CCME before CCSE

[maxtaan]

I currently hold the CCSA certification and am planning to pursue the CCME certification next, followed by the CCSE. I would like to confirm if it is possible to obtain the CCME certification before completing CCSE.

Additionally, I would like to know whether all of my existing certifications will remain active if I proceed with CCME prior to CCSE.

Looking forward to your guidance.

[the_rock]

Im positive the best person to confirm would be @Jason_Tugwell .

Andy

[Don_Paterson · Accepted solution]

The official answer is in here:

https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk163417

I recommend that you aim to do the CCSE exam first. I assume your CCSA is valid and it is less than two years since you passed the CCSA exam.

If you pass the CCSE exam before you pass the CCME exam then you will be able to use the CCME exam to extend your CCSE certification from 2 years total to 3 years total.

The order in which you do the exams (CCSA  > CCSE > Specialist exams (CCME)) is important if you want to obtain CCSM and CCSM Elite certifications.

Example:

You pass the CCSE exam on 15th August 2025.

Result: Your CCSE is valid until 14th August 2027

You then pass the CCME exam in October 2025.

Result: Your CCSE is valid until 14th August 2028.

Having followed the right sequence (like in the example above) you are then just one Specialist (ISA (Infinity Specialist Accreditations)) exam away from the CCSM (Security Master) certification.

If you do another Specialist exam (for example CCTA or CCTE) after the CCSA, CCSE and CCME, then you will become CCSM certified and that CCSM certification is valid for two years from the date that you pass the second exam.

Two more ISA exams after that and you can get your CCSM Elite certification.

[maxtaan]

Thanks @Don_Paterson ,

Can you please confirm, I will do CCME before CCSE. And before the expiration of CCME, I will do CCSE. Will it activate all my certifications?

[the_rock]

From what I know though, yes, you can take CCME before CCSE and all your existing certs would still be active.

Andy

[maxtaan]

Thnaks @the_rock 

And before the expiration of CCME, if I do CCSE. Will it activate all my certifications? If there is any confusion or challenge? 

[the_rock]

Yes, if you complete the CCSE before your CCME (or any lower-level certification) expires, it will renew and activate all lower-level active certifications, including:

• CCSA

• CCME

[maxtaan]

@the_rock Thanks, sir,
Please clear my question below.
1. Right now, I have CCSA. Now I'm planning to do CCME. Is it to extend my CCSA?
2 . If CCME extends my CCSA, then next I want to do CCSE. Is it extending both CCME and CCSA?

[the_rock]

No and No 🙂. For point 2, it does extend/renew CCSA, but NOT CCME.

Andy

[maxtaan]

Now I have CCSA as I said. Now I have to do CCME for some difficulties. What will be the situation after doing the CCME?🙃

[the_rock · Accepted solution]

No, the CCME does not extend the validity of your CCSA.
Only core certification progression (e.g., CCSA → CCSE) extends earlier certifications. CCME is a specialty certification, not part of the main Security Admin track.

So after passing CCME:

• ✅ You’ll hold both CCSA and CCME.

• ❌ Your CCSA expiration date stays the same (it does not get extended).

[maxtaan]

However, in the future, will there be any issue with CCSE if i want? as my CCSA will have expired.

[the_rock]

You can take it any time, but it wont extend expired ccsa.

[maxtaan]

If i have CCSE and then i plan for CCME, then it will extend both CCSA and CCSE?

[the_rock]

You need to read the sk @Don_Paterson outlined, my friend. Its all explained there.

Yes, if you already have CCSE and then you earn the CCME, it will extend the validity of all lower-level active certifications — including:

• ✅ CCSE

• ✅ CCSA (as long as it’s still valid at the time of CCME)

[maxtaan]

@the_rock , Thank you for patiently clarifying my confusion and assisting me in making an informed decision.

[the_rock]

All good, we are here to always help. Well, as far as Im concerned, I always TRY to, at least...there are way smarter people than I on here lol

Andy

[Don_Paterson]

Always check the SK article. That is important. https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk163417 

It should answer your questions and explain everything.

"

• 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.

"

"

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 expired)
• The CCSA or the CCSE exam may be retaken as a means to recertify.

"

[maxtaan]

Thank you so much @Don_Paterson for the brief explanation.

One more question, suppose my expiration date is 31st August. If I sit for the exam on the same day for some difficulties, is there any risk?

[Don_Paterson]

Are you asking about your CCSA certification? Which exam are you talking about (for 31st August)?

If you are referring to your CCSA certification then the exam would need to be the CCSE exam (or CCSA exam again).

Passing the CCME exam does not extend the CCSA certification (see quoted text above).

Passing the CCME exam would only extend a valid CCSE, CCSM or CCSM E certification.

Passing the CCSE exam with a valid CCSA certification will award you the CCSE certification, valid for two years from the date of passing the exam (valid to 30 August 2027).

I would not plan to attempt an exam on the day of the expiry of the certification. There are a number of risks that are not worth taking IMO.

First, your certification expires the next day (if not on 30th August midnight) if you do not pass the next certification exam (CCSE).

Secondly, if you don't book the exam in time and there are no slots available, or you miss the exam because of an emergency or illness, then you are in a bit of a fix, and you would have to appeal to the Certification team at Check Point, if that is even possible (after the fact).

Note that there are 4 Certifications (CCSA, CCSE, CCSM and CCSM E) and 9 Infinity Specialist Accreditations..

ISA exams aware Accreditations (Infinity Specialist Accreditations). 

See the SK for the fill list: https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk163417

[maxtaan]

Okay, let's compress the question.

1. I have CCSA right now. Now, if I go for CCME before CCSE, is it okay? Is it to extend my CCSA?

2. If CCME is okay after CCSA. Then I want to do CCSE before the expiration of CCSE. Is CCSE an extension of both CCME and CCSA?