Acquiring a Dubai Health Authority Professional License serves as the requirement for healthcare staff to practice in the emirate. Healthcare professionals who desire legal practice in Dubai need to apply for their Dubai Health Authority License (DHA License) in accordance with proper regulations. Every medical practitioner working in Dubai needs a valid DHA Professional License to practice their chosen profession. The guide helps users secure their DHA License Dubai efficiently through OnTime Healthcare as it demonstrates an all-encompassing process explanation.
What is a DHA Licence?
Healthcare providers need to obtain the Dubai Health Authority License to offer medical care at all medical facilities operating in the Dubai region. The DHA professional license helps maintain the highest levels of safety standards, thus protecting patients from unqualified provider practices.
Steps to Obtain a DHA License in Dubai
- Check your eligibility. Use DHA’s free Self-Assessment Tool on the Sheryan portal. The result is instant. If it says “not eligible”, you can still request a manual Review Registration Eligibility (AED 200, about 10 working days).
- Verify your documents. DataFlow, DHA’s verification partner, checks your degree, experience, licence and good standing directly with the issuing bodies (Primary Source Verification, or PSV).
- Pass the DHA assessment, if your title needs one. Most titles sit a computer-based test (CBT) at a Prometric centre. You can run PSV and the CBT at the same time.
- Get Registered. Submit the Get Registered application on Sheryan and pay the AED 200 credentialing fee. DHA’s published average processing time is 5 working days. For some titles, DHA also asks for an oral assessment.
- Receive your DHA registration. This is often called the eligibility letter. It is valid for one year and lists you on the Dubai Medical Registry.
- Your employer activates your licence. A DHA-licensed facility applies for Activate Professional License on Sheryan. Once its application is complete, DHA activates the licence instantly (or in 1 working day if your personal records changed).
The medical test you take for your UAE residence visa is an immigration step, not a DHA step. DHA itself asks for a medical fitness report only when a professional aged 65 or above is activated or renewed.
Fresh graduate? Read how to get a DHA licence without experience, including which titles need no experience and how the trainee licence works.
About the DHA exam (CBT)
- The exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test run by Prometric at test centres worldwide.
- Most titles get 150 questions in 3 hours. A few titles have fewer questions or a shorter exam.
- DHA sets a pass mark for each title, from 45% to 70%. Examples from DHA’s CBT guideline: general practitioner 60%, general dentist 60%, registered nurse 50%, assistant nurse 50%.
- Your result appears in your Sheryan account as Pass or Fail. DHA does not share your score.
- You get three attempts across all UAE health authorities. If you fail the third, you cannot reapply for a DHA licence for two years. You earn three new attempts only by gaining an additional recognised qualification, or at least two years of licensed clinical experience after your last attempt.
How to Check Your DHA Eligibility Before Starting the Application
Before you begin your DHA license application, the single most important step is confirming your DHA eligibility and it takes only a few minutes using DHA’s official self-assessment tool on the online licensing Sheryan DHA portal.
Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the Sheryan portal Search for “Sheryan portal” on Google and open the official DHA platform. This is the central hub for all DHA license processes in Dubai.
- Go to Professionals → New Applicant Navigate to the professionals tab and select “New Applicant” to access the self-assessment tool.
- Enter your category and specialty Select your professional category (e.g., allied health sciences, nursing, medicine) and your specific specialty.
- Fill in your basic details This includes your nationality, degree level (diploma or degree), country of graduation, year of study, years of experience, and country where you practiced.
- Click “Get Results” The portal will instantly show your DHA eligibility status on screen.
This self-assessment on the online licensing Sheryan DHA portal tells you upfront whether your qualifications and experience meet DHA’s current requirements, saving you time and avoiding a rejected DHA license application.
At OnTime Healthcare, our team guides professionals through this eligibility check as the very first step, ensuring there are no surprises later in the process.
Learn More About DHA Eligibility Requirements
What Is the DHA Eligibility Letter and Why Does It Matter?
Once you pass the DHA Prometric exam and your documents are verified, the Dubai Health Authority issues a DHA eligibility letter, a formal document confirming that you meet all requirements to practice in Dubai.
Here is what you need to know about it:
- The DHA eligibility letter is valid for one year from the date of issue.
- It is a prerequisite for securing employment no Dubai healthcare facility can hire and activate your DHA license without it.
- If it is about to expire before an employer activates your licence, you can renew it through DHA’s Renew Professional Registration service (AED 200). Apply within 90 days before the expiry date.
- The letter specifies your approved professional title, so it is critical that your job offer matches the title stated in your DHA eligibility letter exactly.
This is why acting quickly after receiving your eligibility outcome is essential. OnTime Healthcare assists candidates in connecting with the right healthcare employers in Dubai through our medical recruitment services, ensuring your DHA eligibility does not expire before your license is activated.
Already licensed in the UAE, or passed the DHA exam before?
You may not need to sit the exam again. DHA’s licensing manual exempts applicants who passed a DHA assessment for the same title within the last five years, and applicants whose DHA or other UAE health authority licence was cancelled within the last five years, provided there is no gap in practice. A gap of more than two years removes the exemption.
Timeline: DHA License in Dubai
How long the whole process takes depends on your case: how quickly DataFlow can verify your documents with the issuing bodies, when you sit and pass the exam, and when an employer activates your licence. DHA’s own processing is short. Get Registered averages 5 working days, and activation is usually instant, so most of the wait sits in verification and the job search.
DHA licensing fees in 2026
| Fee | Nurses, midwives, allied health and TCAM | Physicians and dentists | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Assessment Tool | Free | Free | – |
| Credentialing (Get Registered) | AED 200 | AED 200 | Applicant |
| Review Registration Eligibility (manual review, optional) | AED 200 | AED 200 | Applicant |
| Oral assessment, if required (normal / urgent) | AED 250 / AED 2,000 | AED 500 / AED 2,000 | Applicant |
| Full-time licence – 1 year | AED 1,000 | AED 3,000 | Hiring facility |
| Full-time licence – 2 years | AED 1,500 | AED 5,000 | Hiring facility |
| Full-time licence – 3 years | AED 2,500 | AED 7,500 | Hiring facility |
| Part-time or trainee licence | AED 1,000 | AED 3,000 | Hiring facility |
DHA adds Knowledge and Innovation fees at checkout. The Prometric exam fee is set in US dollars in DHA’s CBT guideline: USD 280 for physicians and dentists and USD 240 for nurses and midwives, with some allied health titles lower. DataFlow charges separately for verification, and the amount depends on how many documents you verify. Check the current price on DataFlow’s DHA page before you apply.
Required Documents Checklist: DHA License in Dubai
- Valid passport copy and recent passport-size photograph
- Updated CV/resume
- Primary qualification degree certificate (DataFlow verifies it with the issuing institution)
- Specialization certificates, where applicable
- Experience letters from previous employers
- Good Standing Certificate, issued within the last 6 months
- DataFlow Primary Source Verification report
- Valid professional license/registration from your home country
- A logbook, for surgical specialties
Why Choose OnTime Healthcare for Your DHA Licence Process?
The Dubai Health Authority Licence process presents significant challenges to the candidate. The expert team at OnTime Healthcare facilitates clients through the process to achieve a hassle-free experience. Our services include:
- Eligibility assessment to verify your qualification compliance
- Document preparation & submission
- DataFlow verification support
- Exam preparation guidance
- Job placement assistance
- Final DHA licensing application submission
Through extensive experience in healthcare licensing, Ontime Healthcare delivers total support for clients to obtain their licenses efficiently.
Read the Complete DHA Exam Guide
Validity, renewal and upkeep
- Registration (eligibility letter): valid for one year from the date of issue.
- Professional licence: activated for one, two or three years. The facility applies for renewal within three months of expiry, and an expired licence can still be renewed within six months of the expiry date.
- Good Standing Certificate: must be no older than six months when you apply.
- CPD points each year: physicians and dentists 40, nurses 20, pharmacists 20, allied health and TCAM 10.
- Age: DHA sets no maximum age. Professionals aged 65 or above must provide a valid medical fitness report when their licence is activated or renewed.
- Keep practising: if you don’t practise for six consecutive months while the licence is valid, without an excuse DHA accepts, the licence is cancelled and you need a new one.
Part-time licences at a second facility
Your first DHA licence is always full-time. After that, DHA caps the number of part-time licences by title:
| Title | Maximum part-time licences |
|---|---|
| Consultant (physician or dentist) | 4 |
| Surgical specialist (physician or dentist) | 4 |
| Non-surgical specialist (physician or dentist) | 2 |
| General practitioner / general dentist | 1 |
| Nurse or midwife | 1 |
| Allied health professional | 1 |
| TCAM practitioner | 1 |
| Residents, interns and trainees | Not applicable |
Final Thoughts
Healthcare professionals who wish to practise in Dubai must obtain a DHA License Dubai before they can legally work in the emirate. The licensing process involves meeting eligibility requirements, preparing the necessary documents, completing DataFlow verification, and fulfilling the Dubai Health Authority’s regulations. With Ontime Healthcare, the DHA License Dubai application process becomes simple and hassle-free.
Our experienced team provides end-to-end support, from document preparation and application submission to licence approval, helping you complete the process efficiently and confidently so you can begin your healthcare career in Dubai.
FAQs
Who needs a DHA Licence?
The Dubai Health Authority Licence stands as a requirement for every healthcare professional including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health practitioners seeking to work in Dubai.
Can I apply for a DHA Licence without a job offer?
Yes. You can complete eligibility, DataFlow, the exam and Get Registered without a job offer. You need an employer only for the final step, because only a DHA-licensed facility can activate your licence.
What is the cost of obtaining a Dubai Health Authority Licence?
You pay the AED 200 credentialing fee, the Prometric exam (USD 280 for physicians and dentists, USD 240 for nurses and midwives) and DataFlow’s verification charge. The facility that hires you pays the licence fee. See the fee table above for the full breakdown.
Is the DHA Licence valid outside Dubai?
A DHA Professional License remains effective exclusively for Dubai-based medical work. Abu Dhabi licenses through the Department of Health (DOH), and Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). Each needs its own licence.
Can I transfer my DHA Licence to another healthcare facility?
A DHA Licence Dubai holds the ability to be transferred from one entity to another. The Dubai Health Authority requires your new employer to start the transfer process.
What is DHA eligibility and how is it checked?
DHA eligibility refers to whether your qualifications, experience, and credentials meet the Dubai Health Authority’s standards for your chosen professional title. You can check it using the self-assessment tool on the online licensing Sheryan DHA portal before submitting your formal DHA license application.
How do I submit a DHA license application?
The DHA license application is submitted entirely through the online licensing Sheryan DHA portal. Steps include self-assessment, document upload, DataFlow verification, exam booking, and final employer activation. OnTime Healthcare manages this entire process on behalf of clients through our professional licensing service.
What are the current DHA guidelines for professional licensing?
The DHA guidelines require applicants to hold a DHA-recognized qualification, complete Primary Source Verification via DataFlow, pass the Prometric assessment (where applicable), and obtain an employer-sponsored activation. DHA guidelines are updated periodically always verify current requirements on the official Sheryan portal or with a licensed consultant like OnTime Healthcare.
How do I apply?
Applying for a DHA License Dubai involves creating a Sheryan portal profile, completing DataFlow verification, clearing the DHA exam where required, and submitting your eligibility documents for review. Because each step carries its own paperwork and timing rules, it’s best to contact the experts at OnTime Healthcare to guide you through the DHA license dubai process end to end.
How long does it take?
How long the whole process takes depends on your case: how quickly DataFlow can verify your documents with the issuing bodies, when you sit and pass the exam, and when an employer activates your licence. DHA’s own processing is short. Get Registered averages 5 working days, and activation is usually instant, so most of the wait sits in verification and the job search.
What is DataFlow?
DataFlow is the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process that authenticates your educational qualifications, professional licenses, and work experience directly with the issuing institutions. It’s a mandatory stage of DHA professional licensing, and how long it takes depends on how quickly your issuing bodies respond. You can sit the DHA exam while DataFlow is still verifying.
What documents are required?
You’ll generally need a passport copy, updated CV, attested degree certificates, experience letters, a Good Standing Certificate no older than six months, and your DataFlow verification report. Exact requirements vary by profession, so confirm your specific checklist before starting the DHA process.
What is the total cost?
Costs depend on your title and licence length. DHA charges AED 200 for credentialing, and the Prometric exam costs USD 240–280 for most titles. The hiring facility pays the licence fee, from AED 1,000 a year for nurses and allied health and AED 3,000 for physicians and dentists. DataFlow charges separately for verification.
