MOHAP Dermatology Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs

MOHAP Dermatology Exam Quick Summary

The MOHAP (UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention) Dermatology exam is for doctors seeking Specialist or Consultant classification across the Northern Emirates. As a non-surgical specialty, it does not carry the 2-year logbook requirement that applies to MOHAP's designated surgical specialties, and an oral/viva component is only rarely required.

MOHAP UAE Dermatology Specialty Exam

The Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) administers this specialty exam for dermatologists seeking Specialist or Consultant classification across the Northern Emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The exam evaluates clinical competence in diagnosing and managing skin, hair, nail, and mucous membrane conditions, along with dermatologic therapy and surgery. Review the general eligibility framework on our MOHAP Specialist Doctors exam page.

Eligibility criteria for the MOHAP Dermatology exam

Based on MOHAP's own published requirements for Specialist/Consultant doctors, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:

Primary medical degree: A recognized MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree from a school listed on the Avicenna database or IMED/FAIMER.
Specialization in Dermatology: Tier 1 — a Master's degree, PhD, Fellowship, or Membership (or equivalent) of at least 24 months' duration; or Tier 2 — a Postgraduate Diploma of at least 12 months, combined with 3 years of experience after the diploma.
Post-specialization clinical experience: A minimum of 3 years of clinical experience after your postgraduate qualification (mandatory for private-sector applicants). No interruption in clinical practice for more than 2 years is allowed.
DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow, with credentials authenticated through Ministry of Foreign Affairs channels.

Unlike MOHAP's designated surgical specialties (General Surgery and Obs & Gynae), Dermatology does not require a clinical logbook. MOHAP allows 3 exam attempts; a 4th attempt requires a 1-year waiting period plus 6 months of documented current clinical practice, and failing the 4th attempt results in file cancellation. See the full document checklist on our MOHAP exam document requirements page.

MOHAP Dermatology exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption
Consultant Physicians and Specialist Consultants may be exempted from all MOHAP licensing exam components if they hold a recognized board certification: a US American Board of Medical Specialty certification (Dermatology is recognized under the American Board of Dermatology), a UK Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training/CCT or CESR in Dermatology with inclusion on the Specialist Register, a Fellowship of the Royal College (Australia or New Zealand), an RCPSC specialization certificate or CFPC certification (Canada), or a Certificate of Full Registration/Certificate of Specialist Doctor (Ireland). Exemption is evaluated case-by-case — confirm your own eligibility directly with MOHAP and review the full criteria on our MOHAP exam exemption page.

MOHAP Dermatology exam syllabus

The exam draws from the following subject areas:

  • Basic science
  • Pruritus and papulosquamous dermatoses
  • Urticaria, erythemas, and purpuras
  • Vesiculobullous diseases
  • Adnexal, hair, nail, and mucous membrane diseases
  • Metabolic, rheumatologic, and systemic diseases
  • Genodermatoses and pigmentary disorders
  • Infections, infestations, and bites
  • Disorders due to physical agents
  • Disorders of Langerhans cells and macrophages
  • Disorders of dermal connective tissue and subcutaneous fat
  • Vascular disorders and neoplasms of the skin
  • Dermatological therapy
  • Dermatological surgery and cosmetology

Many questions are presented as image-based clinical case scenarios testing recognition, diagnosis, and management judgment rather than isolated fact recall.

MOHAP Dermatology study material & questions
Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles 200+ high-yield recall-based questions with comprehensive explanations and exam-style practice.

MOHAP Dermatology exam format

Prometric CBT
Primarily written MCQs; oral/viva only rarely required
~100-150 MCQs / 2-3 hrs
General MOHAP range (varies by specialty)
60-65%+
General MOHAP passing range

MOHAP's own guidance confirms that after the written exam, an oral/viva is generally not required and is mainly reserved for surgical specialties — since Dermatology is non-surgical, most candidates should expect a written-only exam. A Dermatology-specific MCQ count and passing score aren't separately published, so treat the ranges above as indicative rather than exact, and confirm your specific exam details directly with MOHAP once your file is opened. See our MOHAP written & viva eligibility criteria for more.

How to prepare for the MOHAP Dermatology exam

Study clinical images actively
Many questions are image-based — practice recognizing lesion morphology, distribution patterns, and classic presentations, not just reading descriptions.
Prioritize high-yield disease groups
Papulosquamous disorders, vesiculobullous diseases, and skin neoplasms are consistently well represented.
Know first-line therapy
Be precise on standard treatment protocols and drug classes for common dermatoses — therapy questions are frequent.
Practice under timed conditions
Simulate the general 100-150 question, 2-3 hour format so pacing isn't a surprise on exam day.

Sample Practice MCQs

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

> A patient presents with well-demarcated, silvery-scaled erythematous plaques on the extensor surfaces of both elbows and knees. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Plaque psoriasis.

Explanation: Silvery scale on well-demarcated erythematous plaques over extensor surfaces (elbows, knees) is the classic presentation of chronic plaque psoriasis.
> A patient develops tense, fluid-filled bullae on normal-appearing and erythematous skin, with a negative Nikolsky sign. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Bullous pemphigoid.

Explanation: Tense bullae with a negative Nikolsky sign point to a subepidermal blistering disease such as bullous pemphigoid, in contrast to pemphigus vulgaris, which produces flaccid bullae with a positive Nikolsky sign.
> A pigmented skin lesion shows asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, a diameter over 6mm, and recent evolution in size. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Excisional biopsy for histopathological evaluation.

Explanation: The ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolution) raise suspicion for melanoma, warranting prompt excisional biopsy rather than watchful waiting.

MOHAP Dermatology exam application process

  1. Verify you meet the eligibility criteria above
  2. Create a UAE Pass account — a UAE-wide digital identity used to access government and healthcare licensing portals
  3. Create a MOHAP account via the licensing portal and submit your documents (see the document requirements page)
  4. Initiate your DataFlow Primary Source Verification application
  5. Await your MOHAP eligibility letter confirming you can book the exam
  6. Book and sit your Prometric exam — see our Prometric registration guide
  7. Apply for your MOHAP license after passing

See the full, itemized MOHAP exam fee breakdown for current registration, DataFlow, and Prometric costs — fees can change, so confirm the latest figures directly with MOHAP before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

> Does the MOHAP Dermatology exam include an oral/viva component?
Usually not. MOHAP's own guidance notes that an oral/viva is generally not required after the written exam and is mainly reserved for surgical specialties. Since Dermatology is a non-surgical specialty, most candidates should expect a written-only exam.
> Does MOHAP require a clinical logbook for Dermatology?
No. MOHAP's 2-year clinical logbook requirement applies only to its designated surgical specialties — General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dermatology is not one of them, so no logbook is required.
> What is the passing score for the MOHAP Dermatology exam?
A Dermatology-specific passing score isn't separately published by MOHAP. The general MOHAP passing range across specialties is 60-65%, though this can vary by sitting — confirm your specific passing score directly with MOHAP once your application file is opened.
> Can dermatologists be exempted from the MOHAP exam?
Possibly, for Consultant Physicians or Specialist Consultants holding a recognized board certification such as US ABMS (American Board of Dermatology), UK CCT/CCST/CESR in Dermatology, an Australian/NZ Fellowship of the Royal College, Canadian RCPSC or CFPC certification, or an Irish Certificate of Full Registration/Specialist Doctor. This is evaluated case-by-case — see our MOHAP exemption criteria page.

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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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