Exams to pass for working as a medical professional in the Middle East
To work as a medical professional in the UAE, GCC countries, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, you must pass specific licensing exams based on the country and profession. Here’s an overview of the key licensing tests for each region:
1. UAE (United Arab Emirates)
The UAE has licensing bodies for each emirate:
DHA (Dubai Health Authority)
Who Needs It: Healthcare professionals working in Dubai.
Exams:
o Doctors: DHA Exam.
o Nurses: DHA Exam.
o Allied Health Professionals: DHA-specific exams.
HAAD (Health Authority – Abu Dhabi)
Who Needs It: Healthcare professionals working in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain.
Exams:
o Doctors: HAAD Exam.
o Nurses: HAAD Exam.
o Allied Health Professionals: HAAD-specific exams.
MOH (Ministry of Health and Prevention)
Who Needs It: Healthcare professionals working in other emirates like Sharjah, Ajman,
Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Exams:
o Doctors: MOH Exam.
o Nurses: MOH Exam.
o Allied Health Professionals: MOH-specific exams.
Unified License (DHP or UAE PASS):
The Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) allows professionals with a license from DHA, HAAD, or MOH to work across emirates after meeting equivalency requirements.
2. GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)
The Prometric Exam is the common test across many GCC countries:
Prometric Exam Overview
Who Needs It: Healthcare professionals working in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, and UAE. Professions Covered:
o Doctors (General Practitioners and Specialists).
o Nurses (Registered and Specialized Nurses).
o Pharmacists.
o Allied Health Professionals.
3. Oman
MoH Oman Licensing
Authority: Ministry of Health (MoH), Oman.
Exam Name: Prometric Exam for Oman.
Who Needs It:
o Doctors: Must clear the Oman-specific Prometric Exam.
o Nurses and Allied Health Professionals: Also need to pass the Prometric Exam.
4. Saudi Arabia
SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties)
Exam Name: Prometric Exam (Saudi Licensing Exam – SLE).
Who Needs It:
o Doctors: SLE for General Practitioners and Specialists.
o Nurses: Saudi Prometric Exam for Registered Nurses.
o Allied Health Professionals: Relevant Prometric exams.
Additional Requirements: Post-exam, candidates must complete a DataFlow verification process to validate educational and professional credentials.
Key Preparation Steps for Licensing Exams
1. Credential Verification:
o Use the DataFlow Group for Primary Source Verification (PSV) to validate academic
and professional credentials before applying for the exam.
2. Register for the Exam:
o Visit the official portal of the relevant authority (DHA, HAAD, MOH, or SCFHS) to
apply.
o For the Prometric Exam, register on the Prometric website specific to the country.
3. Prepare Strategically:
o Focus on medical guidelines and healthcare systems specific to the country.
o Practice with mock tests and exam-related question banks.
4. Check Renewal Policies:
o Licenses typically need to be renewed every 2-5 years, with proof of continuing
medical education (CME) hours.
By understanding the licensing requirements and preparing effectively, you can navigate the path to a fulfilling healthcare career in the UAE, GCC, Oman, or Saudi Arabia