QCHP Licensing Process 2026 — DHP Qatar GP Pathway
Quick answer
QCHP (Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, now DHP/MOPH) licensing for GPs runs: eligibility → Primary Source Verification → DHP evaluation (25 working days) → Prometric SCHQ2 where required (150 MCQs, 60% cut) → licensing (20 working days). You can start PSV from outside Qatar, but the application goes through an employer or potential employer in Qatar.
Qatar healthcare licensing is issued by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under MOPH — often still called QCHP in search. This page gives MBBS GP doctors a full overview and links each step to a dedicated guide.
Quick exam reference (verified DHP)
- 150 MCQs · 3 hours · Prometric SCHQ2
- GP cut score: 60% (90/150)
- 5 consecutive attempts allowed
- Exam fee from Jan 2026: QAR 890 (~USD 244)
DHP processing: 25 working days (evaluation) and 20 working days(licensing) after submission and payment. Sources: DHP FAQ · DHP Qualifying Examination · fee breakdown
Step-by-step QCHP journey for GPs
Check QCHP/DHP eligibility
Confirm MBBS degree recognition, internship completion, and GP experience meet current DHP baseline criteria.
Complete DataFlow PSV
Submit core credentials for Primary Source Verification through a DHP-approved provider — required before applying for registration/evaluation.
Register and book the qualifying exam
Follow DHP registration flow and book the 150 MCQ Prometric exam (SCHQ2) with a 60% GP cut score, unless your category or a recognised exam exempts you.
Proceed to license issuance
After passing and meeting post-exam requirements, complete issuance and obtain your Qatar GP license status.
QCHP Eligibility
Confirm MBBS degree acceptance and GP baseline requirements for Qatar DHP.
DataFlow PSV
Complete Primary Source Verification for core GP credentials — required before applying.
Exam Registration
Submit registration details and book your 150 MCQ qualifying exam slot (SCHQ2).
License Issuance
Complete post-exam process and move toward active GP licensing in Qatar.
QCHP licensing timeline
| Stage | Duration | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Source Verification | Provider-dependent | Required before applying — start early |
| DHP evaluation | 25 working days (DHP) | Clock starts after submission and payment |
| Qualifying exam (where required) | Book on Prometric SCHQ2 | Check exemptions first |
| DHP licensing | 20 working days (DHP) | Via employer or potential employer |
Detailed QCHP GP Pages
Difference Between QCHP, DHA and DOH License for GPs
QCHP/DHP is the Qatar authority for healthcare professional licensing, while DHA and DOH are UAE authorities.
If you are targeting Qatar, follow the DHP pathway. If you are targeting the UAE, follow the relevant authority pathway by city or emirate.
FAQs — QCHP/DHP licensing process
What does QCHP stand for?
QCHP stands for Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners. Licensing is now issued by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under MOPH. Search and employers still use QCHP; both names refer to the same Qatar GP pathway.
What is the QCHP/DHP license for General Practitioners in Qatar?
Qatar healthcare licensing is issued by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under MOPH — often still called QCHP in search. For MBBS General Practitioners, it is the regulatory pathway required to practice medicine in Qatar.
What is the difference between QCHP, DHA and DOH license?
QCHP/DHP is for Qatar, while DHA and DOH are UAE authorities for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. GP doctors should apply to the authority of the country and emirate where they plan to work.
Can GP doctors start the QCHP licensing process from outside Qatar?
Partly. You can start Primary Source Verification and apply for a Sharek preliminary evaluation certificate from abroad, but DHP requires the licensing application to go through an employer or potential employer in Qatar.
How long does the QCHP licensing process take for GPs?
Many GP applicants plan for roughly 3 to 4 months depending on document quality, DataFlow verification timelines, and Prometric exam scheduling — not the older 3–6 month estimate often cited in outdated guides.
What exam must I pass during the QCHP licensing process?
Most GP categories sit the DHP qualifying exam: 150 MCQs in 3 hours via Prometric (code SCHQ2), with a 60% cut score for General Practitioners. You may attempt the exam up to 5 consecutive times. Exam fee from January 2026: QAR 890 (~USD 244).
This 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 licensing pathway — realistic sequence
Most Qatar candidates move through profile setup, primary source verification, exam clearance, and final registration. The order and naming of steps can differ slightly by profession — follow your Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners portal checklist rather than a generic timeline.
Treat licensing as a project with document, exam, and administrative tracks running in parallel where allowed.
- •Upload consistent PDFs — mismatched dates trigger avoidable queries
- •Track verification status weekly; do not assume silence means approval
- •Book Prometric only when your profile stage allows it
- •Keep copies of every submission timestamp and receipt
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.