How to Get a Saudi Nursing License (SCFHS Mumaris Plus & SNLE Guide 2025)

1. Understanding the Saudi Nursing License

The Saudi nursing license is mandatory for all nurses, whether local or expatriate. It proves that a nurse:

• Holds an accredited qualification.
  
• Has verified credentials through SCFHS.
  
• Passed the SNLE exam.
  
• Meets professional, ethical, and regulatory standards.

No nurse may practice legally in Saudi Arabia without it.

2. Eligibility Requirements

To apply for licensing, you must meet SCFHS criteria:

• Education: BSN or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
  
• Students: Final-year BSN students or interns are eligible to sit for SNLE.
  
• Foreign nurses: Must provide a valid nursing license from the home country and proof of at least 2 years’ experience.
  
• Documents required (scanned and uploaded to Mumaris Plus):
  
  • Passport/Iqama (for expatriates) or National ID (for Saudis).
    
  • Degree certificate and official transcript.
    
  • Internship completion certificate (if applicable).
    
  • Good standing certificate (issued within 6 months).
    
  • Nursing license/registration from home country.
    
  • Passport photo.
    
  • Employment letter (for professional registration).
• Primary Source Verification (DataFlow): All degrees, licenses, and certificates must be authenticated through SCFHS’s verification partner before classification is granted.
  

3. The Mumaris Plus Portal

Mumaris Plus is SCFHS’s unified digital platform for health practitioners. Through it you:

• Create an account and profile.
  
• Submit applications for Professional Classification and Registration.
  
• Upload documents for verification.
  
• Apply for the SNLE exam.
  
• Manage renewals and licensing services later.

‍SCFHS Mumaris Plus Portal

4. Step-by-Step Licensing Process

Step 1: Create a Mumaris Plus Account

• Register with passport/Iqama details and email.
  
• Verify via email confirmation.
  

Step 2: Apply for Professional Classification

• Upload all required documents.
  
• Pay classification fees (~SAR 1,000–1,500).
  
• Wait for DataFlow verification approval.
  
• Once approved, your classification is valid for 1 year for registration purposes.
  

Step 3: Apply for the SNLE Exam

• Submit your SNLE application through Mumaris Plus.
  
• Receive an eligibility letter and scheduling permit.
  
• Book a test slot at a Prometric center (Saudi Arabia or abroad).
  

Step 4: Prepare for the SNLE

The SNLE assesses readiness for safe nursing practice.

• Format: 200 MCQs (up to 10% pilot/unscored), split into 2 blocks of 100 questions each.
  
• Timing: 120 minutes per block + 30-minute break.
  
• Scoring: Scale 200–800; passing score is 500.
  
• Retakes: Up to 4 times per year allowed.
  

Blueprint areas tested

• Nursing Fundamentals (assessment, pharmacology, nutrition, basic care).
  
• Adult Nursing (medical, surgical, critical care, community, psychiatric).
  
• Maternal & Child Nursing (maternity, gynecology, neonatal, pediatric).
  
• Nursing Management & Leadership (quality, safety, informatics, team coordination).
  

Recommended textbooks:‍

• Brunner & Suddarth’s Medical-Surgical Nursing
  
• Timby’s Fundamentals of Nursing
  
• Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing
  
• Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing.

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Step 5: Exam Day

• Bring passport/Iqama and scheduling permit.
  
• Biometric verification (photo, fingerprint) will be done.
  
• Prohibited items: phones, notes, electronic devices.
  
• Testing sessions are video and audio recorded.
  

Step 6: Receive Results

• Results released 2–6 weeks after exam window closes.
  
• You receive two reports:
  
  • Statement of results.
    
  • Performance feedback comparing you to other test-takers.
    

Step 7: Apply for Professional Registration

• After passing, log into Mumaris Plus and apply for registration.
  
• Submit employment letter from your Saudi employer.
  
• Pay registration fees.
  
• Receive your Professional License Certificate (digital).
  

5. Exam Attempts and Retake Policy

• Up to 4 attempts per year are allowed.
  
• If failed twice, SCFHS classification rules apply (extra requirements after 2 years of graduation).
  
• Candidates who pass can retake the exam to improve their score for competitive residency placement.
  

6. Required Documents Checklist

• Valid passport or Iqama/National ID.
  
• Degree and transcript.
  
• Internship completion certificate.
  
• Nursing license from home country.
  
• Certificate of Good Standing (issued within 6 months).
  
• Employment letter (for registration).
  
• Passport-sized photo.
  
• Verified DataFlow report.
  
• Payment receipts (SCFHS fees, exam fees).
  

7. Costs Involved (Approximate)

• Professional Classification & Registration Fees: SAR 1,000–1,500.
  
• DataFlow Verification Fees: SAR 800–1,200 (depending on number of documents).
  
• SNLE Exam Fee: ~SAR 1,000 (varies by Prometric location).
  
• License Renewal Fees: payable every 2 years.
  

8. Practical Tips for Nurses

• Start document verification early; DataFlow can take weeks.
  
• Book SNLE exam slots quickly as they fill fast.
  
• Study from the official exam blueprint and recommended resources.
  
• Use SCFHS’s mock exams for practice.
  
• Always check SCFHS announcements for updated policies.
  

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SNLE mandatory for foreign nurses?
Yes. All expatriate and local nurses must pass SNLE.

How long is the Saudi nursing license valid?
Usually 2 years, renewable through Mumaris Plus.

Where can I take the SNLE exam?
At Prometric centers in Saudi Arabia or internationally.

What is the passing score?
500 on the SNLE scale (200–800).

What if I fail the SNLE?
You can retake it, up to four times annually.

What happens if my classification expires?
If you don’t complete registration within one year of classification approval, you must reapply.

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