How to Get a Nursing Licence in Saudi Arabia | SCFHS, DataFlow & Prometric
Saudi Nursing Licence: SCFHS, DataFlow & Mumaris+
If you are a nurse planning to work in Saudi Arabia, you will need to meet the professional requirements of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) before practising professionally in the Kingdom.
The process can include document preparation and verification, Professional Classification through Mumaris+, professional assessment or examination where applicable, and Professional Registration.
The exact requirements depend on your qualifications, professional experience and individual circumstances.
Profco (Professional Connections) supports eligible nurses recruited through us with the professional licensing requirements relevant to their Saudi nursing application.
What Is the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)?
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) is responsible for the professional classification and registration of healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia.
For an internationally qualified nurse, it is important to understand the difference between Professional Classification and
Professional Registration.
Professional Classification assesses your qualifications, experience and applicable professional requirements to determine your professional classification. Professional Registration is a separate stage required for professional practice in Saudi Arabia.
Step 1 – Confirm Your Eligibility
Before beginning the licensing process, establish that your qualifications and nursing experience are appropriate for the position for which you are applying.
Register or sign in to MyProfco, upload your current CV or résumé and message Profco (Professional Connections) through your MyProfco record.
Your recruiter can review your qualifications, current professional registration, nursing speciality and relevant experience against suitable Saudi nursing opportunities.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Nursing Documents
The documents required depend on your circumstances and the professional classification being sought.
You may need documents including:
- Nursing degree or qualification
- Academic transcript
- Current professional nursing registration or licence
- Employment certificates
- Identification documents
- Additional professional qualifications where applicable
Your documentation should be complete and accurate. Names, qualifications, professional registration details and employment dates should be consistent across your documents.
Your Profco recruiter will advise you about the documents required for your recruitment and licensing process.
Step 3 – Primary-Source Verification / DataFlow
Qualifications and other professional credentials issued outside Saudi Arabia may require primary-source verification as part of the SCFHS Professional Classification process.
Verification confirms information directly with the relevant issuing organisations or authorities.
The exact documents requiring verification depend on the applicable SCFHS requirements and the individual's circumstances.
Profco will guide eligible candidates progressing through our recruitment process on the verification requirements applicable to their application.
Step 4 – Qualification Recognition
In some cases, a healthcare qualification may need further assessment before Professional Classification can proceed.
If the qualification is not included among the qualifications recognised through Mumaris+, an additional qualification assessment process may be required.
Candidates should follow the requirements applicable to their own qualification rather than assuming that every internationally educated nurse follows an identical pathway.
Step 5 – Apply for Professional Classification Through Mumaris+
Professional Classification is an important stage for nurses seeking to practise in Saudi Arabia.
Applications are managed through Mumaris+, the SCFHS platform used for professional services.
SCFHS considers the documentation and professional requirements relevant to the application in determining the appropriate professional classification.
The requirements can differ according to the applicant's qualifications, experience and professional circumstances.
Step 6 – Complete an Assessment or Examination Where Required
Depending on your professional pathway and individual circumstances, you may be required to complete a professional assessment or examination.
Not every candidate should assume that the same examination pathway applies to them.
Your Profco recruiter will help you understand the requirements relevant to your application. Where an examination or assessment is required, candidates should prepare using the current official SCFHS guidance and examination information applicable to them.
Step 7 – Receive Your Professional Classification
Once the applicable requirements have been completed and SCFHS has assessed your application, the outcome will determine your professional classification.
Professional Classification is not the same as Professional Registration.
Candidates should therefore be careful not to assume that receiving their classification means that every professional licensing requirement has been completed.
Step 8 – Complete Professional Registration
Professional Registration is a separate stage from Professional Classification and is required for professional practice in Saudi Arabia.
The registration application is completed through Mumaris+ and is subject to the current SCFHS requirements applicable to the individual practitioner.
Profco will guide eligible candidates through the relevant stages as their recruitment progresses.
How Much Does Saudi Nursing Licensing Cost?
There is no single licensing cost that applies to every international nurse.
Costs can vary according to the services required for the individual application, which may include professional classification, document verification, assessment or examination and professional registration.
Where reimbursement of eligible recruitment or professional licensing costs forms part of an employment package, the applicable terms will be explained to the candidate.
How Long Does the Saudi Nursing Licensing Process Take?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every applicant.
The time required can depend on factors including:
- Your qualifications and professional circumstances
- Availability and accuracy of your documents
- Primary-source verification
- Qualification assessment where required
- SCFHS application processing
- Professional assessment or examination requirements where applicable
Preparing complete and accurate documents early can help avoid unnecessary delays.
How Does Profco Help With Saudi Nursing Licensing?
International professional licensing can appear complicated when you are managing it alongside a hospital application, interview and relocation process.
Profco (Professional Connections) supports eligible nurses recruited through us with the licensing requirements relevant to their Saudi nursing application.
Your recruiter can help you understand the stages applicable to you, identify the documents you need to prepare and explain what you need to do next.
This support is provided to eligible candidates progressing nursing opportunities through Profco.
Start Your Saudi Nursing Application
If you are an experienced Registered Nurse interested in nursing opportunities in Saudi Arabia:
1. Register or sign in to MyProfco
2. Upload your current CV or résumé
3. Message Profco (Professional Connections) through your MyProfco record
We can review your experience against suitable current nursing opportunities and advise you about the recruitment and professional licensing requirements relevant to your application.