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Fortinet has announced a transition in its FortiGate administrator certification pathway. The FCP - FortiGate 7.6 Administrator FCP_FGT_AD-7.6 exam will officially be retired on December 31, 2025, and will be replaced by the new Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS 7.6 Administrator NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 exam. This change aligns with Fortinet's evolving certification structure and its focus on a more streamlined, globally recognizable certification framework. For network and security professionals currently preparing for, or planning to pursue, the FCP_FGT_AD-7.6 exam, it's important to understand the differences, timelines, and strategic benefits of transitioning to the new NSE 4 track.
Fortinet is consolidating its certification frameworks to make certification paths clearer and more aligned with job roles. The traditional FCP (Fortinet Certified Professional) level credential is being phased into the updated NSE (Network Security Expert) certification pathway to better reflect practical, security-focused expertise.
The NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 now becomes the core administrator-level certification for professionals managing FortiGate environments in enterprise networks.
Both exams target:
●Network administrators
●Security engineers
●System integrators
●Professionals responsible for deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting FortiGate appliances
The knowledge tested remains practical, real-world, and scenario-based, ensuring certified individuals can confidently operate FortiGate firewall solutions.
While both exams focus on core FortiGate administration, the NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 covers more cloud, logging, and security service integration topics, reflecting modern enterprise environments.
Both exams include:
| Topic Area | Skills Covered |
| Deployment & Configuration | Initial setup, Security Fabric, HA clustering, troubleshooting |
| Firewall Policies & Authentication | Policy management, NAT, authentication methods, FSSO |
| Content Inspection | SSL inspection, Web filtering, Application Control, Antivirus, IPS |
| Routing & SD-WAN | Static routing and SD-WAN deployment |
| VPN | SSL VPN and IPsec VPN deployment |
The updated exam includes:
●Log configuration and troubleshooting using logs
●FortiGate CNF (Cloud-Native Firewall) and FortiGate VM in public cloud
●FortiSASE administration and user onboarding
These additions reflect Fortinet's expansion into cloud-native networks and secure access service edge (SASE) architectures.
| Candidate Situation | Recommended Exam |
| Already actively studying FCP_FGT_AD-7.6 | Complete FCP before 2025 |
| New candidates starting now | Choose NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 |
| Working with cloud-based FortiGate or FortiSASE | NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 is strongly preferred |
The retirement of the FCP_FGT_AD-7.6 exam marks the continued evolution of Fortinet's certification ecosystem. The replacement NSE4_FGT_AD-7.6 offers broader coverage, particularly in cloud and modern network security environments, making it the more strategic choice for professionals seeking long-term career value.
