DOH exam eligibility and HAAD requirements for nurses
To sit the DOH exam as a Registered Nurse you need a nursing bachelor's degree of at least 3 years full-time and a valid BLS certificate, under the Unified Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). You have three attempts across all UAE authorities. How long a pass stays valid is not confirmed.
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Original questions across the DOH (HAAD) exam for nurses topic areas, with an explanation after every answer and your estimated readiness at the end.
Start the free checkWho can apply for an Abu Dhabi nursing licence
DOH Abu Dhabi was called HAAD in the past. The DOH nurse requirements use the same Unified PQR as Dubai. The PQR is dated April 2025.
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| Item | Registered Nurse | Assistant Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Bachelor's in nursing, at least 3 years full-time | Nursing diploma, at least 18 months |
| Experience | None required, subject to the discontinuity-of-practice rules | None required, subject to the same rules |
| BLS | Valid BLS certificate | Not confirmed |
| Language of exam | English | English |
"Discontinuity of practice" means a gap in work. The PQR has its own criteria for this. Check them if you have been out of nursing for some time.
The 6-month training rule
The PQR says graduates of UAE universities who are not UAE nationals need 6 months of training in an Approved Practice Setting after graduation. The PQR excludes the Registered and Assistant Nurse titles from this rule.
DOH's own nurse page, seen only in a search excerpt, mentions a 6-month internship for non-UAE nationals who graduate from UAE universities. The two texts do not match. If you studied in the UAE, ask DOH which rule applies to you.
Exemptions
UAE nationals and children of Emirati women are exempt from the exam. The PQR also has an exam equivalency list in section 1.6, which lists other exams and licences that can replace the DOH exam. Read that section in the PQR, because we do not repeat the list here.
Attempts and waiting time
- Three attempts across the UAE authorities. DOH's manual says: "The applicant is granted three (3) attempts to pass the examination across the Authorities" (search excerpt).
- The 2025 PQR states no waiting time between attempts.
- An old HAAD standard (search excerpt) said you could re-sit 3 months after failing a single-component written exam, and not before 12 months after a third failure. That document is old and may be replaced, so we do not treat it as current.
How long is a DOH pass valid
DOH Circular 151/2024, dated 26 August 2024, is quoted in a search excerpt as saying: "A 'PASS' score is valid for 5 years conditioned by the PQR criteria." It adds that applicants with a practice gap must re-sit even inside 5 years. We have not read the full circular, so this is unverified. Check it on the DOH site before you plan around it.
What we could not confirm for any profession: the exam name, number of questions, time, pass mark and topic weights. We do not state them. Start with the free 20-question check and read the DOH exam fees page for the booking route.
Common questions
What are the DOH exam requirements for nurses?
A nursing bachelor's degree of at least 3 years full-time and a valid BLS certificate, under the Unified PQR.
Is experience required for the HAAD exam?
The PQR says no experience is required for a Registered Nurse, subject to the discontinuity-of-practice criteria.
How many times can I take the DOH exam?
Three times, counted across all UAE authorities.
How long is the DOH exam pass valid?
A DOH circular is quoted as saying 5 years, but we have not read the full text. Treat it as unverified.
Is the DOH exam in English?
Yes. The Unified PQR says all UAE examinations are conducted in English.
Do I need a diploma or a bachelor's degree for Abu Dhabi?
A Registered Nurse needs a bachelor's degree. An Assistant Nurse needs a diploma of at least 18 months.
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