DHA Exam & Prometric: The Complete Guide for Doctors and Nurses
The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam, administered by Prometric, is the mandatory gate for every doctor and nurse who wants to practise in Dubai — whether you trained in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya or the Philippines. It's a real computer-based test, not a formality, and most delays come from missing paperwork, not the exam itself.
The path from your home country to a DHA license
1. Eligibility check
GPs need 2 years post-internship experience, specialists need 3 years post-specialization, and nurses need 2 years (recent graduates may qualify under newer rules). Internship time doesn't count.
2. DataFlow Primary Source Verification
Your degree, license and experience certificates get verified directly with your university, licensing council and past employers — the step that actually takes the longest.
3. Prometric exam registration (Sheryan)
Once DataFlow clears, you register through the Sheryan platform and schedule your exam at a Prometric centre — many are available in your home country, no need to travel to Dubai first.
4. Pass the exam and get licensed
100-150 multiple-choice questions, no negative marking, passing score around 55-60%. Pass, and DHA issues your license — you're now eligible to work in any DHA-regulated Dubai hospital.
What it actually costs
Prometric exam fees run roughly AED 300-400 for nurses and AED 500 for doctors and dentists. Add the Sheryan application fee (~AED 200) and DataFlow PSV (AED 935 for nurses, AED 1,235 for doctors/dentists). These are official government/Prometric fees — anyone charging dramatically more for the exam itself is charging for a service, not the exam.
Where you can actually sit the exam
You do not need to travel to Dubai to take the DHA exam. Prometric operates test centres across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya and the Philippines — you can complete the entire process, including the exam, from your home country before ever setting foot in the UAE.
We handle DataFlow and the paperwork, you focus on the exam
Credential verification, document legalisation, Sheryan registration and hospital matchmaking — apply through the app and we manage the administrative side of your DHA process.
Apply nowCommon questions
How long does the whole DHA process take?+
From DataFlow submission to license issuance, it typically takes 2-4 months depending on how quickly your source institutions respond to verification requests. Delays are almost always paperwork, not the exam.
Do I need a job offer before taking the DHA exam?+
No — you can complete DataFlow and the Prometric exam independently of a job offer. Many candidates get licensed first, then apply to hospitals, which makes them more attractive candidates.
What happens if I fail the Prometric exam?+
You can retake it after a waiting period set by Prometric, usually with a fresh registration and fee. Most failures come from unfamiliarity with the exam's clinical-scenario format, not lack of knowledge.
Is the DHA license valid only in Dubai?+
Yes — DHA covers Dubai specifically. Abu Dhabi requires a DOH (formerly HAAD) license, and the five Northern Emirates require MOHAP. Each has its own exam and process.