> Source: [sk163417](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk163417)
# sk163417 - Check Point Certification Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk163417 |
| Date Created | 2019-12-08 |
| Last Modified | 2026-07-27 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Other |
| Versions | Not Version-Specific |
## Solution
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Your Journey to Cyber Security Mastership
Core Certifications
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|  | Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) This core 3-day technical certification course provides an understanding of basic concepts and skills necessary to configure and manage Check Point Security Gateways and Management Software Blades. | Exam # 156-215.82 |
|  | Certified Security Expert (CCSE) This advanced 3-day security engineering course provides an in-depth explanation of Check Point technology and an understanding of skills necessary to effectively design, maintain, optimize, and protect your enterprise network from aggressive cyber threats. | Exam # 156-315.82 |
### Security Master Certifications
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  | Check Point Certified Security Master The CCSM certification recognizes and validates technical mastery of the Check Point Infinity architecture. It is awarded to Cyber Security professionals with advanced knowledge and expertise in configuring, deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Check Point products and services. |
|  | Check Point Certified Security Master Elite The CCSM Elite certification validates the highest achievement of technical mastery and consists of an elite club of Check Point Certified Security Masters. |
### Certification Path to Cyber Security Mastership
**Check Point Certified Security Master**
With Check Point's path to Security Mastery, you need to achieve
2 Infinity Specialist Accreditations *after* the CCSE.
**Check Point Certified Security Master Elite**
To achieve Check Point's Security Master Elite, you need to pass 2 Infinity Specialist Accreditations *after* the CCSM.
### Infinity Specialist Accreditations
Check Point's Infinity Specialist Accreditations are designed to enable Security professionals to demonstrate that they understand the concepts and skills needed to administer, deploy and manage specific Security solutions within the Check Point Infinity Cyber Security Architecture. Infinity Specialist Accreditations are also the building blocks to the Security Master and Security Master Elite certifications. The selected Hacking Point exams shown below can also count as an ISA towards certification extensions.
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **Accreditation** | **Infinity Specialist Courses** | **Exam #** |
| CCAS | Check Point Certified Automation Specialist - R81.20 | 156-521 |
| CCME | Check Point Certified Maestro Expert - R81 | 156-836 |
| CCCS | Check Point Certified Cloud Specialist - R81.20 | 156-561 |
| CCES | Check Point Certified Harmony Endpoint Specialist - R81.20 | 156-536 |
| CCMS | Check Point Certified Multi-Domain Security Management Specialist - R81 | 156-541 |
| CCVS | Check Point Certified Virtual System Extension Specialist- R81 | 156-551 |
| CCTA | Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Administrator - R82 | 156-583 |
| CCTE | Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Expert - R81.20 | 156-587 |
| CCTE | Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Expert - R82 | 156-588 |
| CTPS | Threat Prevention Specialist | 156-590 |
| **Accreditation** | **Hacking Point Courses** | **Exam #** |
| CCPE - C | Cloud Security | 156-406 |
| CCPE - I | Infrastructure Hacking | 156-402 |
| CCPE - W | Web Hacking | 156-403 |
| CCPE - AI | Advanced Infrastructure Hacking | 156-409 |
### Certification Extensions \& Renewals
* Pass an Infinity Specialist Accreditation (ISA) to extend a ***valid*** Core certification for 1-year. (Does not apply to the CCSA certification)
* The ISA must be achieved ***after***a Core certification to qualify for the extension.
* A CCSE may *be extended one time* . A second ISA will award the Accreditation and the CCSM Certification! (**The CCSE must be current, not expired**)
* A CCSM may *be extended one time* . A second ISA will award the Accreditation and the CCSM Elite Certification! (*The CCSM must be current, not expire*d)
* A CCSM Elite certification may be extended by passing an ISA. A 1-year extension will be added for each ISA passed. (**The CCSM Elite must be current, not expired**)
* An ISA is not eligible for any extensions. The ISA may be recertified 6 months before it expires, but it will not extend the ISA. It will be valid as a new 2-year accreditation.
* The CCSA or the CCSE exam may be retaken as a means to recertify.
### Certification FAQ
This section lists many of the Frequently Asked Questions related to Check Point Certifications. This is a live document that may be updated without special notice.
**General Inquiries**
* **How long does a certification last?**
> Certifications expire after 24 months. Certifications, like security, must be kept current to be truly effective - which is why we strongly encourage you to constantly refresh and keep your certification current.
* **Where can I take a Check Point certification exam?**
> Check Point professional certification exams are proctored through [Pearson VUE](https://home.pearsonvue.com/checkpoint/), a third-party testing vendor with over 3.500 locations worldwide. You can register for any Check Point exam and earn your certification by visiting their Website and creating a Web Profile. Additionally, our exams are now available via Pearson VUE Online Proctoring, where exams are delivered by a live proctor to your workstation.
> To learn more or register, visit: .
* **Do I have to take classes in order to take the exams?**
> No, it is possible to take an exam with only your own experience or self-study using the Check Point courseware, but we highly recommend taking a class instead. Instructor-led training accelerates and focuses your learning, gives you hands-on experience and an opportunity to make mistakes in the lab, and is much more cost-effective than self-study in your spare time.
* **What Core certifications are available?**
> Check Point certifications are structured around comprehensive job models for administration, engineering (Expert), and advanced systems (Security Master).
> Certifications include:
>
> |---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
> | Certification | Course | Exam# |
> | CCSA R82 | [Check Point Certified Security Administrator](https://igs.checkpoint.com/courses/3118) | 156-215.82 |
> | CCSE R82 | [Check Point Certified Security Expert R81.20](https://training-certifications.checkpoint.com/#/courses/Security%20Expert%20R81.20%20(CCSE)) | 156-315.82 |
* **What are the prerequisites for each core Check Point certification?**
> Check Point's core certifications are designed to build upon the knowledge and skills of the previous courses, reinforcing lessons learned and extending your competencies with ever more complex and valuable skills.
>
> |------------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
> | Exam# | Certification | Prerequisites |
> | 156-215.82 | Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) | TCP/IP and routing fundamentals |
> | 156-315.82 | Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) | CCSA R80 and up (not CCSA R77) or R80 and up CCSE |
* **What courses should I take to prepare for the exams?**
> To help prepare for exams, you should consider the following corresponding courses:
>
> |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
> | Exam# | Course | Certification |
> | 156-215.82 | [Check Point Certified Security Administrator](https://igs.checkpoint.com/courses/3118) | CCSA |
> | 156-315.82 | [Check Point Certified Security Expert](https://igs.checkpoint.com/courses/3125) | CCSE |
* **Do the Infinity Specialist Accreditations have prerequisites for each exam?**
> Most of the Check Point's Infinity Specialist Accreditations do not have prerequisites. The few exams that do have prerequisites are listed below:
>
> |---------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
> | Exam# | Infinity Specialist Accreditation | Prerequisite Accreditation or Certification |
> | 156-583 | Troubleshooting Administrator - R82 (CCTA) | A valid or expired CCSA or CCSE (R80 or higher) is required before attempting the CCTA exam. |
> | 156-588 | Troubleshooting Expert - R82 (CCTE) | A valid or expired CCSE (R80 or above) is required before attempting the CCTE exam. |
* **Is study material available?**
> Course objectives are posted on the Learning \& Training portal for reference, but all official training materials are provided when you attend instructor-led training through one of our Authorized Training Center (ATC) partners
* **Where can I find training classes?**
> Course catalog is available online at [https://training-certifications.checkpoint.com/#/](https://training-certifications.checkpoint.com/#/ "CLC Training Portal")
>
* **Are training classes available globally?**
> We have 120 Authorized Training Centers (ATC) in over 68 countries worldwide. Use our [ATC partner locator](https://www.checkpoint.com/mind/atc/locator/) to find an ATC near you and sign up for training. If for any reason you can't find an ATC near you, send an email to us directly at [atc@checkpoint.com](mailto:atc@checkpoint.com).
* **If I have other Certification questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, who can I contact?**
> * Reach out to our Account Services team by creating a Non-Technical ticket
> * Email the Certification Team: [certification@checkpoint.com](mailto:certification@checkpoint.com)
**Certification Path FAQs**
* **If I passed an ISA exam before the core certification will my certification be extended?**
> No.
>
> You must pass the ISA exam after a core certification for an extension to be awarded.
* **I passed an ISA exam and it is soon to expire or has expired. Can I take that ISA again to extend my core certification?**
> Yes.
>
> You are eligible to retake an ISA for an extension to your CCSE, CCSM or CCSM Elite. You may retake an ISA exam up to six months before its expiration date, and it can count towards an extension of the core certification. (*An ISA is not eligible for an extension*)
* **I passed the CCSA exam. What are the next steps to maintain an Active certification status?**
> Option 1 - Proceed to the CCSE to continue the certification path. This will not extend the CCSA.
>
> Option 2 - Retake and pass the CCSA exam for another two-year certification.
* **Where do I check the expiration date of my certifications?**
> 1. Login to the User Center.
>
> 2. Click on **MY CHECK POINT** .
>
> 3. Click on **My Certifications** under the **My Info** option to see a list of your certifications and their expiration dates.
>
> **Note**: Starting at 60 days before a core certification expires, we will email you at regular intervals to remind you of your expiring certification.
* **I have a valid R8X CCSE. What are the next steps to maintain an Active certification status?**
> Option 1 - Extend the CCSE certification while the certification is still valid by passing one Infinity Specialist Accreditation (ISA) exam for a 1-year extension. You may do this one time for a 1-year extension on a valid CCSE. Passing a second ISA exam will award you the CCSM certification.
>
> Option 2 - Retake a current CCSE exam for another two-year certification.
* **I received the CCSM after getting my second Infinity Specialist Accreditation while CCSE certified. How long will the CCSM be valid?**
> The CCSM certification will be valid two years.
* **My CCSE has expired. Can I still extend the certification for one year by taking an Infinity Specialist Accreditation?**
> Extensions are only awarded on valid certifications.
> Make sure to note certification expiration dates.
> Recertify your CCSE by retaking and passing the CCSE exam.
* **I had the one-year extension added to my CCSE but now my CCSE has expired. Will I still get the CCSM if I take another Infinity Specialist Accreditation?**
> No.
> Extensions are only awarded on valid certifications. You will need to recertify your CCSE again and pass two more Infinity Specialist Accreditations to attain CCSM status.
* **I have a valid CCSM. What are the next steps to maintain an Active certification status?**
> Extend the CCSM certification while the certification is still valid by passing one Infinity Specialist Accreditation (ISA) exam for a one-year extension.
>
> You can do this one time for a one-year extension on a valid CCSM. Passing a second ISA exam will award you the CCSM Elite certification.
* **I received the CCSM Elite certification after getting my second Infinity Specialist Accreditation while CCSM certified. How long will the CCSM Elite be valid?**
> The CCSM Elite certification will be valid for two years.
> The CCSM Elite can be extended for one year for each Infinity Specialist Accreditation passed while the CCSM Elite is valid.
* **My CCSM has expired. Can I still extend the certification for one year by taking an Infinity Specialist Accreditation?**
> Extensions are only awarded on valid certifications. Make sure to note certification expiration dates.
* **I have a valid CCSM Elite, CCSM, or CCSE. Do I need to maintain the lower certification(s)?**
> Your goal is to maintain your highest certification or progress to the next level.
> You are not required to recertify on the lower certifications.
> You will only recertify on a lower certification if you allow your highest level of certification to expire.
* **When I reach the level of CCSM or CCSM Elite do my previous certifications get extended to match the CCSM or CCSM Elite?**
> No, each certification has its own validity period. All previously obtained certifications will not be extended.
> Additionally, when the previous certifications expire, they will not affect the certifications that are valid.
* **Can I skip the CCSA and start with the CCSE certification?**
> No.
> You need to fulfill the prerequisite before achieving the higher certification. The CCSA certification is the prerequisite for the CCSE.
* **Can I achieve an R8X CCSE with an R77 CCSA as the prerequisite?**
> No.
> because R8X is a different product version with several newer features, only the R8X CCSA is a satisfactory prerequisite the R8X CCSE.
* **My R8X CCSA has expired. Am I eligible to take the CCSE? Or, does the CCSA need to be current to progress to CCSM or CCSM Elite?**
> Yes, you are eligible to take the CCSE with an expired CCSA.
> The CCSA does not need to be current to progress to CCSM or CCSM Elite.
* **My certifications have already expired. Will I need to start over in the Certification path?**
> Only a pre-R8X CCSA must start over with the R8X CCSA.
> A R8X CCSE, even if expired, is eligible for the R82 CCSE exam.
* **Will my CCSA certification be extended if I get the CCSE?**
> No.
> Each certification is valid for two years. When you certify on the CCSE, you do not need to go back and re-certify the CCSA when it expires.
**My Information**
* **What is the Candidate ID on my Pearson Vue profile and is it important?**
> It is the means Pearson VUE uses to identify you as a candidate for Check Point exams and is assigned to you the first time you register with Pearson VUE for an exam. It will be in the form CP00000nnnnn and you should only have one Candidate ID.
* **Why do I need to provide an email address?**
> An email address is necessary in order to create your User Center account - your access point for certification benefits - as well as keep you up to date with any important changes or updates.
* **If I change jobs, will I still have access to my certification information and benefits?**
> Yes, your certification is yours! However, since your email address is based on your previous work email you will want to contact Check Point Account Services via Check Point Beyond - Customer Success Hub to update your User Center account and request that your information be linked to your new email address.
* **How do I advise Check Point of any change of address or other relevant information?**
> You can update your mailing address via the User Center using the instructions below:
> 1. Login to the User Center
> 2. Click "MY CHECK POINT"
> 3. Click "My Profile" under "My Info" option
> 4. Click "Edit" button
> 5. Make the necessary changes
> 6. Click "Save" button to save changes
**What About the Benefits?**
* **How do I access my benefits?**
> By setting up a User Center account with the same email address you used with Pearson VUE. If you do not have a User Center account please reference the section "New Customer" at the following URL:
* **I just passed my exams. When can I expect to receive my certificate?**
> Check Point provides e-certificates that you can access from your User Center profile. Once we receive your exam results we will update your User Center account with your new credentials, giving you immediate access to your online benefits like access to SecureKnowledge and your online Certification profile. The User Center will be updated within 2 weeks of your exam date, but often it is sooner than that.
* **Why is my certification information not listed in my User Center account?**
> Your certification information could not be listed in your User Center account for one of the following reasons:
> * We tried to activate your benefits but there was no User Center account with the email address we have on file for you. Please check to ensure that the e-mail account you provided Pearson VUE for registration matches the e-mail account you used to set up your User Center account.
> * The benefits you received from a certain Check Point certification have expired.
> * We might not have received your results from Pearson VUE.
>
> If you do not see your benefits or certification listed with your User Center account, contact Account Services via [Check Point Beyond - Customer Success Hub](https://help.checkpoint.com/) and we'll try to resolve the issue for you. Please include a copy of your exam Score Report.
* **How do I download the electronic copy of my certification?**
> To download your certificate, please follow the instructions below:
> 1. Login to the [User Center](https://usercenter.checkpoint.com/usercenter/portal/)
> 2. Click "MY CHECK POINT" or "Assets/Info" (whichever you see)
> 3. Click "My Certifications" under "My Info" option
> 4. Click "Download" to the right of the certificate
* **Do I have access to Check Point online Technical Support?**
> Yes, as a certified professional you have access to SecureKnowledge, our online technical knowledge database with thousands of solutions, how-to articles and troubleshooting tips to help solve your most difficult issues.
* **What email address should be used when registering for an exam?**
> It is important that the email address used when registering for an exam is the same email address associated to your User Center profile. This ensures that all certifications are reflected within the User Center and the e-certificate can be downloaded via the account. Certifications may not be tied to an Alias email. The email address must be person-specific.
* **What should I do if my Pearson VUE profile has the wrong email address?**
> Contact Pearson VUE for assistance:
* **How do I update the email address associated to my User Center profile?**
> Since your certifications are email address specific, contact Account Services via [Check Point Beyond - Customer Success Hub](https://help.checkpoint.com/) to have your account updated.
* **What are some of the benefits to CCSM or CCSM Elite?**
> * TAC Fast track support to L3
> * Access to the relevant private group on CheckMates
> * Engage points
**Tell Me About the Exams**
* **In what order should I take the exams?**
> Courses, certifications, and exams are all designed to build on the lessons learned and develop your skills and knowledge, so we recommend starting with CCSA and CCSE to get a core security foundation. From there you can choose the specialization or area of expertise that best matches your job role or career goals.
* **How much do the exams cost?**
> Exams vary in price between US $200-$350, but exact pricing is available through Pearson VUE. Practice exams are $50. Jump Start exams are $49.
* **What is the format of the exams?**
> The exams are composed of multiple choice and scenario questions. All questions are "Select the BEST answer" type questions. There are no multiple response answers.
* **How long are the exams?**
> The CCSA and CCSE exams are 100 questions and the Infinity Specialist Accreditation exams are 75 questions with both to be completed in 90 minutes in all English-speaking countries. Non-English speaking countries receive an additional 15 minutes.
* **How do I know I am ready for an exam?**
> If you are preparing for the CCSA certification and want to take the 156-215.82 exam, you can determine if you are ready by taking the 156-609 R82 CCSA practice exam. If you are preparing to complete the CCSE certification and want to take the 156-315.82 exam, you can determine if you are ready by taking the 156-610 R82 CCSE practice exam.
> Both practice exams present 40 questions from a subset of the actual exam pool. Feedback is limited to providing the correct answer during the exam.
> Practice exams are $50.
* **Are the Check Point certification exams adaptive?**
> No. Check Point has no plans at this time to move into adaptive exams.
* **Should I have experience with Check Point products before attempting to pass an exam?**
> Surveys of certified professionals suggest that a candidate have one to two years' experience with the product in a production environment before attempting the CCSA certification. Since that is not practical in today's environment, we recommend six months after training. A similar interval trended when studying the Engineering tasks of a certified CCSE professional.
> We recommend one year.
* **Can I take the CCSA and CCSE exams on the same day?**
> Yes, if you pass the CCSA exam, you may take the CCSE exam on that same day.
* **Does Check Point have an exam retake policy?**
> Yes. If you fail an exam and want to retake it, you must wait 24 hours before the next attempt. After the second attempt you will need to wait 30 days for the third attempt and any subsequent attempts.
* **Does Check Point penalize incorrect answers?**
> Check Point does not subtract points from your score for answering a question incorrectly. You will simply not get credit for that question. When taking one of our exams, answer as many questions as you can, even if you are not certain of your answer.
---
# Agent Instructions
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