DHA License for Healthcare Professionals in Dubai

DHA License Requirements for Your Title

DHA assesses your qualifications and experience against the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for your title. For Specialist and Consultant titles, the experience required also depends on the PQR tier of the country where you trained. Before you apply, we check your title and experience against the PQR, so you apply for a title you qualify for. The minimum for common titles:

• General Practitioner: the internship year, then two years in clinical practice
• General Dentist: the internship, then two years of practice
• Registered Nurse: a bachelor's degree in nursing; no minimum experience
• Pharmacist: two years after qualifying, not counting work for pharmaceutical companies or in sales

Most allied health titles need one to four years.

How to Apply for Your DHA License in Sheryan

DHA licensing runs through Sheryan, the DHA licensing system, where you open your application for your title. We prepare your documents, submit the application and keep you informed of what is outstanding at each stage.

DataFlow Verification for Your License

DataFlow verifies your documents directly with the institutions that issued them, such as your degrees, experience and previous licenses. We prepare your documents for DataFlow and follow the verification until your report is complete.

Passing the DHA Exam

Most titles sit the DHA licensing exam at a Prometric centre. Depending on your title, the assessment can be written, oral or an OSCE, and it is held in English. The PQR allows three attempts across the UAE health authorities; after three failed attempts, you have one final attempt with a different authority. We guide you on the format for your title before you book.

Checking for an Exam Exemption

The PQR exempts UAE nationals and holders of listed international qualifications or registrations, such as UK and US boards, PLAB, USMLE or NCLEX. If you already hold a valid DOH, MOHAP or SHA license, you can apply to DHA for the same title with an exam exemption, with a good standing certificate and a full DataFlow report. We confirm whether an exemption applies to you before you book an exam.

Your Eligibility Letter and License Activation

DHA issues your registration, often called the eligibility letter, which is valid for one year. Your license becomes active when a DHA-licensed facility employs you and activates it. Every year you complete continuing education in your specialty: 40 CME credits for physicians and dentists, 20 for nurses and pharmacists, and 10 for allied health professionals. Physicians and dentists in surgical specialties also submit a surgical logbook every two years for renewal.

Avoiding Delays

• Check your time out of practice. A break of more than three years means completing CME credits and a period of training in an approved setting, and you still sit the exam. Non-UAE nationals cannot apply after a break of more than five years.
• Use an exemption while it applies. Exemptions do not apply after more than two years out of practice.
• Plan around the eligibility letter. It is valid for one year, so your employer needs to activate your license within that time.

A license from DOH or MOHAP does not cover Dubai. Working in Abu Dhabi or the Northern Emirates instead? See which UAE license you need. Already licensed in another emirate? See license transfers between authorities. Official requirements: Dubai Health Authority.