Prometric Exam for Syrian, Iraqi, Yemeni and Lebanese Doctors and Nurses: GCC Licensing Guide 2026

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists from Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon have practised across the Gulf for decades, and demand for Arabic-speaking clinicians in family medicine, paediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry and nursing remains strong in 2026. The licensing route is the same as for any nationality: qualification recognition, Dataflow verification, the Prometric exam and licence activation. What differs is the difficulty of getting documents verified from institutions in countries affected by conflict, and this guide is mostly about solving that.

For the general process see what the Prometric exam is, and for country-by-country requirements the GCC licensing by country pages.

Which qualifications are recognised

• Syria: MBBS/MD from Damascus, Aleppo, Tishreen, Al-Baath (Hama) and the other state universities is recognised across the GCC. The Syrian Board and the Arab Board are recognised for specialist classification by most authorities; the Arab Board carries the widest recognition.
• Iraq: MBChB from Baghdad, Al-Mustansiriyah, Basrah, Mosul, Kufa and the other state colleges is recognised. The Iraqi Board and the Arab Board are recognised for specialist tiers; the Arab Board again travels best.
• Yemen: MBBS from Sana'a, Aden, Taiz, Hadhramout and Hodeidah universities is recognised, with some authorities requiring additional verification. The Arab Board is the strongest specialist credential for Yemeni doctors.
• Lebanon: MD from the American University of Beirut, Saint Joseph University, the Lebanese University and Beirut Arab University is recognised, and AUB and USJ residencies are treated favourably. Lebanese Board and Arab Board certificates support specialist classification.
• Nursing: BSc Nursing from the state universities in all four countries is recognised. Three-year technical nursing diplomas are assessed case by case and usually qualify for assistant or technician titles unless supported by substantial experience.

The recognised qualification guide covers the tier rules, and the eligibility check gives your likely title per authority.

Dataflow from conflict-affected countries: what actually happens

Dataflow verifies every document by contacting the issuing body directly. For Syria, Iraq and Yemen in particular, the common problems are:

• Universities that respond slowly or through intermediaries. Verification can take 8 to 14 weeks rather than the usual 4 to 8. Start early and expect it.
• Ministries of Health with disrupted records. Registration and Good Standing verification may require the ministry's central directorate rather than a local office.
• Employers that no longer exist. A hospital that has closed cannot verify an experience letter. Dataflow accepts alternative evidence in some cases (ministry records, payroll, colleagues' attestations through a notary), but each authority decides what it will accept; ask before submitting.
• Documents in Arabic. Certified English translations are required alongside the originals; use a translator recognised by the target authority.

Practical advice: request fresh, stamped copies of every certificate before you leave or through a trusted contact, obtain the Ministry of Higher Education attestation in your home country where possible, and keep proof of every request you send. Read the Dataflow status guide for what to do when a document comes back insufficient.

Good Standing Certificates and alternatives

Every authority wants a Good Standing Certificate from the last place you were registered, issued within six months. Where the home ministry or syndicate cannot issue one, authorities have accepted a Good Standing from the country where you most recently practised (commonly Jordan, Egypt, Turkey or another GCC state), a letter from the syndicate confirming registration with no disciplinary record, or in some cases a notarised declaration with supporting evidence. Ask the target authority which alternative it accepts before you apply; do not assume.

Attestation

Documents need attestation by the home Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the target country's embassy. Where the embassy is closed or services are limited, the GCC embassies in Amman, Cairo, Beirut and Istanbul routinely attest documents for Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni nationals, and the target country's MOFA attests on arrival. Factor in the travel and time.

The Prometric exam

Once Dataflow clears and the authority issues eligibility, the exam is the same as for every nationality: 100 to 200 MCQs depending on authority and tier, 2 to 3 hours, pass mark around 60%, delivered at any Prometric centre worldwide (Pearson VUE for DOH Abu Dhabi). Centres operate in Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Istanbul, Erbil and Baghdad as well as across the Gulf. The blueprint is guideline-based clinical management; the GP practice questions and nursing practice questions show the level, and the practice exam banks are built per authority.

Which authorities hire most

• Saudi Arabia (SCFHS): the largest employer of Arab doctors and nurses, with Ministry of Health hospitals across every region and strong demand for Arabic-speaking family physicians, paediatricians, emergency physicians and psychiatrists. See the doctor jobs in Saudi Arabia guide and the SCFHS exam for doctors.
• UAE (DHA, DOH, MOHAP, SHA): large Arab communities in Sharjah, Ajman and Dubai create demand for Arabic-speaking GPs, dentists and nurses in private clinics and hospitals. MOHAP and SHA are common first licences. See the MOHAP exam for doctors.
• Qatar (DHP) and Kuwait (MOH): steady demand, employer-opened files, strong packages.
• Oman and Bahrain: smaller markets, accessible processes, and OMSB and NHRA licences that transfer well later.

Being visible matters: employers hiring Arabic-speaking clinicians search the GCC medical talent pool by language and specialty, and the doctor and nurse pool pages show current demand.

Fees and timeline

Licensing costs USD 450 to 1,300 depending on authority and tier (see fees for every authority). Allow 14 to 26 weeks rather than the usual 8 to 20, because Dataflow from Syria, Iraq and Yemen takes longer. Lebanese documents verify at normal speed.

Looking for a hospital job in the Gulf? Register once in the GCC medical talent pool and our placement team matches your profile against live vacancies at partner hospitals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Profiles are reviewed within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Syrian or Iraqi medical degree accepted in the Gulf?

Yes; degrees from the state universities are recognised by every GCC authority, subject to Dataflow verification. Specialist classification depends on the board: the Arab Board is the most widely recognised.

What if my university cannot be reached for verification?

Dataflow will report the document as insufficient. Contact the university's registrar or the Ministry of Higher Education directly, obtain a fresh stamped verification letter, and ask the target authority what alternative evidence it accepts. Some cases resolve with the ministry's attestation; a few require a different authority whose rules are more flexible.

Can I get a Good Standing Certificate if I have been out of my home country for years?

Authorities generally accept a Good Standing from the country where you last practised, or a syndicate letter confirming no disciplinary record. Confirm with the target authority first.

Where can I sit the Prometric exam?

Any Prometric centre worldwide once eligibility is issued, including Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Istanbul, Erbil, Baghdad and every GCC capital. See the test centres guide.

Does speaking Arabic increase my salary?

It increases demand and, in family medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry and government nursing, the offers. Salary bands are set by tier; see the UAE doctor salary guide and the salary calculator.