The Exam That Stands Between You and a Saudi Licence
Before you can work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia, you will sit the SCFHS Prometric exam. It is not optional. It is not a formality. And for candidates who treat it as an afterthought, it is the single most common reason a deployment gets delayed by three to six months.
This guide covers what the exam actually tests, how it is structured, what the pass mark is, and how to prepare properly — including how Prodesse supports candidates through the process.
What Is the Prometric Exam?
Prometric is a global test delivery company contracted by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) to administer licensing exams for healthcare professionals seeking to work in Saudi Arabia. The exam is the same regardless of where you sit it — Prometric test centres operate in over 180 countries, meaning you can sit the exam in your home country before you travel.
The exam assesses clinical knowledge relevant to nursing practice in the Saudi healthcare system. It is computer-based, multiple choice, conducted entirely in English.
Exam Structure
The SCFHS Prometric nursing exam consists of approximately 100 questions to be completed within two hours. All questions are multiple choice with four answer options. There is no negative marking — an unanswered question and a wrong answer carry the same penalty, which means you should always select your best answer rather than leaving questions blank.
The content domains covered:
- Medical-surgical nursing — the largest component; adult health conditions, pharmacology, pre and post-operative care
- Critical care and emergency nursing — prioritisation, triage, acute management
- Maternal and child health — obstetrics, neonatal care, paediatric nursing
- Community and mental health nursing — public health, psychiatric nursing, professional standards
- Leadership and ethics — scope of practice, patient safety, professional conduct
Questions are scenario-based. You will not be asked to recall isolated facts — you will be presented with a clinical situation and asked what the nurse should do next, what the priority is, or what the correct intervention is. The exam tests clinical reasoning, not memorisation.
The Pass Mark
The SCFHS does not publicly publish the pass mark. Based on consistently reported candidate experience, a score of approximately 60–65% is required to pass. The exam uses a scaled scoring system, which means the difficulty of the specific question set you receive is factored into your result.
How to Register
Step 1 — Complete your SCFHS eligibility application first.
You cannot book the Prometric exam until SCFHS has assessed your application and confirmed you are eligible to sit. This assessment happens after DataFlow verification is complete and your documents have been reviewed. Do not pay for exam preparation before your eligibility is confirmed — timelines can shift.
Step 2 — Receive your eligibility notification.
SCFHS will send you an eligibility letter or notification via the Mumaris+ portal. This contains your candidate ID and authorisation to schedule the exam.
Step 3 — Book through Prometric.
Go to prometric.com/scfhs and log in using your candidate credentials. Select your preferred test centre — choose one in your country — and book your preferred date. Give yourself adequate preparation time from the booking date. Do not book the earliest available slot if you are not ready.
Step 4 — Sit the exam.
Arrive at the test centre with your valid passport and your SCFHS candidate ID. No other materials are permitted in the exam room. Results are typically available within 24 to 72 hours via the Mumaris+ portal.
What Happens If You Fail?
You can resit. SCFHS allows candidates to resit the Prometric exam after a waiting period — typically 30 days between attempts. There is a limit on the number of attempts before additional requirements apply, so approach each sitting prepared to pass.
The resit rate among unprepared candidates is high. The pass rate among candidates who have completed structured preparation is significantly better. This is not an exam you want to sit twice.
Continue Reading — It's Free
Create a free Prodesse Health account to access the full guide.
- Full step-by-step guide
- Preparation checklist
- What to do if something fails
If you're ready to take the next step, apply here — it takes five minutes and our team responds within 48 hours.