DOH Internal Medicine Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs

DOH Internal Medicine Exam Quick Summary

The DOH (Department of Health) Abu Dhabi Internal Medicine specialty exam covers cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and related internal medicine subspecialties, with 150 MCQs, 3 hours to complete, and a passing score generally between 65-70% -- delivered via Pearson VUE test centers, not Prometric, and may include an oral/viva component.

DOH / HAAD Abu Dhabi Internal Medicine Specialty Exam

The Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi -- previously known as the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) -- oversees licensing exams for healthcare professionals across specialties, and passing this exam is mandatory to practice Internal Medicine legally in the Emirate. The exam covers a broad range of internal medicine topics and may include both a written MCQ component and an oral/viva component.

Booking note: DOH exams run on Pearson VUE, not Prometric -- see our full DOH exam registration guide for the step-by-step TAMM account, DataFlow, and Pearson VUE scheduling process.

Eligibility criteria for the DOH Internal Medicine exam

To apply for the DOH Internal Medicine specialist exam, candidates are generally expected to meet the following (see our DOH exam for doctors guide for the broader specialist framework this builds on):

Primary medical degree: A recognized MBBS or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution.
Specialization in Internal Medicine: A recognized postgraduate qualification -- MD Internal Medicine or equivalent -- from an accredited institution.
Post-specialization clinical experience: Generally around 2-3 years as the DOH physician-specialist baseline -- confirm the precise figure on your own eligibility notice. Specialists whose qualification falls under DOH's PQR Tier 1 or Tier 2 may not need to show this experience separately.
Valid license & Good Standing Certificate: A valid home-country health license, plus a Good Standing Certificate.
DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow. Our DOH credentialing process guide walks through this step in detail.

DOH Internal Medicine exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption -- confirm before relying on it
DOH evaluates exemption from the written exam on a case-by-case basis for holders of certain high-level board certifications, including American Board Certification (which would include the American Board of Internal Medicine), UK CCT (including Internal Medicine, typically MRCP-linked), Canadian Royal College Certification, and Australian/Australasian Board. This list is published for DOH specialists generally rather than named for Internal Medicine specifically, so treat it as a likely-relevant route rather than a guarantee -- exemption is never automatic and must be confirmed directly with DOH before you rely on it.

See our DOH specialist exam exemption criteria guide for the full list of qualifying certifications.

DOH Internal Medicine exam syllabus

The exam covers the following core subject areas:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nephrology
  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology
  • Neurology
  • Geriatrics
  • Preventive and Emergency Medicine
  • Patient Safety

Most questions are clinical scenario-based MCQs. Exact topic weighting can differ from DHA, MOH, and other Gulf authorities' versions of the same specialty exam.

DOH Internal Medicine study material & questions
Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles recall-based questions from actual test takers, reviewed by expert doctors.

DOH Internal Medicine exam format

150
MCQs
3 hours
Time allowed
65-70%
Target passing score

DOH specialist exams are delivered as computer-based tests via Pearson VUE test centers, not Prometric, and may include an oral/viva component in addition to the written MCQs -- confirm this on your own exam invitation, since it isn't guaranteed for every candidate. The exact question count, duration, and passing score can differ from DHA, QCHP, SDLE, and NHRA versions of the same specialty exam.

Preparation tips for the DOH Internal Medicine exam

Double-check your test center
DOH uses Pearson VUE, not Prometric -- confirm your booking platform early so you don't accidentally schedule at the wrong center.
Cover the full subspecialty spread
With 12 subject areas tested, don't over-invest in one subspecialty (e.g. cardiology) at the expense of lower-profile ones like rheumatology or geriatrics.
Prepare to explain your reasoning aloud
If your exam includes an oral/viva component, practice verbalizing your diagnostic and management reasoning, not just picking the correct MCQ option.
Pace yourself
With 150 questions in 3 hours, you have about 1.2 minutes per question -- build that pace into your practice sessions early.

Sample Practice MCQs

Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions. Tap a question to reveal the answer.

> Question 1: Pulmonology
A patient with known COPD presents with worsening dyspnea, increased sputum purulence, and increased sputum volume over the past 2 days. What is the most appropriate initial management?

Answer: Short-acting bronchodilators, a course of systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics (given all three cardinal symptoms of a COPD exacerbation are present).

Explanation: The presence of all three classic features (increased dyspnea, sputum volume, and sputum purulence) indicates a moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbation likely of bacterial origin, meeting standard criteria for antibiotic therapy in addition to bronchodilators and corticosteroids -- an exacerbation with fewer than these three features would not automatically warrant antibiotics.
> Question 2: Infectious Diseases
A 68-year-old presents with fever, hypotension (BP 85/50), tachycardia, and confusion, with a suspected urinary source of infection. What is the most time-critical initial intervention?

Answer: Immediate IV fluid resuscitation and early broad-spectrum antibiotics, ideally within the first hour of recognizing sepsis.

Explanation: This presentation meets criteria for septic shock. Delayed antibiotic administration in sepsis is strongly associated with increased mortality, with risk rising for each hour of delay -- so fluid resuscitation and early empiric antibiotics take priority over further diagnostic workup, which should proceed in parallel, not before treatment begins.
> Question 3: Rheumatology
A 45-year-old woman presents with symmetric pain and swelling of the small joints of both hands, morning stiffness lasting over an hour, and a positive anti-CCP antibody test. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis.

Explanation: Symmetric small-joint polyarthritis with prolonged morning stiffness (over 30-60 minutes) is a classic pattern for an inflammatory arthropathy, and a positive anti-CCP antibody is highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis, distinguishing it from osteoarthritis (which typically causes brief morning stiffness and asymmetric, larger-joint involvement) and from seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

Frequently Asked Questions

> What does the DOH Internal Medicine exam cover?

It covers cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, hematology, neurology, geriatrics, preventive and emergency medicine, and patient safety.

> Is the DOH Internal Medicine exam held at Prometric or Pearson VUE?

Pearson VUE. This is different from DHA and other Gulf authorities that use Prometric -- confirm your test center before scheduling.

> What is the passing score for the DOH Internal Medicine exam?

Generally between 65% and 70%. Don't assume figures from another Gulf authority apply to DOH.

> Does the DOH Internal Medicine exam include an oral or viva component?

Possibly -- DOH's own guidance describes the exam as potentially including "a written and oral/viva component," but this isn't stated as certain for every candidate. Check your own exam invitation for confirmation.

> Can I be exempted from the DOH Internal Medicine exam?

Possibly, under DOH's general case-by-case exemption route for certain board certifications -- American Board Certification, UK CCT, Canadian Royal College Certification, and Australian/Australasian Board. This list isn't published as Internal Medicine-specific, but the specialty tracks of these bodies (e.g. the American Board of Internal Medicine, MRCP) would reasonably fall under it. Confirm your own status directly with DOH before relying on it.

> How much post-qualification experience do I need?

Roughly 2-3 years for DOH physician specialists generally. DOH's PQR tiering system may also waive this for specialists whose qualifying institution falls under Tier 1 or Tier 2 -- check which tier applies to your qualification.

> Are official DOH Internal Medicine past papers available?

No -- DOH does not release official past papers publicly. Recall-based question banks compiled from actual test takers' feedback are the closest available preparation resource.

Ready to prepare with real recall-based MCQs?

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Dr. Reena Thomas
Dr. Reena Thomas

I have never realized my full potential, always scoring lower on actual exams than on practice exams. Then, after taking Interface Prep course, I was able to gain the confidence,...

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