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 Category | Number of Questions | Time Duration | Passing Score |
| General Practitioners | 150 MCQs | 3 Hrs | 60% |
| Nurses | 150 MCQs | 3 Hrs | 50% |
| Dentists | 150 MCQs | 3 Hrs | 60% |
| Pharmacists | 120 MCQs | 3 Hrs | 60% |
| Lab Technicians | 100 MCQs | 3 Hrs | 45% |
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
| Profession | Recommended 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 Professionals | Role-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.