Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia licenses internationally trained doctors through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) — a single national authority, which makes it structurally simpler than the UAE and more predictable than most of the Gulf. Applications run through the Mumaris Plus portal, and examinations are delivered through both Prometric and Pearson VUE.
Saudi Arabia also publishes a full content blueprint for every specialty examination. That matters more than it sounds: preparation can be weighted to the exam rather than guessed at.
Start your preparation
Your pathway
- Check eligibility
- Pass the licensing exam
- Register with the authority
- Specialty or board exam
Exams and products
SMLE — Saudi Medical Licensing Examination
Saudi Licensure Examination — Internal Medicine
Saudi Licensure Examination — General Surgery
Saudi Licensure Examination — Pediatrics
Saudi Licensure Examination — Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Saudi Licensure Examination — Family Medicine
Saudi Licensure Examination — Gastroenterology
Saudi Licensure Examination — Pediatric Surgery
Language requirements
Most authorities ask for an English test. Germany asks for German.
A note on naming. SCFHS does not use the term "Specialist Examination". Its blueprint documents are titled "Saudi Licensure Examination — [Specialty]" and its booking portal groups them as Classification Exams. This site uses SCFHS's own terms throughout.
There are two distinct routes, and they lead to different products. If you are seeking registration as a general practitioner, you sit the SMLE. If you are seeking classification as a specialist, you sit the Saudi Licensure Examination for your specialty. They are separate examinations with separate preparation.
Start preparing for the Saudi general licensing examination.
You can also get access to USMLE Step 2 question bank.
The Arab Board in Saudi Arabia
SCFHS recognises the Arab Board qualification as a regional specialist qualification. Recognition is not an exam exemption — no automatic exemption has been verified, and specialist classification is assessed case by case.