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.
Target Audience
We recommend this certification for cybersecurity professionals who require the expertise needed to deploy, manage, and analyze Fortinet network security devices.
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.
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..
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.
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.
How to enroll in Fortinet NSE 4 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 enrol in an on-site or virtual instructor-led training, contact our customer services team:
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Denmark
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Netherlands
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