Syllabus and experience required for HAAD/DOH exam
DOH Syllabus and Experience Quick Summary
The DOH (formerly HAAD) exam syllabus depends on the title you apply for: GPs are tested across general medicine (120 MCQs in 2.5 hours), while specialists are tested only in their own specialty (100 MCQs in 2 hours, or an oral exam). Experience under the Unified PQR: GPs need a completed internship plus 2 years; specialists need none with a Tier 1 or 2 qualification and 3 years with Tier 3; consultants need 2 years after Tier 1 or 5 years after Tier 2.
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH, formerly HAAD) has one exam per professional title, and its exam syllabus covers the topics of that health category only. The experience rules come from the UAE Unified Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which DOH, DHA and MOHAP all use. This page puts the two together, so you can see what you will be tested on and if you can apply yet.
What is DOH exam syllabus for each title?
DOH does not publish detailed blueprints. The table below is based on the exam formats in the DOH Licensing Procedural Manual (Circular 151/2024) and the subject areas that each exam covers in practice.
| Title | Exam | What the syllabus covers | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | CBT, 120 MCQs, 2.5 hours | Internal medicine (largest share), emergency medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, psychiatry, preventive medicine, ethics | DOH GP QBank (linked below) |
| Internal Medicine specialist or consultant | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | All adult medical subspecialties, acute medicine, geriatrics, patient safety | DOH specialty QBank |
| Pediatrics | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | Neonatology, growth and development, paediatric emergencies, infections, systemic paediatrics | DOH specialty QBank |
| Obs & Gyn | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | Obstetrics, maternal medicine, gynaecology, oncology, reproductive medicine | DOH specialty QBank |
| General Surgery | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | Trauma, hepatobiliary, colorectal, upper GI, breast, endocrine, vascular, perioperative care | DOH General Surgery QBank |
| Dermatology | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | Inflammatory skin disease, infections, skin cancer, hair and nail disorders, dermatologic therapy | DOH specialty QBank |
| Anesthesia, Family Medicine, ENT (and Ophthalmology consultants) | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | The core curriculum of that specialty | See the QBank finder |
| Other physician specialties (for example orthopaedics, radiology, psychiatry) | Oral exam, 45 to 60 minutes | Case discussion in the specialty; see DOH oral exam | Specialty texts and guidelines |
| General Dentist | CBT, 150 MCQs, 3 hours | Operative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, infection control | DOH General Dentist QBank |
| Specialist dentists (Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics) | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | The specialty only | DOH dental specialty QBank |
| Registered Nurse | CBT, 150 MCQs, 3 hours | Adult, critical, maternal and child health nursing, pharmacology, nursing process, patient safety | See the DOH nursing guide |
| Assistant Nurse, School Nurse, Registered Midwife | CBT, 100 MCQs, 2 hours | The scope of that title | See the DOH nursing guide |
A specialist is never examined on the GP syllabus, and a GP is not tested at specialist depth. More detail per title is on the DOH exam paper pattern page, with dental subjects on DOH exam subjects for dentists and the GP topics on DOH GP exam questions. Every DOH QBank, including the specialty and dental banks in the table, is listed on our DOH exam for doctors page.
What is DOH exam experience requirement?
The earlier version of this page said specialists need 2 years after the specialty and consultants 3 to 5 years. Under the current Unified PQR the rule depends on the tier of your postgraduate qualification, and for many specialists it is zero:
| Title | Experience required |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner (GP) | A 12-month internship plus at least 2 years of clinical experience after it (hospital, emergency, family medicine or primary care) |
| Specialist, Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualification | No experience required after the qualification |
| Specialist, Tier 3 qualification | 3 years after the qualification (1 year for UAE nationals) |
| Consultant, Tier 1 qualification | 2 years after the qualification |
| Consultant, Tier 2 qualification | 5 years after the qualification (Tier 3 cannot lead to Consultant) |
| Registered Nurse (bachelor’s degree) | No minimum experience |
| Dentists, pharmacists and allied health | Set per title in the PQR; see the title pages below |
Two more rules catch people out. A gap in clinical practice of more than 2 years needs CME, and with a gap of more than 5 years outside the UAE you cannot apply. Your good standing certificate also has to be recent (issued within 6 months). The full experience and exemption picture is on DOH exam exemption and experience criteria; doctors should also read the DOH licence guide for doctors, and dentists DOH requirements for dentists.
How to check your own case before you apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DOH exam syllabus the same for GPs and specialists?
No. GPs sit a general exam of 120 MCQs covering internal medicine, emergency medicine, paediatrics, obs and gyn, surgery and psychiatry. Specialists are tested only in their own specialty, either in a CBT of 100 MCQs in 2 hours or in an oral exam, depending on the specialty.
How much experience do I need for the DOH GP exam?
You need a completed internship of 12 months plus at least 2 years of clinical experience after it. A gap in practice of more than 2 years needs CME, and more than 5 years outside the UAE stops you applying.
Do specialists need experience after their postgraduate degree?
It depends on the PQR tier. Tier 1 and Tier 2 qualifications need no further experience for the Specialist title, while Tier 3 needs 3 years (1 year for UAE nationals). Consultants need 2 years after Tier 1 or 5 years after Tier 2.
Does DOH publish an official syllabus?
DOH does not publish a detailed blueprint for each exam. It sets the format (number of questions and time) in its licensing manual, and the content follows the normal scope of the title. Our DOH study material and syllabus page lists resources.
Can I sit the DOH exam without any experience?
Some titles allow it. Registered Nurses with a bachelor’s degree and specialists with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualification need no minimum experience. GPs and consultants always need experience, so a fresh graduate cannot apply as a GP.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Vivek kumar (Karachi, Pakistan): procedure, fee, syllabus and experience for DOH, DHA and MOHAP
"I want to know about procedure, fee, syllabus and experience required for doh, dha, mohap ?"
Vivek kumar
Medical Qualification: Bds
City, Country: Karachi pakistan
Dr. Kathija Begam (India): is junior resident experience in OBG accepted?
"I worked as junior Resident for 2 years under OBG department, junior resident post is accepted for DOH exam? Or medical officer post only eligible to appear for DOH..kindly let me know ."
Dr. Kathija Begam
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: India
Jason Nevil Santhmayor (Sri Lanka): fresh MDS graduate, is there scope in the UAE?
"Respected, I am a fresh graduate of MDS, DO i have Scope in UAE for MDS?? or Just BDS is conciderable? Thanx & Regards."
Jason Nevil Santhmayor
Medical Qualification: MDS
City, Country: Srilanka
Javed (Doha, Qatar): general surgeon, information for Abu Dhabi
"Do you guys have any information for general scope physician for Abu Dhabi UAE."
Javed
Medical Qualification: General Surgeon
City, Country: Doha, Baladiyat ad Dawhah, Qatar
Bijith balan (Kerala, India): orthopaedic surgeon wants to sit the DOH exam
"My self an orthopaedic surgeon . Would like to attend DOH Abu Dhabi exam . So kindly guide me regarding this."
Bijith balan
Medical Qualification: Surgeon
City, Country: Kerala, India
Raeha Zahid (Islamabad, Pakistan): MOHAP or DOH exam for dietitians
"I am searching for the details of MOHAP or DOH exams for Dietitians or Clinical Nutritionists, can u plz provide me with the details and the websites, how to register for the exame etc."
Raeha Zahid
Medical Qualification: M.SC Nutrition
City, Country: Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr. Mohammad Kashif (India): complete procedure to apply for DOH
"Sir i am interested, how can i apply for DOH..... I need complete procedure. I shall be very thankful.for this act of kindnes."
Dr. Mohammad Kashif
Medical Qualification: MBBS, RMP
City, Country: India
Kumar (India): how to work in Abu Dhabi and documents needed
"I am interested to work at Abu dhabi UAE, how I work there pls give suggestions and documents needed."
Kumar
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: India
Azam (Lahore, Pakistan): DPT, details of the exam and procedure
"I want to give the exam of DOH. Where can i get the detail information regarding exam and procedure to follow."
Azam
Medical Qualification: DPT
City, Country: Lahore , Pakistan
Bilal (Vehari, Pakistan): operation theatre technologist with 2 years of experience
"How can i apply for DOH Exams, i have 2 Year Experience in Operation Theater technologist At Nisthtr Medical University and Hospital Multan."
Bilal
Medical Qualification: Operation Theater technologist
City, Country: Vehari Pakistan
Dr. Faiz (Islamabad, Pakistan): final year student, which cities in Pakistan have the exam?
"Hello. I hope you are doing well. I am a medical student from Pakistan and i have started my final year now. I wish to pursue my career in UAE. I am short on some informations and guidance. I would like to know in which cities of Pakistan DOH exam can be given? I will be looking forward to hear from you. Regards.."
Dr. Faiz
Medical Qualification: Pharmacist
City, Country: Islamabad, Pakistan
Thenjiwe Bhebhe (Eswatini): general nurse wants to work in Dubai
"Iam nurse working in Eswatini. I trained in Zimbabwe. I want to work in Dubai. What are the requirements? What should l do to get a job. Assist me."
Thenjiwe Bhebhe
Medical Qualification: General Nurse
City, Country: Eswatini
Prepare for the DOH exam with Interface QBank
Exam-style MCQs with explanations and timed mock exams for GP, specialist and dental titles in the Pearson VUE format.
Enroll in DOH GP QBank