DHA Exam for Doctors
Everything doctors need to pass the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing exam in United Arab Emirates — format, fees, passing score, syllabus focus and the fastest way to prepare.
The DHA pathway for doctors
Physicians are licensed in three broad tiers across the GCC — General Practitioner, Specialist and Consultant — and the tier you're classified into determines both your exam blueprint and your salary band. Classification is based on your documented specialty years, not total years since graduation.
GP-tier candidates sit a broad general-medicine Prometric MCQ. Specialists sit a specialty-specific paper. Consultants in some authorities (notably DOH Abu Dhabi) may face an interview panel instead of, or in addition to, the written exam.
Licenses every healthcare professional practising in the Emirate of Dubai — physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and allied health. Read the full DHA licensing guide for the complete document checklist and fee breakdown.
What the DHA exam tests for doctors
Eligibility for doctors (DHA)
- MBBS / MD or equivalent primary medical qualification from a recognised institution
- Internship completion certificate
- 2+ years post-internship experience for GP tier; board certification plus specialty years for Specialist/Consultant
- Good Standing Certificate and valid home-country medical licence
Requirements vary by title tier — run the free eligibility check to see exactly where you stand before spending on Dataflow.
DHA licensing process, step by step
- 1
Create Sheryan account
Register on Sheryan (DHA's unified professional portal) with your Emirates ID or passport.
- 2
Dataflow verification
Submit degree, transcripts, licence, experience letters and Good Standing for primary source verification. Takes 4-8 weeks.
- 3
Book Prometric exam
Once Dataflow clears, DHA issues an Eligibility ID. Book your slot on Prometric — Dubai, home country or any international centre.
- 4
Pass the exam
Score at or above the DHA cut-off for your title level (typically 60%). Result is instant on-screen.
- 5
Employer sponsorship & activation
A DHA-licensed facility submits your activation request. Licence issued within days.
DHA Exam FAQs for Doctors
What is the passing score for the DHA exam for doctors?›
The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam pass mark is 60% (title-dependent). The result appears on-screen immediately after you finish the computer-based exam.
How much does the DHA doctor exam cost?›
The DHA exam fee is $240 – $280. Budget separately for Dataflow verification and licence issuance — the full DHA licensing journey typically runs higher once every step is included.
What is the format of the DHA exam for doctors?›
150 MCQs, single best answer, completed in 3 hours. The paper for doctors focuses on internal medicine and its subspecialties (highest-weight section for gps) and related clinical areas.
Can I take the DHA doctor exam in my home country?›
Yes. Once DHA issues your eligibility, you can book any authorised Prometric centre worldwide — most candidates sit the exam in their home country before travelling.
How long does DHA licensing take for doctors?›
On average 8-16 weeks end-to-end, including Dataflow verification (the longest single step), eligibility review, the exam itself and licence issuance.
What should doctors study for the DHA exam?›
High-yield areas include: internal medicine and its subspecialties (highest-weight section for gps); pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, general surgery basics; emergency medicine and acute presentations; pharmacology and rational prescribing. Chapter-wise MCQ practice with explanations is the fastest way to find and close your weak areas.
Ready to pass the DHA exam?
Practice with chapter-wise DHA-style MCQs for doctors — detailed explanations after every question, unlimited retries, and progress tracking until you're consistently above the pass mark.