What is the DHA Exam?
The Dubai Health Authority Exam is an eligibility assessment for healthcare professionals wanting to practice in Dubai.
It is a computer-based MCQ exam held 4 times a year. The exam can be taken from several centers around the world.
The registration for the exam starts 3 to 4 months before the exam date and closes a month before it.
This exam is a mandatory part of your registration process in Dubai, except in a few cases.
Why Country of Qualification Matters
DHA sets different paths depending on where and how you trained:
- Fully-exempt path: No exams required, just primary source verification (DataFlow), licensing, and paperwork.
- Oral exam only: Skip the computer-based test, but you need a Dubai oral assessment.
- Prometric exam path: Full testing required.
It’s all about aligning training standards with those in the UAE.
How DHA Defines The Categories
The DHA’s Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) outline:
- Option 1 exemptions: Tier 1 and Western European
- Option oral: Countries recognized but not fully exempt
- Option DHA CBT Exam: All others.
The basic requirements are a Good Standing Certificate, a valid license, a valid degree, and at least two years’ clinical experience post-internship
Let us see the candidates from which all countries can cut the queue for their registration in Dubai.
Countries Whose Healthcare Graduates Are Exempted from Taking the DHA Exam
There are several countries whose registered healthcare graduates are exempted from taking the DHA exam.
The main reason for this exemption is the standard of assessment. Most of the listed countries have a high standard of assessment exams required for registration. These exams effectively assess the competency of the healthcare professionals. And if the shoe fits, wear it.
The healthcare systems in these countries are comparable to the Dubai healthcare system. Those professionals are, therefore, adequately equipped to be seamlessly integrated into Dubai’s healthcare system.
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 healthcare professional who has cleared the :
- ADC Exam - for dentists
- OPRA Exam - for pharmacists
- AMC Exam - for doctors
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam,
does not require taking the DHA exam for registration in the UAE.
Clearing these exams is mandatory to become a registered healthcare practitioner in Australia.
Ireland
The government of Ireland allows registration of healthcare professionals who have passed the relevant exams:
- IDCE 1 and 2- for dentists
- PSI Exam - for pharmacists
- PRES Exam- for doctors
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam
If you clear these exams, you can set up practice in Dubai, too, without having to retake the DHA exam.
New Zealand
In order to practice in New Zealand as a healthcare graduate, you need to clear relevant assessments:
- NZDREX Exam- for dentists
- NZ- OPRA Exam - for pharmacists
- NZREX Exam - for general practitioners
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam
If you’re licensed to practice in New Zealand after clearing the exams, you can directly apply for registration in Dubai without taking the DHA exam.
USA
The USA allows registration of healthcare workers from around the globe on the successful completion of the following assessments:
- NBDE 1 and 2 Exam- for dentists
- FPGEE and NAPLEX Exam- for pharmacists
- USMLE Part 1-3- for doctors
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam
If you’re registered to practice in the States, you’re good to go in Dubai as well. Just apply for registration with the relevant documents.
If you’re registered to practice in the States, you’re good to go in Dubai as well. Just apply for registration with the relevant documents.
Canada
The licensing authorities for various healthcare professionals in Canada require candidates to pass their assessments.
- NDEBC Exam- for dentists
- PEBC Exam- for pharmacists
- MCCQE Exam- for doctors
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam
Once you clear these exams for registration in Canada, you also become eligible for registration in Dubai.
UK
The UK also has stringent assessment criteria for healthcare workers. This ensures the standard and quality of healthcare are maintained for the people of the country. Here are a few licensure exams for the UK
- GDC Exam- for dentists
- OSPAP Exam- for pharmacists
- PLAB 1 and 2 Exam- for doctors
- Or any other healthcare licensing exam
And if you’re good enough to register and practice in the UK, you’re good enough for Dubai. Go directly for the registration route if you have a license to practice in the UK.
UAE
Healthcare professionals who have cleared the Emirates assessment exams in different categories can skip the DHA exam. A few examples are:
- EDEE- for dentists
- EMREE- for doctors
More Countries where healthcare professionals don’t need to clear the DHA Exams
The countries listed above are not the only ones whose graduates can skip the DHA exams. We have listed a few more Western European countries that can bypass the DHA exam, albeit with a few conditions.
The Netherlands | Denmark | France | Norway | Finland | Iceland
Luxembourg | Belgium | Sweden | Switzerland | Germany
Healthcare professionals across the board registered in these countries need only provide an English Language Proficiency certificate. The DHA accepts a few language assessment tests for this.
IELTS | OET | TOEFL | Cambridge Assessment English
If you’re from any of the above-mentioned countries, your licensing process will take 3-4 months only.
Step-by-Step for Full-Exemption Applicants
- Gather your license, Good Standing Certificate, transcripts, and passport.
- Register and upload documents to the DHA Sheryan portal.
- Get PSV completed via DataFlow.
- Wait for the eligibility assessment from DHA.
- Receive license activation; it can take 3-4 months.
Now, let us understand that all countries require only the DHA Oral assessment.
Also Read: How to Apply for the DHA License Exam in Dubai
Countries Whose Graduates Must Take the Oral Exam
There are a few countries around the globe whose healthcare 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
The DHA Oral Exam
This is a 30-45 minute clinical assessment by experienced UAE practitioners. Successful completion typically takes 5–9 months, because scheduling and paperwork for oral exams are more involved.
Features of the DHA Oral Exam:
- Conducted by a panel of experienced healthcare professionals who evaluate the candidate's competence and suitability for practice in Dubai.
- Candidates must apply to the DHA.
- The application process involves providing documentation of qualifications, work experience, and other relevant credentials
- Evaluation will be done through scenario-based clinical questions related to patient care.
The oral exam route takes longer, mainly because of the documentation and availability of slots. But what you lose in time, you gain in ease of registration and money.
Countries Whose Medical Graduates Must Take the Prometric Exam
Healthcare professionals from most of the remaining countries in the world are also eligible to work in Dubai, given they clear the DHA exam.
Here is a list of countries whose healthcare graduates must clear the DHA Exam to become registered practitioners in Dubai.
- Argentina
- Belarus
- Brazil
- Cuba
- Greece
- Turkey
- Russia
- Estonia
- Cyprus
- India
- Pakistan
The Full Prometric Route
If you're from countries outside those listed—India, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, etc.—you’ll need to:
- Upload documents,
- Complete DataFlow PSV,
- Pass the Prometric CBT exam (150 MCQs, ~150 mins, 60% passing mark),
- Potentially undergo an oral exam,
- Submit your license application.
Expect 4–6 months total processing time
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Let’s quickly compare the three routes through which a healthcare professional can work in Dubai.
| Country Group | Assessment | Duration |
| USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Western EU | No exam (DataFlow only) | 3–4 months |
| Slovenia, Czech, Italy, China, etc. | Oral exam only | 5–9 months |
| India, Pakistan, Philippines, etc. | Prometric CBT + possible oral | 4–6 months |
Why It Pays to Know Your Category
- Exemption groups skip costly exam fees and preparation.
- Oral exam still requires travel to Dubai, but saves time compared to full Prometric preparation.
- The full Prometric route involves registration cost (~AED 1,080–1,200) plus travel/preparation expenses.
Final Thoughts
Dubai opens exciting career avenues for healthcare professionals, but understanding which DHA licensing path suits you is critical. If you're from a Tier 1 country or Western Europe, your transition is much smoother. If you're in the oral-exam block, it's still favorable, just a different procedure.
And if you fall outside those groups, yes, the Prometric exam awaits, but it's a straightforward path with clear steps.
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 their migration pathways and be your guiding light on the path to achieving them.