Hi! Been following the discussion about verification of nurse registration since last week and I decided to join this site to get some help and be of assistance, if possible.
Currently, I am applying for Further Assessment in Alberta's College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). At this stage, the only requirement I need is the Verification of Registration from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) or known as the Saudi Council. I was advised that it is done online so I paid and received a Certificate of Good Standing via email in a matter of minutes. I thought everything was fine but the problem has just get started from that point.
Two weeks ago, I sent the said certificate electronically but they advised me to have it printed and sent directly from its source that is Saudi Council. So I went there a couple of days back to ask them to send it as it is the requirement of CARNA (with the fee of sending to be paid by me) but they declined my request. They just gave me an envelope and instructed me to send it myself.
The dilemma did not end there because last night, CARNA emailed me that the certificate does not include the Initial Date of Registration and that their Nurse Consultant will call them with this concern. As for my end, I am planning to go back there and have the Verification of Nurse Registration Form filled up in addition to the good standing certificate. However, I would like to hear from you guys who have the same concern or been processing their CARNA registration or with any other jurisdiction (eg., NMC UK, AHPRA) that requires registration verification from Saudi Arabia.
Yes it is the NBI clearance for those who live and work in the Philippines. I just don't know if they would accept certified copies of the clearance by a notary public but I am planning to submit the original copy once my relatives there in the Philippines secured one for me.
Hello, EdOng! I'm already on my 2nd NMC application pack, and I am still working on the requirements. I received a form for police clearances from all the countries I lived and worked in the past years. Therefore, I intend to submit the original NBI clearance from the Philippines which was authenticated by the DFA. Is it the police clearance that NMC needs from the Philippines? Or do I really need to get a police clearance from the Philippines? I also need to get a Saudi police clearance. I just finished securing an endorsement letter for Saudi Police clearance from the Philippine embassy from Riyadh 2 days ago, and I had it stamped by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Regional Police Office in Gassim asked me to come back for fingerprinting once I have this document along with my original iqama, photocopy of my passport and iqama, and 2 pieces colored picture with white background. Did you go through the same thing? I don't know if how long it will take me to get my Saudi Police clearance. I would like to ask about your experience with the 2nd NMC pack. How did you do it? I hope you can share tips and advices on how to get over the 2nd NMC application pack requirements.
Hello, EdOng! I'm already on my 2nd NMC application pack, and I am still working on the requirements. I received a form for police clearances from all the countries I lived and worked in the past years. Therefore, I intend to submit the original NBI clearance from the Philippines which was authenticated by the DFA. Is it the police clearance that NMC needs from the Philippines? Or do I really need to get a police clearance from the Philippines? I also need to get a Saudi police clearance. I just finished securing an endorsement letter for Saudi Police clearance from the Philippine embassy from Riyadh 2 days ago, and I had it stamped by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Regional Police Office in Gassim asked me to come back for fingerprinting once I have this document along with my original iqama, photocopy of my passport and iqama, and 2 pieces colored picture with white background. Did you go through the same thing? I don't know if how long it will take me to get my Saudi Police clearance. I would like to ask about your experience with the 2nd NMC pack. How did you do it? I hope you can share tips and advices on how to get over the 2nd NMC application pack requirements.
For the Saudi Police clearance, I already got mine on the 9th. You are on the right track! After your finger printing, have it translated. On the other hand, I secured another finger print card from the PHL embassy and sent it to the Phils along with my old NBI clearance & passport copy for my relatives to process on my behalf as they need a new one.
My advice is that you should read the instructions carefully and send the right document.
I am new here and I just received pack 1 the other day. I had my documents notarised as advised by my agency. Unfortunately, when I checked them, the address of the attorney and her contact numbers are not stated, otherwise, necessary info is there like the seal, stamp, and her signature. To those who finished pack 1, do you think I will have problem with it?
Secondly, regarding registration verification, do I need to include these 3 documents : PAC, cert copy of saudi ID and good standing since I also worked in Saudi Arabia for 2 years.
Please help.
Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who posted in this thread. You gave me an idea that it will be very difficult for me to process NMC registration esp. if you have worked in KSA.. Nevertheless, I'm not gonna give up.
@oliver01I suggest that you go back to the attorney who notarized your documents and get the necessary details that you need. This will prevent any delays in your application.
I am new here and I just received pack 1 the other day. I had my documents notarised as advised by my agency. Unfortunately, when I checked them, the address of the attorney and her contact numbers are not stated, otherwise, necessary info is there like the seal, stamp, and her signature. To those who finished pack 1, do you think I will have problem with it?
Secondly, regarding registration verification, do I need to include these 3 documents : PAC, cert copy of saudi ID and good standing since I also worked in Saudi Arabia for 2 years.
Please help.
Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who posted in this thread. You gave me an idea that it will be very difficult for me to process NMC registration esp. if you have worked in KSA.. Nevertheless, I'm not gonna give up.
God bless everyone!
Oliver, I think there would be no problem as it is stated in their guide that they do not require it to be notarised. But if your agent advised you to do that try to secure those. However, the address and contact number are not that necessary if I would to base it from my experience. It is because my documents were just certified as true copies of the original ones.
For your next question, you need to ask for the service of a certified translator for your professional accreditation certificate (PAC). You may send the good standing cert and professional ID on the second stage, by the way.
For the Saudi Police clearance, I already got mine on the 9th. You are on the right track! After your finger printing, have it translated. On the other hand, I secured another finger print card from the PHL embassy and sent it to the Phils along with my old NBI clearance & passport copy for my relatives to process on my behalf as they need a new one.
My advice is that you should read the instructions carefully and send the right document.
EdOng, I went to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh for the first time on 26 August to have my fingerprints taken for my NBI clearance. I sent this fingerprint card to my relatives in the Philippines to process the NBI clearance on my behalf. Along with this, I also sent a photocopy of my old NBI clearance, passport copy, authorization letter and original receipt for the SAR 100 fee which I paid at the Philippine embassy. I finally got my NBI clearance on the 9th of September. On the other hand, I am still waiting for the release of my Saudi Police clearance, and I will have it translated as soon as I receive it. Regarding the Saudi Council Verification form, I will go to Riyadh again for the realease. I hope everything goes well.
EdOng, I thought you already finished the 2nd NMC pack. Did NMC asked you for additional or replacement documents?
Kate_d was right especially if your agency advised you to have all of your documents notarized. In my case though, I did not have my documents notarized when I did my 1st pack. Instead, I submitted certified photocopies of my passport, PRC board certificate, PRC License, original NSO birth certificate (though NMC advised not to send the original copy) and English translation of Professional accreditation certificate.
Regarding the professional accreditation certificate, you can have it translated in any official translation office there in the Philippines as long as they have the full contact details, stamp and signature.
EdOng, I went to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh for the first time on 26 August to have my fingerprints taken for my NBI clearance. I sent this fingerprint card to my relatives in the Philippines to process the NBI clearance on my behalf. Along with this, I also sent a photocopy of my old NBI clearance, passport copy, authorization letter and original receipt for the SAR 100 fee which I paid at the Philippine embassy. I finally got my NBI clearance on the 9th of September. On the other hand, I am still waiting for the release of my Saudi Police clearance, and I will have it translated as soon as I receive it. Regarding the Saudi Council Verification form, I will go to Riyadh again for the realease. I hope everything goes well.
EdOng, I thought you already finished the 2nd NMC pack. Did NMC asked you for additional or replacement documents?
I wish you all the best too. Keep in touch.
I also thought of that but am one of those few who got lucky to encounter some problems. The first one was with my transcript. My school sent only the breakdown in credits so I asked them to provide me another one with full hours breakdown. Then a couple of weeks passed and another letter from the NMC arrived asking me to provide those clearances, which were not originally part of the pack two 6 months back. The worsts of circumstances came when they questioned my dates of registration. It is because my work experience commenced in 2006 as I was a board passer that time but due to the irregularity (exam leakage issue), I opted to surrender my license, cancel my registration and retake the whole test a year after. I again passed the June 2007 NLE and once more got registered. They are now asking for documents from the PRC to back this one up such as the supporting declaration of unregistered practice form to be dated, signed and stamped. I already got in touch with the in-charge at PRC Manila and she told me that they would provide me with a certification and will look at the form to see if they could accomplish it. Same thing with my Saudi work experience because my SCFHS registration date was over 2 months after my date of hire due to the urgent deployment. I also asked the Saudi Council to to the same but they refused to sign the form yet provided me with an official letter clearing me of any violations for the temporary unregistered practice. The SCFHS Qassim branch manager and the lady from the main office were so helpful so now I am hoping to get through this one. Also, my employer provided me with a letter explaining such a situation as it is policy-based to go through a probationary period of at least 3 months.
So as of the moment, I still am waiting for my relatives to process my NBI clearance and PRC re-verification.
I also thought of that but am one of those few who got lucky to encounter some problems. The first one was with my transcript. My school sent only the breakdown in credits so I asked them to provide me another one with full hours breakdown. Then a couple of weeks passed and another letter from the NMC arrived asking me to provide those clearances, which were not originally part of the pack two 6 months back. The worsts of circumstances came when they questioned my dates of registration. It is because my work experience commenced in 2006 as I was a board passer that time but due to the irregularity (exam leakage issue), I opted to surrender my license, cancel my registration and retake the whole test a year after. I again passed the June 2007 NLE and once more got registered. They are now asking for documents from the PRC to back this one up such as the supporting declaration of unregistered practice form to be dated, signed and stamped. I already got in touch with the in-charge at PRC Manila and she told me that they would provide me with a certification and will look at the form to see if they could accomplish it. Same thing with my Saudi work experience because my SCFHS registration date was over 2 months after my date of hire due to the urgent deployment. I also asked the Saudi Council to to the same but they refused to sign the form yet provided me with an official letter clearing me of any violations for the temporary unregistered practice. The SCFHS Qassim branch manager and the lady from the main office were so helpful so now I am hoping to get through this one. Also, my employer provided me with a letter explaining such a situation as it is policy-based to go through a probationary period of at least 3 months.
So as of the moment, I still am waiting for my relatives to process my NBI clearance and PRC re-verification.
Sooo tough right?
EdOng, it must have been really difficult for you. I am starting to worry now because I started working in Saudi Arabia since 12 January 2011, but I got registered in SCFHS in May 2011 after I passed the Prometrics in the Kingdom. You mentioned about a form that needs to be stamped and signed by Saudi Council to explain your unregistered practice, but since Riyadh main office refused to do it, you did it in Gassim branch instead. How long will it take them to fill out the said form? I think I need to secure an explanation letter from my hospital and SCFHS too regarding the unregistered practice. I pray that we will all get through it.
I have another query too. Can I secure an official letter clearing me of any violations for the temporary unregistered practice at SCFHS Riyadh main office? Is it possible to get it on the same day? Is there a fee that I need to pay?
EdOng, it must have been really difficult for you. I am starting to worry now because I started working in Saudi Arabia since 12 January 2011, but I got registered in SCFHS in May 2011 after I passed the Prometrics in the Kingdom. You mentioned about a form that needs to be stamped and signed by Saudi Council to explain your unregistered practice, but since Riyadh main office refused to do it, you did it in Gassim branch instead. How long will it take them to fill out the said form? I think I need to secure an explanation letter from my hospital and SCFHS too regarding the unregistered practice. I pray that we will all get through it.
Yes, it was so hard for me even to think about how could I get over this one. It bothered me so much since I received the news 2 weeks back but I know that I did everything to comply with their requirements. I really spent a lot of time, money and effort for this application, however, I leave every bit of decision on their hands now.
I think that everyone from Saudi will have this problem too as the date of hire is automatically the first day of working as a nurse no matter how long it took for them to get registered. Once your file is assessed fully, you will receive a form same as that bearing your name and PRN and you should bring it to the SCFHS office/branch. Neither the branch nor main office did accept the form, respectively, at least on my part but the branch manager wrote a letter and dispatched it to London a couple of days back. If I am not mistaken, the main office sent him that letter and he signed, dated and stamped it with their permission.
I just don't know if they would require you to process the same form as the files are individually assessed. It would be better if you could secure a letter from the SCFHS as early as now, but it is even smarter to wait for their correspondence so that you will have the proof why you are asking for that letter. I got mine after a week because I was not able to go there immediately due to succeeding day shifts. About the fee, I only paid for the courier service they made use of.
All I can say is that they were overwhelmingly helpful as they generously assisted me with my concern. I hope that they will do the same once you go there for some help.
I will go to SCFHS Riyadh tomorrow, and I will ask them to attach a letter regarding my unregistered practice. I hope they will help me secure the letter. Cheer up, EdOng!
stylish_gem, BSN, CNS
49 Posts
Hello, EdOng! I'm already on my 2nd NMC application pack, and I am still working on the requirements. I received a form for police clearances from all the countries I lived and worked in the past years. Therefore, I intend to submit the original NBI clearance from the Philippines which was authenticated by the DFA. Is it the police clearance that NMC needs from the Philippines? Or do I really need to get a police clearance from the Philippines? I also need to get a Saudi police clearance. I just finished securing an endorsement letter for Saudi Police clearance from the Philippine embassy from Riyadh 2 days ago, and I had it stamped by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Regional Police Office in Gassim asked me to come back for fingerprinting once I have this document along with my original iqama, photocopy of my passport and iqama, and 2 pieces colored picture with white background. Did you go through the same thing? I don't know if how long it will take me to get my Saudi Police clearance. I would like to ask about your experience with the 2nd NMC pack. How did you do it? I hope you can share tips and advices on how to get over the 2nd NMC application pack requirements.