Master the Saudi
Pharmacist Licensure Exam

Exam Overview

The Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Examination (SPLE) is a mandatory licensing examination conducted by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) for all pharmacists seeking to practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The exam assesses the competency and readiness of pharmacists to practice safely and effectively in Saudi Arabia's healthcare system. It covers four major domains that reflect the essential knowledge and skills required for pharmacy practice.

Exam Structure

The SPLE consists of 200 questions divided into two parts with a scheduled break in between:

Component	Details
Total Questions	200 MCQs (including up to 10% pilot questions)
Part 1	100 questions, 120 minutes
Break	30 minutes (scheduled)
Part 2	100 questions, 120 minutes
Total Time	4 hours 30 minutes

Question Types

• Recall Questions: Test basic knowledge and facts
• Scenario-Based Questions: Test clinical reasoning, interpretation, analysis, and decision-making skills through patient cases

Content Blueprint

The SPLE is organized into four major content areas, each with a specific weightage:

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Basic Biomedical Sciences	10%	Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Pathophysiology
Pharmaceutical Sciences	35%	Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, Compounding
Social/Behavioral/Administrative Sciences	20%	Pharmacy Law (Saudi-specific), Ethics, Healthcare Systems, Patient Counseling, Pharmacoeconomics
Clinical Sciences	35%	Pharmacotherapy, Disease Management, Patient Assessment, Evidence-Based Practice

Scoring System

The SPLE uses a criterion-referenced scoring method, meaning the passing standard is predetermined by experts:

• Score Range: 200 - 800
• Passing Score: 536 (equivalent to approximately 67%)
• Result Type: Pass/Fail
• Negative Marking: No penalty for incorrect answers

Results are typically released within 2-6 weeks after the exam date through the SCFHS portal.

Preparation Tips

1. Create a Study Plan (3-4 Months Recommended)

• Week 1-4: Review Basic Biomedical Sciences
• Week 5-10: Deep dive into Pharmaceutical Sciences (highest weight)
• Week 11-14: Master Clinical Sciences (highest weight)
• Week 15-16: Study Saudi Pharmacy Law and Administrative Sciences
• Week 17-20: Intensive practice with mock exams

2. Study Resources

• Clinical: Dipiro's Pharmacotherapy, Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutics: Ansel's Pharmaceutical Calculations, Remington
• Law: SCFHS pharmacy regulations, Saudi Drug Code
• Guidelines: ADA, AHA, GINA, KDIGO (evidence-based guidelines)

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

• Complete at least 2,000-3,000 practice questions
• Take minimum 3 full-length mock exams
• Review every answer - especially the wrong ones
• Focus on understanding rationales, not memorizing answers

Registration Process

Step 1: Eligibility Requirements

• PharmD or B.Pharm degree from accredited university
• Minimum 1 year pharmacy experience (for foreign graduates)
• Valid registration in home country

Step 2: DataFlow Verification

• Submit documents for Primary Source Verification (PSV)
• Process takes 30-45 days
• Fee: 840 SAR

Step 3: SCFHS Classification

• Create Mumaris+ account on scfhs.org.sa
• Submit credentials for classification
• Fee: 200 SAR

Step 4: Exam Registration

• Schedule via Prometric website
• Exam Fee: 289 USD
• Choose test center and date

Test Day Instructions

What to Bring

• Valid passport or national ID
• SCFHS eligibility confirmation
• Prometric appointment confirmation
• Comfortable clothing (layers recommended)

What NOT to Bring

• Electronic devices (phones, watches, calculators)
• Study materials or notes
• Food or drinks (locker provided for breaks)
• Personal calculators (on-screen calculator provided)

During the Exam

• Use the tutorial time to familiarize yourself with the interface
• Read each question carefully - look for keywords
• Use the flag feature for questions you want to review
• Take the scheduled break to refresh
• Review all flagged questions before submitting