1- What is statistical work?
Any study, research, investigation, survey, or any work related to statistical fields either completely or partly.
2- What are statistical services?
Detailed or any other related procedures of the statistical work. They include providing statistical consultations, designing surveys and research, conducting studies, and presenting part or specific percentage of individual data after being modified to guarantee lack of statistical unity identity’ clarity. The works also include using statistical frameworks, selecting samples, in addition to analyzing and disaggregating results…etc.
3- What is statistical information?
All data and information that are processed either by disaggregating, analyzing, or summarizing them, or by the use of any other method in order to make it statistically meaningful.
Establishment: any sole or private institution, company, or organization specialized in the field of statistical works.
4- Who is the statistical practitioner?
Any person who carries out statistical works.
5- What are the objectives of the statistical licensing regulation?
• Organizing and monitoring the statistical work practiced by individuals and establishments in a way that conforms with the system of scientific and occupational rules and principles of the statistical occupation.
• Enhancing the quality of statistical services and products provided by private entities and individuals.
• Controlling the mechanism of statistical work of all statistical establishments and practitioners to guarantee their abidance to GASTAT standards.
• Developing the statistical sector, and shrinking the gap between its components.
6- Are the provisions of this regulation applicable on all establishments and individuals who practice statistical work?
Yes, it is applied on all establishments and individuals who practice the statistical work or part of it in order to provide statistical services or part of them, or to use statistical information for business.
It is prohibited- permanently or temporary- to practice any statistical work or part of it for the purpose of providing statistical services or part of them, or for the purpose of using statistical information for business unless they obtain the required statistical licensing. This does not obviate getting other necessary licenses required by the regulations of other public entities.
7- In what cases is practicing statistical work prohibited?
It is prohibited- permanently or temporary- to practice any statistical work or part of it for the purpose of providing statistical services or part of them, or for the purpose of using statistical information for business unless they obtain the required statistical licensing. This does not obviate getting other necessary licenses required by the regulations of other public entities.
8- How can I get “statistical trainee license”?
Excluding the provision of the third article, individuals who did not pass the condition of required experience period to obtain statistical practitioner licensing, shall practice statistical work as necessary to pass the condition of experience period under license of “statistical trainee license”. The president determines the conditions, duration, and fees of this license, provided that the practice shall be under the supervision of a legally licensed statistical practitioner. During this period, the provisions of the ninth article and the twelfth article of this regulation, along with their sanctions are applied on them.
9- How statistical licenses are classified?
• Statistical practitioner license
• Establishments’ statistical work practice license
10- What are the conditions for obtaining statistical practitioner license?
• Applicant must be Saudi national
• Applicant must be fully competent
• Applicant must be of good conduct, and not have been convicted of a legal act or shameful crime, unless rehabilitated.
• Applicant must have a bachelor degree in statistics or any relevant major such as Operations research, Quantitative methods, Econometrics, or any other major in accordance with what is decided by a specialized committee that determines how proper is the major for licensing, in case the applicant does not hold the required qualifications.
• Applicant must have work experience in statistical work at one of the licensed establishments by GASTAT, or at governmental entities, private entities, corporations, or sole institutions, according to the following:
1- Not less than 3 years’ experience for those who hold bachelor in Statistics or any equivalent major.
2- Not less than 2 years’ experience for those who hold Masters in Statistics or any equivalent major.
3- Not less than 1-year experience for those who hold PhD in Statistics or any equivalent major.
4- To pass the vocational and preparatory tests approved by GASTAT or any representative agency.
• Applicant must pass the training courses required by GASTAT
• Applicant must complete all required applications for licensing.
11- What are the conditions for obtaining establishments’ statistical work practice license?
• Establishment must be Saudi.
• The establishment owner- in case of sole establishments- or one of its owners- in case of corporation- must have a statistical practitioner license.
• Completing all required applications for licensing.
Foreign corporations can apply for licensing too, after completing all the requirements according to the Foreign-Saudi Investment System and the Saudi Corporations System.
12 - What are the conditions for obtaining statistical work practice license by foreign corporations?
• The corporation CEO, director-general, or any one of its owners must be Saudi national and must have a statistical practitioner license.
• The foreign single-person limited corporation CEO, director-general, or the like must be Saudi, and has a statistical practitioner license.
• Completing all required applications for licensing.
13- What are the obligations of the licensed person?
1- Implementing the statistical work according to the statistics profession’ scientific and occupational principles, which include:
• All approved international regulations, policies, recommendations, and decisions that are related to the statistical work, either issued by GASTAT or the concerned entity.
• Models, mechanisms, and methods approved by GASTAT to practice statistical work.
2- Practicing the statistical work with integrity, keenness and full responsibility.
3- Being objective while implementing the statistical work, and not getting affected by others’ opinions when making decisions.
4- Respecting the value of received information while implementing the statistical work, and never disclose information unless there is a written permission or an authorization by the concerned entity, unless there is legal or occupational commitment of information disclosure.
5- Using statistical, scientific, and occupational knowledge, skills, and experiences while implementing the statistical work.
6- Improving the statistical work’ skills, efficiency, and quality.
7- Providing GASTAT with an annual report about all implemented statistical works.
14- What are the prohibited actions for the licensed person?
1. Disclosure of others’ confidential information while practicing the statistical work, unless there is a written permission by the concerned entity, a request by an official entity, or based on a legal document.
2. Providing services that violate the occupation regulations, rules, or common decency. In any case, the licensed person must notify the official concerned entities with any violating works or behaviors.
3. Withholding information, not responding to any enquiry from the concerned entity, or not providing the entity with its required information or documents on time.
15. For how long is the license valid?
The term of validity of the license shall be two years from the date of its first issuance. In such case, the license shall be valid during this period without interruption. Its period shall be for a maximum period of five years after renewing or reissuing it, in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the regulation.
16. Is the Authority monitoring and assessing the Licensee?
Yes, the Authority shall follow up and assess the licensee to ensure that he/she complies with regulations, policies, resolutions, and circulars related to statistics works during the first license term (two years).
17. When is the license renewed?
The licensee shall renew the license at least six months before its expiry date. He/she may not perform any statistics works from the date of expiry of the license period without renewing it.
18. What are the cases in which the license is revoked?
A- If the licensee is convicted of a crime that violates honor or trust.
B- If one of the information or data submitted for obtaining the license is invalid.
C- If the licensee illegally obtained any documents necessary to grant the license.
D- If the licensee submits a request to cancel the license.
19- What are the licensee’s obligations if the license is canceled or terminated?
In case the license is canceled or terminated, the licensee must liquidate all his/her works and fulfill all his/her clients’ obligations within a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of cancellation or termination. If more than 90 days is needed, the Authority shall be notified to determine the appropriate period for liquidation proceedings. The licensee may not practice any new statistics works during or after the liquidation period, without obtaining the necessary license.
20. What are the cases in which the license is suspended?
A - Licensed establishment is suspended for any reason on a temporary basis. During the thirty days from the date of the suspension, the following shall be carried out:
1- Notify the Authority of the causes and duration of the suspension, as well as the actions that will be taken to protect the rights of its clients and employees.
2- Coordinate with the Authority to address the consequences of the suspension.
B. If the licensee is unable to practice statistics works on a temporary basis due to medical conditions or any other reasons set up by the Authority.
21. What are the provisions for controlling licenses?
• The department shall issue and control licenses, and ensure that the licensee complies with the provisions of the regulations and related provisions.
• Authority’s inspectors or one of its representative determined by the President or his authorized representative shall be responsible for the inspection.
• If the concerned inspector verifies that there is a violation of the provisions of regulations or resolutions, he shall edit a violation record in accordance with the provisions of the procedural guide.
• The licensee is obliged to facilitate tasks of the department’s inspector.
22. What are the penalties that may be imposed in case of violation of one of the provisions of the license regulations?
1- Warning.
2- Suspension of the license for a period of not more than six months.
3- Cancellation of the license. In such case, it is not permissible to apply for a new license before the expiry of two years.
23. How can I obtain a license?
You can apply for license issue by clicking on the service link here (just an example)
• Apply for license issue...
• Select the license type.
• Pay the ¬fees.
• Print the license.
24. What are the procedures when the license is lost?
• The license can be printed electronically by clicking on the service link here (just an example)
• Access the list of ......
• Select the license to be printed
• Press print option (replacement of lost license)
25-What are the procedures for modifying the license?
• The license can be printed electronically by clicking on the service link here (just an example)
• Access the list of ......
• Select the license to be printed
• Press print option (modify license)
26. How can I print the license?
• The license can be printed electronically by clicking on the service link here (just an example)
• Access the list of ......
• Select the license to be printed
• Press print option
27. How can I renew my license?
• The license could be renewed electronically by clicking on the service link here (just an example)
• Access the list of ......
• Select the license to be renewed
• Determine the number of years
• Submit the request
• Pay the fees
• Print the license through E-services
28. What are the requirements for obtaining a license for Gulf countries' citizens?
In accordance with the conditions set forth in regulation of statistics licenses and control thereof.