MOHAP Exam Eligibility as GP 2026: Check Your Own Situation
MOHAP GP Eligibility Quick Summary
To be eligible for the MOHAP exam as a GP, a doctor who graduated outside the UAE needs at least 2 years of clinical experience after internship, a valid licence for that experience and a good standing certificate dated within the last 6 months. Internship does not count, training does not replace the experience, and a fresh graduate cannot apply as a GP.
The rule itself is short. The questions come from real careers: a house job plus 16 months as a medical officer, years of postgraduate training, a break from practice. This page takes the common situations one by one and tells you where you stand, so you can decide whether to apply now, wait, or choose a different title.
For the full GP exam guide (application steps, attempts, results) read MOH UAE General Practitioner exam: eligibility and application. For the registration documents, see registration requirements for MOHAP GPs.
What is the MOHAP eligibility criteria for a GP?
MOHAP's evaluation service asks GPs who graduated outside the UAE for a certificate of clinical experience of not less than 2 years after completing internship. Experience is counted from the date of the licence covering it, and it must be paid clinical work: volunteer posts, observerships and clinical attachments do not count. MOHAP also states that training does not exempt you from the experience requirement, and that training completed outside the UAE is not considered equivalent to clinical experience. Your gap from clinical practice must also be within MOHAP's limit, currently stated as 2 years.
The detail of what counts, including which specialty posts are accepted as GP experience, is on MOHAP two years clinical experience requirement. Requirements for all three doctor titles are compared on MOHAP exam requirements for GP, specialist and consultant.
Am I eligible as a GP? Common situations
| Your situation | Eligible as GP now? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh graduate, internship not finished | No | Finish internship, then complete 2 years of licensed clinical work |
| Internship (house job) finished, no further work | No | Internship is not counted; you still need 2 full years after it |
| House job plus less than 2 years as medical officer | Not yet | Apply once you reach 24 months after internship, counted from your licence date |
| 2 or more years of licensed clinical work after internship | Yes, if documents verify | Apply for Health Professional Evaluation and complete DataFlow |
| Postgraduate trainee or resident outside the UAE | Ask MOHAP | MOHAP says training outside the UAE is not equivalent to clinical experience; confirm your posts before applying, or apply as a specialist once qualified |
| More than 2 years away from clinical practice | Usually not yet | Read the MOHAP clinical gap policy first |
| UAE national or graduate of a UAE university | Different rule | The Unified PQR exempts these groups from the experience requirement within 2 years of internship |
| Holds a recognised specialist qualification | Consider specialist | See which MOHAP title fits you |
Graduates from Ukraine, China and Russia have extra points to check; see MOHAP guidelines for MBBS/MD graduates from Ukraine, China and Russia. If you hold certain foreign licences or exam passes you may not need the exam at all: check MOHAP exam exemption criteria.
I am a fresh graduate, can I apply for GP license?
No. You must complete 2 full years of clinical practice after internship before MOHAP will accept you as a GP, and the internship itself does not count. If you have no evidence of an internship, the Unified PQR asks for an additional 2 years of experience instead. A fresh graduate who wants to work in the UAE early can look at UAE medical residency programs, which have their own entry rules.
Use the waiting period well. Doctors who start MCQ practice while still building their 2 years usually find the exam much easier when they finally sit it.
How to confirm your eligibility before you pay
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fresh graduate apply for the MOHAP GP exam?
No. A GP who graduated outside the UAE needs at least 2 years of clinical experience after internship. Internship does not count towards the 2 years.
Does house job count as experience for MOHAP?
No. House job or internship is a separate requirement. The 2 years of clinical experience are counted after it ends, from the date of the licence covering that work.
Does postgraduate training count as GP experience for MOHAP?
MOHAP states that training does not exempt you from the experience requirement and that training completed outside the UAE is not considered equivalent to clinical experience. If your experience is mainly training posts, confirm with MOHAP before you pay, or apply as a specialist once you qualify.
How long can my gap from practice be for MOHAP?
MOHAP currently states a maximum gap of 2 years from clinical practice. If your gap is longer, read the clinical gap policy before applying.
Do UAE nationals need 2 years experience for the MOHAP GP exam?
Under the Unified PQR, UAE nationals and graduates of UAE universities are exempt from the experience requirement if they apply within 2 years of completing internship.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Basit (Peshawar, Pakistan): does 4 years of FCPS-2 paediatrics training count for GP eligibility?
"I have completed my 4 year FCPS-2 training in pediatrics.. does this experience count for MOHAP exam eligibility as GP."
Basit
Medical Qualification: M.D
City, Country: Peshawar,Pakistan
Dr. Ogan (Port Harcourt, Nigeria): do I need to travel to present original documents?
"Hello..i am currently a resident Dr. in Nigeria, hoping to practice in Dubai. After sitting for the DHA online assessment for GPs, do i have to make a trip to Dubai to present my original documents at the MOHAP, even though i have not yet secured a job with you? Or, is this verification exercise online necessary when its certain that you have secured a job for me. thanks ."
Dr. Ogan
Medical Qualification: M.B.B.S
City, Country: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Zia ur rahman (Peshawar, Pakistan): does house job count, am I eligible with 16 months as medical officer?
"I have done mbbs one year housejob 16 months experience as medical officer ,,,my housejob will be included in experience or not??? I am eligible for mohap exam or not????"
Zia ur rahman
Medical Qualification: Mbbs
City, Country: Peshawar pakistan
Sirage Abnew (Ethiopia): applying from Ethiopia, and residency for non-UAE nationals
"I am a general practitioner graduated 2 years back from University of Gondar ,Ethiopia currently working in Mizan Tepi university teaching hospital .I want to work in UAE as a general practitioner.can i start my application from here , Ethiopia? If so how? and can none UAE nationals get a chance for residency program? Thank you ."
Sirage Abnew
Medical Qualification: MD (Doctor of Medicine)
City, Country: Ethiopia
Nida Aslam (Hatfield, UK): dermatology masters, specialist or consultant post and MOHAP or DHA
"Hi I want to apply in UAE for the dermatologist/ GPjob. I have done M.B.B.S, h.job having 1-year experience in dermatology from Pakistan, doing masters in clinical dermatology from the UK. can I apply for mohap dermatologist specialist or consultant post in UAE? Which test do I need to pass for this post(MOHAP or DHA)? looking forward to hear from you. thanks ."
Nida Aslam
Medical Qualification: M.B.B.S, DOING Masters in clinical dermatology from Hertfordshire uni, UK
City, Country: Hatfield, uk
Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin (Dubai, UAE): BDS since 2013, procedure, past papers and attestation
"HI, I completed my BDS in 2013 and worked in india now I came to dubai on visit visa i want to appear for MOHAP. i need mohap general dentist previous question papers and the procedure to apply and appear for exam. Do I need to do attestation on my Degree? "
Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin
Medical Qualification: BDS
City, Country: UAE& Dubai
Odoh Ikenna Ifeanyi (Enugu, Nigeria): how to apply for MOHAP, DOH and DHA, and the costs
"Please I need detailed procedures on how to apply for mohap, doh, Dha and also financial involvement required. Thanks. "
Odoh Ikenna Ifeanyi
Medical Qualification: B.Mls
City, Country: Enugu
Amna (Gujrat, Pakistan): MOH Kuwait exam, centre in Pakistan, study material and fee
"Hi, I want to know about the MOH Kuwait exam.can I give that exam in Pakistan ?what are the moh kuwait GP study materials and how much fee required for exam?"
Amna
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: District gujrat
Bello Saheed (Ado Ekiti, Nigeria): final year student wanting to work and do residency in Kuwait
"Hi. Im a final year, medical student, I will like to walk in Kuwait, and do my residency there, please I want you to guide me."
Bello Saheed
Medical Qualification: Medic student
City, Country: Ado Ekiti Nigeria
Eligible as a GP? Prepare to pass first time
Clinical MCQs with explanations and timed Prometric style mocks for the MOHAP GP exam. See every MOH UAE Qbank on our MOH UAE exam page.
Enroll in MOH UAE GP Question Bank