DHA Medical Laboratory License Guide
Easy Steps to Work as a Medical Laboratory in Dubai
If you’re a Medical Laboratory 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.
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 Medical Laboratory 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomist | Minimum six (6) months program in Medical Laboratory Sciences | One (1) year experience post qualification as a phlebotomist |
| Phlebotomist | Completion of an approved certified phlebotomy program | One (1) year experience post qualification as a phlebotomist |
| Phlebotomist | Certificate in the field of Health Science (minimum of one (1) year course duration) | One (1) year experience post qualification as a phlebotomist |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | Diploma or certificate in Laboratory Technician from an accredited program or equivalent (minimum two (2) years course duration) | No experience required* |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | Bachelor’s in Biotechnology providing the qualification covered Medical Laboratory subjects and clinical training | No experience required* |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Medical Laboratory Science or Biomedical Science | No experience required* |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles (Table below) | Bachelor in the Specialty field Or BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology with One (1) year emphasis of the curriculum in the field of specialty in the basic qualification curriculum | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles (Table below) | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology And Certification by the ASCP in the specialty | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles (Table below) | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
| Clinical Scientist | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification And MSc in a relevant specialty | Three (3) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
| Clinical Scientist | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification And Ph.D. degree in a relevant specialty | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.
Clinical Scientist / Medical Laboratory Technologist Specialty Licensing Titles
Blood Banking/Transfusion
Clinical Biochemistry (Chemical Pathology)
Cytogenetic
Cytology
Genetics
Hematology
Histocompatibility and Immunogenetic
Histotechnology
Immunology
Medical Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
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
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 Medical Laboratory 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 (for Medical Laboratory):
- Degree/Diploma Certificate
- License/Registration
- 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 Medical Laboratory 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 Medical Laboratory Exam - Complete Details
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:
📍 Ahmedabad | 📍 Bangalore | 📍 Chennai | 📍 Hyderabad | 📍 Gurgaon | 📍 Kolkata | 📍 Mumbai | 📍 Trivandrum
Medical Laboratory Technician Exam (LAB5601)
📝 Exam Details
🔬 Exam Coverage Areas
The 150 questions will cover the following 12 key areas of laboratory medicine:
Core Disciplines:
Bacteriology
Virology
Parasitology
Mycology
Body Fluids & Chemistry:
Biochemistry
Hormones
Urinalysis
Hematology & Transfusion:
Hematology
Blood Bank
Immune System:
Immunology / Serology (Listed twice for emphasis/detail)
Operational Standards:
Safety and Quality Control
📚 Recommended References
To prepare for the exam, candidates should consult the latest editions of the following texts:
Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries by Monica Cheesbrough
Manual on Standard Operation Procedures, Sample Collection and Reference Ranges for Clinical Chemistry by Meliyanthi M. Gunatillaka
Clinical Immunology and Serology by Christine Dorresteyn Stevens
HENRY’S Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods by McPherson
Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices by Denise M. Harmening
A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (9th Edition) by Fischbach, F. and Dunning, M.B.
DHA Exam Information for below Professionals
The following three specializations must book their professional licensing examination through the Sheryan Portal:
Phlebotomist
Medical Laboratory specialty titles (Table Above)
Clinical Scientist
Examination Fees:
Standard Exam Fee: AED 250
Urgent Exam Fee: AED 2,000
DHA Licensing Cost Calculator 🇦🇪
Estimate your total DHA licensing costs in INR (based on August 2025 guide).
*DataFlow base fee covers 4 documents (Degree, License, GSC, and 1 Exp Letter). Enter any additional ones here.
Note: These costs are estimates. **INR exchange rates (AED 24.17, USD 88.71) are for September 2025** and may vary.
DHA Exam & Experience Exemption for Medical Laboratory
Medical Laboratory are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:
✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries
Medical Laboratory 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