DHA License for Nurse
Easy Steps to Qualify for a DHA Nurse License from Your Home Country
If you’re a Nurse planning to work in Dubai, you must obtain a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This guide explains the complete DHA licensing process for Nurses — from eligibility and qualification requirements to DataFlow verification, exams, syllabus, costs, and licensing outcomes — so you can confidently start your career in Dubai.
Written by Imran Ali, Managing Director at AL Resalah Medical Center | Verified by MyDoctorLicense Regulatory Team
Qualification and Experience Requirements
The following eligibility criteria are based on the official guidelines published by the Dubai Health Authority. You can review the full Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
Registered Nurse
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in nursing
Experience
No experience required
Assistant Nurse
Qualifications
Diploma of Nursing not less than eighteen (18) months course duration
Experience
No experience required
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.
Additional Mandatory Requirements
- Valid Registration / License: Applicants must hold a valid professional license or registration from their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).
- Good Standing Certificate (GSC): A valid GSC is required from the same licensing authority that issued your license(must be issued within the last 6 months).
Not sure if your qualification or experience meets DHA requirements?
Our healthcare licensing consultants can review your profile.
DHA Licensing Steps (Overview)
1. Create Sheryan Account
Sign up on the DHA’s online portal to start your application.
2. Dataflow Verification
A third-party company, Dataflow, will check if your documents are real.
3. DHA Exam
Pass the DHA’s computer-based test to prove your professional knowledge.
4. Get Eligibility Letter
After passing the exam and Dataflow, you’ll receive a letter that allows you to look for jobs.
Note: You can do the Exam and Dataflow in any order, or both at the same time.
We can manage your Sheryan registration, DataFlow, and exam booking end-to-end.
DHA Licensing Process – Step by Step
Step 1: Create Your DHA Sheryan Account
The Sheryan portal is the online platform where you will manage your entire DHA license application. It’s your digital gateway to becoming a licensed Nurse in Dubai.
Documents Required to Open a Sheryan Account:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized Photograph
- Active Email ID
Once your account is created, you will be assigned a unique DHA ID, which you will use for all subsequent steps.
Step 2: DHA Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow
Purpose: Verify the authenticity of your documents before applying for the DHA license.
DataFlow verification is mandatory for all DHA applicants.
Required Documents (for Nurse):
- Degree Certificate
- License (Valid license)
- Good Standing Certificate (From your licensing authority)
- Experience Certificate (If any; 1 letter included in base fee)
PSV Fees:
- Base Fee: AED 935 (covers 4 documents: Degree, License, Good Standing + 1 Experience Letter).
- Extra Documents: AED 300 per document (e.g., additional experience letters).
- +5% VAT (Applicable on total fee).
Note: Some universities/authorities may charge extra for verification replies.
Processing Time: 3–6 weeks (Depends on how quickly your university/employer/licensing board responds to DataFlow’s verification requests).
Step 3: DHA Nurse Exam
All DHA exam details are provided in the Exam Details section below for easy reference.
Step 4: Apply for Eligibility Letter
- Log in to your Sheryan account.
- Apply for the “Get Registered” service.
- Ensure your documents are verified by DataFlow and your exam results are recorded.
- Pay the AED 220 fee.
You will receive your Eligibility Letter, typically within 24 hours. This letter allows you to begin your job search in Dubai.
DHA Exam Exemption
Criteria 1: License & Good Standing Certificate
Applicants holding a valid professional license and a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from the recognized countries listed below are exempted from the DHA licensure exam, provided that:
The qualification was obtained within the last three (3) years, OR
There is no gap in clinical practice since the last employment.
Country
- Austria
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Luxembourg
- Netherland
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Singapore
- Sweden
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- UK
- USA
✅ Eligible for DHA exam exemption?
We’ll confirm your exemption, prepare documents, and submit your application correctly.
DHA Exam for Nurses - Complete Details
Registered Nurse Exam
- Role: Registered Nurse
- Code: RNT0312
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Questions: 150
- Pass Score: 50%
- Fee: USD $240
Assistant Nurse Exam
- Role: Assistant Nurse
- Code: ARN5061
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Questions: 150
- Pass Score: 45%
- Fee: USD $240
Booking Steps (Via Prometric)
- Visit: prometric.com/dha
- Select Exam → Schedule → Choose your preferred date and test center (available globally)
- Pay: USD 240 (credit/debit card)
- Confirmation: Email with admit details
Exam Day Requirements
- Original Passport
- DHA Eligibility ID
- Prometric Confirmation Letter
Important Notes
- Reschedule/Cancel: 72 hrs prior (fees may apply)
- Retake: After 14 days if failed
- Results: Available via DHA/Prometric
DHA Exam Prometric Test Centers
Find test center locations in your country
Select a country
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DHA Nurse Exam and Syllabus
Please note: The syllabus is the same for both Registered Nurses and Assistant Nurses according to the DHA.
Exam Coverage (Syllabus)
The examination tests knowledge across 4 core domains of Nurse practice:
- Fundamentals
- Adult Nursing
- Maternal–Child Nursing
- Unit Management & Leadership
Recommended References
The following texts are suggested for preparation, with the latest editions recommended:
- Leda M. McKenry, Tessier, and Mary Ann Hogan. Mosby's Pharmacology in Nursing, Mosby Publishers, Latest Edition.
- Dudek, SG, Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice; Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Latest Edition.
- ANA Code of Ethics, Latest Edition.
- Berman, A and Snyder, S. Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts, Process and Practice, USA: Pearson International, Latest Edition.
- Pamela Lynn and, Marilee LeBon, Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Latest Edition.
- Jarvis, C. Physical Examination and Health Assessment, St. Louis, Missouri, Saunders Elsevier, Latest Edition.
- Day, R. A., Paul, P., Williams, B., Smeltzer, S. C., and Bare, Brunner and Suddarth’s Canadian textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Murray, S., McKinney, E. Foundation of Maternal- Newborn Nursing, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, Latest Edition.
- Wong, D.L., and Hockenberry, M.J, Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children, Philadelphia: Mosby, Latest Edition.
- Sole, ML. Klein, DG. Moseley, MJ, Introduction to Critical Care Nursing, St. Louis, Saunders (Elsevier), Latest Edition.
- Nursing Technician Blueprint
- Townsend, C.M., Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, F. A. Davis Company, United States of America, Latest Edition.
- Nursing Fundamentals-Allender, Judith A. and Rector, Cherie ,Community Health Nursing Promoting and Protecting The Public Health, Lippincott: New York, Latest Edition.
🌐 English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
If you did not study in English, you must pass one of:
- IELTS: Minimum 5.0
- TOEFL: Minimum 500
- OET: Minimum Grade C
- Cambridge English: Minimum 169
Start Your DHA Nurse Licensing with Expert Support
We’ve helped hundreds of healthcare professionals get licensed in Dubai smoothly and compliantly.
Our healthcare consultancy provides end-to-end DHA licensing support for Nurses, including eligibility assessment, Sheryan registration, DataFlow verification, exam booking, and eligibility letter processing.
We charge a transparent 20% professional service fee, calculated only on the official DHA, DataFlow, and exam charges applicable to your case. There are no hidden costs, and all government fees are paid directly to the authorities.
What Our Service Fee Includes
Eligibility review based on DHA regulations
Sheryan account creation & application submission
DataFlow document verification coordination
DHA exam or oral assessment booking (if required)
Eligibility letter follow-up & status tracking
Ongoing guidance until eligibility approval
What It Does NOT Include
Note: Government fees, DataFlow charges, exam fees, and oral assessment fees are paid separately to the respective authorities as per official rates.
FAQs (More) 🙋♀️
Q: Is the DHA Eligibility Letter valid forever? A: No, the DHA Eligibility Letter is typically valid for one year. You must find employment and get your full license activated before it expires.
Q: Do I need a MOFA attestation for the DHA application? No, MOFA attestation is not required for the DHA license application itself. However, it is a mandatory requirement for obtaining your UAE residency visa, which is a separate process handled by your employer.
Q: What is a Good Standing Certificate (GSC)? A: A GSC is an official letter from your professional licensing body (like the Indian Nursing Council or State Nursing Council) that confirms your nursing license is in good standing and that you have not been subject to any disciplinary actions.
Q: What happens if I fail the DHA Prometric exam three times? A: The DHA allows a maximum of three attempts across all UAE health authorities (DHA, MOH, and HAAD). If you fail all three, you may have to wait for two years before you can reapply, and you might be required to get additional training or qualifications.
Q: Can I work in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah with a DHA license? A: No. A DHA license is only valid for practicing in Dubai. To work in Abu Dhabi, you need a license from the Department of Health (DoH), and for the Northern Emirates (like Sharjah), you need a license from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). You may be able to transfer your license, which is a separate process.
Q: How do I renew my DHA license? A: Your employer will typically handle the renewal process through the Sheryan portal. Key requirements for renewal include completing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours and having a valid medical malpractice insurance.
Q: What are the basic educational requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license? A: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a recognized international or national college or university. The program must be a full-time course with a minimum duration of three (3) years.
Q: What are the educational requirements for an Assistant Nurse license? A: You must hold a Diploma in Nursing with a course duration of no less than eighteen (18) months.
Q: Is professional experience required to apply for these titles? A: According to the latest 2025/2026 standards, no post-qualification experience is required for the Registered Nurse or Assistant Nurse titles, provided the applicant complies with the “Gap of Practice” (Discontinuity of Practice) criteria.
Q: Can I apply if I obtained my degree through distance learning or a correspondence course? A: No. Qualifications acquired through correspondence, distance learning, or those of an honorary nature are not recognized for licensure requirements.
Q: Can an Assistant Nurse work independently in a healthcare facility? A: No. Assistant Nurses are required to work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife and cannot practice independently.
Q: I am a non-UAE national who graduated from a university within the UAE. Do I need clinical training? A: While most titles require six months of clinical training post-graduation, the Registered Nurse and Assistant Nurse titles are specifically exempted from this requirement.
Q: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing but am currently licensed as an Assistant Nurse. Can I upgrade my title? A: Yes, you may apply for a title upgrade to Registered Nurse, provided that your total experience as an Assistant Nurse has not exceeded five (5) years.
Q: Does experience as a School Nurse count toward my application? A: Yes, experience gained as a school nurse is accepted for both Registered Nurse and Assistant Nurse titles, provided the facility ensures the nurse maintains the minimum skills and competencies required for the role.
Q: What are the English language proficiency requirements? A: If your studies were not conducted in English, or if your license was issued by a non-English speaking country not on the recognized exemption list, you must provide one of the following:
TOEFL: Minimum score of 500 (or equivalent)
IELTS: Minimum score of 5.0
OET: Minimum grade of C
Cambridge English: Minimum score of 169
Q: Are there any specific certifications required besides the degree? A: All applicants must hold a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Additional certifications may be required depending on the specific scope of practice.
Q: Which countries are eligible for experience exemption? A: Nurses with valid licenses from the following countries may be exempt from experience requirements if the qualification is recent (within 3 years) or there is no gap in practice:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and USA.
