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Abu Dhabi licensing exam for nurses — required before you can work in any Abu Dhabi health facility
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) — formerly the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) — runs the Prometric-based licensing examination for nurses and other healthcare professionals wishing to practice in Abu Dhabi. HAAD officially merged into DOH in 2018, but the exam is still widely referred to as the HAAD exam. If you plan to work in Abu Dhabi (as opposed to Dubai or other emirates), you must pass the DOH exam and obtain a DOH licence before beginning work. Indian nurses with a BSc in Nursing and minimum two years of clinical experience are eligible to apply.
Passing Score
65% or above (Prometric adaptive scoring — exact pass mark varies by version)
Preparation Time
1–3 months
Registration Fee
≈ ₹12K
Result Validity
3 years from date of licensure (renewable)
Pass Rate (Indian nurses)
Approximately 55-65% first-attempt pass rate for Indian nurses with 4-6 weeks focused preparation
Mandatory for
United Arab Emirates
Multiple choice questions covering clinical nursing, pharmacology, infection control, patient safety, and professional ethics. The exam is adaptive — question difficulty adjusts based on your answers.
Yes. HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) merged into DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi) in 2018. The licensing examination was transferred to DOH and is now officially called the DOH exam, though it is still commonly referred to as the HAAD exam. The format, Prometric delivery, and preparation approach are the same.
Yes. The exam is administered by Prometric at their authorised test centres in India. Most major cities have Prometric centres. You do not need to travel to the UAE to sit the exam.
Each UAE licensing authority covers a different jurisdiction. DOH (formerly HAAD) covers Abu Dhabi emirate. DHA (Dubai Health Authority) covers Dubai emirate only. MOH (Ministry of Health) covers all remaining emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. You need the licence that matches the emirate where you will work. Most Indian nurses in Dubai hold a DHA licence.
The DOH nursing licence is valid for three years and must be renewed before expiry. Renewal requires proof of continuing professional development (CPD) hours completed during the licence period.
You will need: a valid nursing degree certificate (BSc Nursing or equivalent), transcripts, a Good Standing Certificate from the State Nursing Council, proof of minimum two years post-graduation clinical experience, a valid passport copy, and a recent passport photograph. All documents must be attested as required by DOH.
Source & Attribution
Sources
Information reviewed against official exam body publications, candidate handbooks, and regulatory guidelines. Fees and timelines are indicative and should be verified against the issuing authority before applying.