If you searched for “FedVTE,” you’re probably trying to sign up for free cybersecurity training, check on a course you already started, or figure out why a login page or bookmark isn’t working the way it used to. Here’s the short version: FedVTE has been retired. It was officially replaced by a new platform called CISA Learning, and understanding that change is the key to actually getting what you’re looking for. This article explains what FedVTE was, why it changed, and exactly how to access the same training today.
What FedVTE Was
The Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) was a free, on-demand cybersecurity training system managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security. For roughly a decade, it gave federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel — along with U.S. veterans — no-cost access to hundreds of hours of cybersecurity coursework, ranging from introductory material to advanced technical training.
FedVTE was popular because it offered certification prep aligned with widely recognized credentials, including CompTIA Network+ and Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). At its peak, the catalog included more than 800 hours of self-paced video-based courses mapped to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, a standard used across government and industry to define cybersecurity roles and skill areas.
What Happened to FedVTE
In late 2024, CISA launched a new learning management system called CISA Learning, built to consolidate several separate training platforms into one. FedVTE was the first platform folded into it. CISA has stated plainly that FedVTE has been permanently decommissioned and its content, functionality, and user base transitioned to CISA Learning. According to CISA, the migration involved carrying over records for more than 500,000 existing FedVTE users, including roughly 412,000 federal employees, 25,000 state and local government users, 12,000 users from public universities and nonprofits, and 92,000 veterans.
The old FedVTE course catalog didn’t disappear. It was migrated into CISA Learning, along with users’ historical training records and certificates. That said, CISA has noted that not every course completed the move at the same time, so a small number of legacy FedVTE courses may still be in the process of becoming available in the new system.
How to Access the Same Training Now
If you want what FedVTE used to provide, the path forward is CISA Learning rather than the old FedVTE site or login page.
External users — meaning anyone who isn’t CISA staff or a CISA contractor, including SLTT government employees, veterans, and members of the general public — create an account through Login.gov, the identity verification system used across many federal agencies. Account verification typically requires a driver’s license or state ID, a Social Security number, and a phone number, since Login.gov confirms your identity before granting access. Importantly, CISA has stated that the personal information Login.gov collects for verification is not shared with or stored in CISA Learning itself; it’s used only to confirm you are who you say you are.
CISA staff and contractors access the platform differently, through single sign-on using their DHS-issued PIV or CAC credentials rather than Login.gov.
One detail that trips people up: CISA Learning is currently restricted to U.S. residents. According to CISA’s published FAQ, this is a deliberate policy tied to government security requirements, and non-residents are not eligible to register, even if they previously had FedVTE access under another arrangement. If that policy changes, updates would come through CISA’s official channels rather than the training platform itself.
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility for CISA Learning largely mirrors who FedVTE used to serve:
Federal government employees and contractors, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government staff, U.S. military personnel and veterans, and members of the general public who are U.S. residents can all register. This is broader than many free training platforms, which often restrict access to a single employer category. It’s worth noting, though, that veterans historically didn’t always see every course in their menu compared to active federal employees — access levels within the platform can still vary by user category, a pattern that carried over from FedVTE and is worth confirming directly in your account rather than assuming full catalog access.
What You Get Once You’re In
CISA Learning preserves the core value proposition of FedVTE: roughly 850 hours of no-cost cybersecurity training mapped to the NICE Framework, spanning beginner through advanced material. Course areas include ethical hacking, malware analysis, risk management, cloud security, and certification preparation for the credentials listed earlier. Training is self-paced, so you can work through modules from any internet-connected computer or mobile device on your own schedule, without instructor-led sessions or fixed class times.
If you completed courses under FedVTE and need proof of that work — for a resume, a certification application, or an employer’s records — your historical training records and certificates were migrated and should be viewable under “My Transcript” once you’re logged into CISA Learning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common issue people run into is trying to log in through an old FedVTE URL or bookmark, which no longer leads anywhere useful. Always start from CISA Learning directly rather than a saved link from before late 2024. A second frequent mix-up is external users mistakenly trying to use a PIV/CAC login meant for CISA staff, or CISA staff trying to register through Login.gov instead of their internal single sign-on — the two access paths are not interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FedVTE still active? No. FedVTE has been permanently decommissioned and replaced by CISA Learning, which now hosts its content and user base.
Do I need to create a new account? Yes, if you’re an external user. Login.gov accounts are separate from any old FedVTE login credentials.
Will I lose my old FedVTE certificates or training history? CISA states that training records and certificates were migrated to CISA Learning and are accessible through the transcript feature, though it’s worth verifying your own records after logging in.
Is CISA Learning really free? Yes, for all eligible user categories — no cost is charged for course access.
Can I use CISA Learning if I live outside the U.S.? Currently, no. Access is restricted to U.S. residents under existing CISA policy.
Bottom Line
FedVTE, as a standalone platform, no longer exists — but the training it offered hasn’t gone away. It now lives inside CISA Learning, with the same no-cost model, a similar course catalog, and eligibility that still covers government employees, veterans, and the general public. If you’re searching for FedVTE today, CISA Learning is where that search should end.
