Neelim Healthcare Consulting
Neelim
11 regulators across 6 GCC countries

GCC healthcare licensing exams, compared

Every Gulf regulator runs its own exam with its own pass marks, format and attempt rules. Pick the emirate or country where you will work to see its exam, taken from the regulator's own documents - then check your eligibility and practise with a free mock test.

11
Regulators covered
189
Exams with official pass marks
6
GCC countries
100%
From official sources

Choose your regulator

Your exam is decided by where you will practise, not by your profession. Each card shows the same four facts from its own official documents, and says "Not published" where the regulator does not publish a figure. Not sure which applies? See the authorities hub.

United Arab Emirates, by emirate

6 regulatorsuae flag Licensing in the UAE →
uae flag

DHA

Dubai

Official data
Pass mark
50-70%
Format
150 MCQs, 3 hrs
Attempts
3 across the UAE
Delivered by
Prometric
uae flag

DOH

Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra

Official data
Pass mark
Pass / fail only
Format
Written + oral/OSCE
Attempts
3 across the UAE
Delivered by
Pearson VUE
uae flag

SHA

Emirate of Sharjah

Official data
Pass mark
Not published
Format
Set at assessment
Attempts
3 across the UAE
Delivered by
Not published
uae flag

MOHAP

Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

Official data
Pass mark
Not published
Format
Computer-based
Attempts
3 across the UAE
Delivered by
Prometric
uae flag

DCAS

Dubai emergency medical services

Official data
Pass mark
Not published
Format
Prometric + practical
Attempts
Not published
Delivered by
Prometric + DCAS practical
uae flag

DHCA

Dubai Healthcare City free zone

Official data
Pass mark
Pass / fail only
Format
MCQ, in English
Attempts
3 per exam
Delivered by
Prometric

Rest of the GCC

5 regulatorssaudi-arabia flag Saudi Arabiaqatar flag Qatarkuwait flag Kuwaitbahrain flag Bahrainoman flag Oman
saudi-arabia flag

SCFHS

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Official data
Pass mark
500-560 of 800
Format
200 MCQs, 240 min
Attempts
Up to 4 a year
Delivered by
Prometric
qatar flag

QCHP

State of Qatar

Official data
Pass mark
50-65%
Format
150 MCQs, 3 hrs
Attempts
5 per scope
Delivered by
Prometric
bahrain flag

NHRA

Kingdom of Bahrain

Official data
Pass mark
Not published
Format
Prometric CBT
Attempts
4 in 3 years (pharmacy)
Delivered by
Prometric
oman flag

OMSB

Sultanate of Oman

Official data
Pass mark
Not published
Format
Computer-based OC exam
Attempts
No set maximum
Delivered by
Pearson VUE
kuwait flag

Kuwait MOH

State of Kuwait

Official data
Pass mark
60-70%
Format
150 MCQs, 170 min
Attempts
3, 6 weeks apart
Delivered by
Prometric

Every GCC licensing exam side by side

Pass marks, format, attempts and test delivery for each regulator, from its own published documents. Where a regulator does not publish a figure, we say so rather than estimate it.

RegulatorCoversPass markFormatAttemptsDelivered by
DHADubai50-70%150 MCQs, 3 hrs3 across the UAEPrometric
DOHAbu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al DhafraPass / fail onlyWritten + oral/OSCE3 across the UAEPearson VUE
SHAEmirate of SharjahNot publishedSet at assessment3 across the UAENot published
MOHAPNorthern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and FujairahNot publishedComputer-based3 across the UAEPrometric
DCASDubai emergency medical servicesNot publishedPrometric + practicalNot publishedPrometric + DCAS practical
DHCADubai Healthcare City free zonePass / fail onlyMCQ, in English3 per examPrometric
SCFHSKingdom of Saudi Arabia500-560 of 800200 MCQs, 240 minUp to 4 a yearPrometric
QCHPState of Qatar50-65%150 MCQs, 3 hrs5 per scopePrometric
NHRAKingdom of BahrainNot publishedPrometric CBT4 in 3 years (pharmacy)Prometric
OMSBSultanate of OmanNot publishedComputer-based OC examNo set maximumPearson VUE
Kuwait MOHState of Kuwait60-70%150 MCQs, 170 min3, 6 weeks apartPrometric

UAE attempts are shared: the Unified PQR allows three in total across DHA, DOH, MOHAP and SHA, so a failed attempt in one emirate counts in the others. Sources are listed on each regulator's exam page.

Not sure which exam you need - or whether you are exempt?

Your exam depends on your profession, title and qualifications. We will confirm your exact route before you spend anything.

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Prepare with original exam-style questions

Full-length practice papers written to the published blueprints, with a rationale and reference for every answer. Every bank has a free timed mock so you can see where you stand first. Browse all question banks.

Registered Nurse (RN)

AED 179

555 original questions in 4 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 50%.

General Practitioner (GP)

AED 349

702 original questions in 5 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 60%.

Pharmacist

AED 249

549 original questions in 4 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 60%.

Dentist (General)

AED 349

462 original questions in 3 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 60%.

Physiotherapist

AED 249

582 original questions in 4 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 50%.

Medical Laboratory Technologist

AED 249

444 original questions in 3 full-length papers, each with a rationale and reference. DHA pass mark 50%.

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GCC licensing exam FAQs

Is there one licensing exam for the whole GCC?
No. Each regulator runs its own: DHA for Dubai, DOH for Abu Dhabi, SHA for Sharjah, MOHAP for the Northern Emirates, SCFHS for Saudi Arabia, DHP (formerly QCHP) for Qatar, NHRA for Bahrain, MOH and OMSB for Oman, and MOH for Kuwait. A pass with one regulator is not a pass with another.
What is the pass mark for GCC licensing exams?
It depends on the regulator and the exam. DHA publishes 50-70% by exam, Qatar's DHP 50-65% (55% for Sports Medicine), and Kuwait MOH 60% for nurses and GPs and 65-70% for Internal Medicine. SCFHS uses a scaled score instead, from 500 (nurses) to 560 (doctors) out of 800 across its seven licensure exams.
How many attempts do I get?
In the UAE, three in total across DHA, DOH, MOHAP and SHA combined under the Unified PQR. Qatar allows five attempts per scope, Kuwait three at least six weeks apart, Saudi Arabia up to four a year until you pass, and Oman sets no maximum.
Which exams are Prometric and which are Pearson VUE?
DHA, MOHAP, Qatar's DHP, SCFHS and Kuwait MOH deliver their exams through Prometric. DOH Abu Dhabi uses Pearson VUE, booked through TAMM, and so does Oman's OMSB. Sharjah's exam is set within SHA's professional assessment.
Will I see my score?
Not from DHA or DOH - both report Pass or Fail only. SCFHS gives a scaled score, a statement of results and a feedback report comparing you with other candidates, 2-6 weeks after the test window.
How long is a pass valid?
Qatar's DHP treats a qualifying exam pass as valid for 3 years, and MOHAP's evaluation certificate is valid for 5 years provided your experience is not interrupted for more than two. Check the rule for your regulator before you plan your move.
Can a qualification exempt me from the exam?
Often. Qatar exempts NCLEX holders for nursing and USMLE Step 3, PLAB 1 and AMC holders for physicians, among others, and the UAE applies the exemptions in the Unified PQR. See our GCC exam exemptions guide for each regulator.
Which exam should I sit?
The one for the emirate or country where you will work - the licence follows the regulator, not your profession. If you have no offer yet, compare the routes on this page or ask us for a free assessment.

Know your exam before you book it

Tell us your profession, title and target country. We confirm which exam you sit, whether you are exempt, and the fastest order to do everything in.