Article 32 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 32 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article sets the disciplinary penalties: a warning, a fine not exceeding SAR 10,000, and cancellation of the license and removal of the name; a new license may not be applied for until two years after cancellation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
العقوبات التأديبية التي يجوز توقيعها في حالة المخالفات المهنية هي :
1 - الإنذار.
2 - غرامة مالية لا تتجاوز عشرة آلاف ريال.
3 - إلغاء الترخيص بمزاولة المهنة الصحية وشطب الاسم من سجل المرخص لهم.
وفي حالة إلغاء الترخيص لا يجوز التقدم بطلب ترخيص جديد إلا بعد انقضاء سنتين على الأقل من تاريخ صدور قرار الإلغاء.
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 32 explained in plain English
This article sets the disciplinary penalties that may be imposed on a healthcare practitioner for professional violations. There are three penalties, ordered from the lightest to the most severe:
- A warning.
- A fine not exceeding SAR 10,000.
- Cancellation of the license to practice the healthcare profession and removal of the name from the register of licensees.
The list is fixed, as the article mentions no disciplinary penalties other than these three.
Effect of cancelling the license: If the license is cancelled, the practitioner may not apply for a new license until at least two years have passed from the date the cancellation decision was issued. The article prevents applying before this period, but does not say the license is granted automatically afterward, as the new application is subject to the licensing conditions.
It is preceded by Article 31, which sets when the practitioner is subject to disciplinary accountability: if they breach their duties under the Law, violate the principles of their profession, or depart from its requirements or ethics, without prejudice to criminal or civil liability. It is followed by Article 33, which sets out the composition of the Health Sharia Authority under the chairmanship of a judge.
Note that the disciplinary fine here is different from the criminal fines in the penalty articles. Anyone on whom a disciplinary penalty has been imposed may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
A decision was issued cancelling the license of a pharmacist in Madinah and removing his name from the register of licensees because of a professional violation. He may not apply for a new license before at least two years have passed from the date the cancellation decision was issued.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 32 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
What are the disciplinary penalties for a healthcare practitioner?
A warning, a fine not exceeding SAR 10,000, and cancellation of the license and removal of the name from the register of licensees.
When can a new license be requested after cancellation?
After at least two years from the date the cancellation decision was issued.
What is the maximum disciplinary fine?
It does not exceed SAR 10,000.
More articles on Disciplining the Healthcare Practitioner
- Article 31
The article makes the healthcare practitioner subject to disciplinary accountability if they breach their duties under the Law, violate the principles of their profession, or act contrary to its requirements or ethics, without prejudice to criminal or civil liability.
مع عدم الإخلال بأحكام المسؤولية الجزائية أو المدنية، يكون الممارس الصحي محلًّا للمساءلة التأديبية إذا أخل بأحد واجباته المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، أو خالف أصول
- Article 38
The article makes violations arising from applying the Law, apart from the Health Sharia Authority's jurisdictions, a matter for committees formed by the Minister, and allows a grievance before the Board of Grievances within sixty days.
فيما عدا الاختصاصات المنصوص عليها ( للهيئة الصحية الشرعية)، تنظر المخالفات الناشئة عن تطبيق هذا النظام- لجان تشكل بقرار من الوزير المختص، ويراعى في تشكيل هذه ال
- Article 39
The article allows the Minister to order the temporary suspension of a practitioner when there are evidence and indications of a violation punishable by license cancellation, while ensuring patient care, and allows a grievance before the Board of Grievances within thirty days.
للوزير أن يأمر بالإيقاف المؤقت عن مزاولة المهنة الصحية، وللمدة التي يراها مناسبة، في حق أي ممارس صحي مرخص له، وذلك عند وجود أدلة و قرائن دالة على مخالفة تكون عق
- Article 40
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the rules and procedures needed to hear violations and cases arising from applying the Law, and the ways of deciding them.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد والإجراءات اللازمة للنظر في المخالفات والقضايا الناشئة عن تطبيق هذا النظام وطرق البت فيها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.