DHA Licence for Radiographers 2026: Radiographer vs Radiography Technician, Eligibility, the DHA Radiography Exam, Fees and Radiology Jobs in Dubai

Imaging is one of the fastest-growing areas of Dubai healthcare, with new diagnostic centres, outpatient imaging and hospital expansions every year. Radiographers and radiology technologists need a licence from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) before they can work. Here is the 2026 route.

Which title fits you?

Title	Typical qualification	Experience
Radiographer	Bachelor's in diagnostic radiography, medical imaging or radiologic technology	About 2 years after qualification
Radiography Technician	Diploma in radiography or medical imaging	About 2–3 years after qualification
Modality titles	Sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists and radiation therapists are licensed under their own titles with their own requirements	Experience in that modality

CT, MRI and mammography experience is usually built into the Radiographer title rather than licensed separately, but employers will ask for proof of it. Keep modality logs or letters that list the scanners you have worked on. Use the free eligibility check to confirm your likely title.

Documents you need

• Degree or diploma certificate and transcripts.
• Home registration, where your country registers radiographers.
• Experience certificates with exact dates, title, modalities and HR contacts (format guide).
• Good Standing Certificate issued within six months (guide).
• BLS certificate, passport and photograph.

Step by step

1. Sheryan account and self-assessment under Allied Health (Sheryan guide).
2. Application and DataFlow, usually 4–8 weeks (DataFlow guide).
3. DHA radiography exam at Prometric.
4. Eligibility letter, valid for a limited period, usually about a year.
5. Licence activation by a DHA-licensed employer, followed by visa and Emirates ID.

Radiation work also has its own rules. Your employer enrols you in personal dosimetry, and the facility's use of radiation is licensed by the UAE's nuclear regulator, FANR. You do not apply for this yourself, but expect radiation-safety training in your induction.

The DHA radiography exam

• Computer-based single-best-answer MCQs, usually 100–150 items, with a pass mark of about 60%.
• Blueprint: radiation physics and protection, radiographic positioning and image evaluation, equipment and digital imaging, contrast media and patient care, CT, MRI and ultrasound principles, anatomy, and professional ethics.

Prepare with the DHA exam for radiographers page, the Radiographer bank or Radiography Technician bank, and the radiographer sample questions with answers. The full exam guide is Prometric exam for radiographers.

Fees

Item	USD	AED	INR	PKR	PHP	Who usually pays
DataFlow verification	USD 220–320	AED 810–1,180	INR 19,500–28,000	PKR 61,500–89,500	PHP 12,500–18,000	Candidate
DHA radiography exam	USD 230–250	AED 840–920	INR 20,000–22,000	PKR 64,500–70,000	PHP 13,000–14,500	Candidate
Eligibility and licence issuance	USD 270–410	AED 990–1,510	INR 24,000–36,000	PKR 75,500–115,000	PHP 15,500–23,500	Often the employer

All figures are approximate 2026 ranges, converted at fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Authorities change fees without notice and your bank adds its own card charge, so confirm the amount on the official portal at the moment you pay.

See DHA exam fees 2026 for the full list, or total yours with the licence fee calculator.

Radiographer salary in Dubai

Title	Monthly (AED)	USD	INR	PKR	PHP
Radiographer / Radiology Technologist	AED 7,000–14,000	USD 1,910–3,810	INR 167,500–335,500	PKR 533,500–1,067,500	PHP 108,500–217,500

Salaries are approximate 2026 monthly, tax-free ranges for a mid-experience (3–5 year) hire, blended from published pay scales, recruiter ranges and offers our placement team has seen. Home-currency figures use fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, SAR 3.75, QAR 3.64, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Always go by the offer letter.

CT and MRI experience pushes offers towards the top of the band, and on-call allowances are common in hospital imaging. Technicians usually start lower. Compare countries in radiographer salary in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Where radiographers work in Dubai

• Hospital radiology departments, including emergency and theatre imaging.
• Standalone diagnostic and imaging centres, many open late into the evening.
• Polyclinics with general x-ray and ultrasound.
• Specialist centres, such as women's imaging, orthopaedic and oncology centres.

Next steps

Run the eligibility check and join the radiographer talent pool. If you are open to other emirates, compare the DOH and MOHAP radiography routes.

Frequently asked questions

Can a radiography diploma holder work in Dubai?

Usually yes, as a Radiography Technician, with about two to three years of experience after qualification.

Do I need separate licences for CT and MRI?

Usually not. CT and MRI work is done under the Radiographer title, but employers expect documented modality experience.

How much does the DHA radiography exam cost?

About USD 230–250, roughly AED 840–920 or INR 20,000–22,000.

What is a radiographer's salary in Dubai?

Roughly AED 7,000–14,000 a month tax-free for a mid-experience radiographer.

Is a sonographer licensed as a radiographer?

No. Sonographers are licensed under their own title, with ultrasound-specific qualification and experience requirements.