QCHP License Qatar 2026 — Requirements, Fees & How to Apply
Quick answer
A QCHP license, now administered by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), is required for healthcare professionals who want to practise in Qatar. The licensing pathway depends on your profession and generally involves eligibility/evaluation, primary source verification (PSV), the qualifying examination where required, and completion of the DHP licensing process. Final requirements, fees and exemptions vary by profession and applicant category.
This guide covers who needs a license, requirements, the step-by-step DHP process, PSV/DataFlow, the qualifying exam and its exemptions, official fees, processing times, documents, application status and renewal. Official DHP/MOPH sources are the final authority — links are listed at the end of the page.
QCHP license at a glance
Licensing authority
Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Qatar
Who needs it
Healthcare professionals who want to practise in Qatar
How you apply
Through an employer or potential employer in Qatar (DHP FAQ)
Qualifying exam
Prometric (SCHQ2) where required — 150 MCQs, 3 hours; cut score varies by profession; exemptions apply
GP exam format
150 MCQs, 3 hours, 60% cut score — per official DHP page
Exam attempts
5 consecutive attempts, whatever the gap between them
DHP processing time
Evaluation 25 · licensing 20 working days, from submission after payment
License validity
2 years (DHP FAQ)
Portal
DHP Registration & Licensing System (dhpportal.moph.gov.qa)
What is a QCHP license?
A QCHP license is the professional license that allows a healthcare practitioner to practise in Qatar. DHP handles registration, licensing, verification, evaluation and renewal for healthcare practitioners, and issues the license once all requirements for your profession and category are met.
Is QCHP the same as DHP?
QCHP is the term many applicants still use for Qatar healthcare practitioner licensing; the current regulator is the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
They are not two separate authorities. "QCHP" still appears on official DHP materials and in everyday use by employers and applicants, so this guide uses QCHP for the license and DHP/MOPH when describing the current authority.
Who needs a QCHP/DHP license?
Every healthcare professional who intends to practise clinically in Qatar needs an active license issued by DHP. This includes General Practitioners and specialist physicians, general and specialist dentists, registered nurses and midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals such as lab technologists, radiographers, physiotherapists, paramedics, dental auxiliaries, and dieticians.
The licensing process applies whether you are a first-time applicant relocating to Qatar or an existing practitioner renewing your credentials. Some international exams (for GPs, including USMLE Step 2, PLAB 1 and AMC MCQ) can exempt you from the Qatar qualifying exam — but they do not replace the rest of the DHP pathway. Eligibility, PSV and licensing requirements still apply.
You can start Primary Source Verification and apply for a preliminary evaluation certificate through Sharek (QAR 100, valid six months, non-renewable) from your home country. However, DHP states that the registration/licensing application must be submitted through an employer or potential employer in Qatar — you will not be able to apply for registration without one.
QCHP license requirements in Qatar
Requirements depend on your profession and scope of practice. At a high level, DHP may ask for:
- Valid identity / passport documents
- Relevant academic qualification(s) and transcripts where required
- Required professional registration / licensing documents
- Required work-experience evidence for your category
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) report where required
- Certificate of Good Standing where required
- Qualifying-exam passing certificate where required
- Any additional profession-specific documents requested by DHP
Not every applicant submits every item. The DHP guideline for your profession is the controlling checklist. For physicians, Circular DHP/2025/24 notes the medical programme must be at least 6 years excluding the internship year (5 years for dentistry).
See our QCHP eligibility requirements guide for category-by-category detail.
QCHP license process — step by step
- 1
Confirm your profession/category and DHP eligibility requirements
Check the DHP guideline for your profession and category: minimum qualification, training and experience. Requirements differ between physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and allied health, and Circular DHP/2025/24 sets different experience rules for some applicant categories.
- 2
Complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) as required
DHP asks practitioners to apply for PSV before applying for registration/evaluation. Use a DHP-approved provider — DataFlow, QuadraBay or Approved Verification Services — and monitor the verification report. Practitioners who studied in Qatar or were sponsored by the State of Qatar are exempt.
- 3
Apply through your employer or potential employer
The DHP registration/evaluation application is submitted in the DHP Registration & Licensing System through an employer or potential employer in Qatar, as DHP requires.
- 4
Complete the qualifying examination — if your category requires it
If you are not exempt, book the Prometric SCHQ2 qualifying exam for your profession. Every profession sits the same 150-MCQ, 3-hour format; only the cut score differs (60% for GPs, 50% for nursing and most allied health, 65% for most specialty exams). Qatar results are not interchangeable with DHA, DOH, MOH, or SCFHS results.
- 5
Complete the remaining DHP licensing requirements
Submit any remaining documents DHP requests for your category, and respond promptly to document requests — missing paperwork is a common cause of delay.
- 6
Pay the licensing fee and complete issuance/activation
Pay the licensing fee for your profession (see the fee table below) and complete issuance in the DHP Registration & Licensing System. Note your expiry date — licenses are valid for 2 years.
Passing the exam is not the license. Passing the DHP qualifying examination is one licensing requirement; it does not by itself grant a license to practise. For the full workflow, see the QCHP/DHP licensing process.
Primary Source Verification (PSV / DataFlow)
PSV confirms your credentials directly with the institutions that issued them. According to the DHP FAQ, it is essential for healthcare practitioners to apply for PSV before applying for registration/evaluation.
- Exempt: practitioners who studied in the State of Qatar or were sponsored by the State of Qatar.
- One-time: PSV is normally completed before your first license and is not repeated at renewal, although DHP may require re-verification if it has reason to believe submitted credentials are false or misleading.
- Providers: DHP lists DataFlow, QuadraBay (endorsed under Circular DHP/2025/20) and Approved Verification Services.
- International exams used to claim a qualifying-exam exemption must also be verified — DHP will not accept such an exam without a verification report after 1 January 2026.
Details and provider links are on the official DHP PSV page. See our QCHP DataFlow / PSV guide for the step-by-step submission.
QCHP/DHP qualifying exam — who needs it?
DHP/MOPH offers qualifying examinations across multiple healthcare professions and specialties; the applicable exam depends on the practitioner's scope. It is delivered by Prometric under exam code SCHQ2. You do not need it if you fall into an exempt group:
Exempt by applicant category
Circular DHP/2025/24 (30 Dec 2025)
- Qatari nationals
- Offspring of Qatari women
- Graduates of public universities, private universities and higher education institutions in Qatar
Exempt by a recognised exam (GPs)
Circular DHP/2025/19 (26 Nov 2025)
- IFOM Clinical Science Exam (CSE)
- USMLE Step 2
- PLAB Part 1
- MCCQE Part 1 (Medical Council of Canada)
- AMC MCQ (Australian Medical Council)
- MRCGP Part 1 Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
- PRES-MCQ Part 2
The same circular also lists exempting exams for general dentists, pharmacists, nurses (NCLEX-RN) and some allied health professions. The exempting exam must be valid and verified by a verification company — read the full list in Circular DHP/2025/19.
If you do need the exam: the GP exam is 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 60% cut score, per the official DHP Qualifying Examination page and the current Prometric SCHQ2 listing. Per the same DHP page, every profession sits 150 MCQs in 3 hours, but cut scores differ: 60% for GPs, general dentists and pharmacists; 50% for nursing and most allied health; 65% for most specialty physician and dental exams. You may sit the exam 5 consecutive times, whatever the gap between attempts, and a pass is valid for 3 years. Exam details can change, so verify them before booking.
Useful next steps: QCHP qualifying exam guide · QCHP Prometric booking · QCHP exam result and score report · QCHP MCQs and exam preparation
QCHP license fees
Fees depend on your profession, so there is no single "total QCHP license cost". The official fees below come from the DHP FAQ and Circular DHP/2024/10. Always confirm the live amount on the payment screen before paying.
Official DHP evaluation and licensing fees
Evaluation fee: QAR 100 for all professions. Licensing and renewal fees by profession:
| Profession | Licensing (QAR) | Renewal (QAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Physician — specialist | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| Physician — general scope | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Dentist — specialist | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| Dentist — general scope | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Pharmacist | 600 | 600 |
| Nurse | 600 | 600 |
| Allied health practitioner | 600 | 600 |
Qualifying exam (where required): USD 244 from 1 January 2026 (≈ QAR 890), set by Circular DHP/2024/10. Cancelling or rescheduling costs USD 25 (30–60+ days before), USD 40 (5–29 days before), or the full exam fee (under 5 days, no-show, or refused for arriving late).
PSV (provider- and package-dependent): the DHP FAQ lists DataFlow new-applicant packages at QAR 1,100 (physicians and dentists) and QAR 900 (nurses, pharmacists and allied health), with add-ons for extra documents and a QAR 200 report-transfer fee. Provider price lists can change — confirm on your provider's checkout.
Preliminary evaluation (optional): QAR 100 through Sharek; the certificate is valid six months and cannot be renewed.
Other costs (variable): medical fitness, police clearance, translation and attestation vary by country, employer and individual case.
USD conversion uses the fixed rate of ≈3.64 QAR = 1 USD. For exam cancellation and rescheduling detail, see the QCHP exam fees guide.
How long does QCHP licensing take?
DHP processing time depends on the request and begins once the application is complete and paid. PSV, document collection and employer actions can add additional time, so there is no single end-to-end timeline. Official DHP processing times:
| DHP request | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Evaluation | 25 working days |
| Licensing | 20 working days |
| License renewal | 15 working days |
| Change of place of work | 15 working days |
| Change of scope of practice | 15 working days |
| Certificate of Good Standing | 25 working days |
The optional Sharek preliminary evaluation takes 25 working days for general physicians and dentists and 15 working days for pharmacy, nursing and allied health. Because PSV must be applied for before registration, starting it early is the most effective way to avoid delays.
Documents required
The exact list depends on your profession. For the preliminary evaluation, Sharek lists documents including:
- Certificate verification (PSV) report
- Passport copy (and national ID where applicable)
- Academic certificates
- Experience certificates
- Registration / licensing certificates
- Photograph and CV
Before activation, your employer may also ask for items such as a medical fitness examination in Qatar, professional indemnity insurance, a police clearance certificate, or CPR/basic life support certification — these are employer- and facility-dependent. Your employer's HR and medical affairs teams usually coordinate the final activation timeline.
Use our QCHP documents checklist to prepare each file in the right format.
How to check your application status
Track your application in the DHP Registration & Licensing System — the same portal used to submit it. DHP publishes separate guidelines for applicants and employers, so your employer can follow the application from its own account.
Remember that DHP's processing times start only after the application is submitted and paid, and respond quickly to any document request so the clock is not held up. For queries, DHP lists dhpregistration@moph.gov.qa.
QCHP license renewal
DHP licenses are valid for 2 years — from the issue date for a new license, and from the expiry date for a renewal. The renewal fee matches the licensing fee for your profession (see the fee table), DHP's processing time for renewal is 15 working days, and PSV is not repeated.
Renewal also depends on meeting continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. Physicians commonly cite 40 CPD hours per 2-year cycle — confirm the current requirement for your profession with DHP. Start the process at least 3 months before expiry and keep a CPD portfolio with certificates and attendance records.
What happens if your license expires? If your license expires before renewal is complete, you may not be legally permitted to practise, and DHP may require a reinstatement application. Do not let your license lapse.
Qatar classification levels
DHP assesses your classification level — which shapes your scope of practice and clinical independence — from your qualifications, training, post-qualification experience and certifications. The descriptions below are a general guide; the level you receive is set by DHP for your file.
| Level | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Resident | Recently qualified; limited post-qualification experience; works under supervision |
| Specialist | Completed recognised specialty training plus post-training experience |
| Senior specialist | Further post-specialty experience; greater clinical autonomy |
| Consultant | Extensive experience and recognised expertise; leads teams |
| Senior consultant | Long post-specialty experience; leadership and academic contributions |
Major healthcare employers in Qatar
Because the licensing application goes through an employer or potential employer, these are the organisations most applicants deal with.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
Qatar's principal public healthcare provider, operating hospitals and health centres across the country, and a common destination for first-time license holders.
Sidra Medicine
A women's and children's hospital that is part of Qatar Foundation, recruiting across subspecialty and consultant roles.
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)
Qatar's community and primary care network, a common pathway for GPs and family medicine practitioners.
Private hospitals
Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, Aster DM Healthcare, and other private groups also recruit licensed practitioners.
Compare with other Gulf licensing exams
Planning to license in more than one Gulf country? Gulf licensing exams share a single-best-answer clinical MCQ style, so cross-preparation helps — but results are not interchangeable between countries, and each authority runs its own licensing process.
GP scope of practice in Qatar
Your scope is defined by the category on your DHP license and clinical privileges granted by your employing facility. GPs typically practise across Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology within Qatar national regulations. Do not assume UAE or Saudi scope rules apply — verify with your facility and DHP.
Prepare with GulfMedExams
Licensing guides handle paperwork; timed MCQ practice handles exam day. If your category needs the qualifying exam, book it only after several stable mock sessions.
Related QCHP/DHP resources
QCHP license FAQs
What is a QCHP license in Qatar?
It is the professional license healthcare practitioners need to practise in Qatar. It is now issued by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MOPH); "QCHP" is the name many applicants still use.
Is QCHP the same as DHP?
QCHP is the term many applicants still use for Qatar healthcare practitioner licensing. The current regulator is the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) — they are not two separate authorities.
What are the QCHP license requirements?
They depend on your profession and category. Typically: identity documents, qualifications, professional registration, required work experience, a PSV report, a Certificate of Good Standing and a qualifying-exam pass — each "where required". The DHP guideline for your profession is the controlling checklist.
How do I apply for a QCHP/DHP license?
Confirm your category requirements, complete Primary Source Verification, then apply through the DHP Registration & Licensing System via an employer or potential employer in Qatar. Complete the qualifying exam if your category requires it, submit the remaining documents and pay the licensing fee.
Is DataFlow/PSV required for QCHP licensing?
Yes for most applicants. DHP says practitioners must apply for Primary Source Verification before applying for registration/evaluation. Practitioners who studied in Qatar or were sponsored by the State of Qatar are exempt. PSV is normally a one-time process and is not repeated at renewal, although DHP reserves the right to require re-verification if it has reason to believe a practitioner submitted false or misleading credentials. DHP-approved providers include DataFlow, QuadraBay and Approved Verification Services.
Do I need the QCHP Prometric exam?
Not always. Qatari nationals, offspring of Qatari women and graduates of universities in Qatar are exempt (Circular DHP/2025/24), and passing certain recognised exams — for GPs including USMLE Step 2, PLAB 1, AMC MCQ and MCCQE 1 — also exempts you (Circular DHP/2025/19). Other applicants take the exam for their profession.
Does passing the QCHP exam give me a license?
No. Passing the DHP qualifying examination is one licensing requirement; it does not by itself grant a license to practise. You must still meet all other registration and licensing requirements.
How much does a QCHP license cost?
Official DHP fees: evaluation QAR 100; licensing QAR 1,200 (specialist physician or dentist), QAR 1,000 (general physician or dentist), or QAR 600 (pharmacist, nurse, allied health). The Prometric exam is USD 244 from 1 January 2026. PSV costs depend on provider and package. There is no single total — it varies by profession and route.
How long does QCHP licensing take?
DHP processing time depends on the request and begins once the application is complete and paid — for example 25 working days for evaluation and 20 for licensing. PSV, document collection and employer actions can add time.
How can I check my QCHP/DHP application status?
Log in to the DHP Registration & Licensing System (dhpportal.moph.gov.qa), the same portal used to submit the application. Your employer can also follow the application from its own account. For queries, DHP lists dhpregistration@moph.gov.qa.
Can I take the QCHP exam from outside Qatar?
The DHP qualifying exam is delivered by Prometric (code SCHQ2); check centre availability for your country when booking. The licensing application itself must still go through an employer or potential employer in Qatar.
What is the QCHP exam format for GPs?
Per the official DHP Qualifying Examination page and the current Prometric SCHQ2 listing: 150 MCQs in 3 hours, with a 60% cut score for General Practitioners. Other professions sit the same 150-MCQ, 3-hour format with their own cut scores — 50% for nursing and most allied health, 65% for most specialty exams.
What happens if I fail the QCHP exam?
The official DHP page allows 5 consecutive qualifying exam attempts, whatever the gap between each sitting. Each retake requires rebooking and paying the Prometric exam fee again. Confirm current policy on dhp.moph.gov.qa before rebooking.
Do I need a job offer before getting licensed?
For the licensing application, yes: DHP states the application must be made through an employer or potential employer in Qatar. You can start PSV — and apply for a preliminary evaluation certificate through Sharek (QAR 100, valid six months) — before you have an offer.
How often do I renew my QCHP license?
DHP licenses are valid for 2 years. The renewal fee matches the licensing fee for your profession, and DHP's processing time for renewal is 15 working days. Start early and confirm current CPD requirements with DHP.
Is a QCHP license valid in other Gulf countries?
No. Each GCC country requires its own licensing and registration. A DHP license is valid only in Qatar. An existing verification report from another authority may be transferable — DHP's FAQ lists a report-transfer fee of QAR 200.
How long is a passed QCHP exam valid?
DHP states a passed qualifying exam result is valid for 3 years. Align your exam date, PSV and job search so the result does not expire before you are licensed.
What is the official QCHP Prometric exam fee in 2026?
Circular DHP/2024/10 sets the Prometric qualifying exam fee at USD 244 from 1 January 2026 (previously USD 238). Cancellation/rescheduling is USD 25 if 30–60+ days before the exam, USD 40 if 5–29 days before, or the full exam fee if less than 5 days, a no-show, or refused admission for arriving late.
About this guide
This guide was last updated in September 2026. Fees, processing times, license validity, exam-result validity and the employer requirement come from the DHP FAQ; the GP exam format and attempt rule from the DHP Qualifying Examination page and Prometric SCHQ2; exemptions and the exam fee from DHP Circulars 2025/19, 2025/24 and 2024/10. Rules and fees can change — always confirm on dhp.moph.gov.qa before booking an exam or making payments.
For exam-specific preparation — subject blueprints, Prometric booking, and free MCQ practice — see the QCHP exam guide and QCHP complete licensing hub.
Start your QCHP licensing journey
Confirm your eligibility and whether you are exempt from the exam, then start PSV early.
Check QCHP EligibilityThis guide is written for doctors preparing for QCHP licensing in Qatar. Requirements change — always confirm fees, deadlines, and eligibility on official authority portals before booking your exam slot.
QCHP — practical notes for doctors
This page supports one part of your Qatar licensing journey. Combine it with official Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners communication, your employer HR checklist, and consistent MCQ practice before the Prometric sitting.
What to verify on official channels
Before acting on any third-party guide (including this one), confirm your profession category, document list, and fee schedule directly with Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners. Policies in Qatar are updated without always being reflected in older blog posts.
If your profile involves gaps in practice, multiple registrations, or credentials from several countries, expect additional review steps — generic checklists may not cover your case.
Next step — exam practice
Turn licensing research into exam-ready performance
Reading guides alone rarely converts to exam performance. After you confirm Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners requirements, use GulfMedExams to drill exam-style MCQs with explanations, track weak systems, and revisit high-yield topics before booking your slot.
More practice resources
Requirements, fees, and timelines change. This page is educational — always confirm your category-specific rules on official authority portals before paying verification or exam fees.