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Exam Review

Key Facts: SCFHS SPHLE Exam

200 MCQs

Official SPHLE item count

SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide

2 x 120 min

Exam duration

SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide

500

Passing score (200-800 scale)

SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide

English

Exam delivery language

SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide

7 Domains

Official blueprint sections

SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide

The Saudi Public Health Licensure Examination (SPHLE) is the professional licensure standard for public health specialists in Saudi Arabia. Administered via Prometric by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), the SPHLE tests 200 four-option MCQs across two 120-minute sessions with a 30-minute break. The official passing score is 500 on the 200-800 scale. Core domains emphasize epidemiology (20%), fundamentals of public health (20%), environmental and occupational health (15%), health policy, management, and economics (15%), social and behavioral sciences (15%), biostatistics and data science (10%), and biological/life sciences (5%). OpenExamPrep provides this independent practice bank to help specialists prepare for these core domains.

Sample SCFHS SPHLE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SCFHS SPHLE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A premarital screening program in Saudi Arabia tests prospective couples for beta-thalassemia and sickle cell trait. If both partners are confirmed carriers of an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy trait, what is the probability that their biological child will inherit both mutated alleles and express the clinical disease?
A.25%
B.50%
C.75%
D.100%
Explanation: According to Mendelian inheritance for autosomal recessive conditions, when both parents are heterozygous carriers (Aa x Aa), each pregnancy carries a 25% chance of an unaffected homozygous genotype (AA), a 50% chance of a carrier genotype (Aa), and a 25% chance of an affected homozygous genotype (aa).
2A public health specialist is designing a vaccination campaign to protect infants from pertussis. Administering the Tdap vaccine to pregnant women during the third trimester confers protective immunity to the newborn through which biological mechanism?
A.Active natural immunity through fetal recognition of vaccine antigens
B.Active artificial immunity produced by direct vaccination of the fetus in utero
C.Passive artificial immunity through transplacental maternal antibody transfer
D.Innate non-specific immunity stimulated by circulating maternal cytokines
Explanation: Maternal immunization with Tdap induces maternal production of specific IgG antibodies that actively cross the placenta into fetal circulation, providing temporary passive immunity that protects the infant during the high-risk first months of life before their own primary series.
3Influenza pandemics arise periodically and cause widespread human morbidity. Which biological process is primarily responsible for the emergence of novel influenza A subtypes capable of causing global pandemics?
A.Antigenic drift from the gradual accumulation of point mutations in the hemagglutinin gene
B.Antigenic shift from genomic reassortment between animal and human influenza strains
C.Bacterial horizontal transfer of virulence plasmids into the viral capsid during co-infection
D.Epigenetic silencing of human interferon receptors across the exposed population
Explanation: Antigenic shift is a major, abrupt change in the influenza A virus resulting from the reassortment of segmented RNA genomes when two different strains co-infect a single host cell (such as in swine or avian hosts), producing novel surface antigens to which the human population has little to no pre-existing immunity.
4Metabolic syndrome is a major driver of cardiovascular morbidity in public health. Which cellular and physiological mechanism directly connects visceral adiposity to the development of peripheral insulin resistance and systemic endothelial dysfunction?
A.Reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis together with lower circulating free fatty acid levels
B.Suppression of vascular macrophage infiltration by increased nitric oxide production
C.Hypersecretion of adiponectin, which downregulates the GLUT4 transporter in skeletal muscle
D.Release of pro-inflammatory adipokines and free fatty acids that impair insulin signaling
Explanation: Visceral adipose tissue acts as an active endocrine organ that secretes excessive free fatty acids and pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha and IL-6), which inhibit downstream insulin receptor signaling in skeletal muscle and liver while uncoupling endothelial nitric oxide synthase, leading to vascular dysfunction.
5In developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research, maternal undernutrition during gestation is linked to increased risk of adult-onset type 2 diabetes and hypertension in offspring. What molecular epigenetic alteration best explains how this intrauterine exposure produces lifelong phenotypic effects without altering the primary DNA nucleotide sequence?
A.Frameshift insertions within the coding exons of the insulin receptor gene
B.Stable changes in DNA methylation and histone modification that alter gene expression
C.Chromosomal non-disjunction occurring during the early embryonic mitotic cleavage divisions
D.Post-translational ubiquitination of plasma membrane glucose transport proteins
Explanation: Epigenetic mechanisms, predominantly covalent addition of methyl groups to CpG islands in promoter regions and covalent histone modifications (acetylation, methylation), alter chromatin architecture and stably regulate transcriptional accessibility across the life course without altering the underlying DNA nucleotide sequence.
6According to the classic Institute of Medicine (IOM) framework, what are the three overarching Core Functions of Public Health?
A.Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance
B.Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
C.Screening, Immunization, and Sanitation
D.Financing, Regulation, and Inspection
Explanation: The 1988 Institute of Medicine (IOM) landmark report defined the three core functions of public health as Assessment (systematic collection and analysis of population health data), Policy Development (formulating evidence-based health policies), and Assurance (guaranteeing essential services and competent health systems).
7Which level of prevention is demonstrated when a municipal government enacts a total ban on trans-fatty acids in commercial food production to prevent the emergence of cardiovascular risk factors across the entire population?
A.Primordial prevention
B.Primary prevention
C.Secondary prevention
D.Tertiary prevention
Explanation: Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence or establishment of social, economic, and environmental conditions and risk factors that lead to disease. Banning trans fats targets the structural upstream environment before individual biological risk factors even develop.
8Under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), what is the primary purpose of designating a public health event as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)?
A.To impose mandatory trade embargoes and travel bans on the affected sovereign states
B.To transfer operational control of national hospitals and local health facilities to the World Health Organization
C.To mobilize coordinated international action through temporary recommendations on cross-border spread
D.To suspend international treaty obligations covering human rights and personal privacy
Explanation: A PHEIC designation under IHR (2005) formally alerts global authorities to an extraordinary event that constitutes a public health risk to other states through international spread, triggering coordinated global surveillance, technical assistance, and non-binding temporary recommendations while avoiding unnecessary disruptions to travel and trade.
9The 'One Health' approach is essential for preventing and managing emerging infectious diseases. What is the fundamental concept underlying One Health?
A.Consolidating all healthcare financing into one universal national insurance fund
B.Human health is inextricably linked to animal health and to shared ecosystems
C.Establishing a single centralized referral hospital in each metropolitan health cluster
D.Restricting public health surveillance exclusively to human clinical settings
Explanation: One Health is an integrated, unifying collaborative approach that recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent. It is particularly vital for combating zoonotic diseases, food safety hazards, and antimicrobial resistance.
10Which of the following is classified as Secondary Prevention in chronic disease management?
A.Promoting physical activity guidelines in primary schools
B.Physical therapy and speech rehabilitation following an ischemic stroke
C.Administering hepatitis B vaccination to healthcare workers
D.Routine screening colonoscopy in asymptomatic adults aged 45 to 75 years
Explanation: Secondary prevention focuses on early disease detection and prompt intervention while the condition is preclinical or asymptomatic, halting disease progression. Screening colonoscopy detects precancerous polyps and early colorectal cancers before clinical symptoms emerge.

About the SCFHS SPHLE Exam

The Saudi Public Health Licensure Examination (SPHLE) is the official licensing examination administered by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) for public health specialists. Designed for candidates completing an undergraduate public health degree and internship year, the SPHLE evaluates readiness for autonomous specialist practice and entry into postgraduate public health fellowship or residency programs. The examination consists of 200 four-option multiple-choice questions administered via Prometric test centers in two 120-minute sections with a 30-minute break, using a passing standard of 500 on a 200-800 reporting scale. The exam is conducted in English and covers seven core domains: epidemiology, fundamentals of public health, environmental and occupational health, health policy and economics, social and behavioral sciences, biostatistics, and biological sciences.

Exam sponsor: Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) / Prometric. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Computer-based testing consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions with four options and a single best answer. The examination is administered in two 120-minute sessions separated by a 30-minute scheduled break.

Time Limit

Two 120-minute parts plus a scheduled 30-minute break

Passing Score

500 on the 200-800 reporting scale

Exam / Certification Fees

Not published by SCFHS for the SPHLE

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

5%

Foundations of Biological and Life Sciences

Biological basis of disease etiology, pathophysiology of major chronic conditions, human genetics and screening, infectious disease microbiology, and immunology.

20%

Fundamentals of Public Health

Public health core functions, ten essential public health services, One Health frameworks, public health surveillance systems, International Health Regulations, and disaster response.

10%

Biostatistics and Data Science

Descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis tests, linear and multivariable logistic regression, survival models, sample size calculations, and data analytics.

15%

Environmental and Occupational Health

Ambient and indoor air pollution, water treatment and monitoring, occupational hygiene, hierarchy of hazard controls, industrial toxicology, food safety, and climate health.

20%

Epidemiology

Disease frequency metrics, cohort and case-control study design, clinical trials, systematic reviews, confounding and effect modification, bias control, and outbreak investigations.

15%

Health Policy, Management, and Economics

Healthcare system organization, Saudi Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program, healthcare financing, health technology assessment, cost-effectiveness analysis, and quality improvement.

15%

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Health Communication, and Health Promotion

Health behavior models (HBM, TPB, Transtheoretical Model), social determinants of health, Ottawa Charter frameworks, crisis risk communication, and community health interventions.

Preparing for the SCFHS SPHLE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 500 on the 200-800 reporting scale
  • Assessment: Computer-based testing consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions with four options and a single best answer. The examination is administered in two 120-minute sessions separated by a 30-minute scheduled break.
  • Time limit: Two 120-minute parts plus a scheduled 30-minute break
  • Exam / certification fees: Not published by SCFHS for the SPHLE Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SCFHS SPHLE: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus heavily on the high-weight domains: Epidemiology (20%) and Fundamentals of Public Health (20%) together account for 40% of the test items.
2Master foundational biostatistics formulas, including 2x2 contingency tables, relative risk, odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value.
3Understand the organizational reforms of the Saudi Health Sector Transformation Program (Vision 2030), including health clusters and accountable care organizations.
4Review the hierarchy of hazard controls and criteria air pollutants in environmental and occupational health.
5Practice distinguishing between confounding (a distortion to be controlled) and effect modification (a biological interaction to be reported).
6Simulate exam endurance with timed blocks matching the 120-minute, 100-question structure of each test half.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official name of the SCFHS public health specialist exam?

The official exam is the Saudi Public Health Licensure Examination (SPHLE), administered under the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) Professional Practice Licensure Examinations track.

How is the SPHLE different from the Public Health Technician exam?

The SPHLE is a specialist-level licensure examination delivered in English for degree holders in public health. The Public Health Technician exam is a separate classification examination delivered in Arabic for diploma-level health cadres.

How many questions are on the SPHLE exam?

The official SPHLE Applicant Guide specifies 200 multiple-choice questions (which may include up to 10% unscored pilot questions) delivered in two 120-minute sections with a scheduled 30-minute break.

What is the passing score for the SPHLE?

The published passing standard is 500 on the 200-800 reporting scale. SCFHS set that cut score through a standard-setting exercise in the first quarter of 2023, and the Central Assessment Committee reviewed and approved it.

What language is the SPHLE administered in?

The examination language is English, as confirmed in the official SCFHS SPHLE Applicant Guide.

What is the exam fee for the SPHLE?

SCFHS does not publish an SPHLE fee in the Examination Content Guideline. The SAR 120 Mumaris+ eligibility service lists the SMLE, SDLE, SNLE, SPLE, SLLE, SRCLE and SRTLE exams rather than SPHLE, so confirm the charges that apply to you in Mumaris+ and at Prometric booking.

Is this practice resource affiliated with SCFHS?

No. OpenExamPrep is an independent educational platform. This practice question bank is developed independently for exam preparation and is not endorsed by or affiliated with SCFHS or Prometric.