Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 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 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation-trained physician planning to practise as a Specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in the Middle East, your licensing pathway will depend on the country, the recognition tier of your postgraduate qualification and the health authority you are applying to. Several regulators use a dedicated Rehabilitation Medicine examination, but the exam format, passing standard and 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 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation candidates.

1. What is the Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Exam?

The Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation licensing or classification examination assesses whether a physician with recognised rehabilitation-medicine training has the clinical knowledge, functional-assessment skills, rehabilitation planning ability and patient-safety awareness required for specialist practice. The scope spans neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, amputee, prosthetic, orthotic, geriatric, burns and cancer rehabilitation together with chronic pain, functional recovery and professional practice.

Question type: Where a computer-based Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation examination is required, questions are predominantly single-best-answer multiple-choice questions, usually built around clinical rehabilitation scenarios. The exact blueprint and 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 platform. Saudi Board training examinations are separate from the SCFHS professional classification exam and may include written and clinical components.

Result: Reporting varies by authority. DHA, MOHAP and DOH use the UAE Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specification; SCFHS publishes Registrar and Senior Registrar pass thresholds; Qatar DHP publishes a percentage pass standard; and Bahrain uses its general medical-practitioner licensure examination when an exam is assigned.

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

2. Middle East Health Authorities and Regulatory Pathways for Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Each regulator has its own specialist-classification route, and a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 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 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Passing Marks and Exam Format

Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation examination specifications differ across Middle East regulators. Across DHA, MOHAP and DOH, the same UAE specification applies: 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 65% pass mark. SCFHS and Qatar publish separate Rehabilitation Medicine examination standards.

*Qatar note: the current DHP qualifying-examination webpage lists Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as 150 MCQs in 3 hours with a 65% pass mark, while DHP's published specialty blueprint lists the same 150-MCQ examination as 3.5 hours. Candidates should follow the duration shown on their current eligibility and booking confirmation. The current DHP page permits five consecutive attempts for listed specialist qualifying examinations.

4. Eligibility Criteria for Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Candidates

The exact requirements differ by regulator and depend heavily on how the postgraduate Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation qualification is classified. A primary medical degree alone is not sufficient for the Specialist title; applicants need recognised postgraduate 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.

Specialty qualification: A recognised postgraduate qualification, board certification or structured residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Rehabilitation Medicine / Physiatry or an authority-recognised equivalent is required. The exact title granted depends on the regulator's recognised qualification tables.

UAE experience requirement: Under the current UAE Unified PQR, Tier 1 and Tier 2 Specialist physician qualifications require no experience after obtaining the recognised main specialty qualification. For Tier 3 main-specialty qualifications, UAE nationals and children of Emirati women generally require one year, while non-UAE nationals require three years of post-qualification specialty experience.

Saudi classification: SCFHS explicitly recognises Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and lists Rehabilitation Medicine as a professional classification examination. The classification blueprint uses Registrar and Senior Registrar passing thresholds, while Saudi Board training examinations follow a separate training-program assessment pathway.

Qatar qualification categories: Qatar DHP uses physician specialty categories. Category 1 requires 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 documents must support the professional title and scope claimed in the application.

Primary Source Verification: The primary medical degree, PM&R 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 residency or specialty-training certificates, transcripts, board certificates, experience letters and documentation showing exposure to neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatric, cardiopulmonary and amputee rehabilitation.

Procedure and privilege scope: Knowledge of electrodiagnostic medicine, spasticity management, musculoskeletal injections, rehabilitation technology and other procedures may be examined, but clinical permission to perform individual procedures depends on the regulator, facility privileges and documented training.

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 qualification and title.

5. Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Syllabus and Core Study Areas Across Middle East Health Authorities

The 14 study areas below are directly supported by the UAE Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation examination guideline and align almost exactly with the current SCFHS Rehabilitation Medicine classification blueprint and Qatar DHP PM&R blueprint. SCFHS assigns the highest weight to Spinal Cord Injury at 12%, followed by Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury and Musculoskeletal/Sport/Chronic Pain Rehabilitation at 10% each. This makes the 14-domain framework highly transferable across the major Gulf examinations.

Topic 1: Spinal Cord Injury

Neurologic level and completeness of injury, ISNCSCI/ASIA assessment, acute and chronic complications, autonomic dysreflexia, neurogenic bladder and bowel, pressure injury prevention, respiratory and cardiovascular issues, spasticity, pain, sexuality and fertility, mobility, equipment, community reintegration and long-term rehabilitation planning.

Topic 2: Stroke Rehabilitation

Early rehabilitation assessment after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, motor recovery, spasticity, dysphagia, aphasia, neglect, cognitive impairment, shoulder pain, mobility and gait, upper-limb recovery, secondary prevention, discharge planning and multidisciplinary goal setting.

Topic 3: Traumatic Brain Injury

Severity assessment, disorders of consciousness, cognitive and behavioral sequelae, agitation, post-traumatic amnesia, seizures, spasticity, dysphagia, neuroendocrine issues, headache, return to school/work, family education and staged interdisciplinary rehabilitation.

Topic 4: Musculoskeletal, Sports and Chronic Pain Rehabilitation

Musculoskeletal examination, spine and peripheral-joint disorders, soft-tissue injuries, overuse syndromes, sports injuries, chronic pain mechanisms, myofascial pain, exercise prescription, rehabilitation after injury, non-operative management, injections within scope and biopsychosocial pain rehabilitation.

Topic 5: Amputation, Prosthetics and Orthotics

Pre-amputation and postoperative rehabilitation, residual-limb care, pain and phantom-limb symptoms, prosthetic components and prescription, gait training, upper-limb prosthetics, orthotic principles, footwear and bracing, complication prevention and functional outcome assessment.

Topic 6: Pediatric Rehabilitation

Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular disorders, developmental disability, pediatric brain and spinal injury, gait abnormalities, contracture prevention, feeding and swallowing issues, spasticity management, assistive technology, school participation and family-centred rehabilitation.

Topic 7: Rheumatology Rehabilitation

Functional management of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory spondyloarthritis, connective-tissue disease, osteoarthritis and other rheumatic conditions; pain, fatigue, joint protection, exercise, splinting, assistive devices, work modification and rehabilitation around medical or surgical treatment.

Topic 8: Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after fractures, joint replacement, tendon and ligament injury, spine surgery and other orthopedic procedures; weight-bearing restrictions, range-of-motion restoration, strengthening, gait progression, complication recognition and criteria for safe return to function.

Topic 9: Neurologic Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology

Rehabilitation of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, peripheral neuropathy, motor neuron and neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders and other neurologic disability; functional assessment, gait and balance, spasticity, fatigue, assistive technology, and fundamental EMG/NCS and neurophysiology concepts.

Topic 10: Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Patient selection, exercise testing principles, aerobic and resistance prescription, risk stratification, monitoring, rehabilitation after acute coronary disease and cardiac procedures, heart failure, COPD and chronic respiratory disease, oxygen considerations and safe progression of functional activity.

Topic 11: Burns and Oncology Rehabilitation

Positioning, contracture prevention, scar management, splinting, range of motion, pain and pruritus after burns; rehabilitation of cancer-related weakness, neuropathy, lymphedema, fatigue, deconditioning, treatment complications, survivorship issues and palliative rehabilitation goals.

Topic 12: Geriatric Rehabilitation

Frailty, falls, sarcopenia, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, mobility decline, deconditioning, cognitive impairment, osteoporosis, balance training, assistive devices, post-hospital rehabilitation, functional goal setting and safe discharge planning in older adults.

Topic 13: Patient Safety

Correct patient identification, falls and pressure-injury prevention, safe transfers, medication and anticoagulation awareness, DVT prophylaxis, aspiration risk, equipment safety, skin protection, infection prevention, emergency recognition, team communication, incident reporting and prevention of avoidable rehabilitation-related harm.

Topic 14: Professionalism and Ethics

Informed consent and capacity, rehabilitation goal setting, confidentiality, disability rights, shared decision-making, professional boundaries, documentation, allocation of rehabilitation resources, return-to-work and driving decisions, end-of-life rehabilitation issues, ethical use of assistive technology and appropriate referral.

Cross-Authority Focus: UAE, SCFHS and Qatar Use Nearly the Same 14-Domain Framework

The UAE guideline, the SCFHS Rehabilitation Medicine classification blueprint and Qatar's published PM&R blueprint are exceptionally well aligned. SCFHS weights Spinal Cord Injury at 12%; Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury and Musculoskeletal/Sport/Chronic Pain Rehabilitation at 10% each; Amputation/Prosthetics/Orthotics and Pediatric Rehabilitation at 8% each; Rheumatology at 7%; and the remaining clinical, safety and professionalism domains at 5% each. Qatar's published item distribution closely mirrors the same structure.

6. Recommended Reference Books

The UAE Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation guideline lists seven core references, and the SCFHS Rehabilitation Medicine classification blueprint uses the same foundation while additionally listing the SCFHS Professionalism and Ethics handbook. Use the latest available editions:

Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by David X. Cifu, latest edition. Broad core reference for PM&R diagnosis, rehabilitation planning, procedures and disability management.

DeLisa's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice by Walter R. Frontera and colleagues, latest edition. Comprehensive reference across neurologic, musculoskeletal and medical rehabilitation.

Brain Injury Medicine: Principles and Practice by Nathan Zasler, Douglas Katz, Ross Zafonte and colleagues, latest edition. Core reference for traumatic brain injury and neurorehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Medicine: Principles and Practice by Vernon W. Lin and colleagues, latest edition. Detailed reference for spinal cord injury medicine and rehabilitation.

Understanding Patient Safety by Robert Wachter and Kiran Gupta, latest edition. Reference for systems-based safety, error prevention and quality improvement.

Essentials of Patient Safety, SCFHS, latest edition. Patient-safety reference used in current regional examination guidance.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review by Sara J. Cuccurullo, latest edition. High-yield board-style PM&R review across the major rehabilitation domains.

Professionalism and Ethics, Handbook for Residents, SCFHS, latest edition. Additional SCFHS reference for ethical decision-making and professional practice.

Beyond textbook study, exam-day preparation benefits from high-quality MCQ practice. The Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation MCQ bank on prometricguide.com is designed around the 14-domain cross-authority framework above and includes 2500 plus questions with detailed explanations covering neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, amputee and complex rehabilitation care.

7. Two Ways We Can Help You Get Licensed

There are two distinct phases in your Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation journey to the Middle East. Prometric Guide supports examination preparation, 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 Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation MCQ bank is designed to provide one broad preparation base covering the core specialist knowledge shared across these licensing destinations:

2500 plus Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation MCQs mapped to the 14-domain cross-authority framework.

Detailed explanations with references to Braddom, DeLisa, Brain Injury Medicine, Spinal Cord Medicine, Cuccurullo and current rehabilitation evidence.

Free introductory mock tests and topic-wise practice sets.

High-yield coverage of spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, musculoskeletal and pain rehabilitation, prosthetics/orthotics, pediatric and geriatric rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, patient safety and professionalism.

Access on any device, unlimited attempts.

Explore the full Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation exam preparation package on prometricguide.com.

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

The examination is only one step in a multi-stage UAE specialist licensing journey. Our Dubai-based sister company Alzantra International supports Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation candidates targeting Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Abu Dhabi with the documentation and licensing process:

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

DHA Sheryan Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation application and assessment coordination for Dubai.

MOHAP specialist evaluation and licensing application for the Northern Emirates.

DOH Abu Dhabi Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation application through TAMM.

Medical degree, internship, PM&R residency/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 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

For DHA, MOHAP and DOH, Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 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 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation qualifying exam. NHRA Bahrain publishes 60% for Bahrain licensure examinations when an examination is assigned.

Which postgraduate qualifications can lead to the Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation title?

A recognised primary medical degree plus an accepted postgraduate qualification, board certification or structured residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine or an authority-recognised equivalent is the basic pathway. Recognition depends on the target authority's qualification tables, so a degree title alone does not guarantee the Specialist title or an exam exemption.

How many questions are in the Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation exam?

DHA, MOHAP and DOH use the same UAE specification: 150 MCQs in 3 hours. SCFHS uses 200 MCQs in 4 hours. Qatar DHP lists 150 MCQs; its current webpage states 3 hours, while its published PM&R blueprint states 3.5 hours. Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait should be followed according to the assessment actually assigned.

Which reference books should I use?

The UAE guideline lists Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, DeLisa's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brain Injury Medicine, Spinal Cord Medicine, Understanding Patient Safety, SCFHS Essentials of Patient Safety and Cuccurullo's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review. SCFHS also lists its Professionalism and Ethics handbook.

Can I complete the exam from my home country?

Often yes when the assigned assessment is delivered through an international test network such as Prometric. Availability depends on the authority, eligibility period, exam provider and test centres shown during scheduling.

How is the SCFHS Rehabilitation Medicine classification exam different?

SCFHS lists Rehabilitation Medicine as a dedicated classification exam with 200 MCQs over 4 hours. Its 14-domain blueprint gives 12% to Spinal Cord Injury; 10% each to Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury and Musculoskeletal/Sport/Chronic Pain Rehabilitation; 8% each to Amputation/Prosthetics/Orthotics and Pediatric Rehabilitation; 7% to Rheumatology Rehabilitation; and 5% to each remaining domain. 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 permits five consecutive attempts for listed specialist exams. Bahrain allows four initial licensure-exam attempts within three years before retraining rules apply.

Does every Middle East authority use the same Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation exam?

No. DHA, MOHAP and DOH use the same UAE specification, SCFHS uses a 200-question Rehabilitation Medicine classification exam, Qatar uses its own 150-question PM&R exam when required, Bahrain may assign the general medical-practitioner licensure examination, and a current standalone PM&R Occupational Classification exam specification was not verified for Oman.

Is Rehabilitation Medicine the same as Physiotherapy?

No. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a physician medical specialty. Physiotherapy is a separate allied-health profession with its own education, scope, licensing title and examination pathway. A PM&R specialist leads medical diagnosis and rehabilitation management within physician scope, often working within a multidisciplinary team that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals.

What is the best MCQ bank for Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation exam preparation?

The Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation MCQ bank on prometricguide.com includes 2500 plus questions aligned to the 14-domain cross-authority framework, with detailed explanations covering neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, amputee, geriatric and complex rehabilitation care.

9. Final Thoughts

Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a recognised physician specialty across the major Middle East health authorities, but the licensing examination is not uniform. The UAE authorities use a common 150-question specification, SCFHS uses a separate 200-question Rehabilitation Medicine classification exam, Qatar uses its own PM&R qualifying examination when required, and other regulators may use broader physician-licensure or authority-specific assessment pathways.

Prepare around the full rehabilitation-medicine scope: spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, musculoskeletal and chronic pain rehabilitation, amputation/prosthetics/orthotics, pediatric and geriatric rehabilitation, rheumatologic and orthopedic rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, burns and cancer rehabilitation, patient safety and professionalism. Match the final phase of revision to the weighting and format of the authority actually assigned to you.

Prometric Guide supports Specialist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation candidates preparing across the major Middle East health authorities.