NHRA Bahrain Nursing Exam — 2026
The NHRA nursing exam (National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain) is the licensing test nurses must pass to work in Bahrain. It is delivered by Prometric with a 2h 30m testing time. The pass mark is 60%.
Your Complete Guide to Nursing Licensure in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Notes PDF, Q&A bank, mock tests & live coaching — pass on your first attempt.
NHRA Bahrain exam at a glance (2026)
The NHRA nursing licensing exam for Bahrain is a computer-based test delivered by Prometric for National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain. Candidates must score at least 60% to pass. NHRA weights medical-surgical and pharmacology more heavily than most GCC exams, so cardiac, renal and drug-calculation practice dominate a smart study plan.
- Regulator
- National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain
- Testing vendor
- Prometric
- Total questions
- The question count is not published by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain — confirm on the official portal before booking.
- Exam duration
- 2.5 hours of exam time (3 hours total seat time at the Prometric centre).
- Passing score
- The published NHRA pass mark is 60%.
- Exam fee
- The exam fee is not published by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain — confirm on the official portal before booking.
- Language
- English
- Re-attempt rules
- 4 attempts within 3 years of the first attempt. After a 4th fail: 6 months of retraining, then 2 more attempts within 2 years. The eligibility number is valid for 4 months.
Source: Prometric — NHRA Bahrain candidate information · Prometric candidate information · Verified 2026-09-30
How NHRA compares with the other GCC nursing licensing exams
| Exam | Country | Questions | Duration | Pass mark | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNLE | Saudi Arabia | 200 | 240 min | 500 scaled (200–800) | Prometric |
| DHA | UAE | 150 | 180 min | 50% | Prometric |
| MOH Kuwait | Kuwait | 150 | 170 min | 60% | Prometric |
| NHRA | Bahrain | Not published | 150 min | 60% | Prometric |
| DOH | UAE | Not published | Not published | Not published | Pearson VUE |
| MOHAP | UAE | Not published | Not published | Not published | Prometric |
| QCHP | Qatar | 150 | 180 min | 50% | Prometric |
| OMSB | Oman | 100 | 150 min | Not published | Pearson VUE |
Only figures published by each regulator or its testing vendor are shown. Where a board does not publish a question count, duration or pass mark, we say so rather than estimate — always confirm on the authority's own portal before booking.
Reviewed by Phoenix RN Clinical Faculty, Registered Nurse Educators at Phoenix RN Coaching Center · Last reviewed 6 August 2026
NHRA exam facts verified against the official source
Published by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain and delivered by Prometric. Last verified 2026-09-30.
| Regulator | National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain |
|---|---|
| Testing vendor | Prometric |
| Total questions | The question count is not published by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain — confirm on the official portal before booking. |
| Exam duration | 2.5 hours of exam time (3 hours total seat time at the Prometric centre). |
| Passing score | The published NHRA pass mark is 60%. |
| Exam fee | The exam fee is not published by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Kingdom of Bahrain — confirm on the official portal before booking. |
| Language | English |
| Re-attempt rules | 4 attempts within 3 years of the first attempt. After a 4th fail: 6 months of retraining, then 2 more attempts within 2 years. The eligibility number is valid for 4 months. |
What NHRA does not publish
- Number of questions
- Examination fee
Other sites quote numbers for these. We do not — NHRA has never published them, so any figure you see elsewhere is an estimate. Confirm the current details in your own application portal before booking.
Official licensing pathway
- Create an account on the NHRA licensing portal and submit your professional licence application
- Complete document verification as instructed by NHRA
- Receive the Prometric authorisation to test once NHRA approves your file
- Book and sit the computer-based examination at a Prometric test centre
- Complete the NHRA licence issuance step after a pass result
Official eligibility requirements
- Recognised nursing qualification accepted by NHRA for the applied category
- Valid nursing registration and good standing certificate from the country of practice
Are You Ready for the NHRA Exam?
Answer 5 quick questions to find out your readiness level
Have you completed your BSc Nursing or equivalent degree?
Do you have 2+ years of clinical nursing experience?
Have you studied pharmacology and drug calculations recently?
Are you familiar with the exam format and question types?
Have you taken any practice tests in the last 3 months?
Four Ways to Prepare for NHRA
From 1-on-1 live coaching to a 10-day crash course — pick what fits your timeline and budget for the NHRA Bahrain Prometric Exam.
NHRA Instructor-Led Coaching
Live · 1-on-1 or Batches
- Live NHRA classes taught by Phoenix RN
- 1-on-1 doubt-clearing sessions
- Full NHRA curriculum
- Weak-area diagnosis & personal plan
- WhatsApp support throughout course
Best if you want structure, accountability and live help
NHRA Guided Self-Study Plan
App-guided · Self-paced
- 4-week NHRA roadmap in the app
- 270+ NHRA video lessons — one per subtopic
- 6,000+ NHRA notes & 6,000+ Study Notes & Q&A
- Unlimited NHRA mock tests with analytics
- study assistant for any topic
- Learn on your own time, anywhere
Best for self-motivated Bahrain nurses on a tight budget
NHRA 10-Day Crash Course
Fast-track · Exam in 2 weeks
- Day-by-day NHRA high-yield revision
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- Unlimited NHRA mock tests with analytics
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Best when your NHRA exam is just 2 weeks away
NHRA Study Notes
Premium PDF Notes
- 6,000+ pages of organised NHRA notes
- Downloadable PDF library
- Built for the NHRA Bahrain Prometric Exam
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Q&A bank & mock tests included in the 4-Week Plan
Free NHRA resources
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NHRA Exam Overview
Everything you need to know about the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) nursing licensure exam
Duration
3 hours
Language
English
Validity
2 years (renewable)
Exam Fee
≈ USD 150 (BHD 55 application + exam combined)
NHRA Exam Syllabus & Topics
Click each topic to explore subtopics and their weightage in the NHRA Prometric exam
- Basic nursing care
- Patient safety
- Infection control
- Documentation standards
- Vital signs assessment
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Respiratory conditions
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Neurological conditions
- Endocrine disorders
- Drug classifications
- Dosage calculations
- Drug interactions
- Medication administration
- Adverse effects
- Mental health assessment
- Therapeutic communication
- Crisis intervention
- Psychopharmacology
- Public health principles
- Health education
- Professional ethics
- Bahrain healthcare regulations
Test Your NHRA Knowledge
Try these sample questions — select your answer to see instant feedback
1A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed Metformin 500mg twice daily. The patient reports experiencing diarrhea and nausea. What is the BEST nursing intervention?
2A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient after cholecystectomy. Which finding should be reported to the physician IMMEDIATELY?
3During a prenatal visit, a nurse performs Leopold's maneuvers on a 36-week pregnant woman. The nurse identifies a round, firm, ballotable mass in the fundal area. This finding indicates:
4A patient is receiving IV heparin therapy. The aPTT result is 120 seconds (therapeutic range: 60-80 seconds). What should the nurse do FIRST?
5A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient prescribed Warfarin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
Self-Study vs Phoenix RN for NHRA
See why 1000+ nurses chose our structured preparation over going it alone
Proven Preparation Strategy for NHRA
Follow this expert-recommended study plan to pass the NHRA exam on your first attempt
A proven 10-week preparation strategy for NHRA Bahrain exam begins with a diagnostic assessment to identify your weak areas. Weeks 1-3 should focus on Fundamentals and Medical-Surgical Nursing since they comprise 45% of the exam. Use clinical case studies rather than rote memorization — NHRA favors application-level questions that test clinical judgment.
Weeks 4-6 should be dedicated to Pharmacology, with daily practice of 10-15 drug calculation problems. Create drug classification flashcards organized by body system rather than alphabetically. Master the top 100 medications used in Bahrain hospitals.
Weeks 7-8 cover Maternal-Child Health and Psychiatric Nursing. Focus on emergency obstetric scenarios and pediatric emergency management. For psychiatric nursing, practice therapeutic communication techniques and understand psychopharmacology basics.
Weeks 9-10 are for comprehensive revision and mock tests. Take at least 3 full-length mock exams under timed conditions. Review every incorrect answer and understand the rationale. Phoenix RN provides mock tests that mirror the exact NHRA exam pattern with questions sourced from previous exam themes.
NHRA Bahrain Exam Syllabus — Detailed Breakdown
The NHRA Bahrain Prometric exam syllabus is carefully structured to assess a nurse's clinical competency across six core domains. Fundamentals of Nursing (20%) tests your understanding of basic nursing care principles including patient positioning, wound care, catheterization, nasogastric tube management, and oxygen therapy protocols specific to Bahrain's healthcare standards. Expect scenario-based questions on infection control measures aligned with NHRA guidelines, including proper hand hygiene technique, PPE usage, and isolation precautions.
Medical-Surgical Nursing (25%) is the highest-weighted section and covers cardiovascular disorders (MI management, heart failure, arrhythmias), respiratory conditions (COPD, asthma, pneumonia, chest tube management), gastrointestinal disorders (liver cirrhosis, GI bleeding, colostomy care), and neurological conditions (stroke management, seizure protocols, Glasgow Coma Scale assessment). Questions frequently test priority-setting and delegation skills in acute care scenarios.
Pharmacology (20%) focuses heavily on drug calculations, insulin administration protocols, anticoagulant therapy monitoring (warfarin INR levels, heparin aPTT), antibiotic classifications, and medication safety practices. You must know high-alert medications, look-alike/sound-alike drugs, and the rights of medication administration. NHRA places special emphasis on dosage calculation accuracy.
Maternal & Child Health (15%) covers the complete spectrum from prenatal assessment (Leopold's maneuvers, fetal heart monitoring) through labor stages, delivery complications, and postpartum hemorrhage management. Pediatric topics include immunization schedules used in Bahrain, growth milestones, and common childhood illnesses. Psychiatric Nursing (10%) and Community Health & Ethics (10%) round out the exam with questions on therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, Bahrain-specific healthcare regulations, and professional nursing ethics.
NHRA Exam Day Guide — What to Expect
Arrive at the Prometric center 30 minutes before your scheduled time with your valid passport (the same one used during registration). You'll go through identity verification and be assigned a computer station. You cannot bring any personal items — lockers are provided. The exam interface shows one question at a time with the ability to flag questions for review. Manage your time by spending no more than 1.5 minutes per question. If stuck, flag it and move on. Use the last 20 minutes to review flagged questions. Read each question stem carefully — NHRA questions often contain critical qualifiers like 'FIRST,' 'PRIORITY,' 'MOST IMPORTANT,' or 'BEST.' These qualifiers determine the correct answer among multiple seemingly correct options.
How NHRA Differs from Other GCC Nursing Exams
What sets the NHRA Bahrain exam apart from other GCC Prometric exams is its emphasis on Bahrain-specific healthcare regulations and the NHRA Code of Professional Conduct. The exam includes questions about Bahrain's healthcare system structure, patient rights under Bahraini law, and mandatory reporting requirements. Compared to DHA or SNLE, NHRA places relatively higher weight on Fundamentals of Nursing and Community Health, reflecting Bahrain's focus on primary healthcare delivery. The exam also tends to include more questions on infection control practices, which aligns with NHRA's strict infection prevention standards. The passing score of 60% is standard across GCC exams, but NHRA's question difficulty level is considered moderate, making it an excellent entry point for nurses new to the GCC licensing process.
NHRA Bahrain Sample Questions with Answers
Real-style NHRA Prometric practice questions with expert explanations. Explore the full bank. Visit our NHRA Q&A bank.
Q1. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed Metformin 500mg twice daily. The patient reports experiencing diarrhea and nausea. What is the BEST nursing intervention?
- A. Discontinue the medication immediately
- B. Advise the patient to take the medication with meals✓ Correct
- C. Switch to insulin therapy
- D. Reduce the dose to once daily
Explanation: Metformin commonly causes GI side effects. Taking it with meals reduces nausea and diarrhea. Discontinuing or changing the medication requires a physician's order.
Q2. A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient after cholecystectomy. Which finding should be reported to the physician IMMEDIATELY?
- A. Mild incisional pain rated 3/10
- B. Absent bowel sounds 6 hours post-op
- C. T-tube draining 400ml of greenish fluid in 24 hours✓ Correct
- D. Patient requesting clear liquid diet
Explanation: T-tube drainage exceeding 500ml/day or significant changes in color/amount should be reported. 400ml of greenish drainage in early post-op could indicate bile leak and needs immediate assessment.
Q3. During a prenatal visit, a nurse performs Leopold's maneuvers on a 36-week pregnant woman. The nurse identifies a round, firm, ballotable mass in the fundal area. This finding indicates:
- A. Breech presentation
- B. Cephalic (head-down) presentation✓ Correct
- C. Transverse lie
- D. Shoulder presentation
Explanation: A round, firm, ballotable mass in the fundal area is the fetal buttocks, indicating cephalic (head-down) presentation — the most favorable position for vaginal delivery.
Q4. A patient is receiving IV heparin therapy. The aPTT result is 120 seconds (therapeutic range: 60-80 seconds). What should the nurse do FIRST?
- A. Continue the infusion at the current rate
- B. Stop the heparin infusion✓ Correct
- C. Administer protamine sulfate
- D. Notify the physician and prepare vitamin K
Explanation: An aPTT of 120 seconds is significantly above the therapeutic range, indicating over-anticoagulation. The FIRST action is to stop the heparin infusion, then notify the physician. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin, not vitamin K.
Q5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient prescribed Warfarin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I will avoid eating large amounts of green leafy vegetables
- B. I will use a soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding
- C. I can take aspirin for headaches along with my warfarin✓ Correct
- D. I will report any unusual bruising to my doctor
Explanation: Taking aspirin with warfarin significantly increases bleeding risk due to the combined anticoagulant effects. This statement shows the patient needs further education about drug interactions.
Expert Exam Tips
- Master drug calculations — NHRA includes at least 10-15 pharmacology calculation questions that are easy scoring opportunities
- Focus on nursing PRIORITY questions — learn the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework and Maslow's hierarchy for prioritization
- Study Bahrain-specific healthcare regulations and the NHRA Code of Professional Conduct
- Practice time management — allocate 1.5 minutes per question maximum during the actual exam
- Learn laboratory values by heart — normal ranges for CBC, electrolytes, liver function, and renal function tests
- Understand delegation principles — know what can be delegated to nursing assistants vs. what requires RN-level care
- Review infection control protocols thoroughly — hand hygiene, standard precautions, and transmission-based precautions
- Focus on patient safety concepts including fall prevention, medication errors, and patient identification protocols
- Study common emergency scenarios — anaphylaxis management, cardiac arrest protocols, and choking management
- Take at least 5 full-length practice exams under timed conditions before the actual exam date
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Relying solely on textbook reading without practicing MCQ-style questions — the NHRA exam tests application, not recall
- ✕Ignoring pharmacology calculations hoping they won't appear — they consistently make up 15-20% of the exam
- ✕Not reading the complete question stem and missing critical words like 'FIRST,' 'PRIORITY,' or 'EXCEPT'
- ✕Spending too much time on difficult questions instead of flagging them and moving forward
- ✕Studying outdated material — NHRA updates exam content regularly to reflect current clinical guidelines
- ✕Neglecting Bahrain-specific healthcare regulations which appear in several questions
NHRA Eligibility & Application
Complete eligibility criteria and step-by-step application process for NHRA Bahrain nursing licensure
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from a recognized institution
- Diploma in Nursing with minimum 3 years program duration
- Transcripts and certificates attested by relevant authorities
Experience
- Minimum 2 years of clinical nursing experience
- Experience must be post-graduation
- Experience letter from current/previous employer
Documents
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity
- Nursing degree/diploma certificates
- Good standing certificate from licensing authority
- Experience certificates
- Passport-size photographs
- +1 more documents
Additional
- No criminal record
- Medical fitness certificate
- English language proficiency
Application Process
Dataflow Verification
4-6 weeksSubmit credentials for primary source verification through Dataflow
NHRA Online Application
1-2 daysCreate account and submit application on NHRA portal
Document Submission
1 weekUpload all required documents to NHRA system
Prometric Scheduling
2-4 weeksSchedule exam at nearest Prometric center after approval
Exam & Results
1-2 daysTake the exam and receive results within 24-48 hours
License Issuance
2-4 weeksApply for license after passing the exam
Salary & Benefits in Bahrain
What you can expect as a nurse working in Kingdom of Bahrain
Average Salary Range
BHD 400 - 800
per month (Tax-Free)
NHRA Exam Preparation Checklist
Get our comprehensive checklist to make sure you don't miss any step in your NHRA Bahrain exam journey.
- Complete document requirements list
- Step-by-step application timeline
- Key topics to study first
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Exam day preparation tips
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Why Choose Phoenix RN for NHRA Preparation?
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100% pass rate for NHRA Bahrain exam
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Updated syllabus matching 2026 exam pattern
Comprehensive mock tests with real exam questions
One-on-one doubt clearing sessions
Flexible online class timings
24/7 WhatsApp support
Job placement assistance in Bahrain hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NHRA Bahrain nursing exam
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NHRA Exam at a Glance — Everything Nurses Ask
- Regulator
- NHRA
- Questions
- Not published by NHRA Bahrain
- Duration
- 2.5 hours exam time (3 hours seat time)
- Pass mark
- 60% (published NHRA pass mark)
The NHRA exam (also searched as Bahrain Prometric exam, Bahrain nursing exam) is the licensing test nurses must pass to work under the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Bahrain. It is a computer-based test (cbt) delivered by prometric in English. Question count: Not published by NHRA Bahrain. Duration: 2.5 hours exam time (3 hours seat time). Pass mark: 60% (published NHRA pass mark).
Eligibility in short: Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) OR Diploma in Nursing (3+ years); Valid nursing license from country of education; Minimum 2 years clinical experience for most categories. Fees: Fees are quoted during the NHRA application — confirm on the NHRA portal. Result and licence validity: Licence validity is set by NHRA at the time of issuance — confirm on the NHRA portal. Retakes: Not published by NHRA Bahrain — confirm the re-attempt rules on the NHRA portal.
How to apply: Create an account on the NHRA Sehati portal → Upload degree, license, experience and passport documents → Pay the application fee online → Receive Prometric exam authorization (ATT) by email → Book your slot on prometric.com and sit the exam. Always confirm current rules on the official NHRA Bahrain website before paying, as authorities update fees and categories without notice.
The syllabus is weighted towards Fundamentals of Nursing (~15%), Adult Health (Medical-Surgical) (~30%), Pharmacology (~15%). Nurses prepare in one of three ways with Phoenix RN: live NHRA exam coaching with a tutor, the 28-day guided self-study plan with video lessons, or the 10-day crash course when the exam date is close.
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