Countries > Bahrain for Dentists > BDLE
Bahrain for Dentists
BDLE — General Licensing Exam
The Bahrain Dental Licensure Examination (BDLE) is the general dental licensing examination administered by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and delivered through Prometric. The exam assesses readiness for safe general dental practice. However, under NHRA regulations in effect since at least July 2021, the General Dental License that BDLE leads to is reserved for Bahraini nationals only. Internationally trained dentists who are not Bahraini nationals are unlikely to be eligible for a general dental licence through this pathway.
Pathway Snapshot
The BDLE is a computer-based MCQ exam delivered at Prometric centres. The NHRA requires credential verification and application review before examination eligibility is granted. Passing BDLE is one requirement for the General Dental License, which is reserved for Bahrainis only.
Complete Journey: Dental Graduation → NHRA Application & Credential Verification → BDLE (Prometric) → General Dental License → Practice in Bahrain. (For eligible Bahraini nationals.)
Important: Licence Eligibility Restriction
The NHRA Dentist Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), in versions dated 2021 and October 2022, explicitly state that the General Dental License — including the Resident and Senior Resident categories — is reserved for Bahraini nationals only. This restriction applies to the standard general-practice licence that BDLE supports. Non-Bahraini dentists should confirm their eligibility with NHRA directly before investing in examination preparation. This page describes the BDLE for information purposes; it does not constitute confirmation that an internationally trained non-Bahraini dentist can obtain a licence through this pathway.
Eligibility
For eligible Bahraini candidates, a recognised primary dental qualification (BDS/DDS/DMD or equivalent) from an accredited institution is required. The NHRA evaluates credentials and may require specific internship or clinical experience depending on the licence category. No universal English language test requirement (IELTS/OET) has been published for BDLE; the exam is conducted in English.
Credential Verification
The NHRA requires document verification as part of the application process. Credentials are reviewed by the NHRA before examination eligibility is issued. DataFlow or other primary source verification may be required; confirm current requirements through the NHRA’s Mehan portal.
BDLE Exam Details
Purpose: assesses knowledge and clinical reasoning for safe general dental practice.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
|
Questions |
Exact question count is not officially published by NHRA; candidate-reported claims vary (most commonly 150 MCQs, some older sources cite 100). Treat all figures as candidate-reported. |
|
Duration |
Seating time is 3 hours; actual examination time is 2.5 hours (confirmed by Prometric’s NHRA page) |
|
Format |
Single-best-answer MCQs |
|
Pass mark |
60% (confirmed for all NHRA licensure examinations) |
|
Test vendor |
Prometric |
|
Language |
English |
|
Attempts |
4 attempts within 3 years; if all 4 are failed, a period of retraining is required, after which 2 further attempts are permitted within 2 years |
|
Result validity |
5 years (candidate-reported; not independently verified against a current NHRA document) |
Content Blueprint
No official NHRA-published content blueprint was found. Candidate-reported subject areas include the following general dentistry domains; no percentage weightings are officially confirmed: Operative Dentistry, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Radiology, Pharmacology, Dental Materials, Infection Control, Ethics, and Emergency Management.
What we offer
Full BDLE question bank covering the general dentistry domain set, mapped to candidate-reported content areas, with flashcards, self-assessments, trained AI companion, mentorship, a dental library, study groups, and more, all offered together.
Start BDLE Prep →Retake Rules
Candidates may attempt the BDLE up to 4 times within a 3-year period. If all 4 attempts are unsuccessful, the candidate must complete a period of retraining approved by NHRA before being permitted 2 additional attempts within a subsequent 2-year window. These rules are confirmed by Prometric’s official NHRA page.
How to Book Your Exam
NHRA Application → Credential Verification → Prometric Scheduling. Submit your application and documents through the NHRA’s Mehan portal. NHRA reviews your credentials and issues examination eligibility. Book the BDLE through Prometric at an approved test centre. Bring valid identification as specified in your scheduling confirmation.
After BDLE
Passing BDLE is one requirement for the General Dental License. Eligible candidates must complete any remaining NHRA licensing steps, which may include additional documentation, verification, or employer sponsorship. As noted above, the General Dental License is currently reserved for Bahraini nationals.
Fees
Official NHRA fee figures were not independently verified. All amounts below are candidate-reported and should be confirmed through the NHRA Mehan portal before payment.
All figures are approximate and based on 2026 public information. Always confirm exact fees on the official portals before payment.
| Item | Approx. Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
NHRA application fee |
BHD 20 | Candidate-reported; not independently verified against a current NHRA fee schedule |
BDLE examination fee |
BHD 50 | Candidate-reported; not independently verified against a current NHRA or Prometric fee schedule |
Credential verification |
Varies | Confirm through the Mehan portal |