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The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) Exam is a mandatory assessment for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and allied healthcare professionals who want to obtain a DHA medical license in Dubai.
DHA exam is administered by the Dubai Health Authority through the Prometric system, which has exam centres in over 180 countries worldwide. The exam evaluates the clinical competence, medical knowledge, and regulatory awareness of the professional before licensure.
The DHA exam is a computer-based test with up to 150 multiple-choice questions, lasting 2 to 3 hours, with passing scores ranging from 50% to 70% depending on the profession. The total DHA exam fees for healthcare professionals range between AED 881 and AED 1,028 depending on the medical profession.
To qualify for the examination, you need a degree from a DHA-recognized institution, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience, a Good Standing Certificate, and completed Primary Source Verification through DataFlow.
The process to register for the Dubai Health Authority exam includes registering on the Sheryan portal, where you check eligibility, upload documents, and book your exam date.
The results are provided as Pass/Fail on the Sheryan portal. The pass threshold depends on the healthcare category, ranging from 60–65%. Applicants get three attempts to pass the test.
However, if they are unable to pass after three attempts, they cannot take the DHA exam again under the same professional title unless they obtain new qualifications and wait for two years, as per DHA guidelines.
Whether you are starting your DHA journey from scratch or preparing for your upcoming exam, this guide covers everything you need to know about the DHA Exam. This includes the exam format, eligibility criteria, fees, exemptions, syllabus, and the full licensing process for each healthcare profession.
What is the DHA Exam?
The DHA Exam (Dubai Health Authority Exam) is a compulsory computer-based multiple-choice question (MCQ) test 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.
The DHA exam is administered by the Dubai Health Authority through Prometric, and the test content is developed by qualified healthcare professionals with subject specialities using current clinical standards.
The exam confirms that all medical professionals are clinically competent, meet the international healthcare standards, and have the required qualifications as per section 1.5.1 of the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) before getting a professional license to serve in Dubai.
No healthcare professional (whether a fresh graduate or an experienced professional) can work in the Healthcare sector of the Emirate of Dubai (UAE) without passing the DHA exam.
What Does CBT Mean?
CBT stands for Computer-Based Test, which means that the DHA exam is digitally organized via computer instead of paper at a DHA-authorised Prometric test centre. Applicants answer all the questions on a computer instead of using a pen to fill in the MCQ bubbles.
The test is formatted to allow you to review your answers, track your time, and see how many questions remain or have been answered. This means that familiarity with a computer-based environment matters, and to achieve this, you have to practice on digital MCQ platforms with similar features.
Who conducts the DHA Exam?
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) conducts the DHA exam for all healthcare professionals via Prometric, a computer-based assessment and testing company with a global network of 8,000+ test centers in more than 180 countries, as per the Prometric official portal.
This is the reason why it is sometimes called the Dubai Health Authority Prometric CBT. The applicants use the DHA Sheryan portal ID to open the official Prometric portal to schedule the test before applying for the DHA medical license.
| DHA Exam Feature | Details |
| Managing Body | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) sets the rules, reviews eligibility, and provides online registration via the Sheryan portal. |
| Testing Delivery | Prometric hosts the CBT exams at secure testing centers globally. |
| Target Audience | Health Professionals seeking a DHA License in Dubai. |
What is the purpose of the DHA Exam?
The purpose of the DHA Exam is to ensure that 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, in accordance with global healthcare standards.
This is particularly important to ensure that only well-trained and qualified professionals practice as Dubai’s healthcare sector grows rapidly, with its private healthcare workforce exceeding 69,400 professionals in 2025, up over 8 percent from 2024, according to the Dubai Media Office.
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
When Can You Book the DHA Exam?
The DHA Prometric exam has no fixed annual exam calendar; unlike university admission tests, there are no set “sitting dates” published in advance. Once your Sheryan application and DataFlow verification are approved and you receive your Eligibility ID, you book a specific date, time, and test centre directly on the Prometric portal, subject to seat availability at your chosen location.
Popular centres (Dubai and major hubs like India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt) can fill up 2–4 weeks ahead, so book as soon as your Eligibility ID is issued rather than waiting for a “better” date.
What is the format of the exam?
The DHA Exam is a computer-based multiple-choice question (MCQ) test consisting of 100 to 150 questions, with a duration of 2 to 3 hours (120 to 180 minutes) and a passing score ranging from 50% to 70%, depending on the professional category.
For example, General Practitioners (GPs) and Dentists answer 150 MCQs in 3 hours, requiring a 60% passing score, while clinical pharmacists answer 150 MCQs and require a 70% passing score to pass the test.
The DHA Exam questions have 4 options in which applicants have to click on the single-best answer with no negative marking. The test is formatted in English and covers complex clinical case studies featuring multi-step scenarios.
The results are provided as Pass/Fail with no detailed scorecard, with a 2-year validity period from the passing date. The Dubai Health Authority allows applicants a maximum of three attempts, with a 90-day waiting period between each attempt.
The table below provides a quick overview of the DHA Exam format, including the number of questions, exam duration, passing score, and maximum number of attempts allowed.
| Category | MCQs | Passing Score | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioners | 150 | 60% | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Dentists | 150 | 60% | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Nurses | 150 | 50% (45% for Assistant Midwife) | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Pharmacists | 150 | 60% | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Lab Technicians | 100-150 | 45%-60% | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
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:
- Provided Degrees / Qualifications or any equivalent to these are required for eligibility. Distance or hybrid degrees are not accepted, except for specific COVID-19 exemptions.
- Physicians: MBBS or equivalent (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
- Dentists: BDS, DMD, or DDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery / Doctor of Dental Medicine / Doctor of Dental Surgery)
- Pharmacists: BSc in Pharmacy, PharmD, or Doctor of Pharmacy
- Nurses: Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent
- Allied Health Professional: Bachelor’s in Allied Health Science (minimum 3 years full-time)
- Completion of clinical experience as per the PQR
- Physician: 2-3 years post-internship/house job
- Dentist: 2 years of dental experience
- Pharmacist: 2 years of pharmacy experience
- Nurse: No experience required
- Allied Health Professional: 2 years of experience
- A medical license from the native country
- A Good Standing Certificate not older than 6 months
- The Primary Source Verification of all the educational and professional requirements.
- Applicant should not have a gap of clinical practice exceeding 2 years
- Applicant age should be 18 years or more
- Basic English communication skills
What are the DHA license exam requirements for applicants?
The requirements for the DHA Prometric Exam depend on the professional category, professional status, and the applicant’s country. The requirements mainly cover educational qualifications, clinical experience, ethical conduct, and identity verification. The main requirements for the DHA exam are provided below.
- Valid Degree or Diploma from a DHA-recognized institution
- Official Academic Transcripts or Detailed Mark Sheets
- Valid Professional Medical License from Home Country
- Valid Internship Completion Certificate
- Post-Qualification Experience Certificates from Previous Employers
- Good Standing Certificate not older than 6 months
- DataFlow Primary Source Verification Report
- Official English Translations for Non-English Documents
- Surgical Logbook (Specialty-Specific)
- Updated Professional CV with Complete Work History
- Malpractice/professional indemnity insurance
- Recent Passport-Size Photograph
- Valid Passport Copy with Clear Personal Details
How to Apply for the DHA Exam in Dubai as a healthcare professional?
To apply for the DHA exam, verify your eligibility, create an account on the DHA Sheryan portal, submit all the required documents, complete the Data Flow Verification, and get the date and time for the Prometric DHA medical exam. 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 the Sheryan Portal 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.
Apply for the DATA Flow Verification
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 of 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 MCQ test of 2 to 2.5 hours according to your specialization.
Appear in the Exam
Arrive at the test centre 30 minutes before the scheduled time to complete any necessary checks without affecting your test time. Enter the test center using your passport and appointment confirmation. Attend the computer-based MCQ test of 2 to 2.5 hours according to your specialization.
Receive Your Result
Your result is generally available on the Sheryan portal within 2–5 working days. The results are provided as Pass or Fail without showcasing your obtained marks. Candidates who pass the exam receive a DHA Eligibility Letter, which is valid for five years.
What are the DHA Exam fees in Dubai?
The DHA exam fee ranges from AED 1,028.30 to AED 881.40 ($280 to $180) per attempt for different medical professionals. Doctors pay the highest DHA exam fees, with general practitioners, specialists, and consultants all paying AED 1,028. Dentists and pharmacists also pay AED 1,028. Nurses, physiotherapists, and lab technicians pay AED 881. There are no partial discounts for exam retakes, and each failed attempt requires full repayment of the exam fee.
The exam fee is only one part of the full licensing cost. Most applicants must also pay for Dataflow credential verification and application review before they can appear for the exam. Because of these additional steps, the total licensing cost often ranges between AED 4,000 and AED 8,000 for doctors and varies for other professions based on profile and verification complexity.
When compared with other UAE licensing authorities, DHA exam fees are higher than those of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, as well as higher than the Ministry of Health and Prevention, which covers the Northern Emirates.
DHA Exam Fee for Major Healthcare Professional Categories
The DHA exam fee depends on the healthcare role and professional level. Doctors usually pay the highest fees, followed by dentists and pharmacists. Nurses, lab technicians, and physiotherapists fall into lower fee ranges. Overall, DHA exam fees range from AED 881 to AED 1028. There are no partial discounts for exam retakes, and each failed attempt requires full repayment of the exam fee. A separate exam rescheduling fee applies if you change your booked date/time after confirmation.
The exam fee is only one part of the full licensing cost. Most applicants must also pay for Dataflow credential verification and application review before they can appear for the exam. Because of these additional steps, the total licensing cost often ranges between AED 4,000 and AED 8,000 for doctors and varies for other professions based on profile and verification complexity.
When compared with other UAE licensing authorities, DHA exam fees are higher than those of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, as well as higher than the Ministry of Health and Prevention, which covers the Northern Emirates.
| Healthcare Profession | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | DHA Exam Fee (AED) |
| Physicians / Doctors | 280$ | 1028 AED |
| Dentists – General Dentist, Specialist, Consultant | 280$ | 1028 AED |
| Pharmacists | 280$ | 1028 AED |
| Nurses (RN) | 240$ | 881 AED |
| Physiotherapists | 240$ | 881 AED |
| Lab Technicians | 240$ | 881 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Doctors
Doctors pay higher exam fees because of specialty classifications. If a doctor fails the exam, each retake requires full repayment. No partial discount applies. The total estimated cost for a doctor can range between AED 661 and AED 1028, depending on the profile.
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | DHA Exam Fee (AED) |
| General Practitioner | 280$ | 1,028 AED |
| Specialist | 280$ | 1,028 AED |
| Laser Hair Reduction Specialist | 180$ | 661 AED |
| Consultant | 280$ | 1,028 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Pharmacists
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | DHA Exam Fee (AED) |
| Pharmacists | 280$ | 1,028 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Nurses
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | DHA Exam Fee (AED) |
| Nurses | 240$ | 881 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Lab Technicians
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | Approximate Fee (AED) |
| Lab Technicians | 240$ | 881 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Physiotherapists
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | Approximate Fee (AED) |
| Physiotherapists | 240$ | 881 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Dentists
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | Approximate Fee (AED) |
| Dentists | 280$ | 1028 AED |
DHA Exam Fee for Allied Health Professionals
| Professional Category | DHA Exam Fee (USD) | Approximate Fee (AED) |
| Allied Health – Aesthetician / Beauty Therapist | 180$ | 661 AED |
| Allied Health – Anesthesia Technologist | 240$ | 881 AED |
| Allied Health – Laser Hair Reduction Technician | 180$ | 661 AED |
Comparing DHA Exam Fees with MOH and DOH/HAAD Exam Fees
Healthcare professionals have different fees when it comes to healthcare authorities in the UAE. DHA and MOH exams usually cost slightly more than the DOH exam. For instance, a doctor has to pay 1,028 AED in Dubai for the DHA exam, 477 AED for the MOH exam in the Northern Emirates of the UAE, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, and 100 AED in Abu Dhabi for the DOH exam.
Healthcare License Exam Fee Comparison between DHA, DOH, and MOH
| Healthcare Profession | DHA Exam Fee (AED) | DOH Exam Fee (AED) | MOH Exam Fee (AED) |
| Physicians / Doctors | 1,028 AED | 100 AED | 477 AED |
| General Dentists | 1,028 AED | 100 AED | 477 AED |
| Pharmacists | 1,028 AED | 100 AED | 477 AED |
| Nurses | 881 AED | 50 AED | 477 AED |
| Physiotherapists | 881 AED | 50 AED | 477 AED |
| Lab Technicians | 881 AED | 50 AED | 477 AED |
DHA vs DOH vs MOHAP: Which Licencing Exam Do You Need?
A licence from one authority does not automatically allow you to practice in another emirate; a separate application and, in most cases, a separate exam is required for each jurisdiction you want to work in.
| Factor | DHA (Dubai) | DOH (Abu Dhabi) | MOHAP (Northern Emirates) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Emirate of Dubai only | Emirate of Abu Dhabi only | Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah |
| Exam fee (doctor) | AED 1,028 | AED 100 | AED 477 |
| Portal | Sheryan | TAMM / DOH portal | MOHAP portal |
| Cross-emirate validity | Not valid outside Dubai | Not valid outside Abu Dhabi | Not valid outside Northern Emirates |
Who Is Exempted from the DHA License Exam?
The exempted medical professionals from the DHA exam are UAE nationals, licensed applicants from other UAE Emirates, applicants from recognized countries, and applicants with recognized international medical qualifications checked by the MOHESR. The exempted medical professionals need to verify their documents with 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 & Specialists (Physicians)
| Tier | Requirement | Additional Conditions |
| Tier 1 | Specialty certificate from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, or other listed nations | Automatically accepted (global equivalency) |
| Tier 2 | Specialty certificate from Tier 2 countries | 10+ years specialty experience (incl. 2 years in teaching hospitals), valid license, good professional conduct, record of academic/clinical research |
General Practitioners
| Exam/Assessment | Country/Body |
| AMC (Australian Medical Council) | Australia |
| LMCC (Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada) | Canada |
| PRES (Pre-Registration Examination System) | Ireland |
| NZREX (New Zealand Registration Examination) | New Zealand |
| PLAB I & II | UK |
| USMLE Part III | USA |
| EMREE (Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination) | UAE |
Dentists
| Category | Exemption Path |
| Consultant/Specialist Dentists | CCST (UK), Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Australia/NZ), American Board of Dental Specialties certificate (ADA-approved) |
| General Dentists | ADC exam (Australia), NDEB exam (Canada), Irish Dental Council Examination, NZDREX (New Zealand), ORE (UK) |
Nurses & Midwives
| Requirement | Detail |
| Country tier | Tier 1 (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, other listed European countries) |
| License/certificate | Valid license + good standing certificate |
| Recency | Qualification obtained within the last 2 years, OR no gap in clinical practice |
| Language proficiency (if non-English-speaking country) | IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 500, OET C, or Cambridge English 169 |
Allied Health Professionals
| Category | Included Roles | Exemption Path |
| Tier 1 license holders | Dietitians, pharmacists, paramedics, medical imaging technologists, laboratory technologists | Valid license + good standing certificate from a Tier 1 country; no practice gap exceeding 2 years |
| Board exam holders | Same roles | ASCP, CAMRT, NREMT, or NAPRA |
General Requirement (All Categories)
| Requirement | Detail |
| Document verification | Data Flow Primary Source Verification with relevant authority |
| Good standing certificate | Required from respective medical authority |
| Base exemption group | UAE nationals, licensed applicants from other Emirates, applicants from recognized countries, applicants with international qualifications checked by MOHESR |
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. 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. 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.
- Build a study plan that allocates time by subject weightings (see the table below) and includes regular full-length timed mock exams to build stamina for the 2–3 hour session.
- Healthcare professionals can practice MCQs from different online platforms like PrometricMCQs and DHA Exam.
- Want hands-on help building your study plan or reviewing your eligibility before you apply? Get a one-on-one session with a professional DHA consultant.
What is the DHA Exam Syllabus 2026?
The DHA exam syllabus is different for every healthcare profession, such as the following:
DHA Exam Syllabus for Physicians
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
DHA Exam Syllabus for 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
DHA Exam Syllabus for 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
DHA Exam Syllabus for 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.)
Key Competency Areas Assessed Across All Professions
Regardless of your specific profession, DHA exam questions are designed to test six recurring competency areas:
- Clinical knowledge: Core diagnostic and treatment knowledge for your specialty
- Professional skills: Practical clinical decision-making in scenario-based questions
- Healthcare guidelines and protocols: Adherence to recognized clinical protocols
- DHA regulations: Dubai-specific regulatory and licensing knowledge
- Healthcare system and stakeholders: Understanding of how Dubai’s healthcare system and referral pathways work
- Language proficiency: Ability to interpret clinical scenarios and instructions accurately in English
What to Expect on DHA Exam Day?
Knowing the exam-day logistics reduces avoidable stress and helps you manage the full 2–3 hour session:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in and ID verification against your passport and Prometric confirmation.
- No scheduled breaks are provided during the session. Plan your pacing across all 100–150 questions accordingly, especially for the longer 3-hour specialist exams.
- Personal items such as phones, bags, and notes are not permitted at the workstation. Secure storage is provided at the centre.
- Fatigue typically sets in after question 100 on longer exams. Many candidates report that their accuracy dips during the final stretch, so build a full-length timed mock into your preparation rather than only practicing in short bursts.
- Results appear on the Sheryan Portal within 2–5 working days as Pass/Fail only, with no marked score.
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. 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 may sometimes include an oral assessment. However, if no oral assessment is required, the process proceeds to the Primary Source Verification of documents, followed by starting the application process, submitting the required documents, and paying the license fees. Here are the next steps after passing the DHA exam:
- Download your DHA eligibility letter from the Sheryan Portal
- Apply for the available professional positions in a DHA recognized healthcare facility
- Secure a job offer and get your employment visa
- Activate your license through your sponsoring employer
- Start serving legally in Dubai and renew your license annually
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. The exam result validity is different from the license validity, which is valid for only one year.
DHA Oral Assessment
In addition to the written CBT, some applicants are required to complete a DHA Oral Assessment as part of the licensing pathway. Key details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Virtual panel interview with two or more DHA-appointed assessors |
| Duration | 20–30 minutes |
| Content | Typically 5 clinical scenario-based questions |
| Standard fee | Around AED 250 |
| Urgent-processing fee | Around AED 2,000 |
| When required | Determined case-by-case by DHA during application review — not every applicant is asked to sit it |
If your Sheryan application flags an oral assessment requirement, you’ll be notified with scheduling instructions; it is scored separately from the written CBT, and both must be passed for licensing to proceed.
What Are the Salary Expectations After Passing the DHA Exam?
The expected salaries of healthcare professionals in Dubai after passing the DHA exam are AED 10,000 to AED 120,000 per month, depending on your professional 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 | AED 10,000 – 35,000 |
| Specialist Doctors | AED 15,000 – 120,000+ |
| Dentists | AED 10,000 – 60,000 |
| Nurses | AED 4,000 – 25,000 |
| Pharmacists | AED 7,000 – 35,000 |
What Are the Common Reasons for DHA Exam Failure?
The common reasons for 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 recheck 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 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.
FAQs about DHA Exam
Difficulty varies by profession and specialty, but passing scores of 50–70% mean the exam is designed to be passable with structured preparation, not a purely elimination-style test. Consistent MCQ practice and understanding the subject weighting for your category matter more than raw study hours.
No. You need the clinical experience specified in the eligibility section above (e.g., 2–3 years post-internship for GPs), but it does not need to be UAE-based experience.
Yes. You can complete DataFlow verification, pass the exam, and receive your Eligibility Letter before securing a job offer. A job offer is required later, before you can activate your licence and start practicing.
No. Each authority, DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), and MOHAP (Northern Emirates), runs its own exam and licence, valid only within its own jurisdiction. See the comparison table above.
Sheryan is the DHA’s official online portal for registering, checking eligibility, uploading documents, tracking your application, and booking your Prometric exam.
DataFlow PSV itself takes 8–14 weeks. Once that’s done, DHA’s Sheryan review typically adds another 4–8 weeks before you get your eligibility result, so roughly 1–2 months after DataFlow completes, not days.
Most professions only take the written CBT exam. The oral assessment applies mainly to pharmacists, and only when DHA flags it during application review on a case-by-case basis, not automatically for every applicant.
Your DHA exam result appears on the Sheryan portal within 2–5 working days, shown as Pass or Fail only, with no detailed score.
Book as soon as your Eligibility ID is issued; there’s no fixed exam calendar, but popular centres (Dubai, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt) can fill up 2–4 weeks ahead, so waiting risks losing your preferred date.
