DHA Nurse License Guide
Easy Steps to Work as a Nurse in Dubai
If you’re a nurse 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 to prove your nursing 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Bachelor's degree in nursing | No experience required |
| Assistant Nurse | Diploma of Nursing (Minimum 18 months duration) | No experience required |
| Nurse Practitioner | Bachelor’s degree in nursing & National Certification or license as a Nurse Practitioner | Two (2) years of experience post qualification as a Nurse Practitioner |
| Nurse Practitioner | Bachelor & Master/Doctoral degree in
nursing in:-
*Pharmacology for prescribing drugs as a nurse practitioner *Differential diagnosis, ordering, and interpretation of diagnostic tests (Radiological and pathological tests) *Advanced Health Assessment |
Two (2) years of experience post qualification as a Nurse Practitioner |
| Specialty Nurse | Bachelor and Master degree in one of the nursing specialties (minimum of one (1) year course duration) | One (1) year of experience post qualification in the related specialty field |
| Specialty Nurse | Bachelor’s degree in one of the nursing specialties (minimum three (3) years course duration) | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in the related field |
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.
Additional Requirements
- Registration/License: Valid and active nursing license from the Indian Nursing Council or your respective State Nursing Council.
- 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.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): This is a mandatory requirement.
Recognized Specialty Titles
- Adult Health Care Nurse
- Anesthesia Nurse
- Cardiovascular Nurse
- Clinical Informatics Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Diabetic Foot Nurse
- Diabetic Health Nurse
- Emergency Nurse
- Infection Prevention Nurse
- Maternal Health Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Neonatal Nurse
- Neonatology Critical Care Nurse
- Oncology Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Pediatric Critical Care Nurse
- Wound Care Nurse
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: 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 Indian Nurses):
- Degree Certificate (Nursing qualification)
- License (Valid license from INC/state)
- 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 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 Nurse Exam - 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 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
Exam Coverage Areas
The 150 questions cover the following core domains of nursing practice:
- Fundamentals
- Adult Nursing
- Maternal–Child Nursing
- Unit Management & Leadership
Recommended References
The following texts and resources are recommended for preparation (use the Latest Edition for all):
- Mosby’s Pharmacology in Nursing by Leda M. McKenry, Tessier, and Mary Ann Hogan. (Mosby Publishers)
- Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice by Dudek, SG. (Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)
- ANA Code of Ethics
- Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts, Process and Practice by Berman, A and Snyder, S. (Pearson International)
- Skill Checklists for Taylor’s Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach by Pamela Lynn and, Marilee LeBon. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)
- Physical Examination and Health Assessment by Jarvis, C. (Saunders Elsevier)
- Brunner and Suddarth’s Canadian textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing by Day, R. A., Paul, P., Williams, B., Smeltzer, S. C., and Bare. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)
- Foundation of Maternal-Newborn Nursing by Murray, S., McKinney, E. (Saunders Elsevier)
- Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children by Wong, D.L., and Hockenberry, M.J. (Mosby)
- Introduction to Critical Care Nursing by Sole, ML. Klein, DG. Moseley, MJ. (Saunders, Elsevier)
- Nursing Technician Blueprint
- Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing by Townsend, C.M. (F. A. Davis Company)
- Community Health Nursing Promoting and Protecting The Public Health (Nursing Fundamentals) by Allender, Judith A. and Rector, Cherie. (Lippincott)
Nurse Practitioner and Specialty Nurse Oral Assessment
Oral Assessment is required for Nurse Practitioners and Specialty Nurses.
You can directly book oral exam by DHA sheryan Portal
How to book Oral Exam
- Applicant views and selects the preferred date or date range
- Pay required fees
- Oral Assessment team confirms assessment date
- Oral assessment is conducted
- Receive results on Sheryan (registration is issued in case of passing the assessment)
Oral Assessment Fees
- Normal Oral Assessment Fees: AED 250
- Urgent Oral Assessment Fees: AED 2000
DHA License Cost Calculator
Estimate your total DHA licensing costs in INR.
Estimated Cost Breakdown
Note: These costs are estimates based on September 2025 exchange rates and may vary.
DHA Exam & Experience Exemption Nurses
Nurses are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:
✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries
Nurses 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
Find Nursing Jobs 🏥
Update Your CV/Resume
Make sure your CV clearly states that you have a DHA Eligibility Letter. Highlight your B.Sc. Nursing degree, Indian Nursing Council license, and any clinical skills or experience you have.
Online Job Portals
Look for jobs on popular websites like Naukri Gulf, Bayt, Indeed and LinkedIn. Many hospitals and clinics post their openings on these sites.
Direct Applications
Visit the career pages of major healthcare providers in Dubai. Companies like American Hospital Dubai, Mediclinic, and Burjeel Hospital often have direct application portals on their websites.
Activate the License
Once you have a job, your employer will finalize the process and activate your official license, allowing you to legally work.
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.