Guide to Medical Licensing (SCFHS) in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia recruits healthcare professionals from all over the world and therefore has a rigorous system in place for verifying their identity, qualifications, skills, and experience before issuing a license to practice. The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) regulates medical licensing throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. in this article, I will provide a guide to medical licensing (SCFHS) in Saudi Arabia

The licensing process takes at least a few months, but the process may be longer in cases where additional information or examinations are required. For newcomers, the process can seem daunting, but our experienced licensing team at Allocation Assist can help you navigate the process smoothly, saving you both time and stress.

How to obtain your SCFHS registration

1. Register with the SCFHS through the Mumaris Plus portal, choosing the professional classification service: https://scfhs.org.sa/en/practitioner
2. Upload your documents in the Mumaris system to determine if SCFHS accepts your qualification. Once Mumaris confirms that you are eligible for registration, you will be given an eligibility number to proceed further. You will also be able to check if you are required to take the Licensing Exam.
3. Primary Source Verification (PSV): to verify documents, such as educational certificates, work experience records, health licenses, and good standing certificates, directly from the original or primary source. This process is completed by a specialized international company called ‘Dataflow’ and usually takes 6-8 weeks.
4. Licensing Examinations: Once your DataFlow verification report has been issued, then you can proceed to the licensing exam (if applicable).

NB. This step is not required for doctors who have completed their training in countries whose training programs are recognized by the SCFHS, namely the UK, Ireland, France, the USA, Canada, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

The examination required will depend on your specialty and grade and may be an oral exam or a computer-based test (CBT). The oral exams usually need to be taken in Saudi Arabia, while CBTs can be taken at international test centers.

When you have passed the licensing exam, the SCFHS will complete a final review of your application. Once the application gets approved, you will be issued a Professional Classification Certificate.

Professional registration with the SCFHS to obtain your license to practice.

The following documents need to be uploaded with the application:

• Recognized Speciality Degree
• Certificate of completion of specialist training
• Educational certificates with a transcript of records
• Professional qualification certificates
• Evidence of professional experience (a minimum of 2 years of experience in your specialty is mandatory)
• Experience letter/employment certificates from current/past employers
• For surgical specialties: log book for the last 2 years with hospital stamp(s) and signature of the Medical Director or other authorized person
• Valid license/registration from the medical licensing body of the country of recent employment
• Valid good standing certificate issued by your country’s licensing authority
• Your updated resume
• Medical fitness report (for applicants aged 65 and above)
• Valid Passport Copy and residence ID, if applicable
• Recent passport-sized photograph

Some documents may need to be attested by the Saudi Cultural Mission or Bureau in your home country. Attestation is the process of obtaining legal recognition for a document that has been issued in another country to validate that the document is genuine. Certificates and experience must be translated into English if they are in a different language.

SCFHS Classification and Registration fees vary by an applicant’s qualifications and profession. Requirements and documents required are subject to change.

Why use Allocation Assist’s licensing service?

The licensing process is complex and exacting. Navigating it takes time, which busy doctors are short of. Allocation Assist’s in-house dedicated and experienced licensing team understands the process inside out, as this is what they do every day. They have successfully helped thousands of doctors obtain their licenses in Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

Benefits of using our licensing service:

Our team is experienced in handling even the most complex cases.

• We will guide you on the documents required and pre-check them to make sure they match the SCFHS requirements, avoiding time-consuming requests for further documentation.

• We closely monitor your application and provide you with weekly status updates.

• In case of any unforeseen delays or complications, we will update you immediately and work with you to resolve the issue.

• We offer continuous support through the process of registration, licensing, and beyond.

In addition, with Allocation Associates’s unique insights into the healthcare recruitment market in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we can:

• Connect you with hospitals that match your profile and skill set
• Offer support with CV writing and contract/salary negotiations
• Guide you and your family through the relocation process
• Provide you with insights on living and working in Saudi Arabia

Article written by Vivienne Mendonca.