CPD accreditation in Saudi Arabia: how SCFHS provider and activity accreditation works

Saudi Arabia is a major market for medical education, and its CPD system has been rebuilt around international standards. For a training center, a congress organizer or an international academy, the key question is simple: how do your activities earn CPD hours that Saudi healthcare practitioners can use?

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) regulates and accredits CPD. Its model works in two layers: first the provider, then each activity.

Layer one: become an accredited CPD provider

SCFHS accredits national and international healthcare facilities that provide CPD activities and programs. According to its service page:

• The applicant must be a legally recognized entity with an entity account on the Mustamir platform and an authorized administrator.
• The application, regulatory documents and fees are submitted electronically.
• Listed fees: SAR 5,000 administrative and SAR 15,000 accreditation, with a service duration of three months.

SCFHS reaccreditation guidance adds two useful details: the CPD provider manager must be a healthcare practitioner with valid SCFHS registration, and providers should apply for reaccreditation three to six months before their accreditation expires.

Layer two: accredit each activity

Once accredited, a provider applies for each activity through Mustamir. SCFHS publishes separate services and fees for different activity types:

For specialized professional programs, SCFHS requires the program accreditation certificate before the program is announced or applications are accepted.

The deadlines that catch organizers out

• Activity information such as dates and participant numbers can be updated up to 24 hours before the start.
• Content and speaker changes must be made at least 7 days before the start.
• Practitioners' attended hours must be registered within 5 days of the end of the activity, with a limited extension process.

What the standards expect

SCFHS standards for activity accreditation follow the logic used by leading international accreditors. Each activity needs scientific planning based on an identified learning need, specific objectives and intended outcomes, evaluation of sessions and of the whole activity, disclosure of commercial sponsorship and of financial relationships for everyone controlling content, and a clear separation between education and advertising.

A practical plan for international providers and congresses

1. Decide the vehicle. Seek provider accreditation yourself, or partner with an already accredited Saudi provider for the first activities.
2. Name the CPD manager. Confirm who holds valid SCFHS registration and will lead the CPD function.
3. Design for the standards. Learning needs, objectives, evaluation and disclosure forms belong in the program from the first draft.
4. Book conference dates early through the SCFHS pre-booking service.
5. Plan sponsorship transparently. Commercial support must be disclosed and kept separate from content.
6. Build the attendance workflow. Five days to register hours is short for a large congress unless the process is ready in advance.

This guide summarizes information published by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties as of October 2026, including fees listed on its service pages. It is not legal or regulatory advice; confirm current requirements and fees with SCFHS before you commit.