How to Get a DHA License in Dubai: Fees, Exam, and Step-by-Step Process Explained

If you’re aiming for a healthcare career in Dubai, getting the DHA license in Dubai is your essential first step. This article lays out exactly what the license is, how the exam works, what you’ll need to pay, how those costs stack up against other UAE regulators and finally how Arnifi can ease the application process for you.

1. Introduction

Getting a DHA license in Dubai is a crucial requirement for any healthcare professional who wants to build a career in the Emirate’s advanced medical sector. Dubai has strict standards for patient care & this license proves that you meet those standards. The process can include eligibility checks, document verification, a professional exam & license activation. Knowing what to expect helps you avoid delays and unnecessary frustration. With the right information, securing your DHA license becomes a smart, organized move towards your future in Dubai.

2. What is the DHA License in Dubai?

When we say “DHA license in Dubai”, what we mean is the official license issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) that allows healthcare professionals to legally practice in Dubai.
Here are the key points:

• It confirms your qualifications, experience, and credentials meet DHA’s standards.
  
• It specifically allows you to work in Dubai; other Emirates may require separate licensing
  
• It covers a range of professions like doctors, dentists, nurses, allied health, etc.
  
• Having the DHA license in Dubai means you’re cleared to practice under DHA’s jurisdiction.

3. About the DHA Exam

The exam is a core milestone on the path to your DHA license in Dubai. Here’s how to think about it.

Eligibility & Requirements

Before you sit the exam (for your DHA license in Dubai) you’ll need to meet certain criteria. These often include:

• A recognized qualification relevant to your profession.
  
• A valid license/registration in your home country for many professions
  
• Work experience (often 2-5 years) post-qualification.
  
• Proof of Good Standing from your regulatory body.
  
• Documents are ready and eligible for Primary Source Verification (PSV).
  
• For many professions, you must create a Sheryan account with DHA and upload details.
  

Exam Format & Steps

• The exam is generally a computer-based test (CBT) through a partner like Prometric
  
• Example: For dentists the total exam fee structure shows data-flow + assessment fees
  
• For many functions, you might see ~150 MCQs over ~150 minutes, though it varies
  
• After passing the exam, you proceed to the license activation stage for your DHA license in Dubai.
  

Procedure in Pointers

• Register on DHA’s Sheryan portal and choose your profession
  
• Submit your documents for Primary Source Verification (PSV).
  
• Once eligible, schedule and take the exam.
  
• After passing, apply for your license with the employer/facility details.
  
• Wait for approval and payment of license activation fees to get your DHA license in Dubai.

4. Fee Structure for the DHA License in Dubai

Let’s put actual numbers into the process so you know what to expect.

Estimated Costs

• Registration/credentialing fee: Approx AED 200
  
• Primary Source Verification (PSV): Approx AED 935 for nurses/allied, AED 1,235+ for doctors
  
• Exam fee: It varies by profession, examples show AED 260-300 (for some) or higher
  
• License activation fees: This is for nurses/allied full-time for 1 year ~ AED 1,000, for physicians/dentists ~ AED 3,000+
  

Tabular View

What this means

• The overall cost for your DHA license in Dubai will depend heavily on your profession, the number of documents needing verification, and whether you are a general practitioner or specialist.
  
• It’s wise to budget more than the minimum because additional costs (translations, attestation, retake fees, etc.) tend to crop up.
  
• Make sure to check the latest fee schedule with DHA because numbers change

5. Compare the DHA Exam Cost with MOH and DOH

It helps to see how the cost for the DHA license in Dubai stacks up against other authorities:

• For a general dentist, the DHA exam total was AED 2,020
  
• For the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOH) exam similar career: AED 2,303
  
• For the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH, previously HAAD): AED 2,405 for a general dentist
  

The fee for the DHA license in Dubai is often competitive and near the level of other UAE regulators. If you’re planning to practice in Dubai specifically, the DHA route is appropriate. If you might practice in Abu Dhabi or other Emirates, you’ll want to compare requirements/fees accordingly.

6. Conclusion

Obtaining your DHA license in Dubai is a meaningful step in your healthcare career. It covers several phases of confirming eligibility, passing the exam, verifying your credentials & activating your license. The fee structure may look complex at first, and yes, the paperwork and verification work will require careful attention. But once you know what the process entails and how the pieces fit together, the path becomes manageable. If at any point the process of getting your DHA license in Dubai feels like it’s becoming too tangled or time-consuming, this is where Arnifi can step in. We’ll handle the full application journey from reviewing your documents, assisting with attestation and verification, scheduling the exam, guiding you through license activation and renewal, and liaising with DHA. We also provide services for business setup, sponsorship, visas & more. If you want a partner in obtaining your DHA license in Dubai without the stress and surprises, let us help you get there.