Required certification · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE)
Saudi body that accredits engineers to practise
Market position
The Saudi Council of Engineers grants the professional accreditation that the Engineering Professions Practice Law of 2017 requires before anyone practises engineering in Saudi Arabia. Applicants need an engineering degree from a Saudi or recognised university and must pass technical aptitude tests. The law also requires an engineering licence for engineering offices and companies.
Saudi Arabia-specific note
Under the Engineering Professions Practice Law, fines reach SAR 1 million for practising without SCE accreditation, running an engineering office or company without a licence, or knowingly hiring an unqualified practitioner. Saudi Gazette reported in March 2026 that 684 engineers were fined a total of SR1.6 million for practising without valid accreditation, so check every engineer's accreditation before hiring.
Pros
- + Accreditation is the legal proof that an engineer may practise
- + One national body for engineer accreditation
- + Gives employers a clear legal test when hiring engineers
Cons
- − Practising without accreditation can bring fines of up to SAR 1 million
- − Firms that knowingly hire an unqualified practitioner face the same maximum fine
- − Foreign degrees must be from a recognised university and applicants must pass a technical test
Typical Saudi Arabia pricing
Fees not confirmed: the SCE site (saudieng.sa) did not respond during this check. Check the SCE accreditation e-service for current fees.
Why this matters for Saudi Arabia trades
The Engineering Professions Practice Law requires Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) accreditation before anyone practises engineering, with fines of up to SAR 1 million. Under the Contractor Classification Law, government bodies may not accept a bid for a project subject to classification unless the contractor is classified in its field, activity and grade; classification requests and building permits are filed on Balady, where permit plans are checked against the Saudi Building Code and latent defects insurance is a required document. ZATCA’s Phase 2 requires businesses called in by turnover wave to connect their invoicing software to the Fatoora platform (EY reports that Wave 25 reaches taxable turnover above SAR 187,500 and that businesses in it should prepare to comply with Phase 2 starting from 1 February 2027). Nitaqat places each entity in one of five Saudization ranges that decide access to services such as new expatriate visas and work permits, and Argaam reported in 2018 that firms must join the Saudi Contractors Authority before bidding for tenders.
Saudi construction and trades software selection is shaped by ZATCA’s mandatory e-invoicing regime (Phase 2 integration with the Fatoora platform, rolled out in turnover waves), contractor classification by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing for public projects, building permits on Balady checked against the mandatory Saudi Building Code, Saudization ranges under Nitaqat tracked on Qiwa, and government tenders run on Etimad. Several vendors listed here offer Arabic and English interfaces, and some publish SAR prices.
Frequently asked
Is Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) a good fit for Saudi Arabia trades?
The Saudi Council of Engineers grants the professional accreditation that the Engineering Professions Practice Law of 2017 requires before anyone practises engineering in Saudi Arabia. Applicants need an engineering degree from a Saudi or recognised university and must pass technical aptitude tests. The law also requires an engineering licence for engineering offices and companies. Under the Engineering Professions Practice Law, fines reach SAR 1 million for practising without SCE accreditation, running an engineering office or company without a licence, or knowingly hiring an unqualified practitioner. Saudi Gazette reported in March 2026 that 684 engineers were fined a total of SR1.6 million for practising without valid accreditation, so check every engineer's accreditation before hiring.
What does Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) cost in Saudi Arabia?
Fees not confirmed: the SCE site (saudieng.sa) did not respond during this check. Check the SCE accreditation e-service for current fees. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current Saudi Arabia pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other Saudi Arabia vendors
Contractor Classification (MOMAH)
Required certification
Balady Platform
Required certification
Saudi Building Code (SBC)
Required certification
ZATCA E-Invoicing (Fatoora)
Required certification
Qiwa & Nitaqat (Saudization)
Required certification
Saudi Contractors Authority (Muqawil)
Required certification