Planning to work as a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional in Dubai? Securing your DHA license is the essential first step for every healthcare career in the UAE. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) license is a mandatory certification for all international and local medical professionals. Governed through the Sheryan portal, the licensing process integrates digital efficiency with stringent compliance checks.
If you are a healthcare professional planning to work in Dubai, obtaining a DHA license is the mandatory first step. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulates every aspect of healthcare practice in the Emirate of Dubai, from individual practitioner licensing to facility approvals. All healthcare professionals whether physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, or allied health workers must hold an active DHA license before they can legally practice in any Dubai-based healthcare facility.
The DHA was established in June 2007 under Law 13, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to provide strategic oversight for the entire health sector in Dubai. Today, DHA’s Health Regulation Sector handles all licensing through the Sheryan portal, an online platform that streamlines registration, assessment, and license activation for both healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities.
This guide covers every step of the DHA licensing journey in 2026 from self-assessment and DataFlow verification to the DHA exam (CBT), Sheryan portal registration, license fees, renewal, and even how DHA licensing compares to DOH (Abu Dhabi) and MOHAP licensing. Whether you hold qualifications from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK, or any other country, this resource will help you navigate the process efficiently.
A DHA license is an official permit issued by the Dubai Health Authority that authorises a healthcare professional to practice within DHA-licensed facilities in the Emirate of Dubai. According to DHA’s official Sheryan portal, the licensing journey starts with obtaining a registration in the Dubai Medical Registry, which is then activated into a license by the healthcare facility where the professional will work.
The registration confirms that the professional fulfils all requirements for the applied position including category, title, and specialty. It is valid for one year from the date of issuance, during which a healthcare facility must activate it into a license for the professional to start clinical practice. If the registration is not activated within this period, it expires and a new application must be started.
Important: A DHA registration alone does not permit you to practice. It must be activated into a license by a DHA-approved healthcare facility. Practising without an active license is illegal and subject to severe penalties under UAE law.
Every healthcare professional working in a DHA-licensed facility in Dubai requires a DHA license. According to the DHA Sheryan portal, the following categories of healthcare professionals are covered:
Even if you already hold a medical license from another UAE authority such as DOH Abu Dhabi (Department of Health) or MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention), you must obtain a separate DHA license to practice specifically in Dubai. However, the Unified PQR framework allows for license transfers between authorities under certain conditions.
Sheryan (شريان, meaning “artery” in Arabic) is the Dubai Health Authority’s official digital platform for all healthcare licensing, registration, and regulatory compliance in Dubai. It serves as the central gateway for both healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities.
Through the Sheryan portal, healthcare professionals can perform self-assessments to check eligibility, submit applications for registration, generate CBT eligibility numbers for the DHA exam, track their application status, and manage license renewals. The portal is accessible at services.dha.gov.ae/sheryan.
All healthcare licensing in the UAE whether through DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), MOHAP, or SHA (Sharjah) follows the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). This framework was jointly published by all four regulatory authorities to standardise licensing criteria across the country.
Applicants must hold a medical or healthcare degree from a nationally accredited university or institution. Post-graduate qualifications are required for specialist and consultant positions. All educational certificates must be attested by the relevant authorities in the country of issuance, the UAE Embassy, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The DHA’s Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals (Version 1.3, effective July 2025) specifies experience as hands-on clinical work gained during paid employment. The minimum experience varies by position and is defined in the PQR for each specialty. Professionals who do not meet the experience criteria may be issued a trainee title and must work under supervision at an approved facility until the required experience is completed.
Every applicant must provide a Good Standing Certificate from the licensing authority of their most recent country of practice. According to DHA guidelines, this certificate must confirm that the professional is competent to practice, has no pending or previous disciplinary orders, and has no criminal proceedings. The GSC must not be older than six months at the time of application.
Based on the official DHA Sheryan portal requirements for the “Get Registered” service, the following documents are required:
Source: DHA.gov.ae Get Registered for Healthcare Professional service page and Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals Version 1.3 (July 2025)
The process begins on the DHA Sheryan portal. Create an account, complete your personal profile, select your healthcare profession and specialty, and use the Self-Assessment Tool. This tool checks your qualifications against the Unified PQR. For instant or automated review, no documents are required. If a manual review is needed for borderline cases, DHA will request supporting documents.
The self-assessment fee is AED 200 (credentialing fee). If you receive an eligible result, you can proceed to the next steps.
Primary Source Verification (PSV) is conducted by DataFlow Group, the DHA authorised verification agency. DataFlow contacts your educational institutions, employers, and licensing bodies directly to authenticate every document you submitted.
Create an account on the DataFlow portal using the same DHA Unique ID from your Sheryan account. Select DHA as the requesting authority, upload all required documents, and pay the verification fee (approximately AED 900 to AED 1,200 depending on the number of documents).
Pro Tip: DataFlow and the CBT exam can be completed in parallel. You do not need to wait for DataFlow results before scheduling your exam. However, both must be completed before you can submit your registration application.
The DHA exam, officially called the Computer-Based Test (CBT), is conducted through Prometric testing centres worldwide. This assessment evaluates your clinical knowledge and competence in your specific healthcare specialty.
How to book the DHA exam:
Key Fact from DHA: DHA only reports exam results as Pass or Fail. No scores, topic breakdowns, or percentages are shared with applicants. You are allowed a maximum of 3 attempts across all UAE health authorities (DHA, DOH, MOHAP, SHA). Failing three times blocks your account from further licensing.
| Profession | No. of Questions | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | 150 | 3 Hours | MCQ |
| Specialist Physician | 100 to 150 | 2 to 3 Hours | MCQ |
| Dentist | 100 to 150 | 2 to 3 Hours | MCQ |
| Registered Nurse | 100 to 150 | 2 to 3 Hours | MCQ |
| Pharmacist | 100 to 150 | 2 to 3 Hours | MCQ |
| Allied Health | Varies by specialty | 2 to 3 Hours | MCQ |
Specialties not listed in the CBT guideline are assessed through an oral assessment. Consultant level positions typically require an oral assessment instead of or in addition to the CBT.
For consultants, certain specialists, and professionals undergoing re-assessment, DHA may require an oral assessment. This is conducted in person or virtually through a DHA approved platform. Licensed healthcare professionals required to undergo re-assessment must pass the CBT before proceeding to the oral assessment.
Once all assessments are passed and DataFlow verification is complete, log into Sheryan, submit the online registration application form, link your verified PSV documents, and pay the required fee. Upon approval, your registration certificate is issued, and you become part of the Dubai Medical Registry. The registration is valid for one year.
Secure employment at a DHA licensed healthcare facility in Dubai. Your employer initiates a license activation request through their Sheryan account. You accept the employment link, complete a medical fitness test, and the facility activates your license. Only after activation can you legally begin clinical practice in Dubai.
| Fee Type | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Credentialing | 200 |
| Full-time License (1 Year) | 1,000 |
| Full-time License (2 Years) | 1,500 |
| Full-time License (3 Years) | 2,500 |
| Part-time License | 1,000 |
| Trainee License | 1,000 |
| Convert to Full-time | 200 |
| Registration Renewal | 200 |
| Good Standing Certificate | 500 |
| Fee Type | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Credentialing | 200 |
| Full-time License (1 Year) | 3,000 |
| Full-time License (2 Years) | 5,000 |
| Full-time License (3 Years) | 7,500 |
| Part-time License | 3,000 |
| Trainee License | 3,000 |
| Convert to Full-time | 200 |
| Registration Renewal | 200 |
| Good Standing Certificate | 500 |
Knowledge and Innovation Fees are applied at checkout on the Sheryan portal. DataFlow PSV and Prometric CBT assessment fees are additional and vary.
Source: DHA.gov.ae Renew Healthcare Professional License service page and Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals.
Healthcare professionals can apply to renew their license or registration within 90 days before the expiry date through the Sheryan portal. If a registration is not renewed or activated within its validity period, it will be cancelled and a new application must be started.
Key Rule: The professional license shall be cancelled if the healthcare professional does not practice for six consecutive months during the validity period without an acceptable excuse from DHA. A new license must then be obtained after fulfilling all requirements.
In addition to the DHA license, emergency medical professionals in Dubai may require a DCAS license from the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. DCAS was established under Law No. 13 of 2006 (later amended under Law No. 12 of 2015) and regulates all ambulance services and emergency medical professionals in Dubai.
A DCAS professional license is issued by DCAS Ambulance Regulation Services and authorises individuals to practice as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics, Advanced Paramedics, Air Paramedics, Marine Paramedics, First Aid Instructors, Advanced Life Support Instructors, or Medical Dispatchers within Dubai.
| Service | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Application Assessment | 150 |
| Written & Oral Exam (Normal) | 200 |
| Written & Oral Exam (Urgent) | 1,000 |
| Ambulance Driver License | 300 |
| EMT License | 800 |
| Paramedic License | 1,300 |
| Advanced Paramedic / ALS Instructor | 1,800 |
Source: ambulance.gov.ae Application for Professional License
The UAE has multiple healthcare regulatory authorities, each responsible for licensing in their respective jurisdictions. Understanding which license you need is essential:
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Portal | Transfer? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHA | Dubai | Sheryan | Yes (via MOHAP) |
| DOH | Abu Dhabi | TAMM | Yes (via MOHAP) |
| MOHAP | Other Emirates | MOHAP Portal | Accepts DHA/DOH |
| SHA | Sharjah | SHA Portal | Follows unified PQR |
According to MOHAP’s official portal, medical facilities can apply to transfer the license of professionals who hold an active DHA or DOH license. The professional must have an active license, a clean professional track record in the UAE, and the receiving facility must meet staffing requirements.
To obtain a DHA license in Dubai, healthcare professionals must first meet the Unified Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), complete the DHA self-assessment on Sheryan, pass Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow, and submit a registration application through the official DHA licensing system. DHA states that registration confirms the applicant meets the requirements for the applied category, title, and specialty, and the registration remains valid for one year until activated into a professional license by a DHA-licensed facility.
According to the official DHA “Get Registered” requirements, applicants are typically asked to provide a recent passport-size photograph, a valid passport copy, Good Standing Certificate(s) not older than six months at the time of application, the last two years’ logbook for surgical specialties, verification results for qualifications, experience, and registrations relevant to the applied position, and the CBT assessment result if it is required for that specialty.
The Unified PQR also sets core eligibility standards across UAE health authorities. Qualifications must come from recognised and accredited institutions, experience must be hands-on clinical experience gained during paid employment, and professionals are generally limited to a maximum of three licensing assessment attempts across UAE authorities combined.
After DHA approves the registration, the professional still cannot practise until a DHA-licensed healthcare facility activates the registration into an active license through Sheryan. DHA’s activation service also lists additional prerequisites such as professional consent, valid malpractice insurance, and a medical fitness report for professionals.
The DHA exam for nurses in Dubai is part of the Computer Based Testing (CBT) pathway managed through DHA’s licensing system and delivered through Prometric test centres worldwide. DHA’s official CBT guideline says the licensing assessment is used to evaluate healthcare professionals seeking licensure to practise in Dubai, and candidates must use the Sheryan system to generate the required eligibility details before booking the exam.
For nurses, the official DHA CBT guideline lists the exam in MCQ format with a duration generally falling within the 2 to 3 hour range used for many professional categories. DHA also provides a separate “Mode of Exam per Specialty” tool so applicants can confirm the exact exam mode applicable to their nursing title and specialty before booking.
DHA states that exam outcomes are reported as pass or fail, and the Unified PQR framework limits healthcare professionals to a maximum of three assessment attempts across UAE licensing authorities combined.
Because DHA updates exam guidance and specialty mapping through Sheryan resources, candidates should confirm the latest nurse-specific exam mode before scheduling.
DataFlow verification for DHA is the Primary Source Verification (PSV) step required in the Dubai healthcare licensing journey. DataFlow is listed as DHA’s trusted verification partner, and the purpose of PSV is to verify qualifications, experience, and professional registrations directly from the original issuing authorities before DHA grants registration.
DHA’s registration requirements explicitly include the verification result of qualifications, experience, and registrations related to the position as per PQR requirements. In practical terms, that means your degree, license, work experience, and similar professional credentials may need to be checked through DataFlow before the DHA registration can be completed.
DataFlow’s guidance for DHA applicants also explains that applicants typically begin by creating a Sheryan account to obtain a DHA Unique ID, then use that ID while starting the verification process with DataFlow.
DataFlow also offers related services such as report transfer and report checking, but for DHA applicants the core requirement is the PSV result accepted by DHA for the relevant position.
A practical point for applicants: DHA allows progress through multiple steps of the licensing journey in sequence through Sheryan, but PSV remains one of the key compliance checkpoints before registration approval.
After completing DHA registration, a healthcare professional must have their license activated by a DHA-licensed healthcare facility through the Sheryan portal before they can legally practice in Dubai. According to the Dubai Health Authority’s professional licensing service guidelines, the healthcare facility submits the activation request and the professional must approve the request through their Sheryan account. Once DHA reviews and approves the application, the electronic license (eLicense) is generated and the professional can begin clinical practice.
License activation is usually processed instantly through the Sheryan system. If changes are required in the professional’s personal records, DHA may take up to one working day to complete the activation process.
Once the activation request is approved, DHA issues an electronic professional license specifying the professional’s scope of practice, approved healthcare facility, license validity period, and any regulatory conditions applicable to the position.
The DHA licensing process can be complex, especially when dealing with document attestation, DataFlow verification, equivalency certificates, and MOFA attestation from multiple countries. GloboPrime provides end-to-end support for healthcare professionals seeking a Dubai medical license.
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The total process typically takes 8–16 weeks depending on DataFlow verification timelines, exam scheduling, and DHA review. DataFlow verification alone usually takes 15–30 days. The CBT exam can be scheduled in parallel.
Professionals who do not meet the PQR experience criteria may be issued a trainee title. They must work under supervision at an approved facility with clinical training services until the required experience is completed.
You are allowed a maximum of 3 attempts across all UAE health authorities (DHA, DOH, MOHAP, SHA) combined. Failing all three attempts will result in your account being blocked from further licensing.
No. The DHA license is only valid for practice within Dubai. To practice in Abu Dhabi, you need a DOH license. However, you can transfer your active DHA license to MOHAP (for northern emirates) through MOHAP’s transfer service.
Registration confirms you meet the requirements and adds you to the Dubai Medical Registry. It is valid for one year. A license is issued when a healthcare facility activates your registration only then can you legally practice.
Yes. According to DHA’s official guidelines, DataFlow verification and the CBT assessment can be completed in parallel. Both must be finished before submitting the final registration application on Sheryan.
If your registration is not activated into a license within the one-year validity period, it will be cancelled. You would need to start a completely new registration application.
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