Dubai · United Arab Emirates
DHA licence for doctors and healthcare staff
Every healthcare professional who wants to work in Dubai needs a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licence.
We guide you through the whole process — qualification assessment, document verification, the exam and licence activation with your employer — with one contact person who keeps you updated.
- 3exam attempts
- 1 yearvalidity of a passed exam
- PSVdocument verification (DataFlow)
- ENexam in English
Who it is for
Specialists and consultants
Surgical and non-surgical specialists and specialist dentists. The path depends on your specialty and diploma: an oral exam, a computer-based test or an exam exemption.
General practitioners and dentists
General practitioners (GPs) and general dentists. Usually a computer-based test at a Prometric centre.
Nurses, pharmacists and other professions
Nurses and midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, technicians and other healthcare professionals. An exam designed for your profession.
How we help
Qualification assessment
We check your diplomas, internship and experience against the PQR requirements and tell you which path to expect — before you pay any official fees.
Sheryan account and application
We set up your account on the DHA portal and prepare the application with you so it does not get stuck on missing items.
DataFlow verification
We gather the documents for primary source verification (PSV) and follow up on queries and missing items until the report is ready.
DHA exam
We help you book the Prometric test or the oral exam, and give you the MedMigrant question bank and simulations to study with.
CV and job search
We prepare a CV in the format employers in the Emirates expect and suggest where to look for openings.
Licence activation
Once you have a job offer, we help you gather the documents for your employer, including malpractice insurance.
How the process works
Qualification assessment
We compare your documents with the PQR (the shared requirements of the UAE health authorities) and establish whether you will need an exam.
Sheryan account and application
Sheryan is the DHA licensing portal. Once your account and application are in place, you receive an Eligibility ID, which you need to book the exam.
Document verification (PSV)
On behalf of DHA, DataFlow Group confirms your diplomas, licence to practise and experience directly with the issuers.
Exam
A computer-based test at a Prometric centre, an online oral exam before a DHA panel, or both — depending on your profession. The result is pass or fail.
Registration certificate
After you pass, DHA issues a Registration Certificate valid for one year from the result date. It is not yet a permit to practise.
Job and licence activation
The DHA-licensed facility that hires you activates the licence. You also need professional liability (malpractice) insurance.
Documents
- Passport scan and passport photo
- University diploma and transcript
- Internship certificate (if applicable)
- Licence to practise or registration in your country
- A current Certificate of Good Standing from the authority or council that issued your licence
- Experience certificates (dates, position, facility)
- Specialty diploma — for specialists
- CV in English
- Procedure logbook — for surgical specialties
Documents in languages other than English usually need translation — we will tell you which ones. We confirm the exact list after the qualification assessment.
The DHA exam at a glance
- A computer-based test (CBT) at Prometric centres in many countries or an online oral exam — depending on profession and category.
- The exam is in English; the computer-based test consists of single-best-answer questions.
- DHA reports only the result — pass or fail — without a score.
- You have up to 3 attempts, with no mandatory wait between them. After a third failed attempt, you can reapply only after 2 years.
- Computer-based test results appear in Sheryan within 2 working days.
- Some specialists are exempt from the exam (under the PQR) — the exemption does not cover document verification.
Prepare with MedMigrant
You will find DHA exam questions under the United Arab Emirates — separately for each profession: general practitioner, dentistry, dental technician, dental hygiene, nursing, midwifery and optometry. Choose study mode with explanations, exam simulation or mistake review.
Practise DHA questionsFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a DHA licence?
Usually a few months. Document verification and waiting for an exam date take the longest, and the final step depends on your employer.
Do I need a job offer to start?
No. You complete the qualification assessment, document verification and exam before you are hired. An employer is needed to activate the licence — a passed exam is valid for one year.
Does a DHA licence let me work anywhere in the Emirates?
No. A DHA licence covers facilities regulated by DHA in Dubai. Abu Dhabi (DOH), Sharjah (SHA) and the other emirates (MOHAP) issue their own licences, though under the shared PQR criteria. Dubai Healthcare City has its own regulator (DHCR).
What if I fail the exam?
You can retake it — up to 3 attempts in total, with no mandatory wait. After a third failed attempt, DHA blocks a new application for 2 years (the rules allow a few exceptions).
Who is exempt from the exam?
Some specialists with certain postgraduate qualifications listed in the PQR. The exemption applies only to the exam — document verification and experience requirements still apply.
How much does a DHA licence cost?
Official fees (DHA, DataFlow, Prometric) depend on your profession and the number of documents, and the cost of our help depends on the scope of the service. We prepare an individual quote after the consultation.
Let’s talk about your DHA licence
Tell us your profession, specialty and experience, and we will explain your path and what to prepare.