DHA Orthopedic License Guide
Your clear, step-by-step path to practicing Orthopedic Surgery in Dubai.
Updated August 2025
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for Indian orthopedic doctors seeking to obtain a professional license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This license is legally required to practice in Dubai and proves your qualifications and skills.
Your DHA Licensing Journey: A Simple Overview
1
Check Eligibility
3
Verify Documents (Dataflow)
2
4
Pass Exam (CBT/Oral)
5
Get Eligibility Letter
Orthopedic License Pathways for Indian Doctor
| A. Specialist Orthopedic Surgery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pathway | Required Qualifications | Experience |
| **Pathway 1** | MBBS + MS/DNB (Orthopedics)** | **3 years** experience post MD/DNB |
| **Pathway 2** | MBBS + MS/DNB + MCH / DrNB / FNB (Orthopedic) | **No experience** required |
| B. Specialist – Subspecialty (Orthopedics) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Required Qualifications | Experience |
| **Standard** | MBBS + MS/DNB + MCH / DrNB / FNB in respective subspecialty | No experience required |
| C. Consultant Orthopedic Surgery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note | Required Qualifications | Experience |
| Cannot become Consultant directly after MD/DNB. | MBBS + MS/DNB + MCH/DrNB/FNB | Five (5) year of experience post qualification |
| D. Consultant – Subspecialty (Orthopedics) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Required Qualifications | Experience |
| **Standard** | MBBS + MS/DNB + MCH/DrNB/FNB in the subspecialty | Five (5) years of experience post qualification |
Recognized Orthopedic Subspecialties (Applicable to Specialist & Consultant)
- Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedics
- Brain Injury Medicine
- Foot and Ankle Orthopaedics
- Musculoskeletal Oncology
- Orthopaedic Trauma
- Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine
- Sports Medicine
- Surgery of the Hand
- Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery
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 Orthopedic in Dubai.
Documents Required to Open a Sheryan Account:
- Valid Passport: A clear copy of your passport.
- Passport-sized Photograph: A recent photograph with a white background.
- Active Email ID: An email address that you check regularly for updates.
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.
Required Documents :
- Higher 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 1235 (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 Exam
All exam details are consolidated in the Exam Details section below for your convenience.
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 200 fee.
You will receive your Eligibility Letter, typically within 24 hours. This letter allows you to begin your job search in Dubai.
DHA Orthopedic Exam
Requires a mandatory **Computer-Based Test (CBT)**.
Requires an **Oral Examination**.
A. Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon only
Booking and Logistics (Prometric)
| Booking Portal | Visit prometric.com/dha |
|---|---|
| Exam Selection | Select **“Orthopedic Specialist”** (Code: ORT5971). |
| Cost (Fee) | **USD 280** (paid directly to Prometric). |
| Test Centers in India | Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Trivandrum. |
| Exam Day Requirements | Original Passport, DHA Eligibility ID, and Prometric Confirmation Letter. |
CBT Syllabus (150 Questions)
The exam covers comprehensive knowledge across the following core orthopedic topics:
- Basic Principles of Orthopedics
- Trauma and Spine
- Orthopedic Sports Medicine
- Reconstruction (Arthroplasty)
- Infections and Oncology
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Upper Limb, Foot, and Ankle
- Metabolic Skeletal Disorders
- Patient Safety, Professionalism, and Ethics
Recommended Preparation References
- *Campbell’s Operative Orthopedics* (S. Terry Canale and James H. Beaty)
- *Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults and in Children* (Robert W. Bucholz, et al.)
- *Apley’s System of Orthopedics and Fractures* (Louis Solomon, et al.)
- *Surgical Exposures in Orthopedics* (Stanley Hoppenfeld, et al.)
- *Review of Orthopedics* (Mark Miller and Mark Brinker)
- *Orthopedic Knowledge Update (OKU)* series
B. Oral Examination for Consultants and Subspecialty Specialists
This assessment is mandatory for Consultant-level applicants.
| Standard Fee | **AED 500** |
|---|---|
| Urgent Fee | **AED 2,000** |
| Format | Can be conducted **in-person** or **virtually**. |
You can complete the **DataFlow Verification** and the **DHA Exam/Oral Assessment** in any order, or concurrently, to significantly speed up your overall license application timeline.
DHA Exam & Experience Exemption (For Orthopedics)
Orthopedic are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:
✅ Criteria : License + GSC from Recognized Countries
Orthopedic holding a valid license and Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from one of the recognized licensing authorities listed below are exempted from the DHA Prometric exam, provided that:
- The degree was obtained within the last 3 years, OR
- There has been no gap in clinical practice since their last employment.
Recognized Countries & Licensing Authorities:
UK , USA, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Germany, France, South Africa, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Luxembourg, South Korea.
🌐 English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
If your medical education was not in English, you must pass one of the following language proficiency tests::
- IELTS: Minimum 5.0
- TOEFL: Minimum 500
- OET: Minimum Grade C
- Cambridge English: Minimum 169
Activate the License:
Once you have a job, your employer will finalize the process and activate your official license, allowing you to legally work.