SHA Exam for Doctors
Everything doctors need to pass the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) licensing exam in United Arab Emirates — format, fees, passing score, syllabus focus and the fastest way to prepare.
The SHA 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.
The newest UAE regulator — separate from MOHAP for Sharjah-based private and government facilities. Read the full SHA licensing guide for the complete document checklist and fee breakdown.
What the SHA exam tests for doctors
Eligibility for doctors (SHA)
- 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.
SHA licensing process, step by step
- 1
SHA account & file
Register through the SHA portal or a sponsoring Sharjah facility.
- 2
Dataflow verification
Standard PSV report submitted to SHA.
- 3
Prometric MCQ
Sit the SHA-blueprinted Prometric assessment for your cadre.
- 4
Licence issuance
Practice permit issued after exam pass and facility linking.
SHA Exam FAQs for Doctors
What is the passing score for the SHA exam for doctors?›
The SHA (Sharjah Health Authority) exam pass mark is 60%. The result appears on-screen immediately after you finish the computer-based exam.
How much does the SHA doctor exam cost?›
The SHA exam fee is $180 – $260. Budget separately for Dataflow verification and licence issuance — the full SHA licensing journey typically runs higher once every step is included.
What is the format of the SHA exam for doctors?›
100 – 150 MCQs, completed in 2 – 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 SHA doctor exam in my home country?›
Yes. Once SHA 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 SHA licensing take for doctors?›
On average 10-16 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 SHA 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 SHA exam?
Practice with chapter-wise SHA-style MCQs for doctors — detailed explanations after every question, unlimited retries, and progress tracking until you're consistently above the pass mark.