Fortinet’s New NSE Certification Requirements for 2027: What US Partners Need to Know

Fortinet has revised the NSE certification requirements associated with the ENGAGE Beyond program.

For US Partners, the new requirements take effect on January 1, 2027, making the second half of 2026 an important time to review certification readiness and plan ahead.

At the same time, Fortinet’s Technical NSEs: Complete and Get Paid program offers eligible US Partners an opportunity to earn rewards for qualifying Technical NSE exams completed during H2 2026.

Here’s what Partners need to know.

What are the new Fortinet NSE certification requirements for 2027?

Fortinet has updated the NSE certification requirements associated with the different engagement levels within ENGAGE Beyond.

The new requirements will take effect on:

January 1, 2027

The requirements differ according to the Partner’s engagement level. For organizations reviewing their 2027 readiness, the key starting point is understanding the relationship between their current engagement level, target engagement level, and team certification profile.

The updated requirements were published on July 15, 2026.

For Partners considering a promotion, requests are evaluated according to the new requirements from the date of publication.

ENGAGE Beyond — Required Certifications

What does this mean for US Partners?

The update gives Partners a reason to take a closer look at their current NSE certification readiness.

Rather than looking only at individual certifications, organizations should consider their broader team:

• What is our current engagement level?

• What engagement level are we targeting?

• Which NSE certifications does our team currently hold?

• Where are there potential certification gaps?

• How many professionals may need to be certified?

This assessment can help organizations establish a more structured certification plan ahead of January 2027.

Reviewing your NSE readiness

A practical way to approach the updated requirements is to compare three areas:

1. Current position

Start by understanding your organization’s current ENGAGE Beyond engagement level and the NSE certifications currently held by your team.

2. Target position

Next, identify the engagement level your organization is targeting.

The certification requirements are different across the engagement levels, so the target matters when determining what the team may need.

3. Team readiness

Finally, compare the certifications your team currently has with the requirements associated with your target engagement level.

This can help identify potential gaps and inform your training and certification planning.

Technical NSE rewards available during H2 2026

There is another reason for US Partners to review their certification plans now.

Fortinet’s Technical NSEs: Complete and Get Paid program runs from July 1 through December 31, 2026.

According to Fortinet’s US 2H 2026 Promotions and Rewards Catalog, eligible US Partners can receive:

$200 for each NSE 4–7 exam

and

$2,000 for an NSE 8 exam

The catalog states that there is no limit on the number of eligible exam claims.

The program is available to US Partners registered in FortiRewards, subject to the applicable program requirements.

How do the Fortinet Technical NSE rewards work?

The reward is part of Fortinet’s FortiRewards program. It is not a discount or rebate on InLearn training.

For eligible exams completed during the program period:

• A FortiRewards claim is required.

• The certificate must be attached to validate the passed exam.

• NSE 4–8 exams achieved between July 1 and December 31, 2026 are valid for the program.

• Exams must be submitted no later than 60 days after achievement.

• There is a limit of one claim per exam certificate.

• Approved claims are paid at the end of each quarter.

Partners should review the applicable FortiRewards terms and eligibility requirements before planning around the incentive.

What about Fortinet NSE 7?

NSE 7 is an important consideration for Partners looking at their broader Fortinet certification strategy.

Fortinet’s H2 2026 US Rewards Catalog states:

“NSE 7s are a key requirement to become a Specialized Fortinet partner.” 

The same material notes that Advanced/Expert partners with Specializations can unlock additional rebates.

This should not be interpreted as a guarantee that earning NSE 7 automatically makes an organization a Specialized Fortinet partner. Partner requirements and eligibility should be evaluated according to Fortinet’s applicable program criteria.

What about NSE 8?

NSE 8 is also included in Fortinet’s Technical NSE rewards opportunity for H2 2026.

An eligible NSE 8 exam earns a $2,000 reward under the program, compared with $200 for each eligible NSE 4–7 exam.

As with the other Technical NSE rewards, the program is subject to FortiRewards registration, eligibility, claim requirements, and applicable terms.

Why review your certification plan now?

The January 2027 deadline creates a natural point for Partners to review their current position.

Waiting until the new requirements take effect may leave less time to identify certification gaps and organize the appropriate training and certification activities.

A proactive review can help answer a simple but important question:

Is our team’s current NSE certification profile aligned with where we want our ENGAGE Beyond engagement level to be?

The answer can then inform the next stage of planning.

A practical checklist for US Partners

Before January 1, 2027, consider reviewing:

Current engagement levelWhere is your organization today?

Target engagement levelWhere do you want to be?

Current NSE certificationsWhich certifications are already represented across your team?

Potential gapsWhich certification areas may require additional team capacity?

Certification planWhich professionals should be prioritized for training and certification?

H2 2026 rewardsIf eligible, does your organization meet the requirements to participate in Fortinet’s Technical NSE rewards program?

This creates a clearer picture of both current readiness and potential next steps.

Prepare your team for the 2027 NSE requirements

Fortinet’s updated ENGAGE Beyond NSE requirements make certification planning an important consideration for US Partners heading into 2027.

At the same time, eligible Partners have an H2 2026 opportunity to earn Fortinet rewards for qualifying Technical NSE exams through FortiRewards.

The most useful first step is simple: review your current NSE readiness and identify what your team may need next.

Ready to review your NSE readiness?

Talk to InLearn about your Fortinet certification planning.

REVIEW YOUR NSE READINESS

InLearn US helps organizations prepare their teams through technology training, certification preparation, and professional development.

Technical NSE rewards are provided through Fortinet’s FortiRewards program and are subject to Fortinet’s eligibility requirements and program terms. InLearn does not provide or administer Fortinet rewards and does not guarantee certification outcomes or Partner status.