What is the DHA Exam for Indians?
To practice in Dubai, all healthcare workers have to do a DHA assessment. DHA may need to be assessed with a Computer Based Testing (CBT) assessment by Prometric or an Oral Assessment based on the position applied for. Assessment type required will be determined using the DHA Self-Assessment Tool. Assessment exemptions may also apply in certain cases under the PQR.
DHA CBT assessments are delivered through Prometric, and professionals can take the assessment at Prometric centres where the relevant DHA examination is offered. Each professional position may have its own assessment requirements, format, duration and passing score.
DHA assessment results are reported as Pass or Fail. The applicable passing score depends on the professional position and the current DHA assessment guideline. The format, content and passing scores for assessments may be revised, please refer to the most recent official guideline for your position.
Who can give the DHA Exam? (For Indian Healthcare Professionals)
Eligibility is based on the professional category, title and specialty. Applicants are evaluated based on the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which covers their education, professional registration or licence, experience and any requirements specific to the title. A valid Good Standing Certificate is also required where applicable. The exact requirements can vary by profession and position.
The minimum experience is two years for most professions. For specialist physicians, it is three or more years depending on your country tier.
| Professional category |
Main eligibility factors |
| Physicians |
Recognized medical qualification, required internship, professional registration/licence and experience according to the applied title |
| Dentists |
Recognized dental qualification, required internship, professional registration/licence and experience according to the applied title |
| Nurses & Midwives |
Recognized nursing/midwifery qualification, professional registration/licence and experience according to the applied title |
| Pharmacists |
Recognized pharmacy qualification, professional registration/licence and experience according to the applied title |
| Allied Health Professionals |
Relevant recognized qualification, professional registration/licence and experience according to the applied title |
DHA evaluates eligibility according to the current Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). Use the DHA Self-Assessment Tool to determine the applicable title and requirements for your qualification and experience.
Two rules matter here.
Rule 1: For physicians and dentists, DHA's PQR requires evidence of the applicable internship. Where a one-year post-graduation internship is not documented, additional professional experience may be required under the PQR. The exact requirement depends on the professional title and qualification pathway.
Rule 2: Rule 2: The PQR does not allow the use of some qualifications acquired by correspondence or distance learning for professional qualification purposes. Qualification acceptability should be assessed against the current PQR and the applicant's professional title.
What Documents will be needed for DHA application?
All documents go through the Sheryan portal.
| Document |
DHA requirement |
| Passport |
Valid passport copy |
| Qualification documents |
Relevant educational qualification(s) |
| Experience documents |
Experience certificates required under the PQR |
| Professional licence/registration |
Valid licence or registration where applicable |
| Good Standing Certificate |
Valid and not older than six months at the time of application |
| Surgical logbook |
Last two years, where applicable to surgical specialties |
| English-language evidence |
Required only where applicable under the PQR |
Two Warnings Most Guides Do Not Mention
GSC Timing:
DHA requires the Good Standing Certificate to be valid and not older than six months at the time of application. Because a GSC has a limited validity period, applicants should obtain it close enough to their application date to avoid unnecessary re-issuance.
Sheryan Portal Requirements:
DHA recommends using a supported browser when accessing Sheryan. Some DHA services state that inactive draft applications are cleared after a specified period and may send an email reminder before deletion. The exact inactivity period can vary by service, so applicants should follow the instructions shown for their specific Sheryan application.
Note- DHA registration is valid for one year and must be activated by a DHA-licensed healthcare facility for the professional to begin practising. DHA also states that if a professional's registration is not renewed within one year after cancellation and the previous assessment was passed more than five years earlier, a new assessment may be required unless another exemption applies. The five-year reference should therefore not be treated as a universal standalone "exam validity" period.
How Do You Apply for the DHA Exam Step by Step?
The DHA licensing process generally starts with the Self-Assessment Tool, followed by the applicable eligibility, verification and assessment steps, registration and licence activation. DataFlow Primary Source Verification and CBT assessment may be completed as applicable, and DHA's process allows these prerequisites to proceed without treating them as one rigid sequence.
1
Self Assessment
Complete the DHA Self-Assessment Tool to check your eligibility against the PQR. The automated tool is free. If you are not satisfied with the result, you may submit a manual eligibility review to DHA; the current published fee for this review is AED 200.
2
Primary Source Verification (PSV) Through DataFlow
DataFlow performs Primary Source Verification (PSV) of the qualifications, professional registration and experience documents required for the applied position. DHA's licensing process lists PSV and CBT assessment as applicable prerequisites, and candidates can proceed with the relevant steps according to their application status.
The base fee is:
- AED 1,235 for doctors and dentists
- AED 935 for nurses and allied health professionals
DataFlow verification timing depends on the documents and verification sources involved. Applicants should check the current DataFlow case estimate rather than relying on a fixed 15-60 day promise.
Critical point: DataFlow fees are completely non-refundable. If your credentials are rejected after payment, you lose that money. This is exactly why the free Self-Assessment in Step 1 must come first.
Once DataFlow finishes, they issue a report with a unique case number. You must manually link this number to your Sheryan profile. The DHA will not generate an exam eligibility ID without it.
3
Prepare the Prometric CBT
If your applied position requires CBT, DHA generates a CBT Eligibility ID through Sheryan. Candidates can then use the eligibility details to schedule the applicable assessment through the DHA/Prometric process. The exact assessment requirement should first be confirmed through the DHA Self-Assessment Tool and current assessment guidance.
The DHA does allow you to schedule the Prometric exam while DataFlow is still processing - this can save weeks. But if DataFlow later finds a problem with your credentials, you lose both fees.
4
Apply for the DHA Eligibility Letter
After completing the required assessment and registration requirements, DHA may issue professional registration confirming that the applicant meets the requirements for the applied position. Registration is valid for one year and must be activated by a DHA-licensed healthcare facility before the professional can practise.
If approved, you receive a DHA Eligibility Letter. It is valid for one year. It confirms you meet all licensing standards. It does not yet allow you to practice.
5
Activate Your License Via a Licensed Facility
You need to have your license activated in a DHA licensed healthcare facility. The Medical Director logs in to the corporate Sheryan account, uploads your malpractice policy and your employment visa, and pays for the activation. Upon approval by DHA, you will receive a copy of your eLicense - which is the document to formally authorize your clinical practice in Dubai.
What is the DHA Exam Pattern and Passing Score?
DHA Exam Pattern
DHA CBT assessments vary by professional position. The number of questions, assessment duration and passing score are position-specific and may be updated by DHA. Candidates should check the latest DHA CBT guideline for their exact title before booking the assessment.
- Assessment result: Pass or Fail
- Assessment mode: CBT or Oral Assessment, depending on the applied position
- Assessment provider for CBT: Prometric
- Passing score: Position-specific; check the latest DHA guideline
DHA allows up to three assessment attempts for the applied position across UAE health authorities. Under the DHA licensing manual, failing the third attempt can block reapplication for two years. A further set of attempts may become possible after obtaining an additional recognised qualification or meeting the applicable clinical-experience requirements under the PQR.
Source note: DHA assessment formats, fees, passing scores and professional requirements can change. Always verify your position against the latest DHA guidelines before booking an assessment or submitting an application.
DHA Exam Syllabus
DHA assessment content is specific to the professional position and specialty. The official assessment guideline and position-specific exam information should be used as the primary source for the current syllabus and assessment scope. Topics may change as DHA updates its assessment framework.
DHA Exam Syllabus for Nurses
The DHA nursing exam covers five clinical domains. Each domain carries a fixed percentage of the total exam. Study in proportion to those weights.
| Domain |
| Fundamentals of Nursing |
| Unit Management and Leadership |
| Adult Nursing |
| Paediatric Nursing |
| Maternal Health |
Fundamentals and management together make up 47% of the exam. Give these two areas the most preparation time.
DHA Exam Syllabus for General Practitioners
| Area |
DHA Exam Syllabus Topics |
| Clinical domains |
12 core clinical domains |
| Chronic diseases |
Hypertension, diabetes, respiratory care |
| Acute care |
Acute emergencies and urgent clinical cases |
| Child health |
Paediatrics |
| Women's health |
Obstetrics, gynaecology, and related primary care topics |
| Family medicine |
Common patient care, diagnosis, and follow-up |
| Public health |
Epidemiology and preventive care |
| Local regulations |
UAE local health regulations |
| Key exam focus |
Clinical decision-making across all 12 areas |
DHA Exam Syllabus for Pharmacists
| Topic |
| Pharmaceutical Care and Disease Management |
| Pharmacy Calculations and Compounding |
| UAE Pharmacy Law and Ethics |
| Over-the-Counter Medications |
| Pharmacokinetics |
| Toxicology |
| Paediatrics |
| Geriatrics |
| Pregnancy and Lactation |
DHA Exam Syllabus for Laboratory Technicians
| Area |
DHA Exam Syllabus Topics |
| Laboratory safety |
Safety and Quality Control |
| Microbiology |
Bacteriology and Virology |
| Immune system testing |
Immunology |
| Parasite testing |
Parasitology |
| Blood testing |
Hematology |
| Transfusion science |
Blood Bank |
| Chemical pathology |
Biochemistry |
What is the DHA Licensing process cost?
The exact amount depends on your profession and how many documents require verification.
| Fee stage |
Typical published amount |
| DHA Self-Assessment Tool |
Free |
| DHA Manual Eligibility Review |
AED 200, if required |
| DataFlow PSV |
Depends on package and documents |
| DHA Registration |
AED 200 |
| CBT Assessment |
Position-specific; check the current DHA assessment guideline |
| Licence Activation |
Employer/facility process and applicable DHA fees |
Additional costs may include document attestation, translations, professional insurance, visa processing and other employment-related expenses. These are separate from DHA assessment and registration fees and vary by applicant and employer.
Source note: DHA assessment formats, fees, passing scores and professional requirements can change. Always verify your position against the latest DHA guidelines before booking an assessment or submitting an application.
Who is Exempt from the DHA Prometric Exam?
Some healthcare professionals may qualify for an assessment exemption based on recognised qualifications, certifications or examinations under the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). The exemption depends on the professional category, qualification and applied position. It is not granted simply because the applicant is from a particular country.
Candidates are urged to review the current PQR and to make sure they complete the DHA Self Assessment Tool to see if an assessment is necessary.
What is the impact of a Clinical Practice Gap on DHA Eligibility?
DHA may look at the lack of continuity in clinical practice as an indicator of healthcare professional eligibility. The applicable requirements depend on the length of the gap, professional category, title and nationality under the current PQR. Additional CME/CPD, supervised training or other requirements may apply.
The requirements increase with the length of your gap:
| Practice gap |
Physicians / Dentists |
Nurses |
Allied Health / Pharmacists |
| More than 3 to less than 4 years |
80 CME/CPD credits + 6 months training |
40 CME/CPD credits + 6 months training |
20 CME/CPD credits + 6 months training |
| More than 4 to less than 5 years |
120 CME/CPD credits + 8 months training |
60 CME/CPD credits + 8 months training |
30 CME/CPD credits + 8 months training |
| 5–10 years |
Subject to the specific PQR rules and nationality/category restrictions |
Subject to the specific PQR rules |
Subject to the specific PQR rules |
The supervised training must take place in a DHA-approved Approved Practice Setting (APS). Not every facility qualifies. The gap is measured from your last documented clinical employment date to the date of your license application - not the exam date.
For many non-UAE applicants, a clinical practice gap exceeding five years can result in ineligibility under the PQR, while specific provisions apply to UAE nationals and Children of Emirati Women. Applicants should check the current PQR for their professional category before applying.
Surgical specialties may also require additional documentation, including the applicable surgical logbook requirements. DHA specifically asks for the last two years' logbook for surgical specialties in the registration/eligibility documentation.
How can MOKSH Academy help you pass the DHA Exam and get you a license in Dubai?
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking to work in Dubai must complete the applicable DHA licensing process. This can be a CBT or Oral Assessment, depending on the position. There is also a possibility of an assessment exemption for some applicants. Having passed the exam is not enough. The correct documentation is also required, together with DataFlow verification, DHA registration and license activation with an employer registered with DHA.
MOKSH Academy personally takes you through the whole Dubai Health Authority licensing process in one light path.
What Our DHA Exam Preparation Covers
Our training platform is designed for Indian healthcare professionals, specifically who require focused and exam-ready assistance. You get:
- Online DHA exam training with multiple choice questions according to the actual exam pattern.
- Expert Mentor-led live classes & events.
- Conditions of mock tests similar to the exam.
- Performance review and personal feedback
- Exam strategies- time management and accuracy
This aids preparation for the exam style, enhances clinical decision making and boosts confidence prior to examination.
Our End-to-End DHA Licensing Support
We are here for you right from the initial check till the placement. This includes:
- DHA eligibility check
- DataFlow Primary Source Verification
- DHA exam preparation
- Prometric exam guidance
- DHA registration support
- DHA activation of your license with an approved employer in Dubai.
Why Choose MOKSH Academy?
At MOKSH Academy, more than just coaching is delivered. We are providing DHA licensing consultation, career direction, and placement assistance in Dubai. We assist you to build a CV, prepare for interviews, connect with employers, offer relocation support and support your onboarding. This doesn't mean you simply receive a license. You get closer to a real career in healthcare in Dubai.
