Article 12 of the Saudi Health Law

المادة 12 من النظام الصحي

The article requires the Ministry to provide education and training to the health team working for it and to verify the recognized level of education and training of license applicants, with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties setting the standards.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تعمل الوزارة على ما يأتي :

1 - توفير التعليم والتدريب لأفراد الفريق الصحي العاملين بِها، وذلك بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة.

2 - التأكد من وجود المُستوى المُعترف بِه من التعليم والتدريب لدى المتقدمين للترخيص أو إعادة الترخيص.

وتحدد الهيئة السعودية للتخصصات الصحية المعايير المطلوبة للتعليم والتدريب.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 12 explained in plain English

This article deals with qualifying health practitioners, and divides roles between the Ministry and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.

What the Ministry works on:

Education and training: providing it to the members of the health team working for it, in coordination with the relevant bodies.
Verification at licensing: making sure that applicants for a license or license renewal have the recognized level of education and training.

The role of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties: setting the standards required for education and training.

The division is clear: the Commission sets the standard, and the Ministry verifies that it is met by whoever applies for a license.

Who is affected by this article?

Ministry workers who are members of the health team, as to the education and training the Ministry provides.
Applicants for a license for the first time or for license renewal.

In practical terms a health practitioner needs to meet the education and training standards that the Commission sets, and licensing and license renewal are tied to verifying this. The article itself does not set these standards or the license renewal periods, so reference should be made to the Commission.

This article ties in with Article 11 on transferring ownership of some hospitals, and Article 13 on health care for non-Saudis.

Anyone who needs an opinion on a particular situation would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in health laws or administrative cases.

Practical example

Sarah graduated from a nursing college and applied for a license to practice the profession. The competent body verifies that her education and training reach the recognized level under the standards set by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties before granting her the license.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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