Becoming A Doctor In Bahrain: A Comprehensive Guide

To become a doctor in Bahrain, you must first obtain a Bahrain Medical License. To be eligible for this, you need a job offer, a minimum of three to five years of experience, and proof of certification in your specialist area. The ideal candidate will also have a grasp of Arabic and/or excellence in spoken English. It is also worth noting that female doctors are preferred for some specialties, including obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology, and IVF and fertility medicine.

Qualifications and certifications

To become a doctor in Bahrain, you will need to obtain the necessary medical qualifications and certifications recognised by the country. Here are the steps you need to take:

• Complete your Medical Degree: Obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree or its international equivalent from an accredited medical institution. Ensure that your medical degree is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bahrain Medical Council.
• Obtain Specialisation (Optional): While not mandatory, pursuing a specialisation can enhance your career prospects. Specialisation can be in the form of a residency programme, a fellowship, or a postgraduate degree (Master's or Doctorate) in your chosen field of medicine.
• Register with the Bahrain Medical Council: Register yourself with the Bahrain Medical Council (BMC) by submitting your medical qualifications, proof of specialisation (if applicable), and any other required documents. The BMC will assess your qualifications and determine your eligibility to practice medicine in Bahrain.
• Language Proficiency: A good grasp of the Arabic language is advantageous, but all hospitals will expect proficiency in spoken English. You may be required to provide proof of English language proficiency through standardised tests such as IELTS.
• Gain Work Experience: Most healthcare institutions in Bahrain require doctors to have a minimum of three to five years of work experience in their respective fields. This experience can be gained through internships, residencies, or employment in healthcare facilities.
• Secure a Job Offer: To obtain a medical licence in Bahrain, you will need to have a valid job offer from a recognised healthcare institution in the country. This offer is usually conditional upon obtaining the necessary licence to practice.
• Apply for a Medical Licence: Submit your application for a medical licence to the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). They will assess your qualifications and work experience and determine your eligibility to sit for the Bahrain Medical Licensing Examination (BMLE).
• Sit for the BMLE: The BMLE is a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions. It is conducted three times a year, usually in December, March, and June. Passing this examination is a prerequisite for obtaining your medical licence.
• Receive Your Passing Letter: Once you have successfully passed the BMLE, you will receive a passing letter from the NHRA.
• Employer Submission and Visa Application: Your employer will then submit the necessary documents, including your passing letter, to the NHRA for the final approval of your medical licence. Simultaneously, they will initiate the process for your visa application.
• Complete Medical Requirements: Undergo the required medical examinations and obtain your CPR certification. These documents will be submitted to the NHRA as part of the final steps in obtaining your medical licence.
• Finalise Payment and Receive Your Licence: After submitting all the necessary documents and making the required payments, you will be issued your medical licence by the NHRA. Congratulations, you are now licensed to practice medicine in Bahrain!

Language requirements

To become a doctor in Bahrain, a grasp of the Arabic language is always helpful but all hospitals will expect excellence in spoken English or an IELTS score.

The only two universities offering a medical education in Bahrain are RCSI and AGU, and those are 15,000+ BD per year for citizens of all nationalities, including Bahrainis. However, it is worth noting that the universities are not accredited by the MOH or MOE, and some graduates have found it difficult to find employment as doctors in Bahrain.

To practice as a doctor in Bahrain, you must obtain a Bahrain Medical License. The process is as follows:

• You need to have a job offer to apply for the license.
• You need five years of experience.
• After submitting the application form, you will be informed that you can sit for the exam, i.e., BMLE, which usually happens in December and March. If you hold a postgraduate degree, you can be exempted.
• Take and pass the exam and receive a passing letter.
• Your employer then submits the passing letter to NHRA for the license. Some other forms are required, which are available on the NHRA website.
• NHRA will issue a letter, and your employer will apply to LMRA for your visa.
• After your medical and CPR are done, these will be submitted to NHRA.
• NHRA will issue a letter demanding payment.
• After payment, the license card is issued.

Gender preferences for certain specialisms

In Bahrain, female doctors are preferred for some medical specialisms. These include:

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Dermatology
• IVF and Fertility Medicine

While female doctors are preferred for the above, a grasp of the Arabic language is always helpful for doctors in Bahrain. However, all hospitals will expect excellence in spoken English or an IELTS score.

Getting a Bahrain Medical License

To obtain a Bahrain Medical License, non-Bahrainis need to follow these steps:

• Get a job offer from a Bahrain-based employer.
• Have at least five years of experience. However, this requirement can be waived if your spouse is a Bahraini doctor or if you hold a postgraduate degree.
• Submit your application form to the NHRA (National Authority for Regulating Professions and Health Services).
• Take and pass the BMLE (Bahrain Medical Licensing Exam), which is held in Bahrain around December and March. Certain specialists and consultants may be exempt from taking this exam.
• Receive a passing letter from the NHRA.
• Have your employer submit the passing letter to the NHRA for your license.
• Submit the required medical and CPR documents to the NHRA.
• Make the necessary payments as instructed by the NHRA.
• Receive your license card.

In addition to the above steps, it is beneficial to have a good grasp of the Arabic language. All hospitals will expect excellence in spoken English or an IELTS score.

Medical schools in Bahrain

There are four medical schools in Bahrain, two of which are public and two are private.

Public Medical Schools

The College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University offers the following courses:

• M.D in Medicine
• Diploma and MSc in Laboratory Medicine, Health Professions Education, Health Policy and Population Studies
• Doctorate in Molecular Medicine

The College of Health Sciences offers:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Associate degrees in Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Radiography Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology Program, Pharmacy Technician and Public Health

Private Medical Schools

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) is a world-class institution, recognised internationally for its excellence in healthcare education and training. The RCSI Bahrain is a constituent university of the RCSI in Dublin, Ireland. It offers:

• MB BCh BAO in Medicine
• BSc in Nursing

Frequently asked questions