SCFHS classification and DataFlow: apply for your licence
SCFHS classification sets your title and grade. Check your title in Mumaris Plus, then send the documents that need checking. You can start classification from abroad. To register later, you must live legally in Saudi Arabia.
Facts last verified 5 October 2026. Updated 6 October 2026.
Check the title that fits you
SCFHS rules set at least 1 year of experience for non-Saudis, except Saudi-university graduates. Each specialist rank has its own rules.
| Route | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s medicine or dentistry | General physician category; higher qualifications lead to separate ranks |
| Bachelor’s pharmacy | Pharmacist category |
| Bachelor’s nursing or midwifery | Nurse category; specialist scope requires a degree or equivalent and required assessments |
| Technician | Accepted intermediate diploma meeting professional-equivalency conditions; an accepted non-equivalent bachelor’s has a separate route |
| Nursing diploma | SCFHS scope: at least 3 years. The 2-year exception covers only already-classified Saudi nurse or midwife technicians. |
| Nursing diploma, vendor sheet | Prometric: 2 years. Ask SCFHS about your award before paying; course length alone does not guarantee acceptance. |
| Unlisted qualification | Qualification Study before classification; decides whether and under which title you can be classified |
| Assessment exemption | Same-specialty SCFHS pass within 5 years, excluding high-risk specialties. Other exemptions need an accepted equivalent assessment, assessing body or specialty-council criteria. |
A foreign award such as MRCP or FRCS does not exempt you by itself. Choose your profession to check the right paper.
Get your documents ready
| Document | What it must show |
|---|---|
| Qualifications | Award, specialty, issue and graduation dates; add relevant earlier qualifications |
| Degree verification | Verify the bachelor’s for a bachelor’s-based application. For a postgraduate-based application, verify the higher qualification under that rule. |
| Last-country registration | Valid, verified registration where you last practised. If no registering body exists, use a Ministry of Health letter and verified experience. |
| Employment letter | Clinical practice, category and start date; issued within 3 months before applying |
| Saudi applicants with overseas qualifications | Ministry of Education equivalency; this is not a general expatriate requirement |
| DataFlow package documents | Passport, qualifications, transcripts, employment, licences and good standing as needed for your package |
| Different document name | Name-change certificate if your document name differs from your passport |
| No last-country licence | Explanatory endorsement letter and experience certificate |
DataFlow does not need embassy attestation or an apostille for verification. SCFHS or your recruiter may set separate rules.
Finish DataFlow before you apply
Check your title before you buy a package. Attach the final report when you apply for classification (Mumaris FAQ). Sending a document does not pay for it to be checked. See packages, add-ons and transfer costs.
| Task | Rule |
|---|---|
| Standard verification | 15 to 25 working days after payment and complete submission. The kit gives a 25-working-day average; neither is a deadline. |
| Delays | Missing documents, slow issuer replies, conflict, strikes or natural disasters can extend the wait. Later documents can add fees. |
| Report transfer | Existing education and licence checks needed. A new case number follows checks and payment; extra checks may be required. |
| SCFHS transfer timing | Up to 25 working days including new checks. General transfer guidance says 5 to 7 working days without extra checks, or 30 to 35 days with checks. |
| Report access | If you applied before 10 March 2026, use DataFlow Status. For applications after that date, use your applicant profile. The DataFlow FAQ does not cover report access for applications made on 10 March itself. Ask DataFlow. |
| Unable to Verify or Discrepancy | Appeal within 180 days of report completion. Reverification is free unless missing information creates new requirements. |
| Appeal route | Applications before 10 March 2026: use the old appeal screen. Applications on or after that date: contact support or raise an account request. |
The general transfer guide does not say whether its 30 to 35 days are working days. Check the wait time in your case. We did not find an official ranking of countries or institutions by DataFlow processing speed.
Submit, take the assessment and register
Apply for classification in Mumaris Plus. SCFHS checks your documents and refers you for any required assessment. If you need an assessment, the final classification decision comes afterwards (procedural guide). Internship-year applicants and practitioners can also use the separate exam eligibility service. A final classification decision is not required for every exam route.
If SCFHS returns your file, send missing documents within 20 working days or it cancels your request. Use Mumaris Plus help for returned files and account problems.
| Route | Period |
|---|---|
| Direct decision | 7 business days |
| Electronic written exam | 30 business days |
| Practical assessment | Registration service: 45 business days. Mumaris FAQ: 35 working days. Ask which applies. |
| National electronic licensing exam | 60 business days |
| Qualification Study | 50 business days |
| Exam eligibility service | 5 business days |
These service times do not give a total time to your licence. Follow fees and booking, then results and registration.
After classification, apply to register. You must live legally in Saudi Arabia. It lasts 2 years (Mumaris FAQ). If you work now, send an employment letter from the last 3 months when you register.
Your employer asks for the work visa through Qiwa. It issues your residence through Absher Business. See Saudi job-offer and visa steps.