How does SCFHS decide my qualification's level now?

A qualification is classified only after SCFHS grants it professional equivalence at a level of the qualifications framework (master's seven, doctorate eight, specialty certificate eight); a qualification that does not meet every standard can be equivalised at a lower level or conditionally on the recommendation of SCFHS's committees; a qualification not already on SCFHS's list goes through the new-qualification study service first.

Is Pakistan's FCPS accepted in Saudi Arabia?

SCFHS's 2009 manual treated it as equivalent to the Saudi specialization certificate: Pakistan's FCPS, with fellowships issued before 30 June 2008 accepted only after three years as an associate professor authenticated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. A fellowship issued before that date sat at Registrar level.

Where did the manual place India's MD, MS, DNB, DM and MCh?

Its examples of Registrar-level certificates name India's MD, DNB and MCh, not the MS; but a holder of a master's, or of a postgraduate diploma of at least two years, in any medical specialty is a Resident until the experience required for Registrar (the manual's Specialist) is complete, so we read India's MS, a Master of Surgery, with the MD. India's MD or MS together with the DNB, or an MD with a DM, is assessed as a fellowship and qualifies for Senior Registrar; an MD with an MCh is listed only for Bangladesh.

Do I need a year of experience outside Saudi Arabia?

Under the 2025 standards, the twelve months of experience outside the Kingdom required of non-Saudis does not apply to those who did their whole internship year in the Kingdom or who hold a qualification from outside the Kingdom professionally equivalent to at least a master's.

Is there an exam for each grade?

Bachelor's level (General Practitioner) sits the professional practice licence exam or the classification exam; master's level (Registrar) and doctorate or specialty level (Senior Registrar, Consultant) sit an exam or an evaluation, unless an exemption standard applies. Four attempts a year; after failing, a new application one year after the previous one.

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Which postgraduate qualifications make you a Registrar or Senior Registrar in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) classifies a doctor as a Registrar for a qualification it places at master's level, and as a Senior Registrar, or a Consultant after 36 months of experience, for a doctorate or specialty certificate; since 1 Aug 2025 it decides each foreign qualification's level case by case, and its 2009 classification manual graded the ones below.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · SCFHS ↗

Qualifications by grade

Each qualification held on its own, as we read SCFHS's 2009 classification manual. The manual's own words, which decide the details, are in the table below.

Registrar · 12 qualifications

SCFHS classification manual, 2009

A qualification SCFHS places at master's level; the manual called this grade Specialist.

DNB (India)
FRCA
FRCR
MD or MS (India)
MRCEM
MRCOG
MRCP(UK)
MRCPCH
MRCPI
MRCPsych
MRCS
MRCSI

Senior Registrar or Consultant · 5 qualifications

SCFHS classification manual, 2009

Equivalent to the Saudi specialization certificate: Senior Registrar, or Consultant after 36 months of experience.

Arab Board
FRACP (Royal Australasian College of Physicians)
FRCPC (Canada)
UK CCT
US board (ABMS)

SCFHS's 2009 manual, in its own words

Registrar (the manual's Specialist)	Certificates of at least two years of training after the bachelor's, with practical experience bringing training and experience to four years. Examples, each equivalent to a two-year diploma unless stated: the Sudanese specialization certificate (three years) and clinical MD; India's MD, DNB and MCh; Egypt's master's, higher studies and Ain Shams MD; the Palestinian specialization certificate; Pakistan's fellowship issued before 30 June 2008; completed training in a Saudi or Arab fellowship; British and Irish college membership and fellowship held without a completed specialty training programme; the West African college fellowship; Canada's family medicine fellowship
Master's and diplomas (the manual's definitions)	A holder of a master's, or of a postgraduate diploma of at least two years, in any medical specialty is a Resident until the experience required for Registrar (the manual's Specialist) is complete; a Registrar holds a specialty certificate of at least two years with experience bringing training and experience to four years; the manual's table of certificates for the grade gives examples
Equivalent to the Saudi specialization certificate	Saudi university fellowships, the Arab Board, Jordanian and Egyptian specializations and fellowships, Tunisian and Moroccan specializations, MD and PhD doctorates, the higher medical studies diploma of the ministry of higher education, British and Irish fellowships, the CCST, and listed fellowships; equivalent certificates qualify directly for Senior Registrar or Consultant depending on experience
India, Bangladesh and Pakistan	India's MD or MS together with the DNB, or an MD with a DM, is assessed as a fellowship and qualifies for Senior Registrar; Bangladesh's MD with an MCh in surgery; Pakistan's FCPS, with fellowships issued before 30 June 2008 accepted only after three years as an associate professor authenticated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan

What it means for you

How does SCFHS decide my qualification's level now?: A qualification is classified only after SCFHS grants it professional equivalence at a level of the qualifications framework (master's seven, doctorate eight, specialty certificate eight); a qualification that does not meet every standard can be equivalised at a lower level or conditionally on the recommendation of SCFHS's committees; a qualification not already on SCFHS's list goes through the new-qualification study service first.
Is Pakistan's FCPS accepted in Saudi Arabia?: SCFHS's 2009 manual treated it as equivalent to the Saudi specialization certificate: Pakistan's FCPS, with fellowships issued before 30 June 2008 accepted only after three years as an associate professor authenticated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. A fellowship issued before that date sat at Registrar level.
Where did the manual place India's MD, MS, DNB, DM and MCh?: Its examples of Registrar-level certificates name India's MD, DNB and MCh, not the MS; but a holder of a master's, or of a postgraduate diploma of at least two years, in any medical specialty is a Resident until the experience required for Registrar (the manual's Specialist) is complete, so we read India's MS, a Master of Surgery, with the MD. India's MD or MS together with the DNB, or an MD with a DM, is assessed as a fellowship and qualifies for Senior Registrar; an MD with an MCh is listed only for Bangladesh.
Do I need a year of experience outside Saudi Arabia?: Under the 2025 standards, the twelve months of experience outside the Kingdom required of non-Saudis does not apply to those who did their whole internship year in the Kingdom or who hold a qualification from outside the Kingdom professionally equivalent to at least a master's.
Is there an exam for each grade?: Bachelor's level (General Practitioner) sits the professional practice licence exam or the classification exam; master's level (Registrar) and doctorate or specialty level (Senior Registrar, Consultant) sit an exam or an evaluation, unless an exemption standard applies. Four attempts a year; after failing, a new application one year after the previous one.

What to do next

Tell us your degree, your postgraduate qualifications and your experience, and we show which SCFHS grade fits you and what is left, with each fee and how long it takes.

Sources

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