DHA Exam 2025: Full Form, Fees, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus
The full form of the DHA exam is the Dubai Health Authority Exam. This is designed for various healthcare roles, and other allied health professionals who want to get a license to work in Dubai can take DHA exam. Check DHA exam structure, eligibility criteria, and other important details.
The DHA licensing exam is a test conducted by the Dubai Health Authority. It is mandatory for all medical professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health workers, who want to get a license to work in Dubai.Â
This is a computer-based test (CBT). You don't need to go to Dubai to write it or study in UAE. You can take this exam from your home country at Prometric exam centers. It is an MCQ type exam, which means you have to choose the correct answer from options. The best part is there is no negative marking. So even if you guess an answer wrong, you wont lose marks.
There are no fixed DHA exam dates. Candidates must schedule DHA exam date 2025 according to their own time. Normally, the exam happens four times in a year, in January, April, July and October. The DHA exam 2025 is held in authorised test centers in Dubai and can also be booked online.
Passing this DHA exam is very important because without it, you cannot get a medical license in Dubai. With the license, you can work legally in Dubai healthcare sector. For preparation, candidates should check the DHA exam syllabus, solve practice tests, and study properly.
- DHA Exam Overview
- DHA Exam Dates 2025
- DHA Exam Eligibility 2025
- DHA Exam Registration 2025
- DHA Exam Fees
- DHA Exam Pattern
- DHA Exam Syllabus
- DHA Exam Result
- DHA License Fees 2025
- What to Do After Passing the DHA Exam?
- What is the difference between DHA and MOH exam?
DHA Exam Overview
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose |
To assess the qualifications and competency of healthcare professionals to work in Dubai. |
| Conducting Authority |
Dubai Health Authority (DHA). |
| Eligibility |
|
| Exam Format |
Computer-Based Test (CBT). |
| Exam Provider |
Prometric Testing Services. |
| Question Type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). |
| Language |
English. |
| Duration |
2-3 hours (depending on the profession). |
| DHA Passing Score |
60%-75% (varies by profession and specialty). |
| Exam Topics |
Varies by profession (e.g., medical knowledge, clinical skills, ethics, UAE laws). |
| Validity of License |
1 year (renewable). |
| Result Timeline |
2-5 working days after the exam. |
| MCAT Exam | PLAB Exam for UK | USMLE Exam for USA |
DHA Exam Dates 2025
The DHA Exam happen 4 times in year: January, April, July, October. You can start apply in January for first exam. Dates sometime change, so check DHA official website for latest updates. You can also see Prometric website for exam schedule and places.
DHA Exam Eligibility 2025
If you want to work in Dubai as doctor or nurse, you need to pass DHA exam. To give this exam, some rules are there:
- Education: You must have MBBS degree or same from good college.
- Experience: You need atleast 2 year work in your field.
- License: You should have valid license in your own country or other place.
This is must before you apply for DHA exam.
Documents Required for DHA Exam
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid passport copy
- Educational qualifications
- Experience certificates
- License/registration
- Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
- Logbook for surgical specialties
Healthcare is definitely a big industry in Dubai, but it's good to know what else is happening in the market. Before you move, you should have an idea about the Popular Job Sectors in UAE for International Students.
DHA Exam Registration 2025
Healthcare professionals who want to work in Dubai must register for the DHA exam to submit their application online. Check how to apply for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Test 2025:
- Visit the official DHA website to create a DHA Sheryan account.
- Search for the self-assessment tool on the Sheryan portal to complete the Self Assessment Tool service. Students can evaluate their eligibility through this tool.
- Complete the service prerequisites and submit an online application along with the necessary documents to DataFlow for verification.Â
- Schedule an exam date and location available on the list. Â
- Pay the required DHA exam fee.
After you register, you can use DHA Unique ID to see how your application is going. Usually, it takes 5 to 10 working days to process. Sometimes, DHA may ask you for a small talk or oral test.
Passing the DHA exam is the first step to a great life in Dubai. Everyone knows that medical professionals earns a lot of money there. If you look at the Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Dubai, you will see that doctors and healthcare experts are always on the list.
DHA Exam Fees
Eligible candidates planning to develop a professional career in healthcare and medicine in Dubai must pay the standard DHA test fee to apply for the test. The DHA fees are charged in multiple stages as per the guidelines of the Dubai Healthcare Authority. The DHA exam fee is between 700-1100 AED, based on the DHA exam category.
The complete fee structure of the DHA exam 2025 is given below for all international aspirants:
- Self Assessment Fee: Free of cost
- Manual Review: AED 200
- Primary Source Verification (PSV)
- The fixed package for doctors: AED 1235
- The fixed package for nurses or allied healthcare: AED 935
- DHA Exam: USD 220 to USD 280
- Registration: AED 200
- Oral Assessment: AED 250
- Activation of Professional Licence: AED 1000 AED 4000
| DHA Exam Category |
Application Fees (AED) |
Exam Fees (AED) |
License Fees (AED) |
Total Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioners |
1,000 - 1,100 |
1,000 - 1,200 |
1,000 - 1,100 |
3,000 - 3,400 |
| Dentists |
1,000 - 1,100 |
1,200 |
1,000 - 1,100 |
3,200 - 3,400 |
| Pharmacists |
1,000 - 1,100 |
1,000 - 1,200 |
800 - 900 |
2,800 - 3,200 |
| Nurses |
800 - 1,000 |
800 - 900 |
600 - 700 |
2,200 - 2,600 |
| Allied Health Professionals |
700 - 900 |
700 - 900 |
600 - 700 |
2,000 - 2,500 |
DHA Test Fee Payment Methods
The DHA exam fees are typically paid in UAE Dirhams (AED), and applicants can make payments through various methods, including major credit cards, certified bank checks, money orders, or wire transfers for certain programmes. There are various cheap MBBS colleges abroad where one can study without spending much.
Also Read: MBBS colleges abroad with a low fee structure
DHA Exam Pattern
The DHA Exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT). It have about 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Time for test is 2-3 hours depends on your profession. Test is in English. Each question got 4 options, you pick one correct answer. Total questions can change depends on type of profession.
| DHA Exam Category |
Number of Questions |
Time Duration |
Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioners |
150 MCQs |
165 minutes |
60% |
| Nurses |
150 MCQs |
165 minutes |
60% |
| Dentists |
150 MCQs |
180 minutes |
60% |
| Pharmacists |
120 MCQs |
165 minutes |
60% |
| Lab Technicians |
100 MCQs |
150 minutes |
55% |
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DHA Exam Syllabus
The DHA exam checks how much student know about healthcare and also practical skills. The topics are:
- Clinical Knowledge: Anatomy, body system, medicine, germs, x-ray etc.
- Professional Skills: Rules and law of doctors in UAE.
- Guidelines: How to do treatment in right way.
- DHA Rules: License, hospital standards, patient safety.
- UAE Health System: Money for health, insurance, hospital people role.
- English: Need to know English language also.
This exam is for many type of medical students and workers.
DHA Exam Syllabus for Nurses
| Profession |
Topics |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Nurses |
Fundamentals of Nursing |
25% |
| Pediatric Nursing |
18% |
|
| Adult Nursing |
20% |
|
| Maternal Health |
15% |
|
| Unit Management and Leadership |
22% |
DHA Exam Syllabus for General Practitioners
| Profession |
Topics |
|---|---|
| General Practitioners |
Chronic Diseases |
| Acute/Common Medical Problems |
|
| Common Pediatric Problems |
|
| Women’s Health |
|
| Emergency Problems |
|
| Common Surgical Problems |
|
| Common Psychiatric Problems |
|
| Common Eye and ENT Problems |
|
| Common Dermatological Problems |
|
| Basic Epidemiology and EBM Concepts |
|
| Family Medicine Concepts |
|
| Screening & Periodic Health Exams |
DHA Exam Syllabus for Pharmacists
| Profession |
Topics |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists |
Toxicology |
5% |
| Pregnancy and Lactation |
5% |
|
| Pediatrics |
5% |
|
| Geriatrics |
5% |
|
| Pharmacy Calculation and Compounding |
15% |
|
| Pharmacokinetics |
5% |
|
| Pharmaceutical Care and Disease Management |
35% |
|
| Medication Safety |
5% |
|
| Counter Medication |
10% |
|
| Pharmacy Law and Ethics |
10% |
DHA Exam Syllabus for Lab Technicians
| Profession |
Topics |
|---|---|
| Lab Technicians |
Safety and Quality Control |
| Bacteriology |
|
| Virology |
|
| Immunology |
|
| Parasitology |
|
| Hematology |
|
| Blood Bank |
|
| Biochemistry |
|
| Hormones |
|
| Urinalysis |
|
| Mycology |
DHA Exam Syllabus for Dentists
| Profession |
Topics |
|---|---|
| Dentists |
Anesthesia and Pain Management |
| Trauma |
|
| Temporomandibular Joint |
|
| Dentoalveolar Surgery |
|
| Implant Surgery |
|
| Reconstruction |
|
| Cosmetic Procedures |
|
| Deformities and Orthognathic Surgery |
|
| Patient Education |
|
| Ethics |
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DHA Exam Result
The DHA result come in 3 to 5 days after exam finish. Student get email and also see result in Sheryan portal.
The DHA result show Pass or Fail with score detail. If pass, then can go for license to work in Dubai. If fail, can give exam again 3 times. After 3 try, need extra step to apply again.
If mistake in result, student can ask DHA support or check again in portal under "Result".
DHA License Fees 2025
Upon passing the DHA exam, candidates must pay licensing fees to activate their professional license. The cost DHA license varies differently according to the type of license: Full-time Licence, Part-time Licence, and Trainee Licence.
| License Type |
Nurse and Midwife/Allied Health/T&CM |
Physician/Dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time 1 Year |
AED 1000 |
AED 3000 |
| Full-time 2 Years |
AED 1500 |
AED 5000 |
| Full-time 3 Years |
AED 2500 |
AED 7500 |
| Part-time |
AED 1000 |
AED 3000 |
| Trainee |
AED 1000 |
AED 3000 |
What to Do After Passing the DHA Exam?
Once you see the "PASS" result, be happy but the process is not over. You will get a DHA Unique ID. After this, you have to clear something called Dataflow verification.
Dataflow is a process where they check if your degree and experience certificates are real. They do primary source verification. Once you clear both the DHA licensing exam and the Dataflow, you will get the DHA Eligibility Letter.
This letter is very important. You can use this eligibility letter to apply for jobs in hospitals and clinics in Dubai.
Once you finish your medical degree, the main goal is to start working. But first, you need to understand the visa rules. Along with the DHA license, you should check the Post Study Work Options in UAE.
What is the difference between DHA and MOH exam?
| Feature |
DHA (Dubai Health Authority) |
MOH (Ministry of Health UAE) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is valid |
Only in Dubai |
Other Emirates like Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah |
| Type of exam |
Only MCQ-based test (Prometric) |
May have written, oral, and practical tests |
| Who conducts it |
DHA |
UAE MOH |
| License validity |
Only for working in Dubai |
For all Emirates except Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| Difficulty level |
Moderate |
Easier than DHA |
| Cost |
More expensive |
Usually cheaper than DHA |
So, if you want to work in Dubai, you must go for DHA exam. But if you want to work in other parts of UAE, then choose the MOH exam.
The DHA exam cost is not fixed, but usually it is between INR 30,000 to INR 50,000 (around $400 to $600). This fee also covers registration and some other administrative charges for giving the DHA exam.
The DHA exam passing mark is different for each profession. In general, you need at least 60% to pass. For some jobs like lab technicians, the passing score can be a bit lower, around 55%.
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The difficulty of the DHA exam can change for each person based on their preparation and experience. Some people find it hard because it has theory questions and practical tasks. But with the right study materials and proper preparation plan, most candidates can pass the DHA exam.