Gulf Prometric Exam Pass Scores by Country: DHA, SCFHS, DHP & More (2026)
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⚠️ Confirm before you book
Pass scores, question counts and attempt rules are set by each authority and change periodically. These reflect 2026 guidance from licensing-support sources; always confirm the current requirement directly with the specific regulator before booking your exam.
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There is no single “Gulf nursing exam.” Each country runs its own Prometric computer-based test with its own passing score, question count and attempt rules — and one country's exam result generally cannot be substituted for another's. Here's the full comparison, including the increasingly important question of which exams you can skip entirely with a Western qualification.
The Exemption That's Reshaping the Picture: NCLEX
This is the development most Gulf nursing content hasn't caught up with. Qatar's DHP Circular 2025/24 explicitly recognises certain international examinations for fast-track exemption from the standard DHP licensing exam and for nurses, that list includes the NCLEX-RN for those holding current US or Canadian RN licensure. In other words, a nurse who has already passed the NCLEX may qualify to skip Qatar's Prometric exam entirely, though a valid DataFlow verification report is still required for the exemption to be considered.
This is a genuine strategic consideration: for a nurse weighing both a US and a Gulf pathway, the NCLEX may serve double duty. See NEAC's Qatar DHP licensing guide for the full exemption detail, and Which Gulf License to Get First for how this affects sequencing.
Why You Can't Reuse One Country's Exam for Another
Unlike DataFlow, which transfers across the region, Prometric exam results generally do not. Qatar's DHP exam, for instance, is Qatar-specific and cannot be substituted with a DHA, DOH, MOHAP or SCFHS result. Each authority requires its own exam (or a recognised international exemption). This is the single most important structural difference between the two halves of Gulf licensing: verify once, but examine per country.
For why DataFlow behaves so differently from the exam, see DataFlow for Gulf Nursing Licenses: One Report, Every Country.
This guide is part of NEAC's complete Gulf Nursing Licensing pillar see the full series for verification, exams, cost, and sequencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the passing score for the DHA nursing exam?
Registered Nurses generally need approximately 50% on the DHA Prometric CBT of around 150 questions. Assistant nurses face a lower threshold. Confirm the current score with DHA before booking, as thresholds can change.
Q: Can I use one Gulf country's Prometric exam result in another?
Generally no. Prometric exam results are country-specific Qatar's DHP exam, for example, cannot be substituted with a DHA, DOH, MOHAP or SCFHS result. Each authority requires its own exam or a recognised international exemption.
Q: Can an NCLEX pass exempt me from a Gulf nursing exam?
In Qatar, potentially yes. DHP Circular 2025/24 recognises the NCLEX-RN for fast-track exemption for nurses holding current US or Canadian RN licensure, though a valid DataFlow verification report is still required for the exemption to be considered. Confirm current exemption rules directly with DHP.
Q: How many times can I attempt the Gulf nursing exam?
It varies by authority. The UAE (DHA, DOH, MOHAP combined) allows three attempts, after which a waiting period of up to two years may apply. Other authorities set their own limits, so check the specific regulator's rule.
