Did you know that the average annual salary of a doctor in Dubai is nearly 350,000 AED (82 L INR). And if you’re a pharmacist, you can easily get up to 120,000 AED or 28 L INR.
No wonder thousands of healthcare professionals move to Dubai every year.
Whether it is to start their healthcare career or for career growth, Dubai is an excellent destination.
You’ll get the benefits of zero tax, job security, and free accommodation.
But before you embark on this journey, you need to understand the DHA Prometric exam. You see, the Dubai Health Authority is the body that is responsible for maintaining the standard of healthcare in the city. For this, all medical professionals have to clear the DHA assessment. And this is not just for foreign workers; it is also for the citizens.
Let us understand a few main points of the DHA Prometric exam: registration, fees, syllabus, and such.
What Is the DHA Prometric Exam?
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Prometric Exam is a compulsory licensure exam for healthcare workers wanting to practice in Dubai.
| S.No | Exam Particulars | Details |
| 1 | Purpose | Licensing Exam |
| 2 | Mode | Computer based test (CBT) |
| 3 | Frequency | 4 times a year |
| 4 | Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| 5 | Marking | No negative marking |
Conducted by DHA at Prometric testing centers worldwide, the exam assesses both theoretical knowledge and clinical readiness. In some cases, there may be an additional oral or practical assessment.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility & Required Documents
If you’re into any of the following professions, you need to apply for the DHA exam:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Dentists
- Pharmacists, and
- Allied health practitioners
Read: Exemption from DHA: Which Countries Are Eligible?
Eligibility Criteria
| Qualifications | Experience: | License/Standing: |
| Valid Primary degree: B.Pharm B.Sc. Nursing MBBS BDS | Minimum 2 year clinical experience. This is in addition to the internship period. | Registration in home-country Valid Good Standing Certificate (no older than 6 months) |
You may also need an English Language Proficiency certificate. The accepted exams are IELTS and TOEFL.
Documents You’ll Need
- Passport copy
- Educational certificates and transcripts
- Professional license/registration certificate
- Good Standing Certificate (issued recently)
- Passport-style photo
- Experience certificate
- Dentists may also need an internship record book
Registration & Dataflow Verification
Step-by-Step Registration
- Create an account on DHA’s Sheryan portal.
- Complete the Self-Assessment Tool to check eligibility.
- Upload all required documentation for Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow.
- Once verified, schedule your exam through Prometric and pay exam fees.
- Receive confirmation with DHA Unique ID and slot details.
- Take the exam. Results are displayed 1-4 weeks after the exam.
- After passing, get full registration.
- Secure a job and get your license activated.
- The exams occur quarterly, in January, April, July, and October.
- Slots open months in advance.
- Slots close a month before the exam
- Some professionals might also need to pass an oral/practical assessment after the MCQ exam.
DHA Prometric Exam Fees Breakdown (2025)
Here's a breakdown of the different steps of the DHA Prometric exam.
| Stage | Fee (AED) | Fee (INR Approx.) | Details |
| Primary Source Verification | 1,000- 1,200 | 23,000- 27,600 | DataFlow Verification of degree and license |
| Application Evaluation (PQR) | 200 | 4,600 | Eligibility Screening via Sheryan |
| DHA Prometric Exam Fee | 1,000-1,200 | 23,000- 27,600 | Exam fees paid during booking the DHA exam |
| Professional License Activation | 1,200 | 27,600 | Full license registration after passing the exam, initiated by employer |
| Total | 3,500-4,000 | 80,500- 92,000 | Approx total cost of getting registered with the DHA |
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Exam Format, Duration & Passing Mark
2025 standardized the format as follows:
| Profession | Exam Duration | Number of Questions | Pass Marks |
| Physicians | 3 Hrs | 150 | 60-70% |
| Nurses | 3 Hrs | 150 | 45-50% |
| Dentists | 3 Hrs | 150 | 60-65% |
| Pharmacists | 3 Hrs | 150 | 60% |
| Lab Technicians | 3 Hrs | 150 | 55% |
| Allied Health | 2-3 Hrs | 100-150 | 50-65% |
Max attempts allowed: 3 attempts per year; re-attempts may require a gap after the third failure.
Syllabus & Topics Overview
DHA Prometric Exam Syllabus 2025: What to Expect
The DHA Prometric exam syllabus is designed to assess your clinical knowledge and professional skills.
While the exact content can vary slightly by profession, the general premises of the exam cover:
- Clinical Knowledge
- Professional Skill
- Clinical Guidelines and Protocols
- Health Authority Regulations
- Healthcare System
- English Language Proficiency
Specific Syllabus Highlights (2025):
While a detailed breakdown for every profession is extensive, here are examples of common areas for major categories:
| Physicians | Nurses | Pharmacists | Dentists |
| Chronic Diseases Pediatric Women's Health Emergency Medicine Eye and ENT Basic Epidemiology and EBM Concepts Family Medicine Screening and Periodic Health Examination Surgery | Fundamentals of Nursing Pediatric Nursing Adult Nursing Maternal Nursing Unit Management and Leadership. | Toxicology Pediatrics and Geriatrics medicine Pharmacy Calculation and Compounding Pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics Pharmaceutical Care and Disease State Management Medication Safety OTC Medication Pharmacy Law and Ethics. | Anaesthesia and Pain Management Trauma Temporomandibular Joint Dentoalveolar Surgery Implant Surgery Reconstruction and Cosmetic Dentistry Deformities and Orthognathic Surgery Patient Education Ethics |
Tips, Trends & Pass Strategy
- Structured study plan: Focus on syllabus weightages and integrate mock tests early.
- MCQ practice: Mock exams help with timing and variety. Recommended 1–3 hours daily, 4–6 weeks prep.
- Understand UAE healthcare: Review local laws, ethics, and healthcare delivery systems. Especially crucial for nurses, doctors, and pharmacists.
- Professional skills: Quality over quantity; strong English comprehension, ethics, and communication.
- Retake rules: Can attempt up to 3 times per year. After 3rd failure, a mandatory time gap and extra qualifications may be required.
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After You Pass: Licensing to Practice
- Results: Delivered via Sheryan within 3–5 business days. A breakdown report with your score is provided.
- Oral/practical assessment: Required for certain professions (e.g., dentists and pharmacists).
- License issuance:
- Complete DHA self-assessment
- Submit online license application + fee
- DHA review
- License issued via the Medical Registry
- License valid up to 1 year
Parting Words
The DHA licensure exam is just the first step in your healthcare journey to Dubai. The dynamic culture and a strong economy have placed Dubai at the top of the map. Now is the best time to take the DHA exam.
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