DHA Massage Therapist License Guide

Easy Steps to Work as a Massage Therapist in Dubai

Updated August 2025

If you’re a Massage Therapist who 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.

Steps Overview
Requirements
Application Process
Exam Details
Cost Calculator
Exam Exemption

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

Take the Exam

Pass the DHA’s computer-based test or Oral assessment to prove your Massage Therapist 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
Massage Therapist* The training program of Massage therapy for a minimum of five hundred (500) hours, including educational and supervised clinical instruction And Valid BLS certification Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field

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

*Massage Therapist will be licensed only by DHA.

  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 Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist):
  • Degree or Diploma Certificate (Massage Therapist)
  • 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 Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist Exam - Complete Details

   Registered Massage Therapist Exam

  • Exam Duration         3 Hours
  • Total Questions       150 Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Pass Score                 50%
  • Exam Code                MAS5511
  • Examination Fee$   240 USD

Booking Steps (Via Prometric)

  1. Visit: prometric.com/dha
  2. Select Exam: Schedule: Choose date, center in India
  3. Pay: USD 240 (credit/debit card)
  4. 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:

📍 Ahmedabad | 📍 Bangalore | 📍 Chennai | 📍 Hyderabad | 📍 Gurgaon | 📍 Kolkata | 📍 Mumbai | 📍 Trivandrum

Exam Coverage (Knowledge Domains)

The 150-question examination covers the following key areas essential for practice:

  • Anatomy

  • Physiological Effects and Contraindications of Massage

  • Basic Techniques of Massage

  • Physical Evaluation Skills

  • Management of Diseases by Massage

  • Management of Sport Conditions by Massage

Recommended References

The following sources are suggested for exam preparation:

  1. The Massage Connection: Anatomy and Physiology, Kalyani Premkumar, 2nd Edition, Lippincott & Wilkins.

  2. Basic Clinical Massage Therapy, James Cray and David Pounds, 2nd Edition, Lippincott & Wilkins.

  3. Thai Massage Manual: Natural Therapy for Flexibility, Relaxation, and Energy Balance, Maria Mercati.

  4. The Myofascial Releases Manual, Carol Msnheim, 2nd Edition, Slack Incorporated.

  5. Massage for Therapist, Margaret Hollis, 2nd Edition, Blackwell Science Ltd.

  6. Manipulation, Traction, and Massage, Joseph Rogoff, 2nd Edition.

  7. Muscle: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain, Florence Peterson, 5th Edition.

  8. Textbook of Medical Physiology, Guyton and Hall.

  9. Orthopedic Physical Assessment, David J, 4th Edition.

  10. Clayton’s Electrotherapy, Theory and Practice, Angela Forster, 9th Edition.

  11. Therapeutic Exercise, Carolyn Kisner, 5th Edition.

  12. Tide’s Physical therapy, Ann Thomson, 12th Edition.

DHA Massage Therapist License Cost Calculator

DHA Massage Therapist License Fee Calculator

Estimate your mandatory DHA application costs based on the guide.


Exam Fee: $240 USD (Only if 'Yes')

The base fee already covers 4 documents (Degree, License, Good Standing, +1 Experience Letter). Enter the count of any *additional* experience letters or certificates.

Extra Doc Fee: AED 300 per document.

*Exchange rates used: 1 USD = 3.6725 AED | 1 AED = 24.18 INR (Rates are approximate and subject to market fluctuation).

DHA Exam & Experience Exemption Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:

✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries

Massage Therapist 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