HAAD/DOH Exam Fee, License and Requirements: Complete Guide

Once you know HAAD is now called DOH, the practical next questions are about cost, eligibility, and the licensing process. This guide covers the fee, requirements, and what the license application actually involves.

HAAD/DOH Exam Fee

The DOH (formerly HAAD) licensing exam fee is set and periodically revised by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and its exam delivery partner. Because exact fees change and can also vary by profession category (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, allied health), always confirm the current fee directly through the official DOH portal or your exam booking provider before budgeting, rather than relying on an older cited figure.

HAAD/DOH Exam Requirements

General eligibility requirements typically include:

• A recognised degree or diploma in your healthcare profession (MBBS for doctors, BSc Nursing for nurses, PharmD/BPharm for pharmacists, BDS for dentists)
• Valid registration with your home country’s professional council (PMDC/PMC for doctors, Pakistan Nursing Council for nurses, and equivalent bodies for other professions)
• A minimum period of relevant clinical experience, which varies by profession and category
• Completed DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) of your credentials

Always check the current official DOH eligibility criteria for your specific profession, since requirements are periodically reviewed.

How the HAAD/DOH License Process Works

1. Start DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) early, since this background check on your credentials typically takes several weeks and is required before licensing can proceed.
2. Register for the DOH licensing exam through the official DOH channel or its exam delivery partner (currently Pearson VUE for computer-based delivery).
3. Pay the exam fee and select your preferred test date and location.
4. Sit the exam - a computer-based, multiple-choice format testing clinical knowledge relevant to your profession and declared specialty.
5. Receive your result and, if you pass, proceed with the remaining DOH license application steps (which may include additional documentation, a medical fitness check, and employer sponsorship depending on your situation).

How to Prepare for the HAAD/DOH Exam

• Practise clinical vignette MCQs consistently, since the exam tests applied clinical reasoning rather than pure recall.
• Cover your full scope of practice, not just your strongest topics - a weak score in any core area can pull down your overall result.
• Simulate timed conditions as your exam date approaches, since pacing under time pressure is a skill in itself.

HAAD/DOH vs Other Gulf Licensing Exams

If you are weighing multiple Gulf licensing options, see our guides on the DHA exam (Dubai) and the MOH exam (Kuwait) for comparison. Many Pakistani healthcare professionals research more than one jurisdiction before deciding where to apply.

Build Your Clinical Foundation

Strong, consistent MCQ practice is the most reliable way to prepare for any Gulf licensing exam. Explore HighYield’s clinical QBank for vignette-style questions with detailed explanations. Your first 50 questions are free.