To practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Kuwait, internationally educated nurses (IENs) must successfully obtain a license from the Kuwait Ministry of Health (MOH). The licensing process is highly regulated and involves a crucial step-by-step approach that includes credential verification, passing the national competency examination (KMLE/MOH Exam), and securing a job.

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Phase 1: Eligibility and Document Attestation

This stage ensures your academic and professional qualifications meet the stringent standards set by the Kuwait MOH.

Meet Core Eligibility Requirements

The specific requirements for IENs often depend on the employing sector (government vs. private) and your level of education:

• Education: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is typically required for the Registered Nurse title.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of post-qualification clinical experience is often required for BSN holders applying to the government sector, or two (2) years for private sector roles. The total experience should be continuous and recent.
• Age Limit (Government Sector): Females typically must be no more than 35 years and males no more than 40 years of age (with a minimum age of 25 years).
• Professional Status: Must hold a valid, active license to practice in your home country.
• Language: Must be able to speak and write in English.

Complete Document Attestation

Before applying, all educational certificates (degree, transcript, higher secondary certificate) must be officially attested by the Kuwait Embassy or Consulate in your home country. These documents must be in English or Arabic.

Secure a Job Offer and Visa

In many cases, an IEN must first secure a job offer from a Kuwaiti hospital or healthcare facility. This employer acts as your sponsor for the work visa (Visa No. 18 for the private sector) and facilitates the final stages of the licensing process.

Complete Credential Verification (PSV)

The Kuwait MOH requires Primary Source Verification (PSV) of your core credentials through an approved agency (such as DataFlow or ISVSC).

• Purpose: The PSV authenticates your educational degrees, professional license, and experience certificates directly from the issuing sources.
• Process: Your employer or a designated agency typically coordinates the PSV on your behalf. A positive PSV report is mandatory before you can receive your final license.

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Phase 2: The National Licensing Examination

After credential verification, you must pass the national competency examination to demonstrate readiness for practice.

Register and Schedule the MOH Exam

The national assessment is part of the Kuwait Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) framework, administered as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) by Prometric.

• Your employer will assist in initiating the process and securing your eligibility to book the exam slot.
• Exam Fee: The fee for the MOH Nurse Prometric Exam is typically around USD $230 – $276.

Pass the KMLE (MOH Prometric Exam)

The exam assesses your ability to apply nursing knowledge in clinical scenarios, with a strong focus on patient safety and critical thinking.

• Format: Typically 150 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours (180 minutes).
• Passing Score: A minimum score of 55% (around 85 correct answers out of 150) is generally required to pass.
• Syllabus Focus: The content is heavily weighted toward Medical-Surgical Nursing and Fundamentals of Nursing and includes topics like:
  • Adult Nursing (Medical, Surgical, Critical Care, Mental Health)
  • Maternal-Child Nursing (Maternity, Pediatric, Neonatal)
  • Nursing Fundamentals (Infection Control, Ethics, Legal)
  • Pharmacology and Dosage Calculations
• Attempts: You are generally allowed a maximum of three attempts; after a failure, you must wait a minimum of six weeks before retaking the exam.

Complete the Oral Interview (If Applicable)

Some applicants, particularly those applying for certain roles or sectors, may be required to attend an oral interview after successfully passing the written exam.

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Phase 3: Final Registration and License Issuance

Complete Medical Checkup and Residency

Following your successful exam result and secured job, you must undergo a mandatory Medical Checkup in Kuwait and finalize your Residency Card (Iqama) with your employer’s sponsorship.

Submit Final Application and Receive License

Your employer will compile your complete file (Attested Documents, Positive PSV Report, Passed Exam Result, Medical Checkup) and submit it to the Medical License Department of the Ministry of Health.

• Upon final review and payment of fixed fees (e.g., 10 KD for government sector, 25 KD for private sector), the MOH will issue your official Kuwait MOH Professional Nursing License.
• This license is legally required to begin practice as a Registered Nurse in the country.