SCFHS Pharmacist Licensing in Saudi Arabia: Everything You Need to Know

Key Points to Remember

• SPLE is mandatory for all pharmacists.
• Passing score: 536 out of 800.
• DataFlow verification is essential before applying for the exam.
• Mumaris is the official SCFHS portal for all online applications.
• Professional registration requires an employer in Saudi Arabia.
• Tax-free salary: SAR 9,000-18,000 per month.

Saudi Arabia has now become the most popular destination for aspiring pharmacists seeking international opportunities. The SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties) does help in regulating the practices of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to ensure they meet the country’s professional standards.

This guide will help you become a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, from applying to getting a job. 

1. What Is the SCFHS Pharmacist Licence?

The SCFHS pharmacist’s licence is certainly a mandatory certification required for pharmacists to practise legally, especially in Saudi Arabia. It is now issued by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) after candidates meet the respective educational, professional, and Saudi pharmacist exam requirements.

The licence further ensures that pharmacists meet Saudi Arabia’s healthcare quality standards and remain competent to provide safe pharmaceutical care.

To obtain this licence, candidates must pass the Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Examination (SPLE) and complete verification of their academic and professional credentials through DataFlow.

2. How to Apply for the SCFHS Exam

All pharmacists, local or international, must pass the Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Examination (SPLE) to become qualified for practice as pharmacists.

Application Steps:

1. Create a Mumaris+ Account – Register on the SCFHS’s official Mumaris+ portal to start your licensing journey.
2. Submit Application – Upload your degree, transcript, experience certificate, and passport.
3. DataFlow Verification – Complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) of your education and work documents.
4. Receive Exam Eligibility – Once verified, you’ll receive your exam permit.
5. Book the SPLE Exam – Schedule your test at any Prometric Center, inside or outside Saudi Arabia.
6. Attempt the SPLE—the computer-based test includes 300 multiple-choice questions across pharmaceutical and clinical areas.

SPLE Quick Facts

Facts	Answers
Passing Score	536 out of 800 needed
Exam Duration	6 hours (divided into three different sections)
Attempts	Up to 4 times in a year
Results	Mostly released within two to six weeks after the exam

3. Document Verification and DataFlow Process

Before sitting for the exam, all candidates must complete the DataFlow verification process. This is a Primary Source Verification (PSV) that confirms your educational and professional qualifications are authentic.

Documents Required:

• Pharmacy degree (BPharm or PharmD)
• Academic transcripts
• Professional licence and Good Standing Certificate from your home country
• Passport copy
• Work experience certificate

Only after DataFlow verification is complete will the SCFHS issue your exam eligibility. This process helps maintain transparency and ensures only qualified professionals can enter and practise in the Saudi healthcare system.

4. Licensing Steps for Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Once you have passed the SPLE exam, you can then proceed with the professional licensing process, which is explained below.

Step-by-Step Licensing Path:

1. Pass the SPLE exam with the required score (536/800).
2. Receive a Classification Certificate from SCFHS.
3. Secure a job offer from a Saudi healthcare institution (hospital, pharmacy, or company).
4. Apply for professional pharmacist registration in Saudi Arabia through your employer on the Mumaris+ portal.
5. Complete medical and background checks as required by Saudi authorities.

After registration, you will receive your SCFHS licence, which legally authorises you to work as a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia.

5. Post-Licensing Employment Process

After obtaining your licence, you must complete the employment and visa process before starting work.

Steps to Follow:

1. Employer Sponsorship: Your Saudi employer initiates the work visa process.
2. Submit Documents: This includes your SCFHS certificates, DataFlow report, and employment offer letter.
3. Medical Fitness and Police Clearance: Required to obtain your work visa (Iqama).
4. Work Visa Issuance: Once approved, you can legally live and work in Saudi Arabia as a pharmacist.

Pharmacists serving in Saudi Arabia typically earn between SAR 9,000 and 18,000 per month, with rates varying by experience and job type. The salary is certainly tax-free and includes benefits such as housing, travel allowances, and annual leave.

Conclusion

By becoming a licensed pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, you are about to open various doors with a rewarding and secure career. Once you have understood how to become a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, completed the SCFHS licensing process, passed the Saudi pharmacist exam, and met the respective verification requirements, you will be ready to start your career. You can begin practising in any one of the Middle East’s most advanced healthcare systems. 

If you have been planning to begin this type of pharmacist journey in Saudi Arabia, reach out to Elite Expertise, where we help you navigate the entire process seamlessly. We provide professional support starting from SCFHS registration, exam preparation, documentation, and visa guidance to pharmacist registration in Saudi Arabia.

Visit Elite Expertise today to start your journey as a licensed pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, with the help of expert coaches like Arief Mohammed and Harika Bheemavarapu.