If you’re a pharmacist planning to work in Dubai in 2026, one of your most important steps is clearing the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing exam. This exam is mandatory to legally practice pharmacy in Dubai’s healthcare sector.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the exam schedule. We will discuss how to choose your preferred date, Prometric booking, and the registration timeline.
Let’s get started.
What Is the DHA Exam for Pharmacists?
The DHA Pharmacist Exam is a computer-based licensing test administered by the Dubai Health Authority. Pharmacists who want to work in Dubai first need to clear the exam. It checks whether you have the required clinical knowledge and skills to be a licensed pharmacist in Dubai.
Unlike other exams that have fixed dates, the DHA exam for pharmacists doesn’t follow a traditional annual calendar. Let’s break that down further in the next sections.
DHA Exam Date for Pharmacists: 2026 Schedule
No Fixed Calendar: Flexible Booking
The DHA does not publish a fixed annual exam schedule with predetermined dates. Instead, once you are eligible, you can select your own exam date from available slots at Prometric centers around the world.
That means you don’t wait for a single exam day. The system is more flexible, similar to booking an appointment. And this gives you control over when and where to take the test, based on availability.
Common Timing Patterns
Although there’s no fixed timetable, historically, exams tend to be popular around certain months like:
- January – February
- April – May
- July – August
- October – November
Slots in these windows may fill fast, so early booking is recommended once you’re eligible.
Step-by-Step Guide: Registration and Timeline
Here’s what your journey typically looks like from registration to exam day:
1. Create a DHA Sheryan Account
2. Submit Documents & DataFlow Verification
Once you’ve created your Sheryan account, upload all necessary documents:
- Degree certificates
- Passport
- Photos
- Experience letters
- Good Standing Certificate, etc.
These documents are verified via Primary Source Verification (PSV) through a service called DataFlow.
This step usually takes 2–4 weeks, depending on how quickly your documents can be verified.
It’s important to note that you cannot book the exam until this verification is marked positive by DHA.
3. Receive Eligibility Approval
Once your documents are verified and your profile accepted, DHA gives you an eligibility approval. This is a special approval code or unique DHA ID that you use to schedule your exam on the Prometric site.
4. Schedule Your Exam with Prometric
After eligibility approval:
- Go to the official Prometric website.
- Search for the DHA exam category.
- Enter your DHA unique ID/eligibility ID.
- Choose a test center and exam date that fits your schedule.
- Pay the exam fee and confirm the booking.
Prometric conducts the test on weekdays. The test centres are present in many countries, including India, UAE, etc.
Book at least 1 month in advance to secure your preferred date and location before slots fill up.
DHA Exam for Pharmacists: Timeline
| Step | Estimated Time |
| Create DHA and Sheryan account | 1 to 3 days |
| Document upload and PSV | 2 to 4 weeks |
| DHA eligibility approval | Within PSV timeline |
| Prometric exam booking | 1 to 7 days after eligibility |
| Take exam | On the selected date |
| Results | 2 to 5 working days after the exam |
Understanding the Exam Day
Here’s what you should know for the exam itself:
- It’s a computer-based test (CBT) with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Bring your original passport to the test center.
- Results are usually posted in your DHA Sheryan account within a few working days after the exam.
- The exam result is Pass or Fail. You won’t get a detailed numerical score.
After Passing the Exam
Passing the DHA exam is one of the key steps toward becoming a licensed pharmacist in Dubai. However, it doesn’t automatically give you permission to practice yet.
Once you pass:
- Download your Eligibility Letter from Sheryan.
- Apply for jobs in UAE hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies through verified portals like Jobslly.
- Your employer then completes the license activation with DHA (valid for one year).
Final Tip
Start with the registration process early. Begin your Sheryan registration, complete your DataFlow verification, and book your Prometric date well ahead of your preferred timeline. This ensures you get a spot that works for you in 2026.
All the best for the DHA pharmacist exam in 2026.