DOH · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026
DOH Nursing Licensing Exam (Abu Dhabi)
Exam-aligned nursing prep covering the full clinical core the DOH Abu Dhabi exam tests, plus DOH-specific scope-of-practice and licensing guidance, in focused 15-minute topics built for retention.
- Questions
- 200 MCQs (up to 10% pilot questions)
- Time limit
- 240 minutes (two 120-minute parts)
- Passing score
- 500
- Cost
- Approximately AED 100 (DOH eligibility fee via TAMM) + USD $73.57 (Pearson VUE exam fee)
- Format
- Multiple-choice questions (4 options)
- Delivery
- Computer-based testing (CBT) administered at Pearson VUE test centers
- Prep time
- ~150 hours
Exam overview
The Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi Nursing Licensing Exam evaluates the fundamental competence, safety, and specialized knowledge required to practice nursing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Formerly known as the HAAD exam, this comprehensive computer-based assessment ensures that internationally and locally trained nurses meet rigorous professional standards for delivering patient care. The official syllabus is divided into four major domains: Adult Nursing makes up the largest portion of the exam at 40%, followed by Maternal-Child Nursing at 30%, Nursing Fundamentals at 20%, and Nursing Management and Leadership at 10%. By testing everything from basic sciences to complex critical care and Abu Dhabi's specific scope of practice, the exam verifies a candidate's readiness for frontline healthcare responsibilities. Preparing for a 200-question comprehensive exam can feel overwhelming, but a structured approach makes it manageable. Only Ever maps every domain of the DOH nursing syllabus to bite-sized, 15-minute study topics. This allows candidates to steadily build their knowledge base, assess their readiness across both clinical scenarios and regulatory frameworks, and approach test day with confidence.
Exam domains & weighting
Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.
How to study this domain
Focus on the core principles of basic human needs and safe patient care delivery. Spend significant time reviewing basic anatomy, physiology, and the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Practice translating physical assessment findings into actionable nursing priorities.
Key objectives
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Physical Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Basic Sciences
Readiness self-check
Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.
Quick reference
Core Nursing Competencies
Essential professional competencies targeted across the curriculum framework.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
Integrating the best available scientific research with clinical expertise and patient values to make optimal clinical decisions.
Patient-Centered Care
Delivering compassionate and coordinated care that recognizes and respects the patient's preferences, values, and needs.
Quality Improvement
Using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and employing improvement methods to continuously enhance the safety and quality of healthcare systems.
Nursing Informatics
The use of information technology to analyze and synthesize information, facilitating collaborative decision-making and improving patient outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- The 200 multiple-choice questions include up to 10% pilot questions that do not count toward the final score.
- The exam is split into two 100-question blocks, each allocated 120 minutes, with a 30-minute scheduled break in between.
- No external materials or notes are permitted; test center administrators will provide approved laminated writing surfaces and markers.
- Candidates must present unexpired, acceptable identification (such as a passport or applicable National ID) that exactly matches the name on their scheduling permit.
Reading isn’t remembering.
Most DOH Abu Dhabi prep is generic question dumps that ignore the Department of Health's Professional Qualification Requirements and the DataFlow licensing process.
Only Ever pairs a complete clinical nursing core with DOH-specific regulatory guidance, structured into 15-minute topics designed for long-term retention.