Exemption from DHA: Which Countries Are Eligible?

May 29, 2024 5 min read
Countries Eligible for DHA Exam

Key Takeaways

  • The DHA exam is a mandatory exam for healthcare professionals, including doctors who wish to migrate, settle and practice in Dubai and the UAE. 
  • The Dubai Health Authority offers exemption from taking the DHA exam to registered practitioners of some countries. 
  • Global doctors who have cleared the AMC, USMLE, PLAB, etc, registration exams do not require taking the DHA for Dubai registration.  

Every medical professional aspires to relish the luxurious and rewarding life in Dubai, but the DHA exam comes forth as a hurdle in their dreams. However, the path is often obstructed by the DHA exam, a mandatory requirement for registration with the Dubai Health Authority. This examination serves as a crucial step for global doctors aspiring to practice medicine in Dubai. 

Interestingly, certain countries have an exemption privilege, allowing their registered practitioners to migrate to Dubai without undergoing the DHA exam. Curious to know which countries enjoy this benefit? Read on as we unveil the details in this article!

Countries Whose Medical Graduates Are Exempted from Taking the DHA Exam 

  • Australia 
  • Ireland 
  • New Zealand 
  • USA 
  • Canada 
  • UK 
  • EMREE UAE 
  • Countries Whose Medicos Must Take the Oral Exam 
  • About the DHA Oral Exam 
  • Countries Whose Medical Graduates Must Take the Prometric Exam 
  • About the DHA Prometric Exam 
  • Parting Thoughts 
  • FAQs 

Countries Whose Medical Graduates Are Exempted from Taking the DHA Exam

Below is the list of the countries whose registered doctors need not take the DHA exam in order to become registered medical practitioners in Dubai. 

Australia

Any Australian citizen, resident, or any global doctor who has cleared the AMC exam conducted by the Australian Medical Council does not require taking the DHA exam for registration in UAE. The AMC exam has two parts- the AMC MCQ Exam and the AMC Clinical Exam. Clearing this exam is mandatory to become a registered doctor in Australia or to pursue an MD in Australia. 

Ireland

The government of Ireland allows medical registration for doctors who clear the PRES exam. The Pre-Registration Examination System has two parts- MCQ and OSCE. If you clear these exams, you can set up practice in Dubai, too, without having to take DHA again. 

New Zealand

NZREX, or New Zealand Registration Examination, as the name suggests, is the registration exam for global doctors. Medicos who have cleared this exam are exempted from taking the DHA exam to become a doctor in Dubai. 

USA

The USA allows registration of doctors globally, given they have cleared the USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3. It is a prestigious exam, also quite difficult to crack. So, anyone who has cleared all three steps of USMLE is exempted from taking the DHA exam. 

Canada

The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada is the medical registration exam for global doctors who wish to set up practice in Canada. However, even if you have cleared the LMCC exam and wish to migrate to UAE instead, you can do that without having to take the DHA exam again. 

UK

PLAB or Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test, is the test mandatory for doctors to clear to set up practice in the UK. The UK medical license holders (who have cleared the PLAB) are eligible to be exempted from taking the DHA to migrate to the UAE. 

EMREE UAE

Medical professionals who have cleared the Emirates Medical Residency Entry Examination Service must not take the DHA exam. 

Some other countries whose registered medical graduates need not take the DHA exam include the following-

  • The Netherlands
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Norway
  • Finland
  • Iceland
  • Luxembourg
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Germany

Medical graduates based out of these countries can directly apply for the license in Dubai. They will receive their practice license in around 3-4 months of applying. 

Countries Whose Medicos Must Take the Oral Exam

There are a few countries around the globe whose medical professionals need not take the DHA Prometric exam but have to clear the Oral Exam in order to get registered in Dubai. Here's a list of those countries- 

  • Slovenia
  • Arab Board
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Korea
  • Lebanon
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • China

About the DHA Oral Exam

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) conducts oral exams as part of the licensing and registration process for medical professionals seeking to practice in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The DHA aims to ensure that healthcare practitioners meet the required standards and qualifications to provide safe and effective healthcare services in the emirate.

The oral examination is the second step of the process. Medical professionals from the countries mentioned above can skip the first step (which is the prometric exam) and become registered practitioners in Dubai by passing the oral exam. 

The oral exam is typically conducted by a panel of experienced healthcare professionals who evaluate the candidate's competence and suitability for practice in Dubai. Medical professionals interested in practising in Dubai must submit an application to the DHA. The application process may involve providing documentation of qualifications, work experience, and other relevant credentials that prove that they belong to any of the above-mentioned countries. This will help them skip the prometric exam and take the oral exam directly. 

During the oral examination, two or three experienced consultants in your field will evaluate you by posing scenario-based clinical questions related to patient care. The DHA License application process for individuals from these countries typically spans 5 to 9 months. This extended duration is attributed to the intricacies involved in processing non-English/Arabic documentation, navigating bureaucratic procedures that vary among countries, and coordinating the oral assessment based on the availability of the applicant and the examination committee.

It is highly recommended that doctors from these nations secure their DHA registration before seeking employment opportunities in Dubai.

Countries Whose Medical Graduates Must Take the Prometric Exam

Medicos from most of the remaining countries in the world are also eligible to become registered doctors in Dubai and UAE, given they clear the DHA exam. However, they do not have any exemption, and thus, they must clear both the Prometric exam and the oral exam to find their way to Dubai registration. 

Here is a list of countries whose medical graduates must clear the Dubai Health Authority Exam to become registered practitioners in Dubai. 

  • Argentina
  • Belarus
  • Brazil
  • Cuba
  • Greece
  • Turkey
  • Russia
  • Estonia
  • Cyprus
  • India
  • Pakistan

About the DHA Prometric Exam

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires healthcare professionals to take the Prometric exam as part of the licensing process for practising in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Prometric exam is a standardised test that assesses the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in their respective fields.

The DHA Prometric Exam is designed to evaluate the competence and proficiency of healthcare professionals who wish to work in Dubai. It assesses their understanding of medical concepts, clinical knowledge, and ability to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.

Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals, may be required to take the Prometric exam as part of the DHA licensing process (besides the exceptions). Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the specific profession.

The exam content is tailored to the candidate's specific healthcare profession. It typically covers a range of topics related to the candidate's field, including clinical knowledge, ethics, and professional standards. The DHA Prometric Exam is a computer-based test. It may consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) or other formats, depending on the profession. 

Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly for the Prometric exam by reviewing their academic knowledge, staying updated on current medical practices, and practising sample questions. Many healthcare professionals use study materials and resources specifically designed for the DHA Prometric Exam.

Candidates need to register for the DHA Prometric Exam through the official channels provided by the DHA. This often involves creating an account, selecting the appropriate exam, and paying the required fees.

Parting Thoughts

Do you belong to any of the countries mentioned above? If yes, then you are in luck!

Don't wait make the move today and embark on a path to a thriving and fulfilling medical career in Dubai. 

To know more about overseas migration pathways and get assistance in migrating and registering in your preferred country, get in touch with Academically today! We'll help you learn about the different countries and there migration pathways and be your guiding light in the path to achieve them.

Fill up this form for a free one on one counselling session. 

Sheenu Sharma
Sheenu Sharma
about the author

Sheenu Sharma is a seasoned writer with several years of experience curating content in the EdTech and healthcare sectors. She believes in delivering information and facts to the readers by crafting compelling stories. Through the platform of Academically, she aims to help global healthcare professionals in their career aspirations and dreams!