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Break from Practice for Nurses in Qatar: Rules, Training Requirements, and How to Resume Work

Returning to nursing in Qatar after a career break? The Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has strict rules to ensure healthcare practitioners maintain their skills and competence before re-entering the profession.

This guide explains what counts as a break from practice, the training hours required, and how to resume nursing in Qatar according to the official Break from Practice Policy (Circular 13/2017).

What is a Break from Practice?

For nurses and midwives in Qatar, a break from practice means not working in your scope of practice or not being in active clinical practice for a continuous period of more than two years, whether in Qatar or abroad.

Note:
If you have worked in non-clinical roles such as nursing management, administration, research, education, or policy development, this does not count as a break if the role is within your licensed scope and impacts safe and effective delivery of nursing services

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Training Requirements Based on the Length of Break

Break Duration	Training Required
Less than 2 years	No training required – you may proceed with registration if all other conditions are met.
2 – less than 5 years	6 months supervised clinical training (full-time)
5 – 10 years	1 year supervised clinical training (full-time)
More than 10 years	Not eligible for licensing in Qatar

Supervised Clinical Training Rules

If your break exceeds two years, you must complete your training in a licensed healthcare facility in Qatar under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Educator approved by DHP.

Direct supervision: Supervisor is physically present with you and the patient.
Indirect supervision: Supervisor is within the same facility and available when needed.

During training, you cannot practice independently or make autonomous clinical decisions. You must work under direct supervision at all times.

Eligibility to Resume Nursing in Qatar

To return to practice, you must:

Hold a valid nursing qualification
Have no disciplinary history
Complete the required supervised training hours
Be approved for practice under a temporary training license issued by DHP

How to Apply for a Temporary Training License

Log in to the DHP Portal

Submit:

Break justification letter
Updated CV
Copy of previous license
Police clearance (if applicable)
Academic and experience documents

Wait for DHP approval before starting training

Important Clarifications

CPD hours cannot replace training — even if you have completed Continuing Professional Development activities, you must still undergo supervised practice if required by policy.

Once training is complete, you can apply for re-evaluation and obtain a full or restricted license depending on your performance.

Related DHP Policies

These break from practice rules also apply to certain supervised categories under the DHP 2024:

Assistant Specialty Physicians
General Practitioner (Supervised)
General Dentist (Supervised)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is considered a ‘break from practice’ for nurses in Qatar?

A “break from practice” refers to any continuous period when a nurse has not worked in a licensed clinical setting in Qatar or abroad for more than two years.

Do I need to undergo training if my career break is less than 2 years?

No. If your break is less than 2 years, you are exempt from the supervised training period and can proceed directly with registration if all other requirements are met.

How many hours of training are required if I was out of practice for 3 years?

For a 3‑year break (which falls under 2 to less than 5 years), you must complete 6 months of supervised clinical training (full-time) in a licensed healthcare facility in Qatar under an approved supervisor.

Who is eligible to resume nursing practice after a break in Qatar?

You must hold a valid nursing qualification, have no disciplinary history, and be able to complete the required supervised training under an approved facility as per DHP guidelines.

Can I practice independently during my training period?

❌ No. During your training period, you must work under direct supervision and cannot make independent clinical decisions or administer medications.

How do I apply for the temporary training license in Qatar?

Apply through the DHP portal: https://www.dhp.moph.gov.qa, submit your justification letter and required documents, and obtain approval before starting any training.

What documents are required to resume nursing after a break?

You will need:

Updated CV
Previous license copy
Police clearance (if applicable)
Break justification letter
Academic & experience documents

Can CPD hours replace the training period?

No. CPD hours do not substitute for the supervised clinical training required after a clinical break.

What happens after I finish the training period?

Once training is completed and documented, you can submit for re‑evaluation and proceed to obtain a full or restricted license based on performance and DHP assessment.