To legally practice as a pharmacist in the Kingdom of Bahrain, international graduates must obtain a professional license from the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). The process is administered through the NHRA’s official portal, MEHAN, and includes a mandatory credential verification stage followed by the national licensing examination.

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Phase 1: Eligibility and Credential Verification

This phase is critical for confirming that your education and professional experience meet the NHRA’s Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).

Confirm Eligibility and Experience

The minimum experience requirement for international pharmacists varies based on your degree:

• Bachelors in Pharmacy (B.Pharm): Requires a minimum of five (5) years of post-qualification experience as a licensed pharmacist.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D): Requires a minimum of two (2) years of post-qualification experience as a licensed pharmacist.

All applicants must also hold active registration as a pharmacist in their home country.

Apply Through the MEHAN Portal

The licensing process begins by submitting an application through the NHRA’s official online platform, MEHAN. You will create an account, fill out the application form, and upload all required documents.

Gather and Submit Core Documents

You must gather and prepare essential documents for submission. These typically include:

• Pharmacy Degree Certificate and Transcripts.
• Professional License/Registration from your home country.
• Experience Certificate(s) demonstrating the required post-qualification experience.
• Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) from your current licensing authority (must be recent, usually issued within the last six months).
• Valid Passport and recent passport-size photograph.

Complete Primary Source Verification (DataFlow/PSV)

The NHRA mandates Primary Source Verification (PSV) of all core documents through an authorized verification body (such as DataFlow or Quadrabay).

• Process: This is a mandatory background check where the agency contacts the original issuers (university, council, employers) directly to verify the authenticity of your documents.
• Outcome: A positive PSV report is a prerequisite for the NHRA to issue an eligibility code for the examination.

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Phase 2: The Bahrain Pharmacists Licensure Examination (BPLE)

After successful verification, you must pass the mandatory national licensing examination.

Receive Eligibility and Schedule the BPLE

Once the NHRA approves your verified credentials, they will issue an Eligibility Code through the MEHAN portal. This code is your official permission to schedule the licensing exam.

Register and Prepare for the BPLE

The licensing exam is the Bahrain Pharmacists Licensure Examination (BPLE), also known as the NHRA Pharmacy Exam, administered by Prometric.

• Exam Format: 150 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: The exam is 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
• Passing Score: A minimum score of 60% is required to pass.
• Syllabus: The content covers broad areas of pharmacy practice, including:
  • Clinical Sciences and Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences & Calculations
  • Social/Administrative Pharmacy Sciences (Law and Ethics)
  • Pharmaceutical Care and Disease Management

Sit the BPLE Prometric Exam

You can use your eligibility code to book a slot at an approved Prometric testing center. A key advantage for international applicants is the ability to take the exam at a center in their home country or a nearby major city.

Receive Exam Results

The results of the BPLE are typically announced several weeks after the testing window. Candidates have a maximum of four attempts to pass the exam within three years of the first attempt.

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Phase 3: Final Registration and Licensure

The final steps involve securing a job and formally activating your license.

Secure an Employment Offer

Upon successfully passing the BPLE, you are qualified to seek and secure an employment offer from an NHRA-licensed healthcare facility in Bahrain (e.g., hospital or community pharmacy).

Complete Final Requirements

Your employing facility will assist with the final requirements for the license activation, which include:

• Completing a mandatory Health Fitness Certificate issued by a licensed facility in Bahrain.
• Obtaining necessary visa and residency permits.
• Providing an updated Curriculum Vitae (C.V.).

Apply for Professional Registration and License Issuance

Your employer will submit the final application via the MEHAN portal to link your successful exam result and verified credentials to their facility. Once approved and the final licensing fees (currently BD 60 for pharmacists) are paid, the NHRA will issue your electronic Professional Practice License.

Maintain CPD

To maintain your legal right to practice, your license must be renewed annually, and you must comply with the NHRA’s requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).