How to Get a MOH Nursing License in Kuwait (2026 Updated)

For nurses planning to work in Kuwait, the MOH nursing license is not just a formality — it is the legal requirement that allows you to practice clinically. Many qualified nurses face delays not because of clinical knowledge, but because of avoidable administrative errors.

This guide explains the licensing journey in a clear, practical format.

TL;DR — do these three things now

1. Fix any name mismatches across passport, degree, and license before you submit anything.
2. Start primary-source verification (PSV) now — unresolved PSV queries create the longest delays.
3. When you receive the MOH eligibility number, add it to your Prometric profile and book the exam — Prometric will not schedule without that number.

Why this process trips up otherwise capable nurses

In Kuwait, clinical ability is rarely the limiting factor. Administrative accuracy — attested documents, clean verification, employer quota and visa — is. Two tracks run in parallel and both must succeed:

• Licensing track: Primary-source verification → MOH eligibility → Prometric exam → MOH license activation.
• Immigration track: Employer sponsorship → entry permit/visa → Civil ID and fingerprints. The employer controls quota and visa steps.

You must manage both tracks at once. Treat documentation and verification as first-class tasks, not afterthoughts.

The full step-by-step pathway

Step 1 — Build your document pack (start immediately)

What you need

• Original degree certificate and attested copy(s)
• Full academic transcripts (attested)
• Home-country nursing license (active) + certificate of good standing if available
• Employment letters (on letterhead, dates, roles, supervisor contact)
• Passport (valid — many employers require long validity)
• Police clearance certificate (criminal record check)
• Vaccination records and immunization certificates
• Certified translations for any non-English/Arabic documents

Why it matters
DataFlow and MOH require original/attested documents and contactable issuing authorities; missing or inconsistent files trigger verification queries that add weeks.

Nurse action (exact)

1. Scan all originals at high resolution (PDF).
2. Order certified translations and notarize where required.
3. Put everything into a single folder named “Kuwait Licensing — [YourName]” (digital + printed).
4. Ensure the name on passport, degree, license, and all digital profiles is identical (same ordering, same spelling, same punctuation).

Common problem
Name mismatch — fix before uploading by getting notarized affidavits or university re-issuing corrected documents.

Step 2 — Start Primary-Source Verification (PSV) with DataFlow

What happens
DataFlow contacts issuing institutions (universities, licensing boards, employers) to confirm authenticity of your documents. This is the verification MOH expects before eligibility.

Why it matters
MOH will not progress your application without PSV clearance. Verification queries — missing transcripts, unresponsive registrars — are the most common cause of long delays.

Nurse action (exact)

• Go to DataFlow start page and submit your PSV application (or follow the instructions provided by your recruiter/employer).
• Provide direct emails and phone numbers for registrars and supervisors.
• Respond to portal queries within 72 hours. Log in daily until PSV completes.

Time estimate
Typical: 4–8 weeks. Can be longer if issuing institutions are slow.

Escalation tip
If a university is slow, request the registrar to send an authenticated copy directly to DataFlow (provide the DataFlow contact template you received).

Step 3 — Apply to the MOH licensing portal and obtain your eligibility number

What you do

• Create an account on the Medical Licensing System and submit the PSV clearance and all required documents.

Why it matters
MOH issues an eligibility number that Prometric requires to accept exam bookings. Without it you cannot schedule the licensing exam.

Nurse action (exact)

• Save screenshots and confirmation emails. Copy the eligibility number into your Prometric account exactly as provided.

Time estimate
1–4 weeks after PSV clearance, depending on MOH queue.

Step 4 — Book and prepare for the Prometric licensing exam

How to book

1. Create a Prometric account.
2. Select sponsor: “Ministry of Health – Kuwait”.
3. Enter your MOH eligibility number.
4. Choose program, test center and date; pay fees.

What the exam tests

• Clinical judgment and prioritization
• Drug calculations and safe dosing
• Infection control and patient safety
• Specialty knowledge (med-surg, maternity, pediatrics, critical care)
  Prometric sponsor materials and the Kuwait exam blueprint show content outlines and question counts for each program.

Practical study plan (6-week template)

• Weeks 1–2: Fundamentals, infection control, drug calculations (daily timed drills).
• Weeks 3–4: Rotate med-surg, pediatrics, maternity, critical care; timed 60-90 min blocks (50–100 MCQs/day).
• Weeks 5–6: Full-length simulations under timed conditions; error-log micro-drills; admin checklist done.

What to bring on test day

• Original passport (name must match).
• Prometric confirmation email/receipt.
• No external calculators; follow test center rules.

Results and retakes
Prometric reports to the sponsor; reports are usually computer-scored and pass/fail. Confirm any retake limits and waiting periods shown on your eligibility/result notice.

Step 5 — Expatriate medical screening and fitness checks (parallel)

Typical tests

• HIV, Hepatitis B & C blood tests
• TB screening (chest X-ray where indicated)
• General physical and vaccination checks (MMR, Varicella, Tetanus, Hep B)
  Kuwait’s e-Government page details medical requirements for expatriate workers.

Why it matters
A positive result for certain infectious diseases or inactive immunization status can block visa issuance. Get records ready.

Nurse action (exact)

• Bring original vaccination card and prior immunization records.
• If possible, do pre-departure blood tests for HIV/Hep/B prior to travel to speed local processing.

Why it matters
The employer controls visa/entry permit and labor quota; a clean licensing file does not guarantee a visa if the employer lacks quota.

Nurse action (exact)

• Get a signed conditional offer that explicitly states: visa article (17 vs 18), gross pay breakdown, housing arrangement, probation details, and who pays licensing/visa fees. (Sample wording provided below.)
• Do not resign before you have a signed offer and either an entry permit or clear written timeline for visa issuance.

Step 6 — Arrival, Civil ID, fingerprints and MOH license activation

On arrival

• Complete fingerprints and local blood tests/medical check as required. Book MOH appointments through the MOH expatriate medical services if instructed.

Final licensing

• Submit Prometric result to MOH (if not auto-forwarded) and follow the Medical Licensing System portal for activation. Only after MOH activates your license and your residency permit (Civil ID) is stamped can you start clinical work.

Timelines

Exact contract wording to insist on

Use these clauses in your signed offer or contract:

Gross pay breakdown clause
“Gross monthly compensation: Base salary KWD ___ + Housing allowance KWD ___ + Transport allowance KWD ___. Overtime and on-call shall be paid per the rates set out in Appendix A.”

Visa & licensing fee clause
“Employer is responsible for all initial visa, entry permit, and MOH licensing fees. Employee will not be charged recruitment fees.”

Probation clause
“Probation period: ___ months. Salary during probation: KWD ___. All statutory benefits apply.”

Housing clause (if provided)
“Employer-provided housing: [address or description]. Employee may terminate the housing arrangement subject to [notice period] and conditions described in Appendix B.”

Insist on Arabic and English versions if the contract will be used in Arabic courts; have both translated and verified.

Troubleshooting — common failure modes and exact remedies

Issue: DataFlow query for degree authenticity
Fix: Provide the university registrar’s verified email and request the registrar to email a scanned authenticated copy to DataFlow; escalate via recruiter and keep screenshot evidence.

Issue: Name mismatch across documents
Fix: Obtain an affidavit or notarized name change document and re-upload corrected copies; notify MOH with the affidavit attached.

Issue: Prometric not allowing booking
Fix: Confirm MOH eligibility number is active and correctly entered; if not, open a MOH portal ticket and copy the Prometric confirmation to expedite.

Issue: Employer quota delay
Fix: Request written timeline; ask employer to provide a temporary appointment letter for visa processing or negotiate a conditional start date tied to quota confirmation.

Fees & who usually pays (copyable table)

Study & admin combined 6-week calendar (print and use)

Week 1: Finalize attestations; start PSV; study fundamentals (infection control, drug calculations).
Week 2: Respond to PSV queries; collect police clearance; study med-surg scenarios.
Week 3: Confirm employer visa article; add eligibility to Prometric; study pediatrics/maternity.
Week 4: Schedule Prometric; run first full mock exam; finalize travel docs.
Week 5: Focused remediation on weak topics; perform calculation micro-drills.
Week 6: Two full simulations under timed conditions; complete admin checklist for travel.

FAQ — short, precise answers

Q: Can I book Prometric before PSV completes?
A: No. Prometric requires the MOH eligibility number, which follows verification and MOH review.

Q: How long does Prometric result stay valid?
A: Validation and retention policies vary by sponsor; use your Prometric result promptly and follow MOH instructions. Confirm on the MOH portal if in doubt.

Q: Will MOH accept a 2-year diploma nurse?
A: Many employers and MOH pathways require a 3-year diploma or BSN for certain grades. Confirm with MOH and the employer; treat this as [غير موثق] unless specified by MOH. Always verify with your recruiter and MOH.

Final checklist — what to do today (3 immediate actions)

1. Compare and fix any name mismatches across passport, degree and license.
2. Start PSV at DataFlow or follow your recruiter’s PSV instructions.
3. Ask your employer for a signed conditional offer that lists visa article, gross pay breakdown and who pays licensing/visa fees; do not resign until you have this.