QCHP Qatar Medical License: Requirements, Prometric Exam & Fees 2026
QCHP is Qatar's healthcare licensing body, now the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP). This guide explains who needs a QCHP licence, eligibility for nurses and doctors, the DataFlow and Prometric exam steps, the 60% pass mark, fees, the 10–20 week timeline and why applications are refused.
QCHP stands for the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, the body that licensed every doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist and allied health professional in Qatar. Its work now sits with the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) at the Ministry of Public Health. The name changed; the process did not, and employers, recruiters and the Prometric booking system still say QCHP. If you are asked for a "QCHP licence" or a "DHP licence", it is the same thing.
QCHP at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP), Ministry of Public Health — formerly QCHP |
| Who needs it | Every healthcare practitioner working in Qatar, public or private |
| Verification | DataFlow primary source verification |
| Exam | Prometric qualifying exam, 100–150 questions, 2–3 hours, pass mark about 60% |
| Exam fee | About USD 220–280 (QAR 800–1,020) |
| Typical timeline | 10–20 weeks |
Who can apply?
- Nurses — a nursing degree or recognised diploma, home registration and generally two years of recent experience. "QCHP RN" on a job advertisement means a registered nurse licensed in Qatar (Qatar exam for nurses).
- General practitioners — a medical degree, internship, home registration and recent experience; exam: General Practice.
- Specialists and consultants — a recognised postgraduate qualification plus experience after it (which qualifications are recognised).
- Dentists, pharmacists and allied health — the relevant degree, registration and generally two years of experience.
Qatar is stricter than most Gulf authorities about breaks in practice: a gap of more than about two years usually brings extra requirements. Check your position with the eligibility check.
The QCHP licensing steps
- Job offer and evaluation file. In most cases a licensed facility opens your file in the DHP system and selects your professional title. This is why Qatar recruitment usually starts with an interview, not an exam.
- DataFlow verification of your qualification, registration and experience — the longest step, commonly six to ten weeks (DataFlow guide).
- Evaluation outcome and exam eligibility.
- Prometric qualifying exam, booked at any Prometric centre worldwide (how to book, test centres).
- Registration and licence, linked to the facility, followed by the visa.
The QCHP Prometric exam
- Single-best-answer questions on computer
- 100–150 questions in two to three hours, depending on the title
- Pass mark about 60% (pass scores by authority)
- Clinical scenarios that ask for the diagnosis, the next step or the safest action
The syllabus is the same clinical blueprint used by the other Gulf authorities (syllabus by profession), so preparation for Qatar also serves DHA, MOHAP and SCFHS. Practise in the exam format with the question banks.
Fees
- DataFlow: about USD 220–330
- DHP evaluation file: about USD 80–160, usually paid by the employer
- Prometric exam: about USD 220–280
- Registration and licence: about USD 150–270, often paid by the employer
The full breakdown in riyals and rupees is in Qatar Prometric exam fees 2026. These are approximate ranges; confirm the amount on the official portal when you pay.
Exemptions
Holders of certain top-tier qualifications, and some practitioners already licensed elsewhere, may be exempt from the qualifying exam. It is decided case by case at evaluation (exemptions guide).
Why applications are delayed or refused
- Names or dates that differ between passport, degree and experience letters
- Experience letters without job title, dates, or full-time status (required format)
- A good standing certificate older than six months (guide)
- A gap in practice
- Applying under a title the qualification does not support
Working in Qatar
The main employers are Hamad Medical Corporation, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medicine and the private hospital groups. Salaries are tax-free, and government employers usually add housing, flights and end-of-service benefits. Compare offers in the salary calculator, read the QCHP authority page, and register in the talent pool so that hiring facilities can find you.
Frequently asked questions
What is QCHP?
The Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, the former name of Qatar's healthcare licensing body. Licensing is now handled by the Department of Healthcare Professions at the Ministry of Public Health, but the name QCHP is still widely used.
Is QCHP the same as DHP?
Yes, for licensing purposes. DHP is the current name of the department that carries out the work QCHP did.
What does QCHP RN mean?
A registered nurse who holds, or is eligible for, a Qatar licence.
What is the pass mark for the QCHP Prometric exam?
About 60% for most titles.
How long does a QCHP licence take?
Typically 10 to 20 weeks from the opening of the file, most of it DataFlow verification.
Can I apply for a QCHP licence without a job offer?
The evaluation file is normally opened by a licensed facility in Qatar, so in practice a job offer comes first.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.