Based on the upcoming requirements and recertification rules that will be introduced on July 15th, 2026, here are some examples of how they will work:
Case 1: Passing the NSE 4 and an NSE 5 exams in sequence
- Passed the NSE 4 exam on October 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 4 certification with an expiration date on October 1st, 2028.
- Passed the NSE 5 SASE exam on December 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 5 SASE certification with an expiration date on December 1st, 2028.
Case 2: Passing an NSE 5 exam before the NSE 4 exam
- Passed the NSE 5 SASE exam on October 1st, 2026. No certification awarded.
- Passed the NSE 4 exam on December 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 4 and NSE 5 SASE certifications, both with an expiration date on December 1st, 2028.
Case 3: Passing the NSE 7 exam before the NSE 4 and/or an NSE 5 exam
- Passed NSE 7 SASE exam on September 1st, 2026, no certification awarded.
- Passed the NSE 4 exam on October 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 4 certification with an expiration date on October 1st, 2028.
- Passed the NSE 5 SASE exam on December 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 5 SASE and NSE 7 SASE certifications, both with an expiration date on December 1st, 2028. Additionally, the NSE 4 certification is renewed until December 1st, 2028.
Case 4: Passing an NSE 7 exam, then an NSE 5, and the NSE 4 exam
- Passed NSE 7 SASE exam on September 1st, 2026, no certification awarded.
- Passed the NSE 5 SASE exam on October 1st, 2026. No certification awarded.
- Passed the NSE 4 exam on December 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 4, NSE 5 SASE, and NSE 7 SASE certifications, all with an expiration date on December 1st, 2028.
Case 5: Passing an Industry certification exam before an NSE 7 exam
- Passed the NSE 4 exam on October 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 4 certification with an expiration date on October 1st, 2028.
- Passed the NSE 5 SASE exam on November 1st, 2026. Awarded the NSE 5 SASE certification with an expiration date on November 1st, 2028.
- Passed the OT Security Industry exam on December 1st, 2026. No certification awarded.
- Passed the NSE 7 SASE exam on December 15th, 2028. Awarded the NSE 7 SASE and OT Security Industry certifications, both with an expiration date on December 15th, 2028. Additionally, the NSE 4 and NSE 5 SASE certifications were renewed until December 15th, 2028.
Case 6: Recertifying active certifications with an NSE 7 exam
- You have the following certifications with the following expiration dates
- NSE 4 – expiration date: 23 July 2027
- NSE 5 Secure Networking – expiration date: 15 September 2027
- NSE 7 Secure Networking – expiration date: 10 November 2027
- You passed the NSE 7 Secure Networking Architect exam on July 10th, 2027.
- Your NSE 7 in Secure Networking is renewed as your NSE 4 and NSE 5 in Secure Networking certifications were active when you passed the NSE 7 in Secure Networking exam.
- Your NSE 4 and NSE 5 in Secure Networking certifications are also automatically renewed.
- The new expiration dates for your NSE 4, NSE 5 in Secure Networking, and NSE 7 in Secure Networking are July 10th, 2029.
Case 7: Recertifying an NSE 7 certification without all the prerequisites
- You have the following certifications with the following expiration dates
- NSE 4 – expiration date: 23 July 2027
- NSE 7 Secure Networking – expiration date: 10 December 2027
- You passed the NSE 7 Secure Networking Architect exam on November 1st, 2027.
- Your NSE 7 has not been renewed yet, as your NSE 4 has expired, and you do not have an NSE 5 (or NSE 6) in the Secure Networking certification. You will need to achieve the NSE 4 and NSE 5 (or NSE 6) in Secure Networking certifications before November 1st, 2029.
- You passed the NSE 4 FortiOS exam on November 15, 2027. You will be awarded the NSE 4 certification with an expiration date of November 15th, 2029. You passed the NSE 5 FortiSwitch exam on December 1st, 2027. You will be awarded the NSE 7 in Secure Networking and NSE 5 in Secure Networking certifications with an expiration date of December 1st, 2029.
- Your NSE 4 certification is automatically renewed. The new expiration date for your NSE 4 certification is December 1st, 2029.
Case 8: Recertifying an NSE 7 certification without all the prerequisites
- You have the following certifications with the following expiration dates
- NSE 7 in Secure Networking – expiration date: 10 December 2027
- You passed the NSE 7 Secure Networking Architect exam on November 1st, 2027.
- Your NSE 7 has not been renewed yet because you do not have NSE 4 and NSE 5 (or NSE 6) certifications in Secure Networking. You will need to achieve the NSE 4 and NSE 5 (or NSE 6) in Secure Networking certifications before November 1st, 2029.
- You passed the NSE 4 FortiOS exam on November 15, 2027. You will be awarded the NSE 4 certification with an expiration date of November 15th, 2029.
- You passed the NSE 5 FortiSwitch exam on December 1st, 2027. You will be awarded the NSE 7 in Secure Networking and NSE 5 in Secure Networking certifications with an expiration date of December 1st, 2029.
- Your NSE 4 certification is automatically renewed. The new expiration date for your NSE 4 certification is December 1st, 2029.
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