Family Physician/Family Medicine Specialist for MOHAP Exam UAE 2026
MOHAP Family Medicine Quick Summary
To be licensed as a Family Medicine Specialist by MOHAP you need MBBS (or equivalent) with internship plus a recognised postgraduate qualification in family medicine from a training programme of at least 3 years. Tier 1 and Tier 2 qualifications need no extra experience, Tier 3 needs 3 years after the specialty qualification, and most applicants then pass a Prometric MCQ exam with a 60% pass mark. Without a recognised family medicine qualification you apply as a General Practitioner instead.
Family medicine is one of the specialist titles MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) licenses for its primary care centres and for private clinics in the emirates it regulates. Many doctors who have worked in general practice for years assume they qualify as family physicians. In the UAE that depends on your postgraduate qualification, not on how long you have done the job. This page covers the family medicine title only. The general specialist rules are on MOHAP specialist doctors eligibility, and the GP, specialist and consultant rules side by side are on MOHAP exam requirements for doctors.
Family Physician or GP: what is the difference in the UAE?
In the UAE a family medicine doctor is a specialist who provides primary care at a higher level of competency, while a General Practitioner (GP) provides general primary care. The titles are licensed separately and carry different scopes and salaries.
Family physicians play a key role in chronic disease management and prevention (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, screening), which is a priority in UAE health strategy. That is why many government and private facilities prefer them to GPs for running clinics and continuity of care.
| General Practitioner (GP) | Family Medicine Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Basic medical degree plus internship | Basic medical degree, internship and a recognised family medicine qualification (programme of at least 3 years) |
| Experience | 2 years after internship | None for Tier 1 and 2; 3 years after the qualification for Tier 3 |
| MOHAP exam | GP exam | Family medicine specialist exam |
| Where to read more | MOH UAE GP exam guide | This page |
Eligibility for the MOHAP Family Medicine Specialist title
- Required qualification: MBBS/MD with completed internship or house job, plus postgraduate specialty training in family medicine from a programme of at least 3 years that is recognised in the Unified PQR.
- Required experience: depends on the tier of your qualification (table below). Experience is counted from the date of your licence, and training years do not count as experience.
- Pass the exam: most applicants sit the MOHAP family medicine exam. The evaluation officer decides whether you are exempt; there is no automatic exemption for any one certificate. See MOHAP exam exemptions.
- Recent practice: a gap of more than 2 years out of clinical work brings extra CME and supervised training, and non-UAE nationals with a gap of more than 5 years cannot apply.
- Documents: positive DataFlow report, Good Standing Certificate issued within 6 months, and your specialty certificate with its training letter.
Experience needed by PQR tier
| Tier of family medicine qualification | Specialist | Consultant |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | No experience required | 2 years after the specialty qualification |
| Tier 2 | No experience required | 5 years after the specialty qualification |
| Tier 3 | 3 years after the qualification (1 year for UAE nationals) | Cannot lead to a consultant title |
The PQR lists recognised specialty certificates by country. Two are named specifically for family medicine: the UK Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Practice with GMC registration, and CCFP certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Board certificates such as American ABMS boards, the Arab Board, the Saudi Specialty Certificate and Pakistan's FCPS appear as general entries that apply to the specialty you trained in. The tier each one falls into is set in the PQR tables, so confirm yours in the MOHAP evaluation before you pay. Short diplomas in family medicine and international memberships that are not tied to a full training programme are often not enough for the specialist title. If your qualification does not fit, you can still apply as a GP.
What is in the MOHAP Family Medicine exam?
The exam is a Prometric computer-based MCQ paper, marked Pass or Fail with a 60% minimum, with a maximum of 3 attempts. MOHAP does not publish a topic blueprint, but the paper follows the scope of a family physician. Plan your revision around these areas:
The questions read like a busy clinic: a patient with an abnormal result, a screening question, a drug choice in someone with three conditions. Internal medicine is the biggest share of what you need. Candidates who prepare with internal medicine, paediatrics and obs and gynae MCQs together usually cover the paper well.
MOHAP Family Medicine sample practice MCQs
Two primary care questions in the clinical scenario style Prometric uses. Tap a question to see the answer.
Question 1: Mental health
A 34-year-old woman attends your clinic with 2 months of low mood, poor sleep, loss of interest and difficulty concentrating at work. Her PHQ-9 score is 17. She denies suicidal thoughts, drinks no alcohol, and her TSH and full blood count are normal. She is not pregnant and does not plan pregnancy. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management?
A) Alprazolam at night and review in 3 months
B) Sertraline, with review within 2 to 4 weeks and referral for psychological therapy
C) Amitriptyline 75 mg at night
D) Reassurance and repeat PHQ-9 in 6 months
Correct answer: B) Sertraline, with review within 2 to 4 weeks and referral for psychological therapy
A PHQ-9 of 15 to 19 indicates moderately severe depression, which needs active treatment. An SSRI such as sertraline is first line, combined with psychological therapy where available, and early review checks adverse effects and suicidal thoughts. Benzodiazepines do not treat depression, tricyclics are more toxic in overdose and are not first line, and watchful waiting is for mild symptoms.
Question 2: Endocrinology
A 63-year-old man has a TSH of 7.4 mIU/L (reference 0.4 to 4.0) with a normal free T4 on a routine check. He has no symptoms of hypothyroidism, no goitre and no cardiac disease, and he is not taking amiodarone or lithium. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Start levothyroxine 100 micrograms daily
B) Repeat TSH and free T4 in 6 to 12 weeks
C) Arrange a thyroid radioactive iodine uptake scan
D) Request a thyroid ultrasound
Correct answer: B) Repeat TSH and free T4 in 6 to 12 weeks
A single raised TSH with normal free T4 suggests subclinical hypothyroidism, but TSH often settles on its own, so the first step is to confirm it on a repeat test, ideally with thyroid antibodies. Treatment is usually considered when TSH stays above 10 mIU/L or in selected symptomatic patients. Uptake scans are for hyperthyroidism, and ultrasound is for a palpable nodule or goitre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is family medicine a specialist title in MOHAP?
Yes. MOHAP licenses Family Medicine Specialists and Consultants under the Unified PQR, separately from General Practitioners. You need a recognised family medicine qualification from a training programme of at least 3 years to hold the specialist title.
How much experience do I need for the MOHAP family medicine specialist title?
None if your qualification is Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the PQR, and 3 years after the qualification if it is Tier 3 (1 year for UAE nationals). Experience is counted from your licence date, and training years are not counted.
Can an experienced GP apply as a family physician without a postgraduate qualification?
No. Years of general practice count towards the GP title, but the family medicine specialist title needs a recognised postgraduate family medicine qualification. Without one, apply as a GP and take the MOHAP GP exam.
Is MRCGP(INT) accepted for the MOHAP family medicine title?
The PQR lists the UK CCT in General Practice, not the international MRCGP, so MRCGP(INT) is assessed case by case. Upload it with your full training record and let the MOHAP evaluation confirm the title and tier before you book anything.
What is the passing score for the MOHAP family medicine exam?
MOHAP marks its exams Pass or Fail with a 60% minimum. You have a maximum of 3 attempts in a category, and a cancelled or missed Prometric booking counts as an attempt.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
DR Amjad Khan (Sabah, Malaysia): MRCGP(INT) holder, exam or exemption for Dubai?
"I am working as Family Physician/GP in Malaysia for the last 17 years. Recently pass MRCGP(int) and doing FRACGP training here in Malaysia as i am from pakistan but Resident here. Want to ask for work in Dubai, any have to give DHA/HAAD, examination or any exemption for MOHAP exam as after AMC. THANKS, REGARDS, DR AMJAD KHAN?"
DR Amjad Khan
Medical Qualification: MRCGP(INT), DFM( MALAYSIA),DTCD (PAKISTAN)
City, Country: SABAH, MALAYSIA
Dr Mehboob (Karachi, Pakistan): long experience in Oman and Sindh, am I eligible?
"I worked in MOH Sultanate of Oman from 1991 till 2004. Since 2004 till today I am working Health Department Govt of Sindh as Senior Medical Office. Let me know the eligibility for the Exam.?"
Dr Mehboob
Medical Qualification: M.B.B.S
City, Country: Karachi, Pakistan
Dr shameema banu (India): HAAD asks for a MOHAP evaluation after DataFlow
"My verification is completed by data flow group and forwarded to haad. Now haad asking to submit UAE mohap evaluation. Kindly help me regarding this.?"
Dr shameema banu
Medical Qualification: BAMS
City, Country: India
Arslan ali (Lahore, Pakistan): DHA or MOHAP for a pharmacist in Dubai?
"I want to know about the application criteria of MOHAP. I'm very curious to work in dubai as pharmacist. Please inform me about DHA and MOHAP. Is DHA is valid to work as pharmacist or MOHAP??"
Arslan ali
Medical Qualification: Doctor of pharmacy
City, Country: Lahore, Pakistan
R.sheelareka (India): how to take the Prometric pharmacist exam for Oman
"How should i attend the prometric exam for pharmasist in oman?"
R.sheelareka
Medical Qualification: D.pharm
City, Country: India
Ramesh.g (Kanyakumari, India): tips and how to apply for the MOHAP pharmacist exam
"I am having 4 yrs of experience pls give tips for MOHAP exam. How to apply?"
Ramesh.g
Medical Qualification: B.pharm
City, Country: Kanyakumari, India
Irfan (Swat, Pakistan): how a nurse applies for MOHAP and DHA
"I want to know the process how to apply MOHAP and DHA?"
Irfan
Medical Qualification: Generic Nursing and post RN Peadiatric speciality
City, Country: Swat, Pakistan
Pramodh n k (Bangalore, India): exam fee and travel cost
"I want know that exam fee & cost of travling in your country?"
Pramodh n k
Medical Qualification: Diploma in medical records
City, Country: Bangalore, India
Mussarat (London, UK): MOHAP entry requirements for doctors
"I want to give this MOHAP exam want to find out what are the entry requirements?"
Mussarat
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: London, UK
Sundus Rizwan (Karachi, Pakistan): medical officer eligibility for MOH Oman
"Hi everyone, I have just completed my housejob after doing M.B.B.S. Can you please tell me the eligibilty criteria for Medical officer job at MOH, Oman.?"
Sundus Rizwan
Medical Qualification: M.B.B.S
City, Country: Karachi, Pakistan
S.meena (Tamil Nadu, India): MOH exam in Saudi Arabia for optometrists
"Hi i'm finished my bsc optometry. I want to know about moh exams in ksa.?"
S.meena
Medical Qualification: Bsc optometry
City, Country: Tamil nadu, India
Humera (Peshawar, Pakistan): is MOHAP a must for dentists in the UAE?
"I want to work in the UAE and want to know if the MOHAP is an absolute must and also how does one go about getting it.?"
Humera
Medical Qualification: Bachelor of dentistry
City, Country: Peshawar, Pakistan
Shabnam (Kerala, India): can a BSc Microbiology graduate sit MOHAP?
"Am i eligible for writing mohap? I need to work as a microbiologist?"
Shabnam
Medical Qualification: Bsc microbiology with nanotechnology
City, Country: Kerala, India
JESEENA (Kerala, India): transfer within Saudi MOH to join husband
"I am working under MOH in Makkah Hospital, My husband is working in Riyadh (SA) sir. I need transfer to Riyadh. Please let me know the proceedures. I tryed to mutual transfer but Nursing director in Central hospital is not accept our transfer. What can I do for live with my Husband?"
JESEENA
Medical Qualification: BSC
City, Country: KERALA, India
Prepare for the MOHAP specialist exam with Interface
Clinical explanations, subject-wise modules and timed Prometric mocks for MOH UAE Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obs & Gyn and GP.
Enroll in MOH UAE Internal Medicine QBank