DHA Exam Application: The 2025 Guide for International Healthcare Professionals
For skilled healthcare professionals around the world, a career in Dubai offers an unparalleled opportunity for professional growth in a truly global city. The gateway to practicing in this vibrant emirate is securing a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the governing body that ensures Dubai’s healthcare system remains world-class.
Navigating the DHA application process from overseas can be a complex journey filled with specific requirements and critical deadlines. This definitive guide provides a clear, accurate, and up-to-date roadmap to the entire process, ensuring your path to a career in Dubai is smooth and successful.
The Correct 4-Step Pathway to Your DHA License
The DHA application is a sequential process managed through its official online portal, Sheryan. It is essential for all international candidates to follow these steps in the correct order to avoid delays.
Step 1: Sheryan Self-Assessment & Dataflow (PSV)
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The Mandatory First Step: Your journey begins with the free Sheryan Self-Assessment Tool. This initial online check verifies if your qualifications, including your educational degree and home country professional license, meet the DHA's Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
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Primary Source Verification (PSV): Once you pass the self-assessment, you will proceed to the mandatory Dataflow (PSV) phase. This is an in-depth background check where every professional credential is verified directly with its issuing source (e.g., your university, your national licensing board). A "positive" Dataflow report is required to move forward.
Step 2: The Prometric CBT Exam
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What it is: After receiving a positive Dataflow report, you must schedule and pass the Computer-Based Test (CBT). This exam, administered by Prometric, assesses your clinical knowledge and competency for your specific profession.
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A Key Advantage: You can often take the DHA Prometric exam at a test center in your home country or a nearby major city. This allows you to complete this major step without any initial international travel.
Step 3: Credentialing & Registration
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Final Review: After you have successfully passed the CBT exam, you will move to the final credentialing stage. The DHA will conduct a final review of your complete file—including your positive Dataflow report and passing exam result.
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Official Registration: Upon successful credentialing, the DHA will ask you to pay the official registration fees. This places you in the Dubai Medical Registry and makes you eligible to be issued a license.
Step 4: License Activation
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The Final Step: To activate your DHA license, you must first secure a job offer from a healthcare facility in Dubai. Your new employer will then link your registration to their facility through the Sheryan portal, which triggers the issuance and activation of your professional license to practice.
Your Global Path to Dubai: Why Expert Guidance is Essential
The DHA application process is detailed and unforgiving of errors. A mistake in your PQR selection or Dataflow submission can lead to costly delays and the forfeiture of non-refundable fees. For a busy professional managing this international process from a distance, the complexity can be overwhelming.
NEAC Medical Exams Center specializes in guiding international professionals through this exact journey. We are experts in managing the DHA application, ensuring your documents are flawless and your application is managed efficiently. We handle the complexities so you can focus on what you do best: preparing for your exam and your future in Dubai.
Let our experts handle the process, so you can focus on your success.
Have a quick question? Chat with our experts directly on Messenger for a fast response. Chat With Us NowFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for International Applicants
What is the difference between the DHA, DOH, and MOH exams?
These are licenses for different Emirates in the UAE. DHA is exclusively for Dubai. DOH (formerly HAAD) is for Abu Dhabi. MOH is for the other Northern Emirates (e.g., Sharjah, Ajman). You must hold the correct license for the Emirate in which you plan to work.
What is the Sheryan portal?
Sheryan is the official online portal of the Dubai Health Authority. It is the single platform where you will manage every step of your application, from the initial self-assessment to the final license activation.
Can I take the DHA exam in my home country?
Yes, in most cases. The DHA's official exam provider, Prometric, has a vast global network of test centers. Most international applicants can schedule and take their CBT exam in their home country or a nearby major city.
What is Dataflow and how long does it take?
Dataflow is the company that performs the Primary Source Verification (PSV) background check on your credentials. The process typically takes 20-45 working days, but this can be extended if there are difficulties contacting your document issuers (like your university or national licensing board).
How much does the DHA process cost?
The process involves multiple fees: the Dataflow (PSV) fee, the CBT exam fee, and the final DHA registration fee. It's important to budget for each stage. NEAC provides a clear breakdown of all associated costs upfront.
How long does the entire DHA application take?
From starting your Dataflow to being eligible for license activation, the process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on Dataflow processing times and your exam preparation schedule.
Do I need a Dubai job offer to start the application?
No. You do not need a job offer to start the process. In fact, completing your Dataflow and passing the Prometric exam makes you a much more attractive and hireable candidate for employers in Dubai.
What happens after I pass the DHA exam?
After passing the exam and completing the credentialing phase, you will be issued an eligibility letter. This is the official document you will use to apply for jobs with healthcare facilities in Dubai.
Are there exemptions for the DHA exam?
Yes, some senior healthcare professionals holding active licenses from specific Western countries (like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) may be eligible for an exam exemption. However, they must still complete the full Dataflow and credentialing process.
Why is an agency helpful for an international DHA application?
An expert agency like NEAC understands the specific challenges of applying from overseas. We manage the entire complex process on your behalf, ensuring your documents meet the DHA's strict standards and preventing costly errors and delays that are common for individual applicants.