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The DHA license is a legal certificate that is compulsory for every healthcare professional and facility to practice their medical services in Dubai. The Dubai Health Authority provides this license to maintain high standards of care, patient safety, and the overall quality of healthcare within the emirate.
The DHA license ensures that only qualified and verified healthcare professionals and healthcare practitioners work under a framework of safety and professionalism, aligned with Federal Law No. 6 of 2023 and Law No. 6 of 2018.
All healthcare professionals, including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, allied healthcare workers, hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres, must obtain a DHA license to offer healthcare services in Dubai. For this, applicants must meet DHA eligibility requirements, including relevant qualifications, clinical experience, examinations, and DataFlow verification.
The licensing process involves registration through the Sheryan portal, document submission, required assessments, and license activation through an employer. The license is generally valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Otherwise, healthcare professionals may face penalties for late renewal, including fines or, in some cases, license cancellation if the renewal is delayed beyond six months.
The DHA medical license is valid only in Dubai, so healthcare professionals need to convert their DHA medical license into MOH and DOH medical licenses to provide their services in other emirates or vice versa.
For those planning a career in Dubai, understanding what DHA licensing is and how to get a DHA license in Dubai is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about DHA licensing, including the DHA eligibility criteria, requirements, application process, costs, renewal procedures, and career opportunities for healthcare professionals in Dubai.
What is a DHA License in Dubai?
A DHA license (Dubai Health Authority License) is an official permit issued by the Dubai Health Authority that allows healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, to legally offer medical services in both public and private sector hospitals within Dubai.
The purpose of the DHA license is to ensure that the healthcare sector of the emirate meets global medical standards and protects patient safety by allowing only qualified professionals to practice after confirming that they are well qualified and DataFlow verified.
Who needs a DHA License?
Healthcare professionals who want to practice in Dubai must obtain the appropriate DHA professional license or registration before providing regulated healthcare services. The main healthcare professional categories as per the DHA Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), include:
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Nurses and Midwives
- Pharmacists
- Allied Healthcare Professionals
- Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Professionals
Healthcare facilities must also obtain a separate DHA facility license before operating in Dubai. These include:
- Hospitals
- Clinics and Medical centres
- Diagnostic centres
- Pharmacies
- Other DHA-regulated healthcare facilities
DHA License Eligibility Criteria
The DHA license eligibility criteria in Dubai include having a recognized medical degree, a valid home country license, at least two years of post-qualification experience, officially verified documents, a good standing certificate, and English proficiency. The eligibility criteria ensure that only capable, experienced, and ethically sound individuals are considered for licensing by DHA to serve in Dubai.
To help healthcare professionals, the DHA and Felix Happich Consultancy provide a self-assessment tool that they can use to determine their eligibility before receiving an eligibility letter. However, the general eligibility checks for getting a medical license are provided below:
- Complete Qualification with a degree or diploma
- A current, valid professional license or registration from their home country or most recent country of practice, in good standing.
- Graduated from a DHA-recognized health science institution.
- Hold relevant clinical experience for the intended role
- A Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from that same licensing authority, issued no more than six months before submission.
- Have a clean professional record with no serious malpractice history
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- For surgical and procedural specialties, a logbook covering your last two years of cases.
- Meet the language preferences better by having an IELTS, TOEFL, or any other test certificate.
The table below shows general eligibility criteria for the prominent professional role, which we have discussed in detail in the DHA requirements guide. One thing to keep in mind is that distance learning is not accepted.
| Profession | Typical Educational Requirement | Typical Clinical Experience |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner / Physician | Primary medical degree, minimum 5-year program (excluding internship), plus completed internship | ~2 years post-internship for international graduates |
| Specialist / Surgeon | Recognized specialty qualification or board certification | 3+ years in the specialty, often more depending on scope |
| Dentist | BDS, DMD, or equivalent recognized dental degree | Generally 2 years |
| Registered Nurse | Bachelor’s degree in nursing (minimum 3-year full-time program) | None required subject to the Gap-of-Practice rule |
| Assistant Nurse | Diploma in Nursing, minimum 18-month course | None required subject to the Gap-of-Practice rule |
| Pharmacist | BPharm, PharmD, or equivalent | Generally 2 years |
| Allied Health (lab, radiography, physiotherapy, etc.) | Relevant accredited diploma or bachelor’s degree | Generally 2 years |
How to check DHA license eligibility using the Sheryan portal?
To check the Dubai Health Authorityโs (DHA) initial eligibility criteria, you can use the official self assessment tool or use our eligibility checker to see whether you are eligible for the DHA license or not.
Checking Eligibility for the DHA License Using the Sheryan Portal
To check DHA license eligibility using the Sheryan portal, below is the 5-step process. This will help you to confirm whether you are eligible or not for the DHA license.
- Create an account on the Sheryan portal.
- Start a new eligibility application and enter your details.
- Upload required documents like degree, license, and experience certificates.
- Wait for the DHA automatic review
- Get your eligibility results
How to check DHA eligibility using the Felix Happich Consultancy portal?
To check your eligibility using the self-assessment tool from Felix Happich Consultancy, follow the below 13 step process.
- Select Start Assessment
- Select your nationality status
- Select your healthcare profession
- Select your professional title
- Enter your Professional qualification institution
- Enter your Professional qualification completion date
- Answer any profession-specific questions
- Provide your professional licence details
- Indicate whether you have clinical experience
- Add your professional experience details
- Confirm your current medical practice status
- Review your details and provide contact information
- View your eligibility results
What are the DHA license requirements?
The DHA license requirements in Dubai for professionals are verified educational documents, clinical experience, and an English proficiency certificate, as mentioned on the official portal of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Medical professionals will only get a license when they meet all the requirements of the DHA according to their profession.
The self-assessment is completely free. However, if you want a manual review, it will cost AED 200. Most professionals use the free route, but it depends on what makes you satisfied.
Below are the general requirements for obtaining a DHA license, which apply to all healthcare professions.
DHA Qualification Requirements
Educational qualifications such as MBBS, BDS, or Nursing Diploma are required according to the profession. The following table gives an overview:
| Healthcare Profession | Educational Requirement |
| Physicians | MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree. Specialists and consultants also need a recognized postgraduate qualification. |
| Dentists | BDS, DDS, DMD, or equivalent dental degree. Specialists also need a recognized postgraduate qualification. |
| Nurses | Recognized nursing diploma or degree. |
| Midwives | Recognized midwifery qualification. |
| Pharmacists | BPharm, PharmD, or equivalent pharmacy qualification. |
| Allied Healthcare Professionals | Diploma, bachelorโs degree, or higher qualification in the relevant field, such as physiotherapy, laboratory science, radiography, or dietetics. |
| Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Professionals | Recognized qualification in the relevant discipline. |
DHA Clinical Experience Requirements
Clinical experience requirements vary by profession, professional title, qualification tier, and nationality. Experience must generally be relevant to the applied title and involve licensed, hands-on clinical practice. The table provides a general overview of the experience required for different medical fields.
| Healthcare Profession | Experience Requirement |
| Physicians | General Practitioners: 2 years of clinical experience after internship. Specialist and Consultant requirements vary by qualification tier and title. |
| Dentists | 1-year internship + 2 years of clinical experience. |
| Nurses | Generally 2 years of clinical experience after graduation. |
| Midwives | Experience or post-graduate training depends on nationality and professional title. |
| Pharmacists | Varies by professional title and qualification under the PQR. |
| Allied Healthcare Professionals | Varies by profession and title; non-UAE/GCC applicants may require approved post-graduate training. |
| Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Professionals | Varies by professional title and qualification under the PQR. |
Professional License
A valid professional license from the current country.
Good Standing Certificate
A Good Standing Certificate (GSC) is required where applicable and should be issued by the relevant healthcare regulatory authority. For DHA registration applications, DHA states that the GSC must be valid and not older than six months at the time of application.
Primary Source Verification (PSV)
Relevant qualifications, professional experience, licenses, and registrations must undergo Primary Source Verification (PSV) where required. PSV confirms that the documents submitted by the applicant are authentic and were issued by the stated institution or authority.
Exam Clearance Certificate
Healthcare professionals need to pass a DHA professional assessment to get a DHA eligibility letter, depending on their profession and title.
The assessment may include:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Oral Assessment
The assessment requirement is profession-specific, and a CBT result is submitted when required as part of the DHA registration process.
How to get a DHA license?
To get a DHA License, register on the Sheryan portal, complete the self-assessment, submit the required documents, verify those documents through Primary Source Verification, pass the computer-based DHA test along with an oral test if required, get an eligibility letter, receive a job offer from a recognized facility, and activate your DHA License through that facility.
This step-by-step application process ensures that healthcare professionals have the proper qualifications and experience for their respective medical licenses and fulfill all the standard, technical, and professional regulations of the DHA.
Although the major steps remain the same, the application process and requirements vary for each healthcare professional. Below is the 7-step process of how to get a DHA License as a healthcare professional in Dubai without any rejection or delay:
- Sign up on the Sheryan Portal
- Complete the self-assessment
- Submit the required documents
- PSV (DataFlow) verification of Documents
- Take the DHA CBT test via Prometric
- Attend the oral assessment (if applicable)
- Get the DHA eligibility letter
- Receive a job offer from a DHA-recognized facility
- Activate your DHA License
Sign Up on the Sheryan Portal
This is the first step to get a DHA license, where you open the Sheryan portal and start registering on it. Fill out the registration form with the correct personal information, such as your full name, email address, contact details, and a strong password. Moreover, you need to verify and activate the email through the email verification link.
Complete Self-Assessment
The second step of the licensing process is Self-assessment. This step helps applicants know whether they are eligible for the license or not. For this purpose, you need to log in to the DHA Sheryan portal, go to the professional tool, and click on assessment tools. After you put in all the information, the assessment tool will give you results about your eligibility.
Submit the Required Documents
The next step after confirming your eligibility is to complete your professional profile by uploading your educational documents, clinical experience letter, home country license, good standing certificate, medical test clearance report, and medical fitness certificate.
PSV (DataFlow) verification of Documents
Once you submit all the required documents. The fourth step is to apply for the Primary Source Verification (PSV) via Data Flow. The authority will verify all your documents from the issuing body to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness in professional selection. You will need to pay the fee for verification, which is AED 935 for Nurses and AED 1235 for doctors, as mentioned on the Dubai Health Authority portal.ย
Take the DHA CBT test via Prometric
The fifth step of the process is to apply for the DHA exam. The DHA exam is a compulsory test for evaluating healthcare professionals’ qualifications unless exempted by the DHA. Passing the DHA exam is a must to proceed to the next step. The DHA exam helps only qualified professionals enter and provide healthcare services in Dubai.
Attend the Oral Assessment (If Applicable)
An oral assessment is required for medical professionals so that they can understand and create a psychological connection with their patients. However, professionals trained in recognized countries like Australia, Ireland, and the USA donโt require any oral assessment. Thatโs why you need to check the service description of the Oral Assessment mentioned on the official website of DHA.
Get the DHA eligibility letter
After successfully passing the medical license test, the authority provides you with an eligibility letter. This eligibility letter allows you to apply for jobs. However, the eligibility letter is not sufficient to provide services.
Receive a job offer from a DHA-recognized facility
When you have proven your eligibility and received the eligibility letter, it is time to apply for a suitable job related to your professional qualification. Receive a job offer only from a DHA-recognized facility to avoid any legal issues in the future.
Activate your DHA License
This is the final step of the licensing process after you get a job offer. The license activation process is initiated by the facility that offered you a job. The facility submits the license activation request via the Sheryan portal. The authority reviews and updates your license status to active.
What are the DHA license fees in Dubai?
The DHA license fees range between AED 3000 and AED 5000 for general practitioners and nurses, and AED 6000 and AED 10,000 for specialists and consultants. The fees overall include the application fee, PSV fee, Dubai medical test fee, and license activation fee.
At the same time, these fees are different for every type of medical profession. For instance, the license activation fee for doctors and dentists is AED 3000, while the license activation fee for nurses is AED 1000, as mentioned on the official portal of Dubai Health Authority. Here is the breakdown of the total cost of the Dubai License:
| Fee Type | Amount (AED) | Amount (USD) |
| Application fees | AED 200 | $ 54.50 |
| Primary Source Verification | AED 935 | $ 254.79 |
| Examination fees | AED 500 to AED 1000 | $ 136.25 to $ 272.50 |
| License activation fees | AED 1000 and AED 3000 | $ 272.50 to $ 817.50 |
Does the DHA License cost the same for every healthcare sector?
No, the DHA license cost is not the same for all healthcare sectors. It varies by profession, specialty, and license type. For example, the cost for a doctor to obtain a DHA medical license in Dubai ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 for general practitioners, and from AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 for specialists and consultants. In comparison, the average cost for a pharmacist is usually between AED 3,000 and AED 6,000.
What are the accepted payment methods for submitting the fee?
You can pay your DHA license and exam fees online through the official Sheryan portal, which accepts Visa, Mastercard, and UAE-issued debit cards. This method is the safest, most common, and fastest because payments are processed instantly, and a digital receipt is issued right away.
For the Prometric exam, payments are made in USD via the Prometric website using credit or international debit cards, including American Express. Cash, bank transfers, and cheques are not accepted. Local UAE cards are often easier to use, as international cards may incur currency conversion fees. No cash payments, bank transfers, or cheques are accepted. In short, you use the following for the payment process.
- Online payment via DHA Sheryan Portal
- Payment via the Prometric website
- UAE-issued bank cards
How much time is required to get a DHA license in Dubai?
The time required to get a DHA license is 9 to 14 weeks, which is different for every type of license and medical professional. For instance, it is 12 to 15 weeks for nurses, while it is 9 to 11 weeks for pharmacists. As there are several steps in the license application, every step will take a different amount of time. You can understand the time for every step through the following breakdown of total time:
| Licensing Process Step | Estimated Time |
| Self-assessment to determine eligibility | Instant |
| Preparation of documents | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Document submission | Instant |
| Primary Source Verification (PSV) | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Examination scheduling and completion | 1 to 2 months |
What is the DHA Prometric exam?
The DHA Prometric Exam is a mandatory computer-based test for healthcare professionals to get a license to practice in Dubai. Conducted by Prometric, it assesses clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, and ethical standards to ensure only qualified practitioners receive a license. The process follows the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which outline eligibility and criteria for each profession.
| Exam Detail | Description |
| Exam Format | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions | 150 Questions |
| Exam Duration | 2โ3 Hours |
| Passing Score | 50โ70% Required to Pass |
To better prepare for the DHA exam, study the official syllabus, understand the structure, and practice MCQs online. Make a study plan covering theory and clinical topics. Aim for a 60โ70% score on the 150-question test within the given time.
What is the DHA license validity period?
The validity period of a DHA license is one (1) year (365 days), as stated in the Dubai Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). Professionals must renew their DHA license annually. After this period, monthly charges apply, and if the license remains expired for more than six (6) months, it will be cancelled, allowing you to apply for a new one instead of the renewal process.
How to check the validity of the DHA license?
To check your DHA license validity, log in to the DHA Sheryan portal and check the expiry date of your license in real time. Along with this, you can take a manual estimate of 1 year after you applied for a license. Below is the straightforward process of checking it out.
- Visit the official DHA Sheryan portal website.
- Log in using your registered email and password.
- Go to the โMy Licensesโ section in your dashboard.
- Check the status, issue date, and expiry date of your license.
What is the penalty for having an expired DHA license?
The penalty for having an expired DHA license depends on the duration. You will get charged monthly if the expiry date is within 6 months. For example, doctors get a fine of AED 600 per month, while nurses get AED 100 per month. However, if the expiry date is beyond 6 months, then your license will be cancelled, and you will have to apply for a new license as per the DHA official portal.
How to Renew a DHA License in Dubai?
To renew a DHA license, healthcare professionals prepare and submit documents, fill out an online application form, and pay the required application fees. Every medical professional has to renew their license after one year, as mentioned on the official website of the Dubai Health Authority. Here are the key steps to renew the medical license in Dubai:ย
- Start the renewal process at least three months before your DHA license expires.
- Prepare and upload all required documents on the Sheryan portal before submission.
- Complete the necessary CME hours to stay eligible for license renewal.
- Submit the online renewal application through your Sheryan account with accurate details.
- Pay the license renewal fees securely using an online payment method.
- Receive approval from DHA and download your renewed e-license from the portal.
What are the documents required for DHA License renewal?
The documents required for DHA license renewal are a valid passport copy, Emirates ID, PSV reports of degrees, licenses, Good Standing, and experience certificates, malpractice insurance, and a medical fitness report if over 65.
- Valid Passport Copy
- Emirates ID
- PSV Reports
- Malpractice Insurance
- Medical Fitness Report
What are the CME Requirements for the DHA License Renewal in Dubai?
Continuing Medical Education (CME) in the UAE is mandatory for healthcare license renewal and keeps professionals updated. Doctors and dentists need 40 hours yearly, nurses and pharmacists 20, and allied health professionals 10. CME is divided into Category 1 (approved events) and Category 2 (self-study). Up to 50% can be completed online. Certificates must be submitted for license renewal.
What is the DHA license renewal fee?
The license renewal fees are different for every healthcare professional. For general practitioners and dentists, the license renewal fee is AED 3000. On the other hand, nurses, Allied Health Professionals, and TCAM practitioners need to pay AED 1000. You can use a credit, debit, or Visa card to pay the license fees through the online payment method mentioned on the Sheryan portal.
What are the challenges in getting a Dubai License?
The challenges in getting a Dubai license are the eligibility criteria, Data Flow verification delays, and Prometric exam difficulties. These healthcare professionals waste a lot of their time and money due to these challenges.
Here are the 3 main challenges in getting a Dubai Medical license:
- The DHA Prometric exam is required to pass to get a medical license. This test is considered more difficult than expected, and several medical professionals fail this test and are unable to get their license.
- There are specific qualifications and experience standards for every type of healthcare professional, which are given in the Professional Qualification Requirements outlined by the Dubai Health Authority. Healthcare professionals cannot get a license without fulfilling these requirements.
- The Data Flow Primary Source Verification of document delays is another challenge for healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals face this challenge due to a mismatch of information and a lack of required documents.
What are the common reasons for DHA license application rejection?
The common reasons for rejection are incomplete or incorrect documentation, non-accredited educational qualifications, expired or invalid home country license, insufficient clinical experience or internship, poor Good Standing Certificate (GSC), practice gaps, failure to pass the licensing exam, or failure in Primary Source Verification (PSV). Below are the key reasons why a DHA license may be rejected for a doctor in Dubai.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
- Non-Accredited Educational Qualifications
- Expired or Invalid Home Country License
- Incomplete Clinical Experience or Internship
- Unverified Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
- Gap in Clinical Practice
- Unqualified Prometric Exam
- Failure in Primary Source Verification (PSV)
How to Convert a DHA License in Dubai to other emirate in the UAE?ย
To convert a license in Dubai to other emirate in the UAE, follow the steps in the DHA official guidelines. Requirements include a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC), passport copies, experience certificates, a Good Standing Certificate (GSC), and more.
First, ensure you are eligible for a DHA license by visiting the official DHA portal and obtaining an eligibility letter. Next, get the NOC from your current employer. Register on the Sheryan portal, open the license conversion section, and select the required category.
Upload all required documents in PDF or PNG format: passport copy, Emirates ID, current medical license, Good Standing Certificate, PSV report, updated malpractice insurance, and medical fitness report for professionals over 60.
Pay the license conversion fees via debit, credit, or Visa card on the Sheryan portal. Some professionals may need to pass the DHA test (CBT or oral assessment) by Prometric. Once approved, download the converted license from the Sheryan portal.
How to Convert a DHA License to an HAAD/DOH License?
Conversion of a DHA license to a Department of Health (DOH) Medical license or Health Authority_Abu Dhabi (HAAD) involves proving eligibility for the DOH license, submitting all the required documents, and applying for the license conversion on the DOH portal.
- Prove your eligibility for the DOH license through TAMM (Abu Dhabi E-Services Platform).
- Make an account on the Dataflow group website specifically for the DOH license to verify all the educational and experience credentials.
- Upload all the required documents mentioned on the TAMM official website for e-services of Abu Dhabi.
- Make an account on the DOH licensing portal using your personal information.
- Open the license conversion section, fill out the application form with accurate personal details, and pay the mentioned fees.
The Department of Health (DOH) of Abu Dhabi will review all the documents and applications and issue the e-license on the portal.
How to Convert a DHA License to a Ministry of Health (MOH) License in Dubai?
To convert a DHA license to an MOHAP license, healthcare professionals prove their eligibility for the DHA license, complete all the required documents for the MOH license, submit the PSV-verified documents, and file an application for the license conversion.ย
- First of all, ensure that you are eligible for the MOH license.
- Complete all the documents mentioned on the MOH official website.
- Register on the official MOH portal and fill out an application form to convert a DHA license into an MOH license. At the same time, pay the license conversion fee, which is AED 100, as mentioned on the official portal of MOHAP.
The MOH will take up to three working days to process the information and issue the e-license on the portal. The medical professional can download their license and provide their services under it.
How Can Felix Happich License Consultancy Help Professionals Obtain a DHA License in Dubai?
At Felix Happich License Consultancy, we guide healthcare professionals through the entire DHA licensing process in Dubai. Our experts assist you with the document preparation, Primary Source Verification (PSV), eligibility checks, and exam scheduling. The team ensures all requirements are met accurately, reducing delays and rejections.
They also coordinate with employers for license activation through the Sheryan portal, provide expert advice on fees, timelines, and regulations, and offer support to fast-track your DHA license efficiently. If you need help, check out our DHA Professional licensing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions our experts encounter when fresh graduates approach us to start their careers in Dubai.
A medical license in Dubai is issued by the DHA (Dubai Health Authority), which makes sure that the applicant meets education and work experience standards, strengthening the overall medical sector of Dubai.
To apply for a DHA license, you need a minimum of two years of clinical experience and hold an active professional license from your home country or last country of practice. However, the experience varies depending on your specialty.
The cost of the PSV verification is AED 935 to AED 2500, depending on the number of documents and the specific verification package offered by the DHA.
Yes, you must pass the DHA Prometric Exam within three attempts to get eligible for a DHA license.ย
The passing score for a healthcare professional is 60% or higher. However, DHA does not provide the exact score card but only shows “Pass” or “Fail.
Yes. Once you have a DHA Eligibility Letter, you can convert it into a DHA license by linking it to a DHA-registered facility. The facility initiates the license activation on your behalf, and once approved, you are legally allowed to practice.
To activate a DHA license, first obtain your Eligibility Letter after passing the exam and completing PSV. Then, secure a Dubai employer who accepts your activation request on the Sheryan portal and pays the activation fee to finalize your license. To activate a DHA license, you must first obtain your Eligibility Letter by completing Primary Source Verification (PSV) and, if required, passing the exam. After this, you need an employer in Dubai who is registered with the DHA. The employer submits the license activation request through the Sheryan portal and pays the activation fee. Once approved, your license is issued, and you can practice.
No, healthcare professionals cannot work in Dubai without a valid DHA license. Practicing without a license is illegal and can result in fines, legal action, professional restrictions, and, in serious cases, even imprisonment.
No, a consultant is not mandatory for a DHA facility license. However, a facility consultant in Dubai helps reduce errors, saves time, ensures document accuracy, and guides you through DHA rules, approvals, and inspections more smoothly.
