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The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Medical License Exam is a compulsory test for medical professionals who are applying for a DHA medical license to practice their medical services in Dubai. The DHA medical license exam is a Computer-Based Test that is administered by Prometric and evaluates the clinical competence, theoretical knowledge, and ethical readiness of applicants to make sure that only qualified professionals practice in Dubai. The exam structure, eligibility criteria, and licensing process are outlined in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which includes requirements for every healthcare professional separately.
The registration process for the DHA medical exam includes checking eligibility through a self-assessment tool, creating an account on the Sheryan portal, and starting the Data Flow Primary Source Verification (PSV) of documents. The exam is a computer-based test and consists of 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.
The Prometric exam preparation tips include understanding the exam format, going through the syllabus in detail, and practising through the mock tests. The common reasons behind the failure of the DHA Prometric exam include not having a grip on the syllabus and improper clinical experience. The applicants who failed to pass the DHA exam can reapply for the exam three times by fulfilling the extra Requirements mentioned in the Professional Qualification Requirements. The next steps after passing the exam are starting the Primary Source Verification of documents, submitting the documents, paying the license fees, and license activation through the employer facility.
What is the DHA Medical License Exam?
The DHA medical license exam is an official assessment of the medical knowledge and clinical experience of all DHA medical license applicants. All healthcare professionals are required to pass the medical license exam of their respective authority to get the medical license, as mentioned in the 1.5.1 section of the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). The Dubai Health Authority uses the DHA medical license exam to figure out whether the license applicants have the competence and skills to practice their medical services in Dubai or not. 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.
Who conducts the DHA Medical License Exam?
Prometric conduct the DHA medical license exam of all the healthcare professionals who are applying for the DHA medical license. Prometric is an assessment and testing company that is officially partnered with the Dubai Health Authority. The DHA partnered with Prometric to conduct the Computer Based Testing exams of all the applicants for DHA medical license. The applicants for the DHA medical license use the DHA Sheryan portal ID to open the official portal of Prometric.
What Are the Required Documents for DHA Exam Applicants?
The required documents for DHA Prometric exam applicants are passport copy, passport-sized photograph, updated Cover Letter, educational certificates, professional medical license from the native country, certificate for clinical experience, and 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 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 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
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the DHA Exam?
The eligibility criteria for the DHA exam include a medical degree, professional clinical experience, medical license from native country, Good Standing Certificate, 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 professionals. This degree should be from an accredited medical institution and verified by the respective authority.
- A clinical experience of a minimum of 2 years after internship for doctors or general physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses. The specialists, on the other hand, require 3 years of clinical experience and consultants require 5 years of clinical experience.
- 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.
Who Is Exempted from the DHA Exam?
The exempted medical professionals from the DHA exam are the UAE nationals, licensed applicants from other UAE Emirates, applicants from recogized 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:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- France
- Norway
- Finland
- Iceland
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Medical license holders from other Emirates of the United Arab Emirates
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:
- Verify your eligibility for the DHA Prometric exam by using the DHA self-assessment tool on the official website of the Dubai Health Authority.
- 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)
- Receive an Emirate ID if you have submitted the required documents and meet the eligibility criteria. Use this ID to open the Prometric website and schedule your test by selecting the test country, test center, date, and time.
- Enter the test center using your passport and appointment confirmation. Attend the computer-based MCQs test of 2 to 3 hours.
They will send the result on your Sheryan portal within 2 to 5 working days.
Registration Process for Dentists
The registration process for dentists involves the following steps:
- Dentists check the eligibility through the DHA self-assessment tool on the official Dubai Health Authority website.
- Open the DHA Sheryan portal and create an account using your personal information.
- Start the Data Flow Primary Source Verification of the required documents, such as the following:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized photo
- BDS degree
- Valid medical license
- Internship certificate
- Clinical experience certificates
- Good Standing Certificate
- Book the Prometric MCQs test from the official Prometric website and pay the required fees.
Registration Process for Doctors
The registration process for doctors involves the following steps:
- Doctors or general physicians check the eligibility through the self-assessment tool on the official Dubai Health Authority website.
- Go to the DHA Sheryan portal and create an account using your personal information, such as your full name, nationality, and email ID.
- Start the Primary Source Verification of the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized photo
- MBBS degree
- Valid medical license
- Internship certificate
- Clinical experience certificates
- Good Standing Certificate
- Open the Prometric official website, book the DHA Prometric MCQs test, and pay the required fees.
Registration Process for Nurses
The registration process of the DHA medical exam for nurses includes the following steps:
- Nurses need to check the eligibility by using the self-assessment tool on the official Dubai Health Authority website.
- Register on the DHA Sheryan portal by using your personal information and email ID.
- Start the Primary Source Verification of the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized photo
- Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing
- Valid medical license
- Internship certificate
- Clinical experience certificates
- Good Standing Certificate
- Open the Prometric official website and book the MCQ test for nursing.
Registration Process for Pharmacists
The registration process for pharmacists includes the following steps:
- Pharmacists need to check their eligibility through the self-assessment tool on the official Dubai Health Authority website.
- Go to the Data Flow official website for Primary Source Verification of the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized photo
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Valid medical license
- Internship certificate
- Clinical experience certificates
- Good Standing Certificate
- Register on the DHA Sheryan portal with your personal information, like username, nationality, and email ID.
- Book the MCQ test for the pharmacists from the Prometric official website and pay the required fees.
How Much Does the DHA Exam Cost?
The DHA exam costs a fee 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 Exam Results Valid?
The DHA exam results are valid for two years as mentioned in 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 tests for practice from different online platforms like PrometricMCQs and DHAExam.
What Is the DHA Exam Format & Question Framework?
The DHA exam format and question framework include the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The Prometric conducts a Computer-Based Test in different Prometric centers and has 150 questions that should be completed in 2 to 3 hours. The syllabus and type of questions vary for every type of medical profession. The Prometric tests the healthcare professionals who have at least 60 to 70 percent marks.
Here is the DHA exam format and question framework for the healthcare professionals:
- The type of test is a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
- These tests are conducted at different Prometric centers.
- The format of the exam is Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- The duration of the exam is 3 hours.
- The number of questions is 150.
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%.
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:
- The salary expectations for general practitioners are AED 25,000 to AED 45,000 per month.
- The salary expectations for specialist doctors are AED 50,000 to AED 80,000 per month.
- The salary expectations for dentists are AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 per month.
- The salary expectations for nurses are AED 4,000 to AED 10,000 per month.
- The salary expectations for pharmacists are AED 4000 to 36,000 per month.
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 on the DHA Sheryan portal and re-apply 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 licensing program include the following points:
- Every medical profession like doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists need 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 test is 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 MOH, DOH, and DHCC?
The Ministry of Health (MOH) controls the healthcare services in the Northern Emirates, which include Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The Department of Health (DOH) controls the healthcare services in Abu Dhabi. The Department of Healthcare City (DHCC) authority controls the healthcare services in Dubai Healthcare City Free Zone.
