The complete guide to the NHRA (Bahrain) licensing exam
Read this first: NHRA's Dental Professional Qualification Requirements state that a General Dental licence is reserved for Bahraini nationals. Non-Bahraini dentists are licensed at Specialist or Consultant level. If that fits you, here's how NHRA's process and its exam, the Bahrain Dental Licensure Examination (BDLE), work.
At a glance
Checked 1 October 2026
- Regulator
- National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA)
- Who can hold a GD licence
- Bahraini nationals only — non-Bahrainis at Specialist or Consultant level
- Pass mark
- 60% (BDLE at Prometric)
- Attempts
- 4 consecutive attempts within 3 years of your first sitting
Straight from NHRA's own documents
The rules NHRA publishes
From NHRA's Dental PQR and its licensure examination rules.
General Dental licence
NHRA reserves the General Dental licence for Bahraini nationals. Non-Bahrainis are licensed as Specialists or Consultants.
Pass mark
Published by NHRA. Prometric gives 2.5 hours of exam time; the question count is not published.
Attempt window
Up to four consecutive attempts, but all of them have to fall within three years of your first sitting.
Result validity
A BDLE result is valid for five years.
The pathway
From facility invitation to a Bahrain licence
NHRA's process for non-Bahraini applicants, from its official requirements document.
Step 1: A licensed facility invites you
The healthcare facility that will employ you invites you through NHRA's Munshaat system. You then receive an email link to apply in MEHAN, NHRA's licensing portal.
Step 2: Submit your MEHAN application
Include a verification report from Dataflow or Quadrabay covering all qualifications, experience, good standing and licence; a good-standing certificate from your last licensing authority; and the 20 BD application fee.
Step 3: Receive your eligibility code
Once NHRA approves your application, it issues an eligibility code. Each code is for a single attempt; after a fail it is reactivated for the next one.
Step 4: Book your Prometric slot
Booking runs through Prometric directly once your eligibility code is active.
Step 5: Sit the exam
The BDLE is a computer-based exam at Prometric: 2.5 hours of exam time within a 3-hour appointment. The question count is not published. Exams sat before or during your internship are not accepted.
Step 6: Your result
60% is a pass. The result stays valid for five years.
Read this before you book
NHRA rules to know before you apply
From NHRA's Dental PQR and Decision No. 29 of 2020.
Four attempts, a three-year window
Decision No. 29 of 2020 allows four consecutive attempts, all within three years of your first attempt.
Retraining after a 4th fail is for Bahrainis
The six-month retraining period followed by two more attempts applies to Bahraini applicants only. For non-Bahrainis, four attempts is the limit.
Verification is required
Your MEHAN application needs a verification report from Dataflow or Quadrabay covering all qualifications, full experience, good standing and licence.
General Dental licence: Bahrainis only
NHRA's Dental PQR reserves the General Dental licence for Bahraini nationals. Check which title you qualify for before you spend on verification and the exam.
One code, one attempt
Each eligibility code covers a single attempt. If you fail, NHRA reactivates it for your next attempt.
No shared attempt pool with other authorities
Results from other authorities don't count toward NHRA's attempts — Bahrain keeps its own count. Only Bahraini or GCC nationals with a valid GCC licence are exempt from the BDLE.
What the exam actually covers
No published blueprint
NHRA doesn't publish a blueprint or subject weights. These are the core General Dentist areas candidates report — not an official NHRA list.
- Operative Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
Practise NHRA-style questions
20 questions free, with dentist-written explanations. No card needed.
NHRA FAQ
Questions candidates actually ask
Answered against NHRA's own published policy, not assumptions carried over from DHA.
How many attempts do I actually get at NHRA?
Four consecutive attempts, all within three years of your first attempt (Decision No. 29 of 2020).
What happens if I fail four times?
Bahraini applicants can do at least six months of retraining in a licensed Bahrain facility, then get two more attempts within two years. NHRA states this applies to Bahrainis only.
Do I need DataFlow verification for Bahrain?
Yes. NHRA's requirements for non-Bahrainis list a verification report from Dataflow or Quadrabay covering all qualifications, full experience, good standing and licence.
Can a non-Bahraini get a General Dental licence?
Not according to NHRA's Dental PQR, which reserves the General Dental licence for Bahraini nationals. Non-Bahraini dentists are licensed at Specialist or Consultant level, which have their own qualification requirements.
What score do I need, and how long is it valid?
60% is the pass mark, and a BDLE result is valid for five years. NHRA doesn't publish when results are released.
Does my DHA, QCHP or SMLE result count for anything at NHRA?
Not toward NHRA's attempts. The BDLE exemption is only for Bahraini or GCC nationals who hold a valid GCC licence.
Where do I actually apply?
A licensed Bahrain facility first invites you through Munshaat; you then apply in MEHAN with your verification report, good-standing certificate and the 20 BD fee. Once approved, you get the eligibility code to book at Prometric.
Official sources
Checked 1 October 2026
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Rules change — confirm with the regulator before you book or apply.
- NHRA Dental Professional Qualification Requirements, v2.2 (PDF)National Health Regulatory Authority (Bahrain)(opens in a new tab)
- NHRA licensure examination rules (PDF)National Health Regulatory Authority (Bahrain)(opens in a new tab)
- New licence application for non-Bahrainis (PDF)National Health Regulatory Authority (Bahrain)(opens in a new tab)
- NHRA healthcare professionals licensingNational Health Regulatory Authority (Bahrain)(opens in a new tab)
- Prometric — NHRA exam programme (exam time)Prometric (official NHRA test vendor)(opens in a new tab)
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