How to Apply for DHA Exam in Dubai 2026

Quick answer

Register on the DHA Sheryan portal, pay the application fee, upload your documents, book the Prometric slot, and sit the computer-based test at an approved Dubai centre. Results arrive within five working days.

Why the DHA Exam Matters in 2026

Any healthcare professional who wants to work in Dubai must hold a valid DHA licence. The DHA exam (also called the Prometric DHA exam) is the mandatory assessment that proves your clinical knowledge meets Dubai Health Authority standards. Without it, MOHRE will not process your work visa and hospitals cannot issue an employment offer letter.

Who Needs to Sit the DHA Exam?

• Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, lab technicians and radiographers
• Both new applicants and professionals renewing after a two-year break
• Expats moving from other emirates (HAAD or MOH) who need to convert their licence

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the DHA Exam in Dubai

Step 1 – Create Your Sheryan Account

Visit the official DHA Sheryan portal and sign up with your passport number and a working email address. Choose “Healthcare Professional” as the user type. You will receive an activation link within minutes.

Step 2 – Complete Your Profile & Pay the Application Fee

Fill in personal details, academic history and work experience. Upload a recent passport photo (white background, 4.5 × 3.5 cm). At this stage you pay the non-refundable application fee; verify the current fee with DHA before payment.

Step 3 – Upload Required Documents

Prepare clear colour scans of the following:

• Valid passport
• Passport-size photo meeting DHA specs
• Degree certificate and transcripts (attested by MOFA if issued outside the UAE)
• Experience certificates on company letterhead
• Good-standing certificate from your home licensing authority
• IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 if your degree was not taught in English

Step 4 – Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow

DHA requires DataFlow to verify your credentials. Create a DataFlow account, pay the PSV fee (verify current fee with DataFlow), and submit the same documents. Track status inside your Sheryan dashboard; approval usually takes 15–30 working days.

Step 5 – Book Your Prometric Slot

Once DataFlow clears, Sheryan unlocks the Prometric booking tab. Choose Dubai test centres such as Dubai Healthcare City or Al Rigga. Morning and afternoon slots run six days a week. Seats fill quickly, so book at least two weeks ahead.

Step 6 – Sit the Computer-Based Test

Arrive 30 minutes early with your original passport and Prometric confirmation. The test is multiple-choice; duration ranges from 2 to 3.5 hours depending on your profession. No personal items are allowed inside the testing room.

Step 7 – Receive Your Result and Apply for the Licence

Log back into Sheryan within five working days. A “Pass” result lets you proceed to the DHA professional licence application, medical fitness test and Emirates ID. A “Fail” allows one free retake within six months.

Current DHA Exam Fees You Should Verify

• DHA application fee – check Sheryan
• DataFlow PSV fee – check DataFlow
• Prometric exam fee – check Prometric
• Medical fitness & Emirates ID – check DHA & ICP

Always confirm the latest amounts inside your Sheryan account before payment.

Common Mistakes Expats Make

• Submitting non-attested foreign documents, which halts the application for weeks
• Choosing the wrong Prometric centre and missing the exam
• Ignoring the English-language requirement until the last minute
• Paying DataFlow twice because of duplicate profiles

Practical Tips for First-Time Applicants

1. Use the same email address across Sheryan, DataFlow and Prometric to avoid mismatches.
2. Book an early morning slot; traffic around Dubai Healthcare City is heavy after 8 a.m.
3. Keep both soft and printed copies of every attested document.
4. If you studied in Arabic, request a DHA waiver before booking the English test.
5. Start the process at least three months before your planned move date.

DHA vs MOH vs HAAD: Quick Comparison

After You Pass: Next Steps in Dubai

Book a medical fitness test at any DHA-approved centre (cost varies). Once cleared, apply for your professional licence through Sheryan, then open a UAE bank account and start your job search. Your licence is valid for one year and must be renewed annually with 20 hours of CPD.

Key takeaway

Applying for the DHA exam is straightforward once you follow the Sheryan–DataFlow–Prometric sequence and keep your documents attested. Start early, double-check fees inside the portal, and you will hold a Dubai healthcare licence faster than you think.