Every health practitioner in Saudi Arabia deals with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties at several points in their career: at first classification, at registration, at the licensing exam, and at re-registration every two years. Even so, many people search for what the abbreviation SCFHS stands for and what the Commission actually does. This article explains both, based on what the Commission itself publishes.
What SCFHS means
SCFHS is the abbreviation the Commission uses for its English name, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (in Arabic, الهيئة السعودية للتخصصات الصحية). The abbreviation appears on its official website, scfhs.org.sa, and in the names of its digital platforms.
What is the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties?
The Commission was established by Royal Decree No. (M/2) dated 6 Safar 1413 AH, in the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. It describes itself as an independent scientific professional body that began work in 1992. Its vision is to empower globally competitive health professionals, and its mission is to develop health professionals through a world-class regulatory model.
What does the Commission do?
Professional classification
SCFHS evaluates health qualifications and classifies holders into the appropriate professional category and grade. Classification is the first legal step before registration. It is updated through the Re-Classification service when a practitioner is promoted to a higher grade, changes specialty or asks for a restriction to be lifted.
Professional registration
After classification, a practitioner needs professional registration to practise. Registration is valid for two years and is renewed through the Re-Registration service. SCFHS asks practitioners to apply three months before registration ends.
Professional licensing exams
The Commission oversees the professional licensing exams. Practitioners apply for exam eligibility in Mumaris Plus, and computer-based exams are delivered through Prometric and Pearson VUE, which work with SCFHS.
Postgraduate training programmes
SCFHS supervises postgraduate training, including the Saudi Specialty Certificate (Saudi Board), diplomas and fellowships, and forms scientific councils and specialised committees.
Continuing professional development
The Commission accredits CPD providers and their activities, both in-person and electronic. Re-registration requires a set number of CPD hours: 20 for technicians, 40 for specialists, 40 for pharmacists and 60 for doctors. Consultants are referred to the regulations page.
Mumaris Plus and Mustamir
Mumaris Plus is the unified system for SCFHS services to practitioners. You apply for classification, registration, re-registration and exam eligibility there, and it holds your CPD hours record with a counter of required hours. SCFHS also publishes an official Mumaris+ app.
Mustamir is the Commission's CPD platform, bringing together SCFHS, activity providers and practitioners in one place. The accredited provider records your attendance on Mustamir and the hours move automatically to your Mumaris Plus record, so you do not upload certificates for activities held inside the Kingdom yourself.
Other SCFHS digital platforms
- Digital Learning Platform (learning.scfhs.org.sa): online training content for practitioners, accessed with the SCFHS single sign-on. SCFHS states that hours earned there are registered automatically in your Mumaris Plus profile.
- Health Academy digital learning portal (ha-learning.scfhs.org.sa): aimed at trainees exploring the health sciences.
- Mumaris+ Business: for government and private healthcare entities to manage their practitioners' transactions.
If you earn CPD hours outside the Kingdom or through self-learning activities, submit them through the Recognition of CPD Hours service in Mumaris Plus. Certificates must be in Arabic or English, and the activity must relate to your specialty or to skills that support your practice.
Why this matters to you as a practitioner
- Classification and then registration are the two legal steps before practice, and both go through SCFHS.
- Renewing your registration every two years depends on completing your CPD hours. If they are not complete, a one-year renewal is available only once.
- A fine is issued 31 days after the registration period ends, so keep an eye on your dates in Mumaris Plus.
- Only SCFHS-accredited activities related to your specialty count, and academic degrees and diplomas are not counted as CPD hours.
For practical ways to collect your hours, see the step-by-step guide to getting SCFHS-accredited CME hours.
Frequently asked questions
What does SCFHS stand for?
It is the abbreviation of the English name Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, in Arabic الهيئة السعودية للتخصصات الصحية.
When was SCFHS established?
By Royal Decree No. (M/2) dated 6 Safar 1413 AH. The Commission states that it began work in 1992.
What is the difference between classification and registration?
Classification sets your professional category and grade based on your qualification and experience, and comes first. Registration is the professional permission to practise; it lasts two years and is renewed through re-registration.
How do I contact SCFHS?
Through the Tawasul contact page on its official website (scfhs.org.sa/en/tawasul), or on 920019393, the number published in its service guides.
Accredited hours with Mulhim
Mulhim is an SCFHS-accredited CPD provider (No. AC10000415) offering online, self-paced courses worth 5 CME hours each, with hours sent to Mumaris Plus. Browse accredited courses.
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