Specialist Nephrology Prometric & Licensing Exam 2026: Complete Syllabus, Passing Marks and Study Guide (DHA, MOHAP, DOH, SCFHS, Oman, Qatar DHP, NHRA, Kuwait MOH)

If you are a Nephrology-trained physician planning to practise as a Specialist Nephrologist in the Middle East, your licensing pathway will depend on the country, the recognition tier of your nephrology qualification and the health authority you are applying to. Several regulators use a dedicated Nephrology examination, but the question count, duration, passing standard and examination-exemption rules are not identical.

This guide covers the major Middle East health authorities and explains the eligibility requirements, exam format, syllabus, reference books and licensing pathways relevant to Specialist Nephrology candidates.

1. What is the Specialist Nephrology Exam?

The Specialist Nephrology licensing or classification examination assesses whether a physician with recognised nephrology training has the advanced knowledge, clinical judgement and patient-safety competence required to manage kidney disease across outpatient, inpatient, dialysis, critical-care and transplant settings. The core scope includes chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation, fluid and electrolyte disorders, acid-base disorders, hypertension, glomerular and vascular disease, inherited kidney disorders and nephrolithiasis.

Question type: Where a computer-based Nephrology examination is required, questions are predominantly single-best-answer multiple-choice questions with a strong clinical-scenario focus. The number of questions and blueprint weighting vary by authority.

Language: English. Prometric licensing examinations covered by this guide are conducted in English.

Delivery: Mainly computer-based testing through Prometric or another authority-approved testing platform. Some jurisdictions may instead use credential review, panel assessment or another authority-specific specialist evaluation pathway.

Result: Reporting varies by authority. The UAE guideline used across DHA, MOHAP and DOH publishes a fixed 65% pass standard; SCFHS publishes Registrar and Senior Registrar thresholds; Qatar DHP publishes a 65% specialty qualifying-exam standard; and Bahrain applies its general licensure-examination rules where an exam is assigned.

Attempts: Authority-specific. The UAE Unified PQR provides three examination attempts across the UAE Authorities, with limited additional-attempt provisions. Qatar's current qualifying-examination page allows five consecutive attempts for listed specialist physician examinations. Bahrain permits four initial licensure-exam attempts within three years.

2. Middle East Health Authorities and Regulatory Pathways for Specialist Nephrology

Each regulator has its own specialist-classification route, and a Nephrology licence or title issued by one authority is not automatically valid in another jurisdiction. The table below summarises the principal pathway across the authorities covered by this guide.

3. Specialist Nephrology Passing Marks and Exam Format

Specialist Nephrology examination specifications differ across Middle East regulators. Across DHA, MOHAP and DOH, the same UAE Specialist Nephrology specification applies: 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 65% pass mark. Saudi Arabia and Qatar publish separate Nephrology exam structures, while Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait require more pathway-specific verification.

*Qatar note: the current DHP qualifying-examination webpage lists Nephrology as 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 65% pass mark and allows five consecutive attempts. DHP's published 2023 Nephrology blueprint gives the same 150 questions and 65% pass mark but states 3.5 hours. Candidates should follow the duration shown on their current eligibility and booking confirmation.

4. Eligibility Criteria for Specialist Nephrology Candidates

The exact requirements differ by regulator and depend on how the applicant's main specialty and nephrology sub-specialty qualification are classified. A primary medical degree alone is not sufficient for the Specialist Nephrology title; applicants need recognised specialty or sub-specialty training and must meet the experience, registration and assessment rules of the target authority.

Primary medical qualification: A recognised MBBS, MBChB, MBBCh, MD or equivalent primary medical degree from an accredited institution, with completed internship as required by the regulator.

Nephrology qualification: A recognised Nephrology specialty or sub-specialty certificate is required. Under the UAE PQR, clinical sub-specialty eligibility may be based on a listed sub-specialty certificate or a recognised main specialty certificate followed by one to two years of approved nephrology clinical training or fellowship, subject to the PQR criteria.

UAE experience requirement: For listed sub-specialty qualifications, UAE experience requirements follow the PQR physician tier system. Tier 1 and Tier 2 Specialist qualifications generally require no post-sub-specialty experience. For Tier 3, non-UAE nationals generally require three years after the main specialty qualification and two years after the sub-specialty qualification; UAE nationals and children of Emirati women have reduced requirements.

Saudi classification: SCFHS lists Nephrology as a dedicated classification examination. The current blueprint uses Registrar and Senior Registrar passing thresholds; the final professional title depends on the recognised qualification, training and SCFHS classification decision.

Qatar qualification categories: Qatar DHP uses physician specialty qualification categories. Category 1 qualifications require one year of post-qualification experience and no qualifying exam; Category 2 requires two years and no exam; Category 3 requires at least three years of structured postgraduate specialty training, three years of post-qualification experience and the DHP qualifying examination.

Professional licence and Good Standing: A valid professional registration/licence and a recent Certificate of Good Standing are commonly required. The licence and experience documentation should support the specialist or sub-specialist scope being claimed.

Primary Source Verification: The primary medical degree, Internal Medicine/main-specialty qualification, Nephrology sub-specialty qualification, professional licence and claimed experience may require primary-source verification such as DataFlow or another regulator-approved provider.

Training documentation: Regulators may request internship evidence, main-specialty and nephrology fellowship/residency certificates, transcripts, board certificates, experience letters and other documentation showing the structure and duration of nephrology training.

Dialysis and transplant privileges: A Nephrology specialist licence does not automatically establish every facility privilege. Hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal replacement therapy in critical care, renal biopsy or transplant-related privileges may require facility credentialing, competency evidence or additional institutional approval.

Examination exemption is not uniform. UAE authorities apply PQR-based exemption rules, Qatar exempts Category 1 and Category 2 physician specialty qualifications from the qualifying exam, and other regulators apply their own recognition and assessment policies. Candidates should not book an examination until the regulator confirms that an exam is required for their specific nephrology qualification and title.

5. Specialist Nephrology Syllabus and Core Study Areas Across Middle East Health Authorities

The 11 study areas below consolidate the UAE Specialist Nephrology coverage with the current SCFHS and Qatar Nephrology blueprints. The Saudi and Qatar blueprints are closely aligned: Chronic Kidney Disease carries the highest weighting at 14%, while Hemodialysis, Acute Kidney Injury/Critical Care, Fluid-Electrolyte/Acid-Base Disorders and Glomerular/Vascular Disease each account for about 13%. The UAE guideline covers the same core clinical content, although several components are printed as separate headings. This framework is therefore suitable for broad Middle East preparation while preserving authority-specific weighting differences.

Topic 1: Hemodialysis

Indications for maintenance and urgent hemodialysis, dialysis prescription and adequacy, vascular access selection and complications, dialyzer and membrane principles, anticoagulation, water quality, intradialytic hypotension, cramps, disequilibrium, access infection, anemia and mineral-bone issues in dialysis patients, and long-term hemodialysis quality and safety.

Topic 2: Peritoneal Dialysis

CAPD and automated peritoneal dialysis, patient selection, prescription and adequacy, ultrafiltration and membrane transport, volume control, peritoneal equilibration concepts, catheter problems, exit-site infection, peritonitis diagnosis and treatment principles, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis and technique failure.

Topic 3: Kidney Transplantation

Donor and recipient evaluation, compatibility principles, induction and maintenance immunosuppression, calcineurin and other drug toxicities, acute and chronic rejection, delayed graft function, infection prophylaxis, post-transplant metabolic and cardiovascular complications, malignancy risk and evaluation of graft dysfunction.

Topic 4: Chronic Kidney Disease - Detection and Management

CKD definition and staging using eGFR and albuminuria, identification of reversible causes and progression risk, renoprotective therapy, blood-pressure and diabetes management, medication review and dose adjustment, anemia, CKD-mineral and bone disorder, metabolic acidosis, nutrition, cardiovascular risk, preparation for kidney replacement therapy and conservative kidney care.

Topic 5: Acute Kidney Injury and Critical Care Nephrology

KDIGO-based AKI recognition and staging, pre-renal, intrinsic and post-renal causes, urine and laboratory interpretation, drug- and contrast-associated injury, glomerular and interstitial causes, sepsis-associated AKI, hepatorenal syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, indications and timing principles for renal replacement therapy, and continuous renal replacement therapy fundamentals.

Topic 6: Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders

Assessment of volume status and osmolality; hyponatremia and hypernatremia; potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate disorders; metabolic acidosis and alkalosis; respiratory compensation; mixed acid-base disorders; anion gap and delta calculations; emergency hyperkalemia treatment; and safe correction strategies that avoid neurologic or cardiac complications.

Topic 7: Hypertension

Accurate blood-pressure assessment, primary and secondary hypertension, resistant hypertension, renovascular disease, endocrine and renal causes, hypertensive emergency, BP management in CKD and dialysis, drug selection and monitoring, volume-related hypertension and recognition of cases requiring further investigation or intervention.

Topic 8: Glomerular and Renal Vascular Disease

Nephritic and nephrotic syndromes, IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, FSGS, minimal-change disease, lupus nephritis, infection-related glomerulonephritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, anti-GBM disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, renal vascular disorders, complement-mediated disease, indications for kidney biopsy and evidence-based immunosuppressive treatment principles.

Topic 9: Cystic and Genetic Kidney Disease and Nephrolithiasis

ADPKD and other cystic disorders, Alport syndrome and inherited basement-membrane disease, common hereditary tubulopathies, genetic evaluation principles, stone composition and metabolic work-up, urine chemistry, acute stone management, prevention of recurrent calcium, uric-acid and other stones, and recognition of inherited stone disorders.

Topic 10: Patient Safety

Medication reconciliation and renal dose adjustment, nephrotoxin avoidance, prevention of dialysis and vascular-access errors, infection prevention, anticoagulation safety, hyperkalemia and severe electrolyte emergency pathways, contrast and procedure safety, communication during transitions of care, adverse-event reporting and escalation of deteriorating kidney patients.

Topic 11: Professionalism and Ethics

Informed consent and shared decision-making for dialysis, transplant and invasive procedures; confidentiality; documentation; equitable access to transplantation and dialysis; conflicts of interest; communication about prognosis; conservative kidney management; withholding or withdrawal of dialysis; end-of-life care; professional boundaries and appropriate referral.

Cross-Authority Focus: SCFHS and Qatar Use Almost the Same Nephrology Blueprint

The current SCFHS and Qatar Nephrology blueprints are nearly identical in content and weighting. CKD: Detection and Management carries 14%; Hemodialysis, AKI/Critical Care, Fluid-Electrolyte/Acid-Base Disorders and Glomerular/Vascular Disease each carry approximately 13%; Hypertension and Cystic/Genetic Disease with Nephrolithiasis carry about 7%; and Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplantation, Patient Safety and Professionalism/Ethics each carry about 5%. The UAE examination covers the same clinical areas, making one core nephrology preparation framework practical across these major authorities.

6. Recommended Reference Books

The UAE Specialist Nephrology guideline lists six references, while the current SCFHS Nephrology blueprint overlaps closely but uses the National Kidney Foundation's Primer on Kidney Diseases instead of Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. The following consolidated list captures the official core reading framework. Because nephrology recommendations evolve rapidly, candidates should also use current KDIGO and other major evidence-based guidelines for up-to-date management:

Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology by Floege, Johnson, Feehally and colleagues, latest edition. Core clinical reference listed by both the UAE guideline and SCFHS.

Brenner and Rector's The Kidney, latest edition. Comprehensive nephrology reference listed in the UAE Specialist Nephrology guideline.

National Kidney Foundation's Primer on Kidney Diseases by Gilbert, Weiner, Bomback, Perazella, Tonelli and colleagues, latest edition. Listed in the current SCFHS Nephrology blueprint.

Handbook of Dialysis by Daugirdas, Blake and Ing, latest edition. Core reference for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis principles, prescriptions and complications.

Handbook of Kidney Transplantation by Danovitch, latest edition. Core reference for transplant evaluation, immunosuppression, rejection and post-transplant care.

Professionalism and Ethics, Handbook for Residents, SCFHS, latest edition. Reference for professional conduct and ethical decision-making.

Essentials of Patient Safety, SCFHS, latest edition. Reference for patient-safety principles relevant to specialist nephrology practice.

Beyond textbook study, exam-day preparation benefits from high-quality MCQ practice. The Specialist Nephrology MCQ bank on prometricguide.com is designed around the 11-topic cross-authority framework above and includes 2500 plus questions with detailed explanations covering dialysis, transplantation, CKD, AKI, fluid-electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, glomerular disease, inherited kidney disease, patient safety and professional practice.

7. Two Ways We Can Help You Get Licensed

Prometric Guide supports Specialist Nephrology exam preparation across the Middle East, while our sister company Alzantra International supports the UAE licensing process.

For Exam Preparation: Prometric Guide (All Middle East Authorities)

Whether you are targeting DHA, MOHAP, DOH Abu Dhabi, SCFHS Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar DHP, NHRA Bahrain or Kuwait MOH, our MCQ bank provides one broad preparation base across the major Nephrology licensing destinations:

2500 plus Specialist Nephrology MCQs mapped to the 11-topic cross-authority framework.

Detailed explanations with references to Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, Brenner and Rector, the NKF Primer, Handbook of Dialysis, Handbook of Kidney Transplantation and current evidence-based kidney guidelines.

Free introductory mock tests and topic-wise practice sets.

High-yield coverage of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplantation, CKD, AKI, critical-care nephrology, fluid-electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, glomerular disease, genetic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis.

Access on any device, unlimited attempts.

Explore the full Specialist Nephrology exam preparation package on prometricguide.com.

For UAE Licensing Paperwork: Alzantra International (DHA, MOHAP, DOH)

For UAE licensing, Alzantra International supports Nephrology candidates targeting Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Abu Dhabi with documentation and licensing coordination.

DataFlow / primary-source verification of the medical degree, specialty qualification, professional licence and experience.

DHA Sheryan Specialist Nephrology application and assessment coordination for Dubai.

MOHAP specialist evaluation and licensing application for the Northern Emirates.

DOH Abu Dhabi Specialist Nephrology application through TAMM.

Medical degree, internship, main-specialty and nephrology sub-specialty qualification, experience and supporting-document preparation guidance.

Eligibility submission, tracking and follow-up.

CBT or additional assessment coordination where required.

Specialist licence activation and UAE facility-credentialing support.

Contact Alzantra International at www.alzantra.ae or [email protected] for UAE licensing support. For SCFHS/Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar DHP, NHRA Bahrain and Kuwait MOH, use the relevant regulator's official pathway.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for Specialist Nephrology?

For DHA, MOHAP and DOH, Specialist Nephrology is 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 65% pass mark. SCFHS publishes 65% for Registrar and 70% for Senior Registrar. Qatar DHP publishes 65% for the Nephrology qualifying exam. NHRA Bahrain publishes 60% for Bahrain licensure examinations when an examination is assigned. Oman and Kuwait should be followed according to the current pathway assigned by the regulator.

What qualifications are needed for the Specialist Nephrology title?

A recognised primary medical degree plus recognised Nephrology specialty or sub-specialty training is required. In many systems, nephrology follows a recognised Internal Medicine main-specialty pathway. The exact qualification, fellowship duration, experience and examination requirement depend on how the regulator classifies your main specialty and nephrology credential; a general Internal Medicine qualification alone should not be assumed to confer the Nephrology title.

How many questions are in the Specialist Nephrology exam?

DHA, MOHAP and DOH use the same UAE Nephrology specification: 150 MCQs in 3 hours. SCFHS uses 200 MCQs in 4 hours. Qatar DHP lists 150 MCQs; its current page states 3 hours, while the published 2023 blueprint states 3.5 hours. A current standalone Nephrology occupational-classification format was not verified for Oman, and Kuwait does not publish a standalone Nephrology blueprint in its current public Prometric booklet.

Which reference books should I use?

The official UAE/SCFHS reading framework includes Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, Brenner and Rector's The Kidney or the NKF Primer on Kidney Diseases, Handbook of Dialysis, Handbook of Kidney Transplantation, SCFHS Professionalism and Ethics and SCFHS Essentials of Patient Safety. Current KDIGO and other major kidney guidelines should supplement these texts for contemporary management.

Can I complete the exam from my home country?

Often yes when the assigned assessment is delivered through an international Prometric testing network. Availability depends on the regulator, eligibility period, exam provider and test centres shown during scheduling. Oman should be confirmed first because Nephrology is not currently listed on OMSB's active Occupational Classification exam list.

How is the SCFHS Nephrology classification exam different?

SCFHS lists Nephrology as a dedicated classification exam with 200 MCQs over 4 hours. CKD: Detection and Management carries 14%; Hemodialysis, AKI/Critical Care, Fluid-Electrolyte/Acid-Base Disorders and Glomerular/Vascular Disease each carry 13%; Hypertension and Cystic/Genetic Disease with Nephrolithiasis carry 7%; and Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplantation, Patient Safety and Professionalism/Ethics each carry 5%. The passing score is 65% for Registrar and 70% for Senior Registrar.

How many attempts do I get?

Attempt rules vary by authority. UAE examinations follow the Unified PQR framework of three attempts across the UAE Authorities, with limited provisions for additional attempts. Qatar's current qualifying-examination page allows five consecutive attempts for listed specialist physician exams. Bahrain allows four initial licensure-exam attempts within three years before retraining rules apply.

Does every Middle East authority use the same Specialist Nephrology exam?

No. DHA, MOHAP and DOH use the same UAE Nephrology specification; SCFHS uses a 200-question classification examination; Qatar uses its own 150-question specialty qualifying examination when required; Bahrain may assign the general medical-practitioner licensure exam; and the current Nephrology pathway should be confirmed directly for Oman and Kuwait.

Is Nephrology considered a sub-specialty of Internal Medicine for licensing?

Commonly yes, but the exact regulatory structure depends on the authority and the qualification held. The UAE PQR specifically provides a clinical sub-specialty evaluation pathway for physicians, and a Nephrology applicant may need to demonstrate both the recognised main-specialty foundation and the accepted nephrology sub-specialty certificate or fellowship. Other regulators classify the title under their own specialty systems.

What is the best MCQ bank for Specialist Nephrology exam preparation?

The Specialist Nephrology MCQ bank on prometricguide.com includes 2500 plus questions aligned to the 11-topic cross-authority framework, with detailed explanations covering dialysis, transplantation, CKD, AKI, fluid-electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, glomerular and vascular disease, hereditary kidney disease, nephrolithiasis, patient safety and professional practice.

9. Final Thoughts

Specialist Nephrology is a recognised physician specialty or sub-specialty across the major Middle East health authorities, but the route to the title and examination requirement is not uniform. The UAE authorities use a common 150-question examination specification, SCFHS uses a 200-question classification exam, and Qatar uses a dedicated Nephrology qualifying examination when the applicant's qualification category requires it. Oman and Kuwait require more pathway-specific confirmation because a current standalone Nephrology examination is not clearly listed in their active public licensing materials.

Prepare around the complete nephrology scope: dialysis, kidney transplantation, CKD detection and progression management, AKI and critical-care nephrology, fluid-electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, glomerular and vascular disease, hereditary kidney disorders, nephrolithiasis, patient safety and professionalism. Use current KDIGO and other major evidence-based guidance alongside the regulator-listed textbooks because nephrology treatment standards change rapidly.

Prometric Guide supports Specialist Nephrology candidates preparing across the major Middle East health authorities.