DHA Exam Preparation Guide: How to Pass the Dubai Health Authority Exam (2026)

Practising medicine in Dubai requires passing the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing exam — a Prometric-based computer exam that tests clinical knowledge, professional skills, and understanding of the UAE healthcare system.

Whether you're a physician, nurse, pharmacist, or allied health professional, this guide covers everything you need to know about the DHA exam in 2026.

DHA Exam Quick Facts

Step-by-Step Licensing Process

Step 1: Create Your Sheryan Account

Register on the DHA Sheryan portal and complete the online self-assessment to determine your eligibility category.

Step 2: DataFlow Verification (PSV)

This is the most time-consuming step. DataFlow conducts Primary Source Verification of:

• Your medical degree/diploma
• Postgraduate qualifications
• Professional licenses
• Good standing certificates (from anywhere you've practised in the last 5 years)

Timeline: 4–8 weeks
Cost: ~AED 1,500–2,500

Tip: Start DataFlow early — even before you begin studying. Many candidates lose months waiting for verification while they could have been studying in parallel.

Step 3: Receive Eligibility ID

Once DHA reviews your verified documents, they issue an eligibility ID that allows you to book your Prometric exam.

Step 4: Book and Pass the Prometric Exam

Schedule your DHA Prometric exam at a testing centre (available worldwide). After passing, proceed to final licensing steps.

Step 5: Complete Licensing

Submit additional documents (medical fitness, passport copies, photos) to receive your DHA professional license.

DHA Exam Format and Content

Question Format

All questions are single best answer MCQs — scenario-based clinical vignettes similar to other international licensing exams. There is no negative marking, so always answer every question.

Content Areas by Profession

For Physicians (General Practitioners):

For Specialists: Content is heavily focused on your specialty, with additional questions on general medicine, ethics, and patient safety.

Pass Scores by Profession

How to Prepare for the DHA Exam

1. Know Your Syllabus

DHA provides topic lists for each profession on the Sheryan portal. Download and review these before creating your study plan. Don't waste time studying topics outside the syllabus.

2. Use Clinical MCQ Practice

The DHA exam tests applied clinical knowledge through scenario-based questions — not rote memorisation. Practise with MCQ banks that focus on clinical reasoning and decision-making.

Since the question format is similar to other licensing exams (MCCQE, USMLE, PLAB), experience with any of these platforms helps. The key difference is DHA-specific content around UAE regulations and protocols.

3. Study UAE Healthcare Regulations

This is where most candidates lose preventable marks:

• Dubai Health Authority standards — healthcare facility standards, patient rights
• UAE medical legislation — licensing laws, malpractice regulations
• Patient safety — WHO patient safety goals as adopted by UAE
• Infection control — standard precautions, isolation protocols
• Medical ethics in UAE context — informed consent, confidentiality under UAE law

4. Focus on Pharmacology

DHA exams include a significant pharmacology component:

• Drug interactions and contraindications
• Dosage calculations
• Drug categories and mechanisms
• UAE approved medications

5. Prepare a 2–3 Month Study Plan

Essential Resources

• Specialty-specific review books
• MCQ question banks with clinical vignettes
• DHA official syllabus (download from Sheryan)
• WHO Patient Safety Curriculum Guide
• BNF or similar formulary for pharmacology

DHA vs Other Gulf Licensing Exams

If you're considering practising elsewhere in the UAE or Gulf region, here's how DHA compares:

Each authority has its own exam, but content overlap is significant. Passing one does not exempt you from others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the DHA exam?

The difficulty varies by profession and specialty. General practitioners typically find the exam moderate if they have recent clinical experience and specifically study UAE regulations. Specialists face field-specific questions that can be challenging. Overall, candidates who complete 2–3 months of focused preparation and practice with MCQ banks pass on their first attempt.

Can I take the DHA exam outside of Dubai?

Yes. DHA Prometric exams are administered at Prometric testing centres worldwide. You can take the exam in your home country before relocating to Dubai, which many candidates prefer.

How long does the entire DHA licensing process take?

From starting DataFlow verification to receiving your license: 3–6 months total. DataFlow takes 4–8 weeks, DHA review takes 2–4 weeks, exam booking depends on availability, and final licensing paperwork takes 1–2 weeks after passing.

What happens if I fail the DHA exam?

You have 3 attempts. If you fail 3 times, you're blocked from re-applying for 2 years, after which you may need additional qualifications to be eligible again. Study thoroughly before each attempt — don't treat it as a practice run.

Do I need to speak Arabic to practise in Dubai?

No. The DHA exam is in English, and English is widely used in Dubai's healthcare system. Arabic proficiency, while beneficial for patient communication, is not a licensing requirement.

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