In every two-year registration period, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) asks you to complete a set number of continuing education (CME, called CPD in Mumaris Plus) hours. Your professional category decides the number, not your specialty.
SCFHS CME hours required: your category sets the number
Two practitioners in the same department can need different hours. A nursing technician and a registered nurse work side by side, yet SCFHS classifies them differently, so their targets differ. Look at the classification on your SCFHS registration, then find it below. Nurses get this wrong more than anyone, so there is a separate guide on CME hours for nurses in Saudi Arabia.
Technicians
Every health technician classification, including nursing, laboratory, pharmacy and radiology technicians.
Specialists
Non-physician specialists, including registered and specialist nurses, laboratory, physiotherapy, nutrition, respiratory therapy and radiology specialists.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians follow the technician target of 20 hours.
Physicians and dentists
General practitioners, residents, specialists and consultants in medicine and dentistry.
| Your SCFHS category | Examples | Hours per cycle | Matching Mulhim bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | Nursing technician, lab technician, pharmacy technician | 20 | 20 CME hours |
| Specialist (non-physician) | Registered nurse, specialist nurse, physiotherapist, dietitian, lab specialist | 40 | 40 CME hours |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacist, clinical pharmacist | 40 | 40 CME hours |
| Physician / dentist | GP, resident, specialist, consultant, dentist | 60 | 40 CME hours + top up |
The two-year cycle at a glance
Your registration lasts two years and the hours belong to that period. This is how a period usually runs:
How do your hours reach your Mumaris Plus record?
Renewal reads the hours posted to your Mumaris Plus record, not the certificates you keep. For accredited activities in the Kingdom, the activity provider posts your hours for you.
- Complete an accredited course and its assessment.
- Download your certificate from your dashboard.
- The provider posts your hours to Mumaris Plus. With Mulhim this takes 24 to 48 business hours.
- Check your CPD record in Mumaris Plus and watch the hours due go down.
If you are not sure where to look, this walkthrough shows how to check your CPD hours and activity status in Mumaris Plus.
What does a realistic plan look like?
Every Mulhim course is 5 hours, so the arithmetic is simple. Divide the hours you still owe by 5 and you have the number of courses. Here is how it works out in four common cases.
| Who | Hours due | Courses | What fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing technician, nothing posted yet | 20 | 4 | 20-hour bundle, SAR 195 |
| Registered nurse, nothing posted yet | 40 | 8 | 40-hour bundle, SAR 399 |
| Pharmacist with 10 hours already in Mumaris Plus | 30 | 6 | 30-hour bundle, SAR 295 |
| Physician or dentist, nothing posted yet | 60 | 12 | 40-hour bundle plus 20-hour bundle |
Two practical points. First, the access on each bundle lasts 6 months, which is plenty for 4 to 8 courses if you do one or two a month. Second, leave a margin before your renewal window opens 3 months before the end of the period. Hours from Mulhim take 24 to 48 business hours to post, and an outside provider may take longer. For physicians, the SCFHS CME guide for doctors goes through the 60-hour target in more detail.
Which mistakes cost people their full renewal?
The same few habits cause most of the trouble at renewal time.
- Counting certificates instead of posted hours. A certificate in a folder does nothing for renewal. Only hours posted to Mumaris Plus count, so check the record itself.
- Going by specialty instead of category. A lab technician and a lab specialist share a bench but not a target. One needs 20 hours, the other 40.
- Leaving it to the last month. Posting takes time, and a missing activity can take a while to sort out with the provider. If the period ends first, the late fine starts 31 days later.
- Assuming the one-year renewal is a safety net. It is available only once. After that you are back to needing the full hours.
When it is time to apply, the steps for renewing your SCFHS registration in Mumaris Plus are in their own guide.
Choose the bundle that matches your target
Every Mulhim course is SCFHS accredited and carries 5 CME hours. Mulhim is fully accredited. Each bundle gives you 6 months of access, and your certificates are always in your dashboard.
Close to your renewal date and worried about your hours? Talk to us and we will help you plan.
Talk to usFrequently asked questions
How many CME hours do nurses need for SCFHS renewal?
It depends on the nursing classification. A registered or specialist nurse is a specialist and needs 40 hours every two years. A nursing technician needs 20 hours.
Is CPD the same as CME?
Yes. SCFHS uses the term CPD (continuing professional development) in Mumaris Plus. It is the same continuing education hours that renewal requires.
How long is an SCFHS registration period?
Professional registration lasts two years. The required hours belong to that two-year period.
When can I renew?
You can apply for renewal three months before your registration period ends.
What happens if I renew late?
A fine applies from 31 days after your registration period ends.
How many hours do physicians and dentists need?
Physicians and dentists need 60 hours every two years. Many start with the 40-hour bundle and add courses to reach 60.
Source: SCFHS Mumaris Plus frequently asked questions. Always check your own target in your Mumaris Plus account. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abdullah Alsaiari, Medical Editorial Board Member.
