 written exam is discontinued as a prerequisite for initial certification and recertification. It does not replace the NSE 4, NSE 5 or NSE 6, and NSE 7 certification prerequisites because it doesn't align with the updated practical exams.

For information about how to renew the NSE 8 certification, see How do I renew my NSE 8 certification after July 15, 2026?

To learn more about this certification, see the NSE 8 certification website