Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE): SCFHS Complete Guide 2026
SMLE Exam Quick Summary
The Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE) is the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) licensure exam for doctors. It has 200 single-best-answer MCQs in two blocks of 100 questions (120 minutes each, with a 30-minute break), covering Medicine 30%, Obstetrics and Gynecology 25%, Pediatrics 25% and Surgery 20%. The passing score is 560 on a 200 to 800 scale.
If you want to work as a GP in Saudi Arabia or apply for Saudi Board residency, the SMLE is the exam you will hear about first. It is run by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) and delivered at Prometric centres in Saudi Arabia and abroad. This guide covers who can sit it, how to apply through Mumaris Plus, the exam format and blueprint, and how to prepare. The figures below come from the SCFHS SMLE blueprint (2026) and applicant guide.
What is SMLE and who needs to pass it?
SCFHS describes the SMLE as the licensure exam you must pass to obtain a licence to practise medicine. In practice two groups take it:
- Doctors seeking a GP licence in Saudi Arabia, including foreign-trained graduates.
- Residency applicants. The SMLE score is used in Saudi residency selection, which is why SCFHS lets you resit after passing to improve it.
Specialists and consultants with postgraduate qualifications go through SCFHS professional classification, which assesses their qualification for a specialist title; the SMLE is mainly the GP and residency exam.
Who is eligible for the SMLE?
According to the SCFHS applicant guide, you can apply if you:
- hold a recognised primary medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) from an accredited programme, or
- have started your internship year, or
- are a student one year away from graduation.
Can fresh graduates take SMLE?
Yes. Interns and final-year students are allowed to sit it, and fresh graduates are among the most common candidates. What decides your path is what you want next:
- Residency: many take the SMLE early specifically for Saudi Board residency applications. Selection also looks at your GPA, CV, research, interviews and recommendation letters.
- GP licence and a job: passing the SMLE is only one part. For professional classification, SCFHS states that non-Saudi applicants need at least one year of experience (graduates of Saudi universities are an exception).
Can fresh graduates get jobs immediately after passing SMLE in Saudi Arabia?
Usually not straight away. Passing the SMLE does not guarantee a job, and many employers prefer doctors with post-internship clinical experience. A sensible plan is to sit the SMLE during or soon after internship while the material is fresh, then build the year of experience you need for classification before you apply for GP posts.
How to apply for SMLE?
Applications are made online through SCFHS's Mumaris Plus portal. The order is:
Older versions of this page gave an exam fee of SAR 1,200 to 1,400. We could not confirm that on an SCFHS source, so check the amount shown in Mumaris Plus when you apply.
What is the SMLE exam format and passing score?
| Feature | SMLE (per SCFHS) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 200 MCQs, single best answer from 4 options, including up to 20 unscored pilot items |
| Structure | 2 blocks of 100 questions, 120 minutes each, with a 30-minute break |
| Passing score | 560 on a 200 to 800 scale |
| Results | 2 to 6 weeks after the testing window closes, with a feedback report |
| Attempts | Up to 4 times a year until you pass; after passing, 2 further attempts to improve your score; never twice in the same testing window |
| Venue | SCFHS-approved Prometric centres in Saudi Arabia and internationally |
Two rules catch people out. Arriving more than 30 minutes late or not turning up counts as an attempt unless SCFHS accepts a documented reason. And once you start the exam, you cannot cancel or reschedule it.
What are the subjects covered in SMLE?
The 2026 SCFHS blueprint splits the exam into four disciplines, each allowed to vary by about 5%:
The blueprint also lists patient safety, preventive medicine and ethics without giving them a separate percentage, so expect them inside clinical questions. It also tags questions by type of care (health promotion and prevention, acute, chronic and psychosocial) and by task (diagnosis, management and communication). Notice how much is Obs and Gyn plus Pediatrics: half the paper. Candidates who revise mainly internal medicine are often surprised by that.
How to best prepare for SMLE exam?
Work from the blueprint, not from your favourite subject. A practical split for a 2 to 3 month plan:
- Weeks 1 to 4: Medicine and Surgery, with 40 to 60 MCQs a day.
- Weeks 5 to 8: Obs and Gyn and Pediatrics, which together make up half the exam.
- Final weeks: full 100-question blocks under 120-minute timing, then review every wrong answer.
Use our SMLE study material for the full range of Saudi exams. If one discipline is your weak point, there are separate Saudi question banks for Internal Medicine, Obs and Gyn, Pediatrics and General Surgery. Already licensed in Saudi Arabia and thinking of Abu Dhabi? See transferring a Saudi licence to DOH.
SMLE sample practice MCQs
Two questions in the SMLE single-best-answer style. Tap a question to see the answer.
Question 1: Obstetrics
A 27-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks of gestation presents with a severe headache. Blood pressure is 166/112 mmHg, confirmed after 15 minutes, and urine dipstick shows 3+ protein. She has no seizures. The fetal heart rate tracing is reassuring. What is the most appropriate immediate management?
A) Immediate caesarean section under general anaesthesia
B) IV labetalol, magnesium sulfate and antenatal corticosteroids, with close maternal and fetal monitoring
C) Oral methyldopa and outpatient review in one week
D) IV furosemide and fluid restriction
Correct answer: B) IV labetalol, magnesium sulfate and antenatal corticosteroids, with close maternal and fetal monitoring
This is preeclampsia with severe features. The first priorities are to bring severe-range blood pressure down (IV labetalol, IV hydralazine or oral nifedipine), give magnesium sulfate to prevent eclampsia, and give corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity because she is under 34 weeks. Delivery is planned once the mother is stable; rushing to theatre before that is not the first step. Methyldopa as an outpatient is unsafe at this severity, and diuretics are not used.
Question 2: Pediatrics
An 18-month-old boy, fully vaccinated, had a generalised tonic-clonic seizure lasting 3 minutes at home on the first day of a fever from an upper respiratory infection. In the emergency department, 1 hour later, his temperature is 39.1°C, he is alert and playful, and neurological examination is normal with no meningeal signs. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Lumbar puncture
B) EEG and MRI brain
C) Start long-term sodium valproate
D) Treat the cause of the fever and reassure and educate the parents
Correct answer: D) Treat the cause of the fever and reassure and educate the parents
This is a simple febrile seizure: generalised, under 15 minutes, once in 24 hours, in a child aged 6 months to 5 years who is back to normal. EEG, neuroimaging and routine bloods are not needed. Lumbar puncture is considered only with meningeal signs, an incompletely vaccinated infant, or prior antibiotic treatment. Antipyretics help comfort but do not prevent recurrence, and long-term anticonvulsants are not indicated.
Access All Saudi GP Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for the SMLE?
SCFHS sets the SMLE passing score at 560 on a reporting scale of 200 to 800. Results are announced 2 to 6 weeks after the testing window closes, with a feedback report comparing your performance with other candidates.
How many questions are in the SMLE and how long is it?
The SMLE has 200 single-best-answer MCQs, including up to 20 unscored pilot items. It is split into two blocks of 100 questions, each 120 minutes long, with a 30-minute break between them.
Do I need two years of experience to work in Saudi Arabia?
You do not need experience to sit the SMLE; interns can take it. For professional classification, SCFHS states that non-Saudi applicants need at least one year of experience, except graduates of Saudi universities. Individual employers may ask for more.
How many times can I take the SMLE?
You can sit the SMLE up to four times a year until you pass, but never twice in the same testing window. After passing, SCFHS allows two further attempts to improve your score for residency selection.
Where can I take the SMLE?
The SMLE is delivered at SCFHS-approved Prometric centres in Saudi Arabia and in other countries. You choose your centre and date after SCFHS issues your scheduling permit, and booking may not be open more than three months ahead.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Dr.saima (Peshawar, Pakistan): this year's exam dates, centres, fee and form deadlines
"I want to know the saudi licensing exam going to be conducted this year....regarding date ,time, updated question banks , centres included all,fee,starting and closing date of forms saubmission....thanx"
Dr.saima
Medical Qualification:medical qualification;MBBS
City,peshawar,pakistan
Sara (Islamabad, Pakistan): FCPS-1 and MRCOG-1 with Obs and Gyn training, am I eligible?
"I have completed 4 years postgraduate training in obs&gynae from pakistan and then worked for further 2 years.i want to work in KSA and would like to know that am i eligible to sit in saudi physicians exam? Pls share Saudi Obs & Gyn latest MCQs. pls let me know about my eligibility and how to prepare for ?"
Sara
Medical Qualification:Medical Qualification: MBBS.FCPS1,MRCOG1
City, islamabad,pakistan
sandhra (Kerala, India): books for MOH and DOH, and can a junior biochemist apply for the DOH lab technician exam?
"I would like to know about which text should i refer to attend the MOH and DOH exams. And also i had the experience certificate as Ju nior Biochemist. Is it posible for me to apply for DOH exam for LAB technicians"
sandhra
Medical Qualification:medical qualification;MscMLT with specialisation in clinicla biochemistry
City,kerala,india
Dr. Yasir Ameer (Quetta, Pakistan): after MRCP-1, can I get an attachment in Dubai for MRCP-2?
"I have completed my MBBS from Bolan Medical College, Quetta. i am preparing for MRCP-1, If i clear MRCP-1 can i get attachment for MRCP-2 in any hospital in DUBAI? DR.YASIR"
Dr. Yasir Ameer
Medical Qualification:MBBS
City, quetta, pakistan
Dr.Zaina (Hyderabad, India): is 2 years of experience a must for a job in Saudi, or is the SCFHS exam enough?
"Hi/ Assalamalaikum I have completed my m.b.b.s recently with 8months experience. i want to know whether 2 yr exp is must for job in saudi or scfhs exam is sufficient? please guide me."
Dr.Zaina
Medical Qualification:M.B.B.S.
City,Hyderabad, India
LIJI MANOJ (Calicut): how to register for the MOH exam and the schedule for staff nurses
"how to register for the moh exam & Please give me the schedule of MOH examination for staff nurses"
LIJI MANOJ
Medical Qualification:medical qualification;Bsc nurse
City, calicut
Boss Yohannan (Kottayam, India): B.Sc nursing, how to apply for MOH and DHA and minimum experience
"I have completed B.sc nursing.I wish to apper for MOH,DHA exams.kindly guide me,as on how to apply,minimum exp erience required and inform the next exam dates too.do reply.thank you."
Boss Yohannan
Medical Qualification:medical qualification; B.sc nursing.
City, kottayam,india
ajesh (Kerala, India): B.Pharm with 10 years of experience, how to write the online MOH pharmacist exam
"I am a B.pharm garduate having more than 10years of working experience..how can I write online pharmacist MOH exam. Can you send me the syllabus.After pass the online exam how can I get placements."
ajesh
Medical Qualification:B.Pharm
City,kerala,India
K.Prabhakar (India): CT/MRI radiographer, how to get employed in Saudi Arabia
"I am a CT/MRI Radiographer or Technician,i compated my 2yrs Radiographer diploma in Kolkata. And Bsc Mit second year. I want to get employed as a CT/MRI Radiographer in any where saudi.I dont know anyhting about moh or dha or haad.kindly send details regarding this. K.Prabhakar Bsc Mit,DMRT"
K.Prabhakar
Medical Qualification: bsc mit,dmrt
City,india
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