Prometric Exam for Nurses & Doctors from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka: GCC Licensing Guide (2026)
How healthcare professionals from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka get licensed in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman — accepted qualifications (BSc Nursing, PCL/diploma nursing, MBBS, FCPS Bangladesh, MD Nepal, MD/MS Sri Lanka), council registration and Good Standing, DataFlow, Prometric centres in Dhaka, Kathmandu and Colombo, fees and salaries.
Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka send tens of thousands of workers to the Gulf every year, but their nurses and doctors are under-represented relative to India and the Philippines — largely because information about how their specific qualifications are classified is scarce. This guide fixes that for all three countries.
Bangladesh
Nurses
- BSc in Nursing (4-year, Basic) or Post-Basic BSc + BNMC registration — Registered Nurse with every authority; Nurse Specialist in Saudi Arabia.
- Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery (3-year) + BNMC — Registered Nurse in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman with 2 years' experience; Nurse Technician with SCFHS.
- Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) registration and Good Standing are mandatory.
Doctors
- MBBS + internship + BMDC registration — General Practitioner with 1–2 years' experience.
- FCPS (BCPS), MD/MS (BSMMU and others), MRCP/MRCS obtained from Bangladesh — recognised specialist qualifications; Specialist with 2–3 years' post-qualification experience.
- Diplomas (DCH, DGO, DA) do not qualify for Specialist.
Prometric centre: Dhaka. Fees in BDT: DataFlow ৳36,000–78,000; exam ৳28,000–60,000 per attempt; total self-funded ৳110,000–250,000.
Nepal
Nurses
- BSc Nursing or B.N. (Bachelor of Nursing, post-basic) + Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) registration — Registered Nurse everywhere; Nurse Specialist in Saudi Arabia.
- PCL Nursing (Proficiency Certificate Level, 3-year) + NNC — Registered Nurse in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman with 2 years' experience; Nurse Technician with SCFHS. Some UAE authorities scrutinise PCL closely because entry is after grade 10 — a Post-Basic B.N. removes the doubt.
- ANM (18-month) — Assistant Nurse only (guide).
Doctors
- MBBS + internship + Nepal Medical Council (NMC) registration — General Practitioner.
- MD/MS (Nepali universities, BPKIHS, NAMS) and foreign MD/MS registered with NMC — recognised specialist qualifications; Specialist with experience.
Prometric centre: Kathmandu. Fees in NPR: DataFlow रु40,000–87,000; exam रु31,000–67,000 per attempt; total self-funded रु120,000–280,000.
Sri Lanka
Nurses
- BSc Nursing (university) + Sri Lanka Nursing Council / Ministry of Health registration — Registered Nurse everywhere; Nurse Specialist in Saudi Arabia.
- Diploma in Nursing (3-year, Schools of Nursing, Ministry of Health) — Registered Nurse in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman with 2 years' experience; Nurse Technician with SCFHS. Government-trained diploma nurses are well regarded in the Gulf.
- Private-institute nursing diplomas without Nursing Council registration are generally not accepted.
Doctors
- MBBS + internship + Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) registration — General Practitioner.
- MD/MS (Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo) with Board Certification — recognised as Specialist/Consultant qualifications; PGIM board certification is well respected by SCFHS and the UAE authorities.
- Diplomas (DCH, DFM, DTM&H) — not specialist qualifications.
Prometric centre: Colombo. Fees in LKR: DataFlow Rs 90,000–195,000; exam Rs 70,000–150,000 per attempt; total self-funded Rs 270,000–620,000.
The shared process
- Council Good Standing (BNMC/BMDC, NNC/NMC, SLNC/SLMC) — 2–6 weeks (guide).
- DataFlow PSV — 5–9 weeks; smaller councils and universities respond slowly, so submit early (guide).
- Attestation for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — education ministry, foreign ministry, embassy.
- Authority application and Prometric exam at the national centre (booking guide).
- Job offer and licence activation — Saudi MOH campaigns and private groups are the main recruiters from all three countries; register in our talent pool.
Total costs, timelines and the USD breakdown are in the fee guide. Map your qualification with the eligibility check.
Which authority to choose
- Diploma / PCL nurses: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman keep the RN title; Saudi is easiest to enter but classifies you lower.
- BSc nurses: all authorities; Saudi MOH and Qatar's Hamad recruit actively from Nepal and Sri Lanka.
- GPs: MOHAP, NHRA and OMSB first; DHA after GCC experience.
- Specialists (FCPS, MD/MS, PGIM): SCFHS and DHA both recognise them.
Salaries (approximate, tax-free, monthly)
- Registered Nurse: SAR 4,500–8,000; AED 5,000–10,000; QAR 6,000–10,000
- GP: SAR 12,000–25,000; AED 15,000–30,000
- Specialist: SAR 25,000–50,000; AED 30,000–60,000
Compare with the nurse salary comparison. Practise with the Registered Nurse or General Practice bank.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nepal's PCL Nursing accepted for a DHA or Saudi licence?
PCL Nursing with NNC registration is accepted as Registered Nurse by DHA, MOHAP, DOH, QCHP, NHRA and OMSB with two years' experience, and as Nurse Technician by SCFHS. A Post-Basic B.N. strengthens the file.
Is FCPS from Bangladesh accepted in the GCC?
Yes. FCPS (BCPS) is a recognised specialist qualification with SCFHS and the UAE authorities, subject to post-FCPS experience.
Is the Sri Lankan nursing diploma accepted in the Gulf?
Yes, the Ministry of Health 3-year diploma with Nursing Council registration is accepted as Registered Nurse outside Saudi Arabia and as Nurse Technician by SCFHS.
Where are the Prometric centres in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka?
Dhaka, Kathmandu and Colombo respectively. Each has limited seats; book six to eight weeks ahead.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.