Mastering The DHA Exam: Syllabus and Exam Pattern Explained

Written by

Mansi Bhatt

Reviewed by

Dr. Rini Sharma
DHA Exam Syllabus for Dubai
Created On : Oct 11, 2023 Updated On : Jul 30, 2025 4 min read

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand what the DHA exam is about and who can write it.
  • Learn about the detailed breakdown of the DHA exam pattern
  • Know how to apply for the DHA exam 
  • Understand the DHA exam syllabus and the important subject areas.
  • Learn about the important books for the DHA exam

Did you know…. Each year, thousands of Medical professionals around the globe set their eyes on Dubai to become registered healthcare professionals there, due to its medical advancements, tax-free income, and multicultural welcoming environment, to make all of this happen they need to qualify the DHA exam, a mandatory licensure test conducted by the Dubai Health Authority.

Whether you are a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or an allied health expert, the DHA exam is your only pathway to practice in one of the world’s most luxurious cities. 

What Is the DHA Exam?

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) exam is a mandatory test for those who wish to practice in Dubai. This exam tests various aspects of your knowledge, including ethical judgement, clinical knowledge, and practical decision making, to make sure you are meeting the standard.

Once you pass the DHA exam, you can become a licensed healthcare professional, which is essential for employment, and can work anywhere in Dubai.

Who Needs to Take the DHA Exam?

Those who want to work in Dubai as a licensed healthcare professional need to pass the exam to clear DHA exam is not a common test for each type of healthcare degree; a carefully curated DHA exam is held to assess the candidate's knowledge well. It includes: 

  • Doctors (General Practitioners & Specialists)
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Nurses and Midwives
  • Allied Health Professionals, such as:

    • Physiotherapists
    • Laboratory Technicians
    • Radiographers
    • Dietitians
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Respiratory Therapists

DHA Exam Pattern: A Detailed Breakdown

The DHA exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted in English. It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to evaluate your clinical expertise.

DHA Exam CategoryNumber of QuestionsTime DurationPassing Score
General Practitioners150 MCQs3 Hrs60%
Nurses150 MCQs3 Hrs50%
Dentists150 MCQs3 Hrs60%
Pharmacists120 MCQs3 Hrs60%
Lab Technicians100 MCQs3 Hrs45%

Exam Mode:  DHA is a Computer-based test
Language: English
Type of Questions to expect during the exam: MCQs (Single-best answer)
What’s the process of marking: No negative marking

DHA Exam Syllabus: An Overview 

1. DHA Syllabus for Doctors (General Practitioners)

  • Chronic Diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma
  • Acute & Common Medical Conditions
  • Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • General Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • ENT, Ophthalmology & Dermatology 
  • Screening & Preventive Health
  • Family Medicine Concepts
  • Evidence-Based Medicine & Epidemiology

2. DHA Syllabus for Pharmacists

  • Pharmacology: Mechanism, interactions, adverse effects
  • Clinical Pharmacy: Patient assessment, case-based drug therapy
  • Pharmaceutical Calculations: Dosage, compounding
  • Dispensing & Prescriptions: Error checking, interpretation
  • Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
  • Regulations & Ethics: UAE pharmacy laws and controlled drugs
  • Medication Safety: Reporting adverse events, preventing error
  • Patient Counseling: Communication & education best practices

3. DHA Syllabus for Nurses 

Subject Areas:

  • Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
  • Adult Health Nursing
  • Maternal & Newborn Nursing
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues
  • Pharmacology and Medication Administration
  • Nursing Procedures and Clinical Skills
  • Patient Safety and Infection Control

4. DHA Syllabus for Pharmacy Technicians

  • Basic Pharmacology
  • Drug Classification
  • Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration
  • Inventory and Storage Management
  • Dispensing Techniques & Dosage Calculations
  • Infection Control & Aseptic Techniques
  • UAE Drug Laws and Ethics
  • Role of Pharmacy Technicians in Patient Care
  • Common Medical Terminology and Abbreviations

5. DHA Syllabus for Allied Health Professionals

Common Core Topics:

  • Basic Anatomy & Physiology
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Clinical Safety & Patient Care Standards
  • Professional Ethics & UAE Laws
  • Medical Terminology
  • Role-specific Competencies (see below)

Role-Specific:

Physiotherapists:

  • Neuro & Musculoskeletal Rehab
  • Cardio-Respiratory Therapy
  • Physical Assessment & Exercise Prescription
  • Patient Mobility & Assistive Devices

Radiographers:

  • Radiographic Techniques
  • Radiation Physics and Protection
  • Patient Positioning & Imaging Protocols
  • Emergency Procedures in Radiology

Lab Technicians:

  • Hematology, Microbiology, Biochemistry
  • Sample Collection and Analysis
  • Lab Safety and Quality Control

Respiratory Therapists:

  • Mechanical Ventilation
  • Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation
  • Airway Management
  • Pulmonary Function Testing

Dietitians/Nutritionists:

  • Clinical Nutrition Therapy
  • Nutritional Assessment
  • Patient Diet Planning
  • Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
ProfessionRecommended Books
Doctors (General Practitioners)- Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine - Harrison’s Internal Medicine - Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine
Pharmacists- Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy - Goodman & Gilman’s: Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by Roger Walker
Nurses (Registered Nurse)- Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing - Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing - Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children
Pharmacy Technicians- Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practice - Pharmacy Calculations by Howard C. Ansel
Allied Health ProfessionalsRole-specific books: 
Physiotherapists: Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 
Lab Technicians: Tietz Clinical Chemistry, Dacie & Lewis Practical Haematology 
Radiographers: Radiologic Science for Technologists (Bushong), Clark’s Positioning 
Dietitians: Krause’s Food & the Nutrition Care Process

Also Read: DHA vs DOH vs MOH 

How to Apply for the DHA Exam

The application process is entirely online and involves several steps:

Step 1: Register on the Sheryan Portal

Create a profile and submit personal and professional information.

Step 2: Complete DataFlow Verification

Your educational certificates and licenses will undergo Primary Source Verification.

Step 3: Get Eligibility Approval

If all your documents are verified, you will get approval for your eligibility, and then you can write the exam.

Step 4: Book the Exam 

Book your exam via Prometric

Step 5: Take the Test & Await Results

Results are usually available within 2–5 working days.

Step 6: Receive Your Professional License

Once you pass and get a job, you’ll receive your DHA license officially.

How to Prepare for the DHA Exam: Expert Tips

Preparation is more than just memorizing facts. Here’s how to truly prepare:

Focus on the DHA Syllabus

Stick to the official content outlines. Avoid irrelevant or outdated topics.

Practice with Prometric-Style Questions

Use MCQ banks and mock tests that simulate the real exam interface and difficulty level.

Join Peer Groups and Forums

Academically has communities on Discord and WhatsApp. Here you can share your queries or doubts anytime you want and get instant guidance from our experts.

Review Guidelines and Protocols

Familiarize yourself with international protocols used in Dubai hospitals.

Build Time Management Skills

Mock tests under real-time conditions are essential to improve pacing and focus.

If you are dreaming of a career in Dubai, qualifying for the DHA exam is your first step on the ladder. 
Working in Dubai not only means good pay, but also a great quality of life, job security, and you can easily settle down with your family there.

If you need help with DHA exam prep, Academically can help you out. From preparing for your exam to visa assistance, we will assist you with it.

FAQs

1. Is the DHA exam tough to clear?

It depends on your preparation. With targeted study and MCQ practice, most candidates clear it in 1–2 attempts.

Can I apply for the DHA exam from India or my home country?

Yes, exams are conducted globally via Prometric centers. You can apply from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, and more.

How many attempts are allowed for the DHA exam?

You can take the exam up to three times. After three failures, additional requirements may apply.

4. Is there negative marking in the DHA exam?

No, there is no negative marking, so attempt all questions.

5. What’s the validity of a DHA license?

It’s valid for one year. If you don't get employed within this time, it lapses.

6. Can I transfer my DHA license to another emirate?

Yes, with the UAE’s unified licensing policy, DHA licenses may be converted to DOH or MOH with proper documentation.

7. Can fresh graduates take the DHA exam?

Usually, no. A minimum of 2 years clinical experience is required.

Mansi Bhatt
Mansi Bhatt
about the author

Mansi Bhatt is a PharmD graduate and a professional medical writer who brings together a wealth of scientific knowledge, accuracy, and clear communication. With a strong background in pharmacy, she offers clinical insights that allow her to craft well-researched, engaging, and reliable content. Her work spans educational articles, clinical blogs, and scientific explainers. She has a special interest in health education, drug information, and making evidence-based medicine more accessible through simple words.

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