Complete guide to registering with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). Learn about professional classification, DataFlow verification, the Prometric exam and document requirements for Indian physiotherapists, as guided step by step by Akademyfi.
Everything you need to know about registering with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) is the official regulatory body for healthcare professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All physiotherapists must obtain SCFHS registration and professional classification to practise in the Kingdom.
SCFHS is responsible for setting professional standards, conducting licensing examinations, and managing professional classification for all health practitioners in Saudi Arabia. The commission ensures that healthcare professionals meet the required competencies to deliver safe and effective care to patients across Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding healthcare system.
Saudi Arabia offers Indian physiotherapists tax-free salaries, a large expatriate community, and proximity to India. The Saudi healthcare sector is undergoing massive transformation under Vision 2030, creating thousands of new positions for qualified allied health professionals.
Your qualifications and experience determine your SCFHS classification level and salary grade.
| Classification | Qualification | Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist | BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) | Minimum 2 years | SAR 5,000-7,000/month |
| Specialist Physiotherapist | BPT + relevant experience OR MPT | 4-6 years post-qualification | SAR 7,000-10,000/month |
| Senior Specialist | MPT with specialisation | 8+ years | SAR 10,000-12,000+/month |
| Consultant | PhD / advanced qualification | 10+ years | SAR 12,000-18,000+/month |
Follow these steps to complete your SCFHS registration and begin your physiotherapy career in Saudi Arabia.
Submit your BPT/MPT degree, transcripts and experience letters to DataFlow Group for verification. DataFlow contacts your university and past employers to confirm authenticity. Timeline: 4-8 weeks.
Create an account on the SCFHS portal and submit your application for professional classification. Upload your DataFlow report, degree certificates, transcripts, experience letters and passport copy.
Book and sit for the SCFHS Physiotherapy exam through Prometric. The computer-based test covers clinical physiotherapy knowledge with 100-150 MCQs. Pass mark is approximately 60%.
After passing the exam, SCFHS issues your Professional Classification Certificate confirming your registration and classification level. Your classification determines your salary grade and scope of practice.
Your employer in Saudi Arabia uses your SCFHS classification to obtain your final license to practise. You can then begin working at a hospital, clinic or rehabilitation centre in the Kingdom.
Ensure you meet the requirements and have the necessary documents ready before starting your application.
BPT or MPT degree from a recognised Indian university
Minimum 2 years post-qualification clinical experience
IELTS 5.0-6.0 or English-medium education proof
Valid state physiotherapy council registration
Clear fitness-to-practise record
BPT/MPT degree certificate
Academic transcripts (all years)
Internship completion certificate
Work experience letters
State council registration
IELTS score report (if required)
Valid passport copy
Updated CV
Estimated costs for the complete SCFHS registration process.
| Item | Cost (Local) | Cost (INR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DataFlow Verification | AED 1,050 / SAR 1,050 | ₹24,000 | 4-8 weeks |
| SCFHS Application & Classification | SAR 500-1,000 | ₹11,000-22,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| SCFHS Prometric Exam | SAR 735 | ₹17,000 | Can take in India |
| IELTS (if needed) | SAR 1,100 | ₹16,000 | Results in 13 days |
| Total Estimated | SAR 3,000-4,000 | ₹68,000-90,000 | 3-6 months |
The SCFHS Prometric exam assesses your clinical knowledge and competence in physiotherapy.
The SCFHS Prometric exam assesses your clinical knowledge and competence in physiotherapy. The exam format covers core physiotherapy domains. Successful completion is mandatory for professional classification.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
2 hours
100-150 MCQs
Approximately 60%
Prometric test centres
Yes
Written and reviewed by Akademyfi’s physiotherapy licensing advisors, who work full-time on registration for Indian physiotherapists across the UAE, Australia, the UK and the wider Gulf. Every fee, eligibility rule and timeline on this page is checked against the official regulator’s own guidance before publishing. If a regulator changes its process, treat their website as the final word and tell us so we can update this page. Last updated: August 2026.
Common questions about SCFHS registration and the Prometric exam.
SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties) is the regulatory body that licenses and classifies healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia. All physiotherapists must register with SCFHS to practise in the Kingdom.
SCFHS registration typically takes 3-6 months from initial DataFlow submission to professional classification and exam.
The SCFHS Prometric exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test for physiotherapists. It covers clinical knowledge across musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, paediatric and geriatric physiotherapy.
No. SCFHS registration and professional classification is mandatory for all physiotherapists working in Saudi Arabia.
SCFHS typically requires IELTS 5.0-6.0 depending on the healthcare facility. Many Indian physiotherapists who studied in English medium can obtain an exemption.
The total cost including DataFlow, application fees and exam is approximately SAR 3,000-4,000 (₹68,000-90,000).
Verification speed depends on your university and employers responding, not on you. Start it as soon as you decide on Saudi Arabia.
Your classification (and required exam difficulty) depends on your experience level. Confirm this before assuming a fixed cost and timeline.
SCFHS classification fees recur. Budget for renewal as an ongoing cost from the start.
Applicants often assume their SCFHS professional classification before it’s actually confirmed, and that assumption can be wrong in ways that only surface once you’re deep into exam preparation. Akademyfi reviews your classification with you before you commit to a study timeline built around the wrong exam difficulty.
We start your DataFlow verification the moment you commit to Saudi Arabia, since that step tends to set the pace for the rest of your file. SCFHS also charges recurring classification fees that aren’t always obvious upfront, so we flag those costs early rather than letting you budget around an incomplete picture.
One Akademyfi consultant confirms your classification before your exam prep timeline is set.
We flag SCFHS’s recurring fees upfront so your budget reflects the real cost.
Our expert consultants guide Indian physiotherapists through every step of international registration. Book a free consultation to discuss your pathway.
Tell us a bit about yourself and our licensing team will map out your next steps — usually within 24 hours.
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