Qatar QCHP Licensing Explained: What Senior Doctors Need to Know Before They Apply
Qatar’s healthcare system attracts consultants and specialists from the US, Canada, UK, EU, India, Pakistan and Russia. To practise clinically, you’ll need a licence from the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP).
This guide explains what senior international doctors need to understand about QCHP licensing – before they apply or commit to relocation.
Why Qatar appeals to international consultants
Qatar offers:
- Modern, well-resourced hospitals and academic centres
- Attractive tax-free salary packages
- Stable, safe environment for families
- Growing demand across many specialties
For many consultants and specialists, Qatar combines high clinical standards with manageable on-call patterns and strong family lifestyle.
QCHP vs other GCC licences
If you’ve looked at UAE (DHA/DOH) or Saudi (SCFHS), QCHP will feel familiar in some ways and different in others:
- QCHP has its own classification system
- Training and experience from different countries are evaluated according to Qatari criteria
- Licensing is usually tied to a specific employer
Care Bridge helps you understand how your profile fits not just in Qatar, but across the wider GCC market.
Step 1 – Confirm your category and title
QCHP distinguishes between:
- Consultants
- Specialists
- General practitioners and other categories
Your category depends on:
- Where you trained (US, Canada, UK, EU, India, Pakistan, Russia etc.)
- The type of specialist certification you hold
- Your years of post-certification experience
We start by reviewing your CV and certificates to estimate your likely classification, so you know whether you’re more suited to a consultant or specialist post.
Step 2 – Prepare the document pack
Typical requirements for senior doctors include:
- Passport
- Medical degree and transcripts
- Postgraduate / specialist certificates (e.g. CCT, board certificate, MD/MS/DM/DNB, FCPS)
- Registration licence (e.g. GMC, US/Canadian state licence, MCI/NMC/PMC etc.)
- Good standing certificates
- Employment references and experience letters
- Recent passport-style photographs
Some documents will need legalisation or attestation in your home country. Care Bridge will tell you which ones to start with so you don’t lose time.
Step 3 – Online application and primary source verification
You’ll need to:
- Create a QCHP online profile
- Upload your documents
- Undergo primary source verification (PSV), usually through an approved third party
Delays often occur when:
- Names, dates or institutions differ between documents
- Scans are unclear or incomplete
- Former employers are slow to respond to verification requests
We guide you on structuring your file and coordinate with employer HR teams to minimise avoidable delays.
Step 4 – Exams and assessments
Depending on your background and specialty, QCHP may:
- Accept your file with no exam
- Exempt you based on recognised training systems
- Require an MCQ or oral assessment
We share what typically happens for doctors from your specific country and pathway, and help you prepare for any required assessments.
Step 5 – Linking your licence to an employer
QCHP licences are usually activated with a specific employer in Qatar. Once you:
- Have an offer through Care Bridge
- Complete medicals and background checks
- Finalise your visa and work permit
…the employer and Care Bridge work together to activate and finalise your QCHP licence, so you can start practice as smoothly as possible.
Common QCHP pitfalls for international doctors
We see:
- Doctors applying for offers before knowing their realistic title
- Incomplete document packs that stall PSV
- Under-estimated timelines from home-country authorities
- Licensing left until just before relocation
Care Bridge develops a QCHP timeline with you so you can plan notice periods, family logistics and travel realistically.
How Care Bridge supports your Qatar journey
Care Bridge partners with leading Qatar hospitals and healthcare providers, supporting consultants and specialists from all regions with:
- Honest advice on QCHP eligibility
- Document and verification guidance, tailored to your country
- Coordination between you, the hospital and Qatari authorities
- Relocation and onboarding support for you and your family
Thinking about Qatar in 2025?
- Senior doctors from US, Canada, UK, EU, India, Pakistan and Russia:
- Hospitals & healthcare groups: