Physicians and dentists, from general practitioners and residents to specialists and consultants, need 60 CME hours in each two-year SCFHS registration period. A practical route is to complete 40 accredited hours online first, then add the remaining 20 hours from other accredited activities.
Who the 60-hour target covers
SCFHS sets continuing education hours by professional category. Physicians and dentists form one category for this purpose, whatever their grade. Your specialty, hospital or clinic does not change the number.
Physicians
General practitioners, residents, specialists and consultants.
Dentists
General dentists, residents, specialists and consultants in dentistry.
Your first block
Eight accredited 5-hour courses in one bundle.
Why should physicians in Saudi Arabia start their CME with 40 hours?
Sixty hours can feel like a lot when it sits on top of clinics, theatre lists and on-call. Breaking it into two blocks makes it manageable. The first 40 hours come from one structured bundle you can finish at your own pace. The remaining 20 can come from other accredited activities, such as an accredited conference, workshop or course you already plan to attend.
| Where it comes from | Block | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mulhim 40-hour bundle, eight accredited online courses | Block 1 | 40 |
| Other accredited activities you attend or complete | Block 2 | 20 |
| Posted to your Mumaris Plus record | Total | 60 |
On pace, the first block is easier than it sounds. At one course a week, the eight courses take about two months, and the bundle gives 6 months of access, so a heavy on-call month does not sink the plan. Booking the accredited top-up early matters more, because conferences and workshops run on fixed dates you do not control.
Three doctors, three routes to 60
| Who | Posted so far | Still due | A sensible route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal medicine resident, nothing posted | 0 | 60 | The 40-hour bundle, plus 20 from accredited departmental or conference activities |
| Consultant who attends conferences | 35 | 25 | 5 courses, so the 30-hour bundle with one course spare |
| General dentist with workshop hours | 45 | 15 | 3 courses, covered by the 20-hour bundle |
The consultant's case is common. Conference hours pile up, but they rarely land on a round number, and the last 25 hours end up chasing him in the final months. Hours come in blocks of 5 here, so he rounds 25 up to 5 courses. If he ends a little above 60, the extra shows as a balance, as shown in Mumaris Plus.
Where doctors usually slip
- Stopping at 40 because that is what the nurses and pharmacists on the team needed. The physician and dentist target is 60.
- Counting a conference before its hours appear in the record.
- Planning the last 20 hours around an event that falls after the period ends.
- Thinking seniority changes the target. A consultant and a resident share the same 60.
For the wider rules on renewal for doctors, see the complete guide to SCFHS CME requirements for doctors.
Keep the whole period in view
Your hours belong to a two-year registration period. These are the dates that shape your plan:
As shown in Mumaris Plus, SCFHS sends a reminder about 60 days before your registration expires, by email and WhatsApp. If the required hours are not complete at renewal, SCFHS can renew for one year instead of two, and only once.
Make sure every hour reaches your record
Renewal reads hours posted to Mumaris Plus, not the certificates in your drawer. For activities inside the Kingdom, the provider posts the hours. Mulhim posts yours within 24 to 48 business hours after you complete each course, and you download each certificate from your dashboard.
As shown in Mumaris Plus, hours earned beyond your target carry over as a balance you can use later. For every category's target, see the guide to SCFHS hours by category.
Start with the 40-hour bundle
Every Mulhim course is SCFHS accredited and carries 5 CME hours, and Mulhim is fully accredited. Each bundle gives 6 months of access.
Close to your renewal date and worried about your hours? Talk to us.
Talk to usFrequently asked questions
How many CME hours do physicians need in Saudi Arabia?
Physicians need 60 hours in each two-year registration period, whatever their grade.
Do dentists need the same number?
Yes. Dentists share the 60-hour target with physicians.
Does a consultant need more hours than a resident?
No. The target is set by category, and residents, specialists and consultants are all in the same category.
Can I earn all 60 hours online?
Yes, if every activity is accredited and its hours are posted to your record. You can also combine online courses with accredited events you attend.
Does Mulhim offer a 60-hour bundle?
Physicians and dentists start with the 40-hour bundle and top up. A new 20-hour offering for them is coming soon.
Source: SCFHS Mumaris Plus frequently asked questions. Always confirm your own target in your Mumaris Plus account. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abdullah Alsaiari, Medical Editorial Board Member.
