diff --git a/ra/ra.go b/ra/ra.go
index cc082bc48..c1e2b163b 100644
--- a/ra/ra.go
+++ b/ra/ra.go
@@ -1420,18 +1420,6 @@ func (ra *RegistrationAuthorityImpl) checkCertificatesPerNameLimit(ctx context.C
 	}
 
 	if len(namesOutOfLimit) > 0 {
-		// check if there is already an existing certificate for
-		// the exact name set we are issuing for. If so bypass the
-		// the certificatesPerName limit.
-		exists, err := ra.SA.FQDNSetExists(ctx, &sapb.FQDNSetExistsRequest{Domains: names})
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("checking renewal exemption for %q: %s", names, err)
-		}
-		if exists.Exists {
-			ra.rateLimitCounter.WithLabelValues("certificates_for_domain", "FQDN set bypass").Inc()
-			return nil
-		}
-
 		// Determine the amount of time until the earliest event would fall out
 		// of the window.
 		retryAfter := earliest.Add(limit.Window.Duration).Sub(ra.clk.Now())