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The DHA Exam is an official assessment of the medical knowledge and clinical experience of medical license applicants, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied healthcare professionals, before applying for a professional license. It is compulsory for everyone who wants to practice their medical services in Dubai. It is administered under the DHA to evaluate the clinical competence, theoretical knowledge, and ethical readiness of applicants, ensuring that only qualified professionals practice in Dubai, thereby keeping patients safe and meeting global health standards.
The exam is a computer-based test and consists of up to 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The examination time period is 2 to 3 hours and has a passing score that ranges from 50% to 70%, depending on the medical profession. To get this passing threshold, understanding the exam format, going through the syllabus in detail, and practising with the mock tests is a must.
To appear in the DHA test, you need to make sure you are eligible by completing the eligibility criteria. Once you are eligible, you have to fulfill the registration requirements, which include a valid degree from a DHA-recognized institution, 2 years of minimum professional experience, a good standing certificate, and submission of other necessary documents to appear in the exam. Then comes the registration process, which involves checking eligibility through a self-assessment tool, creating an account on the Sheryan portal, and initiating the Primary Source Verification (PSV) of documents from Data Flow, as well as booking the exam date.
After booking the exam, you have to make sure you prepare everything before the exam date. Take a deep analysis of the topic provided by the DHA in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification as per your specialty needs. The right preparation will help you get better results and pass the test. On the other hand, ignoring this will hit you back badly and can lead to exam failure. Even the common reasons behind the failure of the DHA Prometric exam include not having a grip on the syllabus and incomplete clinical experience. Along with this, less exam day preparation also puts pressure which lets under perform the applicant in the exam.
However, the applicants who failed to pass the DHA exam can reapply for the exam three times by fulfilling the extra requirements mentioned below in the article, as per the Professional Qualification Requirements. Once you pass the next steps, you will start the licensing process by submitting the documents to the DHA as per the license type, paying the license fees, and then finally license activation through the employer facility.
In this article, we have covered in detail the exam structure, eligibility criteria, and licensing process for every healthcare professional separately as outlined in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which includes requirements for.
What is the DHA Exam?
The DHA Exam is a compulsory computer-based multiple-choice test administered by the Dubai Health Authority through Prometric for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied healthcare professionals, to assess their medical knowledge and clinical experience before applying for a medical license to practice legally in Dubai.
This medical license exam confirms that all the medical professionals who are practicing in Dubai are clinically competent, meet ethical standards, and have the required qualifications as per the 1.5.1 section of the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
Who conducts the DHA Exam?
Prometric conducts the DHA exam for all healthcare professionals who are applying for the DHA medical license. Prometric is a computer-based assessment and testing company with a global network of 8,000 test centers in more than 160 countries, as per the DHA official portal. It is officially partnered with the Dubai Health Authority. The applicants for the DHA license use the DHA Sheryan portal ID to open the official Prometric portal.
What is the purpose of the DHA Exam?
The purpose of the DHA Exam is to ensure that the healthcare professionals have the required theoretical medical knowledge, clinical experience, and ethical understanding to deliver safe and effective patient care within Dubai’s healthcare system as per the global health standards.
What is the format of the exam?
The DHA Exam is a computer-based test conducted in English, consisting of 100-150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), depending on the professional categories. For example, General Practitioners and Dentists attempt 150 MCQs with a 60% passing score, while Nurses complete the same number in 3 hours, requiring 50% to qualify. Similarly, Pharmacists answer 120 MCQs, needing 60% to pass, and Lab Technicians take 100 MCQs, requiring at least 45% for success.
The test lasts 150 minutes. There is no negative marking, and applicants are allowed a maximum of three attempts. Along with this, the applicant’s score will not be shared. The table below shows a quick overview of the overall format.
| Category | Language | MCQs | Passing Score | Duration | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioners | English | 150 | 60% | 150 minutes | 3 |
| Dentists | English | 150 | 60% | 150 minutes | 3 |
| Nurses | English | 150 | 50% | 180 minutes | 3 |
| Pharmacists | English | 120 | 60% | 150 minutes | 3 |
| Lab Technicians | English | 100 | 45% | 150 minutes | 3 |
What are the DHA exam eligibility criteria in Dubai?
The eligibility criteria for the DHA exam include a medical degree, professional clinical experience, a medical license from the native country, a Good Standing Certificate, a Primary Source Verification report, and language proficiency, as mentioned in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) outlined by the Dubai Health Authority.
The eligibility criteria for the DHA exam are the following:
- A medical degree like MBBS, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Dentistry, or degrees of other medical professional degrees. This degree should be from an accredited medical institution and verified by the respective authority. Below is the list of degrees required for each medical sector
| Healthcare Category | Required Degree / Qualification |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner (Doctor) | MBBS or equivalent (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) |
| Specialist Doctor | MBBS + Master’s degree or Clinical Residency (minimum 3 years) in a specialty |
| Consultant Doctor | MBBS + Specialist qualification (Tier 1 or Tier 2) + Ph.D. or equivalent |
| Dentist | BDS, DMD, or DDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery / Doctor of Dental Medicine / Doctor of Dental Surgery) |
| Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy, PharmD, or Doctor of Pharmacy |
| Clinical Pharmacist | PharmD or BSc in Pharmacy + Clinical Residency or Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy |
| Nurse (Registered) | Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent |
| Assistant Nurse | Diploma in Nursing (minimum 18 months to 2 years) |
| Allied Health Professional | Bachelor’s in Allied Health Science (minimum 3 years full-time) |
| Technician (Lab / Radiology / Pharmacy / Allied) | Diploma in a relevant field (minimum 2 years full-time) |
| Physiotherapist | Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy (minimum 4 years full-time) |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent |
| Radiographer / Imaging Technologist | Bachelor’s in Radiography / Medical Imaging |
| Aesthetician / Beauty Therapist | Diploma in Beauty Therapy (minimum 1 year) |
- A clinical experience completion as per the PQR
- A medical license from the native country and a Good Standing Certificate from the relevant authority.
- The Primary Source Verification of all the educational and professional requirements.
- The passing certificate of the DHA Prometric exam.
- The language proficiency certificate, like IELTS, TOEFL, or any other.
What are the DHA license exam requirements for applicants?
The required documents for DHA Prometric exam applicants are a passport copy, a passport-sized photograph, an updated Cover Letter, educational certificates, a professional medical license from the native country, a certificate for clinical experience, and a Good Standing Certificate (GSC), as mentioned in the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), outlined by the Dubai Health Authority.
Required Documents for Dentists
The required documents for dentists are mentioned below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry (BDS or equivalent)
- Internship certificate
- 2 years of clinical experience post-internship
- Medical license from the native country
- Good Standing Certificate
- DataFlow verification report
- Specialty certificate
Required Documents for Doctors or General Physicians
The required documents for doctors or general physicians are given below:
- MBBS or equivalent medical degree
- Internship certificate
- 2 years of experience post-internship
- Postgraduate degree (MD/MS or equivalent for specialists)
- Medical license from the native country
- Good Standing Certificate
- DataFlow verification report
Required Documents for Nurses
The required documents for the DHA exam for nurses are as follows:
- Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
- Transcript of records
- Valid registration/license from the home country
- Minimum 2 years of recent nursing experience
- Good Standing Certificate
- DataFlow verification report
Required Documents for Pharmacists
The required documents for the DHA exam for pharmacists are given below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy
- Transcript of records
- 2 years of experience
- Professional license/registration from the native country
- Good Standing Certificate
- DataFlow verification report
Who Must Take the DHA Exam?
Healthcare professionals seeking a DHA license to work in Dubai must pass the DHA exam. It is a specialized test created for each healthcare category to measure professional knowledge and competence accurately. The exam applies unless they are exempted by the DHA, which we have discussed below.
- Doctors (General Practitioners and Specialists)
- Dentists
- Allied Health Professionals
- Nurses and Midwives
- Pharmacists
Who Is Exempted from the DHA License Exam?
The exempted medical professionals from the DHA exam are the UAE nationals, licensed applicants from other UAE Emirates, applicants from recognized countries, and applicants with recognized international medical qualifications. The exempted medical professionals need to verify their documents from the relevant authority and Data Flow Primary Source Verification, and they need a Good Standing Certificate from the respective medical authority.
The DHA medical license applicants who are exempted from the DHA exam are listed below:
- UAE natives and children of Emirati Women
- Medical professionals from the countries mentioned below:
Consultants and Specialists
Consultant and Specialist Physicians are exempted from the DHA exam if they hold Tier 1 specialty certificates from recognized countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, or other listed nations. These qualifications are automatically accepted due to their global equivalency standards. Applicants with Tier 2 specialty certificates can also qualify for exemption if they have at least ten years of experience in their specialty, including two years in teaching hospitals. They must also hold a valid license, demonstrate good professional conduct, and have a record of academic or clinical research involvement.
General Practitioners
General practitioners can be exempted from the DHA licensure examination if they have successfully passed internationally recognized medical exams. These include the Australian Medical Council (AMC), Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) of Ireland, New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX), the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB I and II) of the UK, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Part III), or the Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE) in the UAE. Proof of passing these assessments serves as evidence of competency, eliminating the need to retake the DHA exam.
Dentists
Consultant and Specialist Dentists are exempted if they hold recognized specialist qualifications such as the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in the UK, the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in Australia or New Zealand, or the American Board of Dental Specialties certificate approved by the American Dental Association. General Dentists may also be exempted if they have passed equivalent international dental examinations like the Australian Dental Council (ADC) exam, the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada exam, the Irish Dental Council Examination, the New Zealand Dental Registration Exam (NZDREX), or the UK’s Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).
Nurses and Midwives
Nurses and midwives who hold a valid license and a good standing certificate from Tier 1 countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or other listed European countries are exempt from the DHA exam. However, their qualifications must have been obtained within the last two years, or they must not have a gap in clinical practice. If their education or licensing country is not English-speaking, they must provide evidence of language proficiency through standardized tests such as IELTS (score 5.0), TOEFL (500), OET (C), or Cambridge English (169).
Allied Health Professionals
Allied health professionals, including dietitians, pharmacists, paramedics, medical imaging technologists, and laboratory technologists, can also be exempted from the DHA exam if they possess a valid license and good good-standing certificate from any Tier 1 country. Their qualifications must be recent, and they must not have a gap in practice exceeding two years. In some cases, candidates who have passed recognized board examinations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), or the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) may also be granted exemption.
What Is the Registration Process for the DHA Exam?
The registration process for the DHA exam includes verifying your eligibility, creating an account on the DHA Sheryan portal, submitting all the required documents, completing the Data Flow Verification, receiving the Emirate ID, and getting the date and time for the Prometric DHA medical exam. The medical license applicants need a passport and an appointment confirmation letter to enter the selected Prometric test center and start the test.
Here are the steps of the registration process for the DHA exam:
Check Your Eligibility
First, you need to check if you meet the DHA eligibility criteria. Use the Sheryan Portal’s self-assessment tool to enter your qualification, experience, and specialty details. It will help you confirm whether you’re qualified to apply for DHA licensing.
Apply for Registration
Once you’re eligible, create your account on the DHA Sheryan Portal. Upload your educational certificates, experience letters, and ID documents. After completing the form, submit your registration application for DHA review and initial approval.
- Go to the DHA Sheryan portal and use your email ID, name, and contact information to register.
- Visit the Data Flow DHA portal and start the Primary Source Verification (PSV) of all the required documents, such as the following:
- Valid Passport Copy
- Passport-Sized Photograph
- Updated CV / Resume
- Educational Degree(s)
- Professional License
- Experience Certificates
- Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
Copy DHA Unique ID
When your registration is approved, you’ll receive a DHA Unique ID in your account. Copy and save this ID carefully because it’s required for generating your exam eligibility and tracking your application status.
Generate Eligibility ID
Go to the Prometric website and use your DHA Unique ID to generate an Eligibility ID. This step connects your DHA profile to Prometric, allowing you to choose your profession, preferred exam center, and date.
Schedule Exam
Log in to the Prometric portal using your Eligibility ID. Select your exam date, center, and time, then confirm your booking by paying the exam fee. Once done, your DHA exam appointment will be officially scheduled. Enter the test center using your passport and appointment confirmation. Attend the computer-based MCQs test of 2 to 2.5 hours according to your specialization.
They will send the result to your Sheryan portal within 2 to 5 working days.
What are the DHA license exam fees in Dubai?
The DHA license exam fee ranges from AED 1,028.30 to AED 881.40 ($280 to $180) for different medical professionals. The healthcare professionals need to pay several other fees during this process, such as the application fees, DataFlow verification fees, and license activation fees.
The DHA exam fees for different healthcare professionals are given below:
| Healthcare Profession | Fees (USD) | Fees (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| General physicians or Doctors | $280 | AED 1,028.30 |
| Dentists | $280 | AED 1,028.30 |
| Nurses | $240 | AED 881.40 |
| Pharmacists | $280 | AED 1,028.30 |
How Long Are DHA License Exam Results Valid?
The DHA exam results are valid for two years, as mentioned in the Final Online Exam Guideline CBT. The healthcare professionals have to complete the further application steps within this period.
How to Prepare for the DHA License Exam?
To prepare for the DHA license exam, you need to understand the exam structure, check the official syllabus from the DHA CBT Guidelines PDF, use the recommended resources, and practice through the mock tests. The healthcare professionals need to make a study plan that covers both theory and clinical experience.
Here are the tips to prepare for the DHA license exam:
- The exam is a Computer-based test with 150 MCQs that need to be completed within 2 to 3 hours. The medical professionals have to get a minimum of 60 to 70 percent to pass this test.
- The syllabus of the DHA license exam varies for every type of medical profession. For instance, the syllabus for doctors includes subjects like internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and professional ethics, while dentists’ syllabi include restorative dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and patient safety.
- The healthcare professionals test MCQs for practice from different online platforms like PrometricMCQs and DHA Exam.
What Topics Are Covered in the DHA Exam Syllabus?
The topics covered in the DHA exam syllabus are different for every healthcare profession, such as the following:
Doctors
The topics covered in the DHA exam syllabus for doctors include the following:
- Internal Medicine
- General Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Basic Clinical Skills
- Medical Ethics & Professionalism
- Patient Safety
Nurses
The topics covered in the DHA exam syllabus for nurses include the following:
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Pediatrics
- Maternal and Newborn Health
- Community Health
- Mental Health
- Nursing Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Patient Safety and Infection Control
Dentists
The topics covered in the DHA exam syllabus for dentists include the following:
- Restorative Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Implantology
- Dental Anatomy & Occlusion
- Local Anesthesia & Pain Management
- Patient Safety & Infection Control
- Professionalism & Ethics
Pharmacists
The topics covered in the DHA exam syllabus for Pharmacists include the following:
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Drug Calculation
- Dispensing & Dosage
- Medication Safety
- Patient Counseling
- Pharmacy Laws and Ethics
- Therapeutics (e.g., antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, etc.)
What Is the DHA Exam Passing Score?
The DHA exam passing score ranges from 50% to 70%, as mentioned in the Final Online Exam Guideline CBT. The Prometric does not mention marks; they give results in the form of pass or fail. The DHA exam passing score for different healthcare professions includes the following:
- The DHA exam passing score for doctors or general physicians is 60%.
- The DHA exam passing score for dentists is 65%.
- The DHA exam passing score for nurses is 50%.
- The DHA exam passing score for pharmacists is 60%.
| Specialty | Passing Score (%) |
|---|---|
| Anatomic Pathology | 65 |
| Anesthesia | 65 |
| Cardiology | 65 |
| Clinical Pathology | 65 |
| Community Medicine | 65 |
| Critical Care Medicine | 65 |
| Dermatology | 65 |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 65 |
| Emergency Medicine | 60 |
| Endocrinology | 65 |
| Family Medicine | 60 |
| Forensic Medicine | 65 |
| Gastroenterology | 65 |
| General Practice | 60 |
| General Surgery | 65 |
| Hematopathology | 60 |
| Internal Medicine | 60 |
| Medical Microbiology | 65 |
| Nephrology | 65 |
| Neurology | 65 |
| Neurosurgery | 70 |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 60 |
| Ophthalmology | 65 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 65 |
| Otolaryngology | 60 |
| Pediatrics | 70 |
| Pediatric Surgery | 65 |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 65 |
| Plastic Surgery | 65 |
| Psychiatry | 65 |
| Public Health Medicine | 65 |
| Public Health & Preventive Medicine | 65 |
| Pulmonary Diseases | 60 |
| Radiology | 65 |
| Rheumatology | 65 |
| Sports Medicine | 55 |
| Urology | 60 |
| Vascular Surgery | 65 |
| Endodontics | 60 |
| General Dentistry | 60 |
| Implantology | 65 |
| Oral Surgery | 60 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 60 |
| Orthodontics | 60 |
| Pediatric Dentistry | 60 |
| Periodontics | 65 |
| Prosthodontics | 60 |
| Restorative Dentistry | 65 |
| Registered Nurse | 50 |
| Assistant Nurse | 45 |
| Registered Midwife | 50 |
| Assistant Midwife | 45 |
| Aesthetician / Beauty Therapist | 50 |
| Clinical Biochemistry Technologist | 55 |
| Cardiac Perfusionist | 60 |
| Audiologist | 55 |
| Clinical Dietitian | 70 |
| Clinical Pharmacist | 55 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 55 |
| Dental Hygienist | 50 |
| Dialysis Technologist | 50 |
| ECG Technician | 45 |
| Hematology Technologist | 65 |
| Nutritionist | 55 |
| Occupational Therapist | 50 |
| Optometrist | 55 |
| Pharmacist | 60 |
| Physiotherapist | 50 |
| Physiotherapy Technician | 45 |
| Prosthetics & Orthotics Technician | 55 |
| Radiography Technician | 55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | 60 |
| Massage Therapist | 45 |
| Ayurveda Practitioner | 60 |
| Homeopathy Practitioner | 60 |
What Are the Next Steps After Passing the DHA Exam?
The next steps after passing the DHA exam include starting the Primary Source Verification of documents, starting the application process, submitting the required documents, and paying the license fees. Here are the next steps after passing the DHA exam:
- Start the Data Flow Primary Source Verification of documents.
- Fill out the application form.
- Submit all the required documents.
- Pay the license fees.
- Activate the license through the medical facility.
What Are the Salary Expectations After Passing the DHA Exam?
The salary expectations after passing the DHA exam are AED 25,000 to AED 45,000 per month for general physicians and AED 10,000 to AED 25,000 per month for nurses. The salary range is not mentioned by the Dubai Health Authority. The salary range depends on the experience, specialization, employer type, and nationality.
The salary expectations for every type of healthcare profession mentioned in different sources are the following:
| Healthcare Profession | Expected Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| General Practitioners | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Specialist Doctors | 50,000 – 80,000 |
| Dentists | 10,000 – 50,000 |
| Nurses | 4,000 – 10,000 |
| Pharmacists | 4,000 – 36,000 |
What Are the Common Reasons for DHA Exam Failure?
The common reasons for the DHA exam failure include not having enough clinical experience and medical knowledge, lack of MCQ practice, mismanagement of time during the test, and underestimation of subjects like professional ethics, patient safety, and infection control.
What to Do If You Fail the DHA Exam?
You should re-check the results and figure out the reasons behind the failure. Then, reapply for the DHA exam as applicants can apply three times. Now, assess the official syllabus for the DHA Prometric exam according to your profession, MCQs from past papers, and study the subjects, such as ethnics, patient safety, and infection control. Log in to the DHA Sheryan portal and reapply for the DHA exam through Prometric by paying the required fees.
What Is the DHA Exam Retake Policy?
The DHA exam retake policy includes the following guidelines as established by the Dubai Health Authority:
- Applicants are permitted to give three attempts to pass the DHA Prometric exam.
- Wait for at least three months before re-applying for the DHA Prometric exam.
- Take a gap of two years from the date of failure of the third attempt to the re-applying.
- Acquire the new qualifications that are mentioned in the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) and acquire knowledge and skills to re-attempt the DHA Prometric exam.
- Applicants need to maintain continuous clinical practice during this gap.
What Are the Key Features of the DHA Licensing Program?
The key features of the DHA license program include the following points:
- Every medical profession, like doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists, needs a different type of license.
- There is an online application system on the DHA Sheryan portal for the DHA medical license.
- All the required documents need Data Flow Primary Source Verification before submission.
- The format of the test is a Computer-Based Test with 150 MCQs.
- The qualification requirements are mentioned in the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which are outlined by the Dubai Health Authority.
- The license is valid only for one year.
What is the difference between MOHAP and DOH?
MOHAP stands for the Ministry of Health and Prevention. It oversees healthcare regulation and licensing in the Northern Emirates: Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
DOH stands for the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. It is the regulatory authority responsible for healthcare facilities, professionals, and licensing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
