Fortinet NSE 5 in Secure Networking

The NSE 5 in Secure Networking certification validates your ability to deploy, manage, and monitor Fortinet core network security products to secure networks and applications.

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Target Audience

We recommend this certification for cybersecurity professionals who require the expertise needed to deploy, manage, and analyze Fortinet network security devices.

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Program Requirements

To achieve this certification, you must hold the NSE 4 FortiOS certification and pass one of the proctored NSE 5 Secure Networking exams within 2 years, while the NSE 4 certification is active.

The awarded NSE 5 certification will be active for 2 years from the date of the NSE 5 Secure Networking exam.

Click the exam name for more details.

Certification	Exam	Instructor Led training
	NSE 5 Exam	FortiSwitch Administrator Secure Wireless LAN Administrator SD-WAN Core Administrator

*The exam will be available in Q3 2026.

We recommend taking the associated NSE courses to prepare for the certification exam.

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Digital Badges

You will receive digital badges in the following circumstances:

• Exam badge: You receive an exam badge each time you pass any version of an exam.
• Certification badge: You receive a certification badge once you achieve the requirements for the NSE 5 in Secure Networking certification.

For more information, see the following knowledge base article in the Fortinet Training Institute Helpdesk..

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Recertification

To renew your NSE 5 in Secure Networking certification, complete one of the following:

• If your NSE 5 in Secure Networking certification has expired, you must hold an active NSE 4 FortiOS certification and pass one of the proctored NSE 5 in Secure Networking exams within 2 years to renew your certification.
• While your NSE 5 in Secure Networking and your NSE 4 in FortiOS certifications are still active, you can extend the expiration date by 2 years from the date you complete one of the following requirements:
  • Pass an NSE 5 exam from the Secure Networking certification track before the expiration date.
  • Complete the online NSE 5 recertification assessment if:
    • The certification assessment is available for the latest version
    • You passed the proctored exam for a previous version
    • The previous exam was taken within the last 2 years
  • Achieve or renew the NSE 7 certification in the Secure Networking track.
  • If you are NSE 7 in Secure Networking certified, pass any NSE 8 practical exam.

Passing the NSE 5 Secure Networking exam recertifies your NSE 1, NSE 2, and NSE 3 certifications if they are still active.

Important: Renewing an NSE 5 certification requires an active NSE 4 certification. If any of the actions above are completed without an active NSE 4 certification, the NSE 5 certification is not issued until you have an active NSE 4 certification. In this scenario, the NSE 4 certification must be issued within 2 years of the NSE 5 exam. The NSE 5 certification will be issued on the same date as the NSE 4 certification.

For more information, see the following knowledge base article in the Fortinet Training Institute Helpdesk.

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About NSE Certification Exams

• Availability: Exams are available worldwide at: Pearson VUE test centers and OnVUE
• Scoring method: Answers must be 100% correct to receive credit. No partial credit is awarded, and there are no deductions for incorrect answers.
• Type of questions: Exams include multiple choice and drag-and-drop questions.
• Exam retakes: You must wait 15 days before retaking a failed exam. You cannot retake an exam you have already passed.
• Digital badges: Your Fortinet Training Institute account is updated within 5 business days after you pass an exam.
• Certification renewal: Once an exam has been counted toward certification, it cannot be used again to renew the same certification.

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How to enroll in Fortinet NSE training?

The NSE program offers flexible delivery options:

• On-site training
• Instructor-led training
• Virtual instructor-led training
• Self-paced training with facilitated labs

To enroll in an on-site or virtual instructor-led training, contact our customer services team:

koulutus@insoftservices.fi