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For medical practitioners hoping to practice in the United Arab Emirates, passing the HAAD test is an important requirement. The exam is given by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. It’s difficult to understand the requirements for this exam in order to ensure a seamless application procedure, as the need for the trained medical staff increases. Every component is important in assessing the eligibility and success, from school background to the relevant work experience.
We will walk you through the specific requirements to register for the HAAD exam in this blog. We’ll give you an outline of the application procedure, the required paperwork, and preparation advice. Our guide is designed to provide you, as an allied health professional (nurse, physician, or otherwise), with the necessary knowledge to successfully negotiate this difficult career transition.
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Introduction
The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) exam is a mandatory licensing examination for the healthcare professionals who wish to work in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Also the HAAD ensures that the healthcare professionals, such as nurses, doctors, and the pharmacists, meet the required standards of the practice.
Passing the HAAD exam not only allows professionals to practice in Abu Dhabi, but it also makes transferring licenses to other Emirates, such Dubai (via the DHA exam) or Sharjah (through the MOH exam), easier and less complicated. Healthcare professionals from different countries can take the computer-based exam, which is available at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.
Nurses HAAD Requirements
In addition to the necessary job experience, nurses must hold a recognized nursing degree or diploma. The degree of qualification determines the precise length of the experience. How long the experience lasts depends on the level of qualification. Multiple-choice (MCQ) questions are typically found on a computer during an exam. Nursing professional processes, clinical knowledge, and patient care are the main areas of concentration.
Here is an overview of the key HAAD requirements for nurses:
1. Educational Qualification:
- A recognized nursing degree or a diploma from an approved school is required for nurses to practice.
- For general nurses, the curriculum must last at least three years; for auxiliary nurses, it must last two years.
2. Work Experience:
- Typically, a minimum of two years of clinical experience is required after obtaining the nursing degree or the diploma.
- The experience must be relevant to the area of the practice and must be documented.
3. Professional License:
- Nurses must have a valid professional nursing license from their home country or the previous country of practice.
- The license must be in the good standing, with no restrictions or any other disciplinary actions.
4. The HAAD Licensing Examination:
- Nurses must pass the HAAD exam to practice in Abu Dhabi. This is a professional qualification exam to assess the clinical knowledge and the competencies.
- The exam may be conducted in online and it is designed to test the nurse’s proficiency in their area of their specialization.
5. English Proficiency:
- Nurses are required to shows the proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is often needed, though this may vary based on the specific requirements.
6. Primary Source Verification (PSV):
- Every document that is submitted, including the work experience records, licenses, and school certificates, needs to be verified using DataFlow or a comparable service.
- The purpose of this procedure is to verify if the applicant’s presented documents are authentic.
7. Medical Fitness:
- Nurses must pass a medical fitness examination as part of the licensing process. This usually involves the testing for the communicable diseases and the overall physical fitness.
8. Continuing Medical Education (CME):
- The Nurses may be required to provide proof of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, depending on the type of nursing role they are applying for.
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Doctors HAAD Requirements
The doctors must hold a valid medical degree and, in most cases, have completed an internship in addition to the necessary postgraduate training. The degree of specialization determines the precise needs. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on a computer-based test are used to evaluate candidates’ clinical knowledge and practical skills.
Here’s an overview of the key HAAD requirements for the doctors:
1. Educational Qualifications:
- Basic Medical Degree: A recognized medical degree from a university or the institution listed by the HAAD.
- The Postgraduate Degree or the Specialization: For the specialists, a recognized postgraduate qualification in the chosen specialty.
- Clinical Internship: Provide completion of a clinical internship (typically for one year).
2. Work Experience:
- The General Practitioners (GPs): Typically, the general practitioners posses 2-3 years of the work experience post-internship is required.
- The Specialists: Should have at least 2-3 years of the experience on post-specialization, depending on the field.
- The Consultants: Should have a higher level of the experience, often 5+ years of the post-specialization.
3. The Professional Licensing Exams:
- HAAD Exam: The Doctors need to pass the HAAD exam, which assesses the clinical knowledge and the competence.
- Alternatively, some may be exempt if they hold valid licensure from the recognized authorities like DHA (Dubai Health Authority). Or the MOH (Ministry of Health) in the UAE or international boards (e.g., the American Board, UK’s GMC, etc.).
4. Good Standing Certificate:
- A certificate from the medical licensing authority in the country or state where the doctor has previously practiced, proving that no malpractice or the criminal cases have been reported against the doctor.
5. Proof of the Continuing Medical Education (CME):
- Evidence of the participation in Continuing the Medical Education programs, as maintaining the medical knowledge is important for the eligibility.
6. The English Language Proficiency:
- Doctors must show the proficiency in English, usually proven with an IELTS (minimum score of 6) or the TOEFL (minimum score of 550) unless exempt due to their country of origin or the education.
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Pharmacist HAAD Requirements
PhPharmacists need to meet the necessary work experience level and possess a recognized pharmacy degree. The pharmacist exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is computer-based, same like previous HAAD tests.
1. Educational Qualifications:
- Pharmacy Degree: A recognized degree in the pharmacy (Bachelor of Pharmacy or equivalent) from a university or the institution listed by the HAAD.
- Postgraduate Degree: While not mandatory for the general pharmacists, having a postgraduate qualification (Master’s or PhD) can be beneficial for the clinical or the specialized pharmacy roles.
2. Work Experience:
- Pharmacist: Typically, a minimum of 2 years of the work experience post-qualification is required, but the fresh graduates may apply for the trainee pharmacist program.
- Specialist Pharmacist: If applying for a specialized position, the additional experience and sometimes a higher level of the qualification may be needed.
3. Professional Licensing Exams:
- HAAD Pharmacist Exam: The Pharmacists are required to pass the HAAD licensing exam, which tests the clinical knowledge and the competence in pharmacy.
- Some pharmacists may be exempt from the HAAD exam if they hold licensure from the recognized health authorities such as the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) or the MOH (Ministry of Health), or the international equivalents.
4. Good Standing Certificate:
- A certificate from the relevant pharmacy licensing authority where the pharmacist has previously worked, proving no malpractice or any other disciplinary actions.
5. Continuing Education:
- The Pharmacists must provide proof of the recent Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or the Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities. This ensures the pharmacists are keeping up-to-date with the medical and the pharmaceutical advances.
6. English Language Proficiency:
- English Language Test: Pharmacists are required to show the proficiency in English, typically by providing an IELTS certificate (the minimum score of 6) or a TOEFL certificate (the minimum score of 550).
- The Pharmacists educated in English-speaking countries may be exempt from this requirement.
7. Health Fitness Certificate:
- A medical fitness certificate is required to confirm that the pharmacist is physically and mentally fit to the practice.
8. Background Checks:
- Verification of all the documents and the credentials, including the employment history, education, and the work experience, is conducted. A background check is mandatory.
9. Malpractice Insurance:
- Proof of the malpractice insurance is required before the pharmacist can start practicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HAAD exam easy?
Who is eligible for HAAD exam for nurses?
How much is the HAAD exam fee in UAE?
- Doctors: The cost of a HAAD exam for general practitioners, specialists, or consultants is between AED 900 and AED 1,100. For specialists, this could go up a little bit based on the structure and difficulty of the test.
- Nurses: The exam fee for nurses often costs between AED 250 and AED 500.
