Countries > Saudi Arabia for Doctors > SMLE
Saudi Arabia for Doctors
The Saudi Medical Licensure Examination (SMLE) is the single gateway exam for any doctor who wants to practice medicine in Saudi Arabia or enter a postgraduate training program there. It is run by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), the Kingdom's official regulator for healthcare professions. Unlike multi-step pathways elsewhere, SMLE is one exam: pass it, complete your credentialing, and you are eligible for professional registration in Saudi Arabia.
Pathway Snapshot
The SMLE is a single computer-based MCQ exam delivered at Prometric centres globally. After DataFlow verification of your credentials through the Mumaris Plus portal, you book and sit the exam. A pass unlocks professional classification and registration with the SCFHS.
Complete Journey: Medical Graduation → DataFlow Verification → Mumaris Plus Account & Eligibility → SMLE → Professional Classification & Registration → Practice in Saudi Arabia.
A recognized primary medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) from an accredited institution, or having commenced your internship year, or being a final-year medical student who meets SCFHS eligibility requirements may register before graduation.
There is currently no routine English language examination requirement for physician licensure through SCFHS, although individual employers may have their own language requirements.
DataFlow handles Primary Source Verification of your degree, license, and experience documents, contacting your institutions directly to confirm authenticity. Verification typically takes 6 to 10 weeks depending on document complexity and how responsive your issuing institutions are. Once positive, your report links automatically to your Mumaris Plus account.
Mumaris Plus is the SCFHS central portal for all classification, registration, and exam services. SCFHS reviews your file and issues an Eligibility Number — your authorization to schedule the exam. SCFHS eligibility review generally takes 2 to 6 weeks after DataFlow verification.
Purpose: Assesses readiness to practice and/or proceed to postgraduate training. The exam includes recall questions that test knowledge, alongside scenario-based questions testing interpretation, analysis, decision-making, reasoning, and problem-solving.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Questions | 200 (2 sections × 100), up to 20 unscored pilot items |
Format | Single best answer of four options |
Duration | 2 sections, 120 minutes each, one scheduled 30-minute break — 4 hours total testing time |
Pass mark | 560 on a 200–800 scaled score (subject to SCFHS revisions) |
Sittings | 11 testing windows per year, in Saudi Arabia and internationally |
Typical preparation | 3 to 6 months |
Blueprint (subject weighting): Medicine: 30%; Obstetrics & Gynecology: 25%; Pediatrics: 25%; Surgery: 20%.
Weighting may shift up to ±5% per category per sitting. Items are also mapped to the SaudiMEDs competency framework.
Scheduling permits are valid for a limited eligibility period, and slots may not be booked more than three months in advance.
What we offer
Full SMLE question bank mapped to the official SCFHS blueprint, flashcards, self-assessments, trained AI companion, mentorship, a medical library, study groups, and more, all offered together.
Start SMLE Prep →Candidates are permitted multiple attempts under SCFHS regulations. Up to 4 attempts per year are allowed, starting from the first attempt, to obtain a passing score. Once you pass, you get 2 further attempts to improve your score for residency competitiveness. After one calendar year past that second attempt, one further attempt per year is allowed. Candidates who fail SMLE remain subject to standard SCFHS classification and registration rules for two years after their graduation date. The exact number of attempts, score improvement opportunities, and waiting periods are governed by current SCFHS examination policies and may change over time. Consult the latest SMLE Applicant Guide before scheduling additional attempts.
DataFlow → Mumaris Plus → Prometric
Passing SMLE is not the license itself — it is what unlocks Professional Classification and Registration through Mumaris Plus, the step where SCFHS formally logs you as a healthcare practitioner eligible to work in Saudi Arabia. For those planning to work inside the Kingdom, registration typically requires a valid Iqama tied to a sponsoring employer.
Fees vary by applicant category and are revised periodically by SCFHS. The figures below are approximate and based on 2026 data.
| Item | Approx. Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
DataFlow verification (PSV) | Starting from SAR 400 | Varies by number and type of documents verified |
Mumaris Plus classification fee | SAR 200–1,500+ | Varies by professional rank |
Mumaris registration/admin fee | SAR 200–240 | — |
Prometric exam fee | USD $220–290 | — |
Professional Registration (post-pass) | ~SAR 1,140 | Paid after passing, before starting work |
Note on Fees: All fees are set by the SCFHS, DataFlow, and Prometric and are subject to periodic revision. Figures shown are approximate and based on 2026 published rates. Always confirm exact fees on the official portals before payment.