Did you know that all doctors working in Saudi Arabia are required to undertake a minimum number of hours of continuing medical education (CME) in order to renew their license to practice?
CME for doctors working in Saudi Arabia requires doctors to update their knowledge and skills throughout their careers and learn about the latest developments in research and practice, ultimately improving the quality of care for patients.
SCFHS in Saudi Arabia oversees medical education and licensing and accredits CME programs that meet content and quality standards.
What are the CME requirements in Saudi Arabia?
The number of CME hours required varies depending on the healthcare profession, specialty, and professional level. For example, general practitioners and dentists are required to complete at least 30 hours of CME activity per year, while specialists are required to complete at least 40 hours.
- The CME requirements may vary based on the license renewal period (which may be 1, 3, or 5 years), with doctors required to submit their CME records prior to license renewal.
- The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties or other CME-accredited bodies recognized by the SCFHS must accredit continuing medical education activities.
- Typically, learners can complete around 50% of CME hours online rather than in person.
- CME activity submitted must be within the relevant specialty or the associated skills, knowledge, or common healthcare fields supporting the specialist’s medical practice.
- Healthcare professionals must complete an assessment at the end of each CME activity to show their understanding of the educational content and how it applies to their practice.
- Doctors should keep up-to-date with the CME requirements, which may change over time.
How can I find accredited CME courses and activities?
SCFHS approves CME activities like conferences, seminars, workshops, and online courses. Find relevant events through associations, hospitals, colleagues, or online. Websites and promotional materials should clearly display the amount of CME credit available.
Saudi Arabia’s accredited institutions for CME credits include King Saud University College of Medicine and King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Healthcare professionals can earn CME credits outside of Saudi Arabia, provided the activities meet the SCFHS guidelines. For SCFHS credit recognition, you need to submit the necessary documents. Details of medical conferences, courses, and workshops in Saudi Arabia can be found on the following digital platforms:
- Continuing medical education KSA website: https://cme-ksa.com/
- ANAT: https://anat.sa/ These online learning platforms offer accredited CME courses, recognized by the SCFHS:
- Digital Learning Platform (SCFHS): https://scfhs.org.sa/en/eservice/digital-learning-platform
- Learning Experience Platform (SCFHS): https://learning.scfhs.org.sa/landing
- FOR Virtual Medical Academy: https://medicalacademy.org/portal/
- Medscape https://www.medscape.org/?gs=0
- For BMJ Learning: https://new-learning.bmj.com/
- BMJ Best Practice: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/info/clinicians/
Where to find free CME hours for SCFHS
Many SCFHS-accredited courses are paid, but free CME hours for Saudi Council (SCFHS) renewal are available from several sources. The annual Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh issues free SCFHS-accredited credits to registered healthcare professionals. TebZone, a platform accredited by SCFHS, runs both free and paid CME webinars. Medscape offers free online activities after a free registration, and SCFHS hosts its own activities on the Digital Learning Platform and Learning Experience Platform linked above.
When you claim free hours, one hour of learning usually counts as one credit, and you generally need at least 75% attendance to qualify. Enter your Saudi Council (SCFHS) ID correctly when you register, or the credits will not be allocated. Approved credits appear in your Mumaris Plus account about 20 working days after the activity, once SCFHS has reviewed them.
Rules for CME hours to count toward renewal
Not every activity counts. To be accepted, it must be accredited by SCFHS and fall within your field of specialty or a related area that supports your practice. You must attend for the full accredited period, and each accredited activity can be counted only once. SCFHS does not accept handwritten or scanned certificates, so keep the official records the provider issues. Around half of your required hours can usually be completed online rather than in person, which gives doctors in busy hospital roles more flexibility.
How do I submit my CME records before license renewal?
You can check requirements, submit your CME records, and upload scanned copies of certificates through the SCFHS’s Mumaris Plus platform. The Mumaris system accepts CPD certificates from external parties with joint accreditation agreements.
Doctors in Saudi Arabia must meet their country’s requirements and engage in quality improvement programs, in addition to fulfilling CME hours.
Quality improvement programs aid healthcare professionals in meeting SCFHS standards and enhancing patient care quality.
Frequently asked questions about SCFHS CME
Do nurses and other practitioners need CME too?
Yes. It applies to all health practitioners registered with the Saudi Council, including nurses, pharmacists, and allied health staff, not only doctors. The number of hours depends on the profession, specialty, and level.
Can I count CME I earned outside Saudi Arabia?
You can, provided the activity meets SCFHS guidelines and you submit the required documents. SCFHS does not have blanket mutual-recognition agreements with other countries, so confirm an activity is accepted before relying on it.
How do I check how many hours I have?
Log in to your SCFHS account through Mumaris Plus, where your approved credits are listed and where you submit records before renewal.
What if I do not complete my required hours?
You must meet your requirement to renew your license, so plan your hours across the renewal cycle rather than leaving them to the end.
How often do I renew my SCFHS license?
Renewal periods are usually 1, 3, or 5 years depending on your registration, and your required CME hours must be completed and logged in Mumaris Plus before the renewal date.
What types of activities count as CME?
SCFHS approves conferences, seminars, workshops, and online courses. The provider should clearly state how many CME credits the activity carries, so check this before you register and keep the certificate it issues.
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