How is a foreign qualification's level decided?

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.

Are the FCPS and an Indian MD or DNB accepted?

SCFHS now sets each qualification's level by professional equivalence. Its 2009 classification manual read: 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.

Do I need 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.

Which exam does a General Practitioner sit?

The SMLE. You must take the SMLE if you want to practise in Saudi Arabia or be admitted to an SCFHS postgraduate training programme. From March 2023, 200 multiple-choice questions in two sections of 100 (plus 10 pilot items) with 120 minutes each; sat at any SCFHS-approved Prometric centre locally or internationally; up to four attempts a year from the first attempt.

How long does classification take?

Direct decision in 7 working days, an electronic written exam (Prometric or Pearson VUE) in 30 working days, or a practical evaluation in 35 working days; the oral professional-practice exam has one to four stations; a consultant holding a fellowship is classified by direct decision in the fellowship's sub-specialty; classification cannot rest on the academic record alone and the DataFlow final report must be attached.

How many attempts do I get?

Four attempts a year; after failing, a new application one year after the previous one.

How much does DataFlow verification cost?

SAR 500 for one qualification and one licence; who pays varies.

← Doctors in Saudi Arabia outcomeOS

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · Doctors

How does SCFHS classify doctors as GP, Registrar, Senior Registrar or Consultant?

Since 1 Aug 2025, SCFHS grades a doctor by the level of the qualification it recognises: a bachelor's is General Practitioner, a master's is Registrar, and a doctorate or specialty certificate is Senior Registrar, or Consultant with 36 months of experience.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · SCFHS ↗

Grade by qualification

General Practitioner	A bachelor's in medicine and surgery
Registrar	A qualification SCFHS places at master's level
Senior Registrar	A doctorate or a specialty certificate
Consultant	A doctorate or a specialty certificate, and 36 months of experience

What SCFHS asks of doctors

Documents	The qualification certificate showing issuance date, graduation date, title and specialization, with earlier qualifications attached (bachelor's, general specialty, sub-specialty for a consultant application); the academic record with programme duration and internship details; a completion certificate for a fellowship or board; verification by an SCFHS-approved company of the degree the application rests on
Licence at home	A valid professional registration certificate issued by the official authority of the country where the applicant practised before arriving, with a verification letter; where no registration body exists, a letter from that country's Ministry of Health
Experience	At least 12 months for non-Saudis, with the exemptions below. The experience letter must come from the personnel department with field, category and dates; an employment letter must be under three months old; foreign documents go only through the authenticating company
Assessment	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
Registration	Valid for 2 years

Good to know

How is a foreign qualification's level decided?: 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.
Are the FCPS and an Indian MD or DNB accepted?: SCFHS now sets each qualification's level by professional equivalence. Its 2009 classification manual read: 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.
Do I need 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.
Which exam does a General Practitioner sit?: The SMLE. You must take the SMLE if you want to practise in Saudi Arabia or be admitted to an SCFHS postgraduate training programme. From March 2023, 200 multiple-choice questions in two sections of 100 (plus 10 pilot items) with 120 minutes each; sat at any SCFHS-approved Prometric centre locally or internationally; up to four attempts a year from the first attempt.
How long does classification take?: Direct decision in 7 working days, an electronic written exam (Prometric or Pearson VUE) in 30 working days, or a practical evaluation in 35 working days; the oral professional-practice exam has one to four stations; a consultant holding a fellowship is classified by direct decision in the fellowship's sub-specialty; classification cannot rest on the academic record alone and the DataFlow final report must be attached.
How many attempts do I get?: Four attempts a year; after failing, a new application one year after the previous one.
How much does DataFlow verification cost?: SAR 500 for one qualification and one licence; who pays varies.

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

outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · Privacy · Terms

See which of these I already meet, freeThree minutes, free. Sign in at the end to see your results.