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SCFHS Registration — How Healthcare Professionals Get Licensed in Saudi Arabia

All healthcare professionals working in Saudi Arabia — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals — must be registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) before they can legally practise. The SCFHS verifies your qualifications, assesses your speciality classification, and issues a practise licence (Mumaris Plus profile). This guide explains the full registration process, the Mumaris Plus platform, exam requirements, and how long it takes.

Highlights

  • ★SCFHS registration is mandatory for all healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia — you cannot legally practise without a valid licence.
  • ★Registration is done through the Mumaris Plus online platform — you can start the application from outside Saudi Arabia.
  • ★Depending on your specialty and qualifications, you may be required to sit a classification and qualification exam (Prometrics test).
  • ★The process from application to receiving your licence typically takes 2–6 months depending on document verification and exam scheduling.
  • ★SCFHS classifications range from Resident to Consultant — your classification affects your salary grade and the procedures you are authorised to perform.
  • ★Your employer (hospital or clinic) must be registered with SCFHS and will often guide you through the process or have a dedicated credentialing team.

Who Is This For?

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and all other healthcare professionals seeking to work in Saudi Arabia, whether applying from abroad or already in the country on a different visa.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1Create an account on Mumaris Plus (mumaris.scfhs.org.sa) using your email address and a valid ID document.
  2. 2Complete your professional profile: personal details, nationality, current country of residence, and professional category (physician, nurse, pharmacist, etc.).
  3. 3Upload all required documents: attested degree certificate, transcripts, professional registration from your home country (e.g., GMC, NMC, HCPC), valid passport, and passport photo.
  4. 4Submit your application and pay the initial evaluation fee (SAR 500–1,500 depending on category). Payment is made online through the portal.
  5. 5Wait for SCFHS to evaluate your documents. They may request additional documents, experience letters, or original certificates during this stage.
  6. 6If required for your specialty, register for and sit the SCFHS Classification and Qualification Exam (CQE) through Prometric. Check the SCFHS website for your specialty's exam requirements.
  7. 7Once your documents are verified and any required exam is passed, SCFHS will issue your classification certificate and Mumaris Plus digital licence.
  8. 8Provide your Mumaris Plus profile number to your employer — they register you under their facility licence to complete your legal authorisation to practise.
  9. 9Renew your SCFHS licence annually or as required by your category. Renewal requires proof of continuing professional development (CPD) hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Submitting unattested qualifications — SCFHS will reject applications without proper attestation. Complete the attestation process before applying.
  • ✗Not checking whether your specialty requires a classification exam — many applicants are surprised to learn an exam is required. Check the SCFHS website for your specific specialty.
  • ✗Applying before your experience is sufficient — SCFHS has minimum experience requirements for each classification level. Applying before you meet them wastes time and fees.
  • ✗Forgetting to include a current professional registration certificate from your home country (e.g., GMC for UK doctors, NMC for UK nurses) — this is mandatory.
  • ✗Letting your SCFHS licence lapse — practising without a valid licence is a serious violation. Set a reminder for renewal well in advance.
  • ✗Not informing your employer's HR team that you have started your SCFHS application — many hospitals have a credentialing department that can assist and expedite the process.

Practical Tips

  • 💡Start your SCFHS application before you arrive in Saudi Arabia — the evaluation can take several weeks and starting early means you can begin practising sooner after arrival.
  • 💡Use the SCFHS requirements checker on the Mumaris Plus portal to get a personalised list of documents required for your specific specialty before applying.
  • 💡If you hold a qualification from a country on the SCFHS 'direct registration' list (includes UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and others), you may be exempt from the classification exam.
  • 💡Experience letters must be on official hospital letterhead, signed by the HR director or medical director, and must specify dates, position, and department.
  • 💡For nurses: Saudi Arabia uses the NCLEX-RN standard for nurse registration. Nurses from countries whose training meets this standard are typically exempt from the classification exam.
  • 💡Prometric exam slots in Saudi Arabia fill up quickly. Book your exam slot as soon as SCFHS advises you that an exam is required — do not wait for a reminder.
  • 💡SCFHS has a dedicated helpline and WhatsApp support channel. For urgent queries, WhatsApp tends to get faster responses than email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in a Saudi hospital while my SCFHS application is being processed?

No. You cannot legally practise healthcare in Saudi Arabia without a valid SCFHS licence. Some hospitals issue a temporary authorisation letter for newly arrived staff who have submitted their SCFHS application, but practising without at least interim approval is a violation that can result in deportation.

How long does SCFHS registration take?

Document evaluation typically takes 4–8 weeks. If a classification exam is required, add exam preparation time plus waiting for an available Prometric slot (4–8 weeks). Total from application submission to receiving your licence: typically 2–4 months if documents are complete, 4–6 months if additional documents are requested or an exam is required.

What are the SCFHS classification levels?

SCFHS classifies professionals into: Resident (newly qualified with limited experience), General Practitioner/Specialist (mid-level), Senior Specialist, Consultant, and Senior Consultant. Your classification is based on your qualifications, board certifications, and years of experience. Classification level affects your authorised scope of practice and salary grade.

Is the SCFHS exam (CQE) difficult?

Difficulty varies by specialty. The exam tests clinical knowledge at the level appropriate for your classification. SCFHS publishes exam blueprints and recommended study resources on their website. Most candidates with strong clinical training pass on the first attempt with 4–6 weeks of focused preparation.

Do I need to re-register with SCFHS if I change hospitals?

No. Your SCFHS licence belongs to you as an individual, not to your employer. When you change employers, your new hospital simply registers your existing Mumaris Plus profile under their facility licence. You do not need to reapply or pay new fees.

What CPD hours are required for licence renewal?

Requirements vary by professional category. Most categories require 20–40 CPD hours per year. SCFHS-accredited conferences, courses, and online learning modules count toward CPD. Your Mumaris Plus profile tracks your CPD log. Failing to meet CPD requirements can delay or prevent licence renewal.