DHA Central Sterile Services (CSS) License Guide

Easy Steps to Work as a Central Sterile Services (CSS) in Dubai

If you’re a Central Sterile Services (CSS) technician or aidewho wants to work in Dubai, you’ll need a special license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This license is required by law and proves you have the right training and skills. This guide will walk you through each step of the process, from checking if you qualify to getting your first job, so you can confidently start your new career in Dubai.

DHA Licensing Steps (Overview)

1

Create Sheryan Account

2

Dataflow Verification

A third-party company, Dataflow, will check if your documents are real.

3

Take the Exam

Pass the DHA’s computer-based test to prove your Central Sterile Services (CSS) 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.

Qualification and Experience Requirements

Position	Qualifications	Experience
CSS Technician	Diploma in any health-related field (minimum two (2) years course duration)	Two (2) years of experience
CSS Technician	Associate degree in CSS technology (minimum two (2) years course duration)	One (1) year experience in the related field
CSS Technician	Certificate in any health-related field (minimum one (1) year course duration) with Certification as a member with one of the following: • Certification by the Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) USA • Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) - Formally known as International Association of Healthcare Central Services Material Management (IAHCSMM)	One (1) year experience in the related field
CSS Aide	Completion of Higher Secondary School	Six (6) months’ experience in a related field

*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.

Additional Requirements

Registration/License: Applicants must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in 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. The certificate must be issued within the last six months of your application date.

DHA Licensing Process – Step by Step

Step 1: Create Your DHA Sheryan Account

DHA Sheryan Portal

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 Central Sterile Services (CSS) 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

DHA Dataflow

Purpose: Verify the authenticity of your documents before applying for the DHA license.

Required Documents (for Central Sterile Services (CSS) ):

Degree/Qualification 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 Central Sterile Services (CSS) 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 Central Sterile Services (CSS) Exam - Complete Details

Central Sterile Services (CSS) Technician Exam

Role: Central Sterile Services (CSS) Technician
Code: STE5652
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Questions: 150
Pass Score: 45%
Fee: USD $240

Central Sterile Services (CSS) Aide Exam

Role: Central Sterile Services (CSS) Aide
Code: STE5653
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Questions: 150
Pass Score: 50%
Fee: USD $240

Booking Steps (Via Prometric)

Visit: prometric.com/dha
Select Exam: Schedule: Choose date, center in India
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 Prometric Exam Centers in India

You can take the DHA Prometric Exam at any of these authorized test centers in India:

Exam Coverage Areas

The 150 questions cover the following core competencies essential for CSS Technicians:

CSSD Overview and Decontamination: Understanding the Central Sterile Services Department’s role and the initial stages of cleaning.
Asepsis, Microbiology, and Infection Control: Principles governing sterile practices, microbial control, and preventing the spread of infection.
Preparation, Packaging, and Labeling: Proper techniques for preparing, securing, and identifying instruments and devices for sterilization.
Processing Equipment and Instrument Classification: Knowledge of the machinery used in processing and the categorization of various surgical instrument types.
Transportation and Disinfection: Moving soiled items to the CSSD and executing the disinfection process.
Sterilization, Maintenance, Audit, and Quality Control: Methods of sterilization, equipment upkeep, process review, and ensuring high standards.
Specialized Instrument Processing: Handling and processing flexible endoscopes and dental instruments.
Indicators, Load Control, and Transportation (Post-Sterilization): Using chemical/biological indicators, managing sterilization loads, and transporting sterile items from the CSSD.

Recommended References

Candidates are encouraged to study the following publications:

Medical Device Reprocessing (Decontamination Specialist), Course Curriculum.
The Basics of Sterile Processing. Nancy Chobin. Sterile Processing University. LLC New Jersey, Latest Edition.
Central Service Technical Manual. N. Lind; J. D. Ninemeier. International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management, Latest Edition.

DHA CSS License Cost Calculator

DHA Central Sterile Services (CSS) License Cost Calculator

Estimate your total DHA licensing fees in AED and INR (excluding potential university/authority verification charges).

DHA Exam & Experience Exemption for Central Sterile Services (CSS)

Central Sterile Services (CSS) are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:

✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries

Central Sterile Services (CSS) 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 (HCPC)
USA
Australia
Canada
Ireland
Singapore
Germany
France
South Africa
New Zealand

Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Finland
Austria
Switzerland
Belgium
Netherlands
Iceland
Luxembourg

🌐 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