Prometric Exam for Respiratory Therapists & Respiratory Technicians: DHA, MOHAP, DOH, SCFHS & QCHP Requirements, Exam Blueprint, Fees, Timeline & Salaries (2026)
Respiratory therapists are in permanent short supply across GCC intensive-care units. This guide covers the Respiratory Therapist vs Respiratory Technician split, the degree, credential (RRT/CRT) and experience each regulator wants, the exam blueprint with ventilator and ABG focus, DataFlow, fees, timelines and salaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Every new ICU bed in the Gulf needs a respiratory therapist, and the region has been adding them faster than it can train them. Saudi Arabia in particular has one of the largest RT workforces outside North America, and the UAE and Qatar tertiary hospitals recruit continuously. Here is the licensing route.
Two titles
| Title | Qualification | Experience | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapist | Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy / Respiratory Care (4 years) — or an accredited associate degree plus NBRC RRT credential for North American graduates | 2 years (UAE / Qatar); 0–1 year (Saudi Arabia) | Ventilator management, ICU, NICU, ECMO support, pulmonary function labs |
| Respiratory Technician | Diploma (2–3 years) in respiratory therapy or a related field | 1–2 years | Oxygen therapy, nebulisation, basic ventilator support under supervision |
Physiotherapists with a cardiopulmonary specialisation are not licensed as respiratory therapists in the GCC; the regulators treat RT as a distinct profession. Nurses with ICU experience likewise cannot cross over without an RT qualification.
Regulator requirements
- SCFHS (Saudi Arabia): classifies as Respiratory Therapist (bachelor's) or Respiratory Technician (diploma); Prometric exam; the largest market, with MOH, KFSHRC, KAMC and Aramco all recruiting. Fresh graduates accepted.
- DHA (Dubai): bachelor's + 2 years for Respiratory Therapist; DataFlow; Prometric exam.
- DOH (Abu Dhabi): same tiers; Pearson VUE exam; Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and SEHA are major employers.
- MOHAP: same structure; Prometric exam.
- QCHP (Qatar): bachelor's + 2 years; Prometric exam; HMC and Sidra recruit RTs for adult, paediatric and neonatal ICUs.
Confirm your title with the eligibility check.
Exam blueprint
- 70–100 MCQs, 2–2.5 hours, scaled pass mark around 60% (pass scores)
- Mechanical ventilation (25–30%): modes, initial settings by condition, weaning criteria, troubleshooting alarms, lung-protective strategies in ARDS, NIV indications
- Blood gases and acid–base (15%): interpretation, compensation, oxygenation indices (P/F ratio, A–a gradient)
- Airway management (10–15%): intubation assistance, tube sizing, cuff pressure, tracheostomy care, suctioning
- Oxygen and aerosol therapy (10%): devices and FiO2, humidification, bronchodilator delivery
- Cardiopulmonary assessment and PFTs (10%): spirometry interpretation, chest imaging basics, capnography
- Neonatal and paediatric respiratory care (10%): surfactant, CPAP, HFOV basics
- Emergency and critical care (10%): BLS/ACLS, chest physiotherapy, bronchial hygiene, infection control
Prepare with the Respiratory Therapist practice bank or the Respiratory Technician bank. Ventilator calculations (minute ventilation, tidal volume per kg IBW, compliance, I:E ratio) and ABG questions are the most repeated items, so drill them daily following the 30-day study plan.
Documents and DataFlow
Degree and transcript, internship or clinical-hours record, home registration where a register exists, NBRC certificate for RRT/CRT holders, experience letters and a good-standing certificate. DataFlow takes 4–8 weeks (guide). Filipino, Indian, Egyptian, Pakistani and Jordanian RT graduates are the largest groups; North American RRTs often qualify for exam exemption in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Fees and timeline
- DataFlow USD 250–450; exam USD 200–300; licence and registration by regulator — full table in the fee guide
- 3–5 months to eligibility; Saudi employers usually fund the process after selection
Salaries (monthly, 2026)
| Country | Respiratory Technician | Respiratory Therapist | Senior / ECMO / Lead RT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 5,000–8,000 | SAR 8,000–14,000 | SAR 14,000–22,000 |
| UAE | AED 6,000–9,000 | AED 9,000–16,000 | AED 16,000–25,000 |
| Qatar | QAR 6,000–9,000 | QAR 10,000–16,000 | QAR 16,000–24,000 |
Packages add housing, flights and insurance. Compare in the salary calculator. Register in the talent pool — ICU staffing requests for RTs are constant — and watch the jobs board.
Frequently asked questions
Is a respiratory therapy diploma enough for the UAE?
A diploma qualifies for the Respiratory Technician title. The Respiratory Therapist title in the UAE and Qatar requires a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy, or an accredited associate degree with the NBRC RRT credential.
Can an ICU nurse license as a respiratory therapist in the GCC?
No. GCC regulators license respiratory therapy as a separate profession and require a respiratory-therapy qualification; nursing experience does not substitute.
How many questions are in the Prometric respiratory therapist exam?
Usually 70 to 100 MCQs over two to two and a half hours, with mechanical ventilation and blood-gas interpretation the heaviest domains.
Which GCC country hires the most respiratory therapists?
Saudi Arabia, by a wide margin — its Ministry of Health and tertiary centres run large ICU networks and accept new graduates. The UAE and Qatar recruit experienced RTs for tertiary hospitals.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.