DHA License for Occupational Therapist
Easy Steps to Qualify for a DHA Occupational Therapist License from Your Home Country
If you’re a Occupational Therapist planning to work in Dubai, you must obtain a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This guide explains the complete DHA licensing process for Occupational Therapist — from eligibility and qualification requirements to DataFlow verification, exams, syllabus, costs, and licensing outcomes — so you can confidently start your career in Dubai.
Qualification and Experience Requirements
Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or Diploma from an accredited institution in Occupational Therapy (minimum three (3) years course duration)
Or
Direct entry to a recognized program with the attainment of an MSc degree in Occupational Therapy
Experience
Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Qualifications
Graduate of an accredited course in Occupational Therapy (minimum two (2) years course duration)
Experience
Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.
Additional Mandatory Requirements
- Valid Registration / License: Applicants must hold a valid professional license or registration from 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(must be issued within the last 6 months).
Not sure if your qualification or experience meets DHA requirements?
Our healthcare licensing consultants can review your profile.
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. DHA Exam
Pass the DHA’s computer-based test or Oral Assessment to prove your professional 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.
We can manage your Sheryan registration, DataFlow, and exam booking end-to-end.
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 Occupational Therapist in Dubai.
Documents Required to Open a Sheryan Account:
- Valid Passport
- Passport-sized Photograph
- Active Email ID
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.
DataFlow verification is mandatory for all DHA applicants.
Required Documents (for Occupational Therapist):
- 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 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 Occupational Therapist Exam
All DHA exam details are provided in the Exam Details section below for easy reference.
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 220 fee.
You will receive your Eligibility Letter, typically within 24 hours. This letter allows you to begin your job search in Dubai.
DHA Exam Exemption
Criteria : License & Good Standing Certificate
Applicants holding a valid professional license and a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from the recognized countries listed below are exempted from the DHA licensure exam, provided that:
The qualification was obtained within the last three (3) years, OR
There is no gap in clinical practice since the last employment.
Country
- Austria
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Luxembourg
- Netherland
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Singapore
- Sweden
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- UK (HCPC)
- USA
✅ Eligible for DHA exam exemption?
We’ll confirm your exemption, prepare documents, and submit your application correctly.
DHA Exam for Occupational Therapist - Complete Details
Occupational Therapist Exam
- Role: Occupational Therapist
- Code: ORA5562
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Questions: 150
- Pass Score: 55%
- Fee: USD $240
Occupational Therapist Assistant Exam
- Role: Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Code: ORA5563
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Questions: 150
- Pass Score: 50%
- Fee: USD $240
Booking Steps (Via Prometric)
- Visit: prometric.com/dha
- Select Exam → Schedule → Choose your preferred date and test center (available globally)
- 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 Exam Prometric Test Centers
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DHA Occupational Therapist Exam
Exam Coverage (Syllabus)
The examination tests knowledge across 10 core domains of Occupational Therapist practice:
- Neurological Conditions
- Physical Disabilities
- Developmental Disabilities
- Occupational Health and Patient Safety
- Community Based Services and Assistive Technology
- Hand Dysfunctions
- Psychosocial Problems & Mental Health
- Pediatric Conditions
- Community Based Services and Assistive Technology
- Ethics and Professionalism
Recommended References
The following texts are suggested for preparation, with the latest editions recommended:
- Pedretti's Occupational Therapy: Practice Skills for Physical Dysfunction, latest Edition.
- Occupational Therapy for Children (Case-Smith), Latest Edition.
- Fundamentals of Hand Therapy, Cooper, Latest Edition
- Handbook of Developmental Disabilities, Odom, Latest Edition.
- Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A vision for participation, Brown, Latest Edition.
🌐 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
Start Your DHA Occupational Therapist Licensing with Expert Support
We’ve helped hundreds of healthcare professionals get licensed in Dubai smoothly and compliantly.
Our healthcare consultancy provides end-to-end DHA licensing support for Occupational Therapists, including eligibility assessment, Sheryan registration, DataFlow verification, exam booking, and eligibility letter processing.
We charge a transparent 20% professional service fee, calculated only on the official DHA, DataFlow, and exam charges applicable to your case. There are no hidden costs, and all government fees are paid directly to the authorities.
What Our Service Fee Includes
Eligibility review based on DHA regulations
Sheryan account creation & application submission
DataFlow document verification coordination
DHA exam or oral assessment booking (if required)
Eligibility letter follow-up & status tracking
Ongoing guidance until eligibility approval
What It Does NOT Include
Note: Government fees, DataFlow charges, exam fees, and oral assessment fees are paid separately to the respective authorities as per official rates.