NHRA licence requirements and application in Bahrain
Send your NHRA licence file through Mehan, NHRA’s online licence system. If you are non-Bahraini and have never registered with NHRA, a health facility must invite you first (Mehan FAQ).
Facts last verified 5 October 2026. Updated 6 October 2026.
Check your nursing title
NHRA’s nursing rules use General Nurse and Practical Nurse. There is no Nurse Technician title.
| Route and source | Qualification | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| General Nurse | Bachelor’s: at least 4 academic years. Diploma or associate degree: at least 3 academic years. | Non-Bahrainis: at least 1 year’s experience, including 6 continuous months within the last 3 years. |
| Practical Nurse | Local practical programme: at least 18 months. Overseas programme: 18 months to under 3 years, below General Nurse requirements. | Non-Bahrainis: at least 1 year’s experience, including 6 continuous months within the last 3 years. |
| Combined nursing and midwifery | Overseas combined award: 3½ academic years. | The table does not name general nursing and midwifery (GNM) or map a 3-year award registering you as Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RN/RM). Ask NHRA which entry applies. |
Settle internship rules before booking
NHRA’s exam booklet rejects medical and dental exams taken before or during internship. Its medical rules let Bahraini medical interns sit after 6 months. They must finish internship before getting a licence. Ask NHRA which rule applies to you before you book.
Ask if you can skip the exam
If you are a Bahraini or a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) national, a valid GCC licence can let you skip the exam. This rule covers doctors, dentists and pharmacists. Other nationals cannot use it. Ask NHRA if another route fits you.
The nursing rules also accept Bahraini and GCC nationals with a valid GCC licence. Non-GCC nurses can use a Gulf exam pass if NHRA accepts it.
| Pass and source | Condition |
|---|---|
| Accepted RN exams | UAE, Qatar or Oman Registered Nurse; Saudi Nurse Specialist. NHRA assesses each case. |
| Excluded exams | Saudi Nurse Technician and Kuwait. Saudi classification alone does not count. |
The nursing qualification rules exclude Kuwait because they say Kuwait has no Prometric exam. But Prometric’s Kuwait blueprint includes an RN exam. Ask NHRA if it accepts your Kuwait pass before you rely on it.
An exemption lets you skip the exam. You still need verification, good standing and the rest of your licence file (nursing rules).
Get your documents checked
- Have your passport, degree, experience or appointment letters, licence and good standing ready (DataFlow reference).
- Specialists and consultants add their specialisation certificates (DataFlow reference).
- For nurses, the good-standing letter from your licensing body must be no older than 6 months (nursing rules).
DataFlow checks your papers with the bodies that issued them. This takes 20 working days on average, once it has all documents and details (NHRA reference). Good-standing checks cost no extra (NHRA page).
If you applied on or before 26 February 2025, track your case on DataFlow Status. For later cases, use app.dataflowgroup.com (DataFlow NHRA page). You can transfer an earlier report to NHRA. This takes 5 days if you add no new documents (transfer steps).
Send your file through Mehan
- If you are non-Bahraini and new to NHRA, your facility sends an invitation through Munshaat (Mehan FAQ).
- Send your complete licence file. NHRA decides if you can skip the exam. If you need it, NHRA sends a code for 1 attempt (exam booklet).
- Wait for NHRA to approve your exam. It rejects results from exams taken without approval (exam booklet).
The exam booklet needs a complete file before NHRA sends a code. It does not say if DataFlow must finish before you book. After approval, follow NHRA fees and booking.
Complete the work permit and licence
If you are non-Bahraini, NHRA checks your file. You sit any exam you need. NHRA sends a letter to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). This letter supports your work permit (application guide).
After getting the work permit, send your CPR (Bahrain ID card) and Bahrain health fitness certificate. If NHRA finds you fit, it approves the file. Pay for your licence (application guide). Start work after these steps. Use results and next steps.
Check your licence in NHRA’s Licensed Professionals lists. The licence card in Mehan also has a barcode showing its details (Mehan FAQ).