SCFHS Consultant Licensing 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for International Doctors
If you’re a consultant or specialist from the US, Canada, UK, EU, India, Pakistan or Russia and you’re considering a role in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) licence is your gateway.
The good news: demand for experienced international doctors is very strong. The challenging news: the SCFHS pathway can feel complex if you try to navigate it alone.
This guide walks you through the SCFHS licensing process in 2025, what documents you need, common pitfalls – and how Care Bridge can simplify the journey.
Why Saudi Arabia is so attractive for consultants and specialists
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in healthcare as part of Vision 2030. For senior doctors from global systems, that often means:
- Competitive consultant/specialist salary packages
- Modern hospitals and academic centres
- Subspecialty development opportunities
- Exposure to complex case-mix and advanced technologies
For many international doctors, Saudi Arabia is a way to accelerate career progression, build savings and experience a new culture while still working at a high clinical level.
Who needs an SCFHS licence?
If you want to work clinically in Saudi Arabia as a:
- Consultant / Senior Consultant
- Specialist
- Associate specialist / staff grade
…you will need professional classification and registration through SCFHS. Your level depends on your training, qualifications and years of experience after certification.
Step 1 – Check your eligibility
Before you gather documents or apply for jobs, you need to understand whether your background fits SCFHS consultant or specialist criteria.
Typical consultant-level profiles include:
- US/Canada: Board certification + required years of post-board experience
- UK/EU: CCT or equivalent specialist training + required post-certification experience
- India/Pakistan/Russia: Recognised postgraduate qualifications (MD/MS/DM, DNB, FCPS, board equivalents) plus sufficient tertiary-level experience
Care Bridge starts every conversation with an eligibility check. We match your CV against current SCFHS rules and our Saudi clients’ expectations and highlight:
- Your likely classification level (consultant vs specialist)
- Any gaps – e.g. missing documents or experience
- How this might impact salary and role title
Step 2 – Gather the core documents
Most international doctors will need:
- Updated CV in English
- Passport (valid for at least 6–12 months)
- Primary medical qualification and transcripts
- Postgraduate/specialist qualifications
- Registration certificates (national medical council / licensing body)
- Proof of good standing from your medical council
- Logbooks or case summaries (for certain specialties)
- Employment references and experience certificates
Some documents must be attested, legalised or apostilled. Care Bridge advises you exactly which documents need which process, based on your home country.
Step 3 – Create your SCFHS account & seek professional classification
Next comes professional classification with SCFHS:
- Create an online SCFHS account
- Submit your qualifications and documents
- Pay the relevant fees
- Await your classification decision
For international consultants and specialists, the key is to ensure your qualifications are uploaded correctly and completely. Missing pages, unclear scans or inconsistent dates can trigger delays or rejections.
Care Bridge can:
- Review your document pack before submission
- Coordinate with hospital HR teams
- Flag issues early, before they become roadblocks
Step 4 – Examinations and assessments (if required)
Depending on your specialty and background, SCFHS may:
- Accept your qualifications without further exam
- Require an oral or written assessment
- Ask for additional verification or experience proof
We’ll explain realistically what to expect for your specific country and specialty, and help you prepare early if an assessment is likely.
Step 5 – Registration linked to your job offer
SCFHS registration is normally completed with your employing hospital. Once you:
- Secure an offer through Care Bridge
- Complete medical and background clearances
- Obtain visa and work permit approval
…the hospital HR team and Care Bridge will work together to finalise your registration, so you can start work soon after arrival.
Common mistakes international doctors make
We regularly see doctors lose months because they:
- Start licensing after signing a contract instead of in parallel
- Under-estimate attestation and verification timelines from their home country
- Don’t keep copies of all documents and receipts
- Forget to renew registration or good standing letters
With proper planning, most issues are avoidable. Care Bridge builds a licensing timeline around your circumstances so you can resign and relocate with confidence.
How Care Bridge can help
Care Bridge works with leading Saudi hospitals and healthcare groups, placing international consultants and specialists into permanent roles. We support you with:
- Honest eligibility assessment for SCFHS levels
- Guidance on required documents and attestation from your country
- Coordination with hospital HR and licensing teams
- Ongoing support from first enquiry through to your first day in post
If you’re considering Saudi Arabia in 2025–26, this is the right time to explore options.
Ready to explore consultant roles in Saudi?
- Consultants & specialists from US, Canada, UK, EU, India, Pakistan and Russia:
- Hospitals & healthcare groups: