Registered Nurse SNLE – Saudi Nursing Licensing Exam

Administered by: Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)

SNLE Exam Overview

The Saudi Nursing Licensing Exam (SNLE) is conducted by the SCFHS to assess the readiness and competence of nurses to practice safely and effectively in Saudi Arabia.

• Duration: 4 hours

• Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

• Format: Computer-based test delivered via Prometric test centers

• Pass Score: Determined by SCFHS standard-setting (typically around 55–60%)

• Fee: Approximately SAR 1,200 (subject to change)

SNLE Exam Blueprint & Content Areas

According to the SCFHS blueprint, the exam is structured as follows:

1. Fundamentals of Nursing (~20%)

   • Nursing process

   • Patient safety & infection control

   • Basic pharmacology & medication administration

   • Vital signs & physical assessment

   • Documentation and reporting

2. Adult Nursing (~40%)

   • Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, and integumentary disorders

   • Emergency & critical care nursing

   • Pain management

   • Pre- and post-operative care

3. Maternal and Newborn Health (~20%)

   • Antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care

   • Complications of pregnancy & childbirth

   • Newborn assessment & care

   • Breastfeeding & maternal health education

4. Child Health / Pediatric Nursing (~10%)

   • Growth & development milestones

   • Common pediatric illnesses and conditions

   • Immunization schedules

   • Pediatric emergency care

5. Leadership, Management, and Professional Issues (~10%)

   • Delegation & supervision

   • Ethics and legal responsibilities

   • Quality improvement & patient safety initiatives

   • Communication & teamwork in healthcare

SNLE Tips & Tricks

Fundamentals of Nursing

• Review the nursing process (ADPIE), patient safety protocols, and infection control standards.

• Be familiar with drug calculations, safe medication administration, and common side effects.

Adult Nursing

• Expect clinical scenario questions about chronic diseases (e.g., heart failure, COPD, diabetes) and acute conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke).

• Revise emergency management protocols such as ACLS and BLS steps.

Maternal & Newborn

• Study prenatal screening tests, fetal monitoring interpretation, and stages of labor.

• Revise postpartum complications and newborn resuscitation steps.

Pediatric Nursing

• Memorize the Saudi immunization schedule.

• Understand management of common pediatric emergencies (e.g., dehydration, febrile seizures).

Leadership & Professional Issues

• Know SCFHS nursing ethics guidelines and Saudi-specific healthcare policies.

• Revise delegation principles — what tasks can be assigned to LPNs, nursing assistants, etc.

Recommended References for SNLE

1. Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing – latest edition

2. Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing – latest edition

3. Myles’ Textbook for Midwives – latest edition

4. Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing – latest edition

5. SCFHS Nursing Ethics and Professional Code

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the SNLE?
The SNLE is a standardized exam by SCFHS to evaluate nursing competencies for licensing in Saudi Arabia.

Q2: How many questions are in the SNLE and how long is it?
The exam has 150 MCQs and lasts 4 hours.

Q3: What is the passing score?
The passing score is determined annually by SCFHS, usually around 55–60%.

Q4: What topics are covered?
The exam covers Fundamentals of Nursing, Adult Nursing, Maternal-Newborn Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Leadership/Professional Issues.

Q5: How can I prepare?

• Study according to the official SCFHS blueprint.

• Practice time management during mock tests.

• Focus on clinical scenario questions, as most SNLE items are case-based.

Q6: How much is the exam fee?
The fee is approximately SAR 1,200 but may change — check the latest SCFHS announcements.

Q7: What happens if I fail?
You can reapply and retake the exam after meeting SCFHS requirements and paying the fee.