DHA Ophthalmology Technology License Guide

Easy Steps to Work as an Ophthalmology Technology in Dubai

Updated August 2025

If you’re an Ophthalmology Technology 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 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
Dispensing Optician BSc in Optical Dispensing or Ophthalmic Dispensing Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field
Dispensing Optician Associate Degree/Diploma (minimum two (2) years course duration) in Optometry or Ophthalmic Dispensing Four (4) years of experience post qualification in related field
Ophthalmic Technician Graduate from a certified program (minimum two (2) year course duration) as Ophthalmic Technician Two (2) years of experience post certification in Retinalphotography and Fluorescent angiography field
Optometrist Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Optometry/Doctor of Optometry (minimum three (3) years course duration) Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field
Orthoptist BSc degree or equivalent qualification in Orthoptics Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field
Orthoptist Qualification of two (2) years duration leading to valid registration as an orthoptist in one of the below bodies: o Healthcare professional Council of UK o American Orthoptic Council of USA o International Orthoptic Association o The Canadian Orthoptic Society Four (4) years of experience post qualification in a related field in a hospital setting

 Note:
• Dispensing Opticians can only work in Optical centers.
• An ophthalmic Technician can only work with an Ophthalmologist.
• An optometrist can work in ophthalmology clinics and optical centers.

  Additional Requirements

  • Registration/License: Applicants must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of lastemployment (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 Ophthalmology Technology 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 Ophthalmology Technology):
  • 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 Ophthalmology Technology 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 Ophthalmology Technology Exam - Complete Details

  Optometrist Exam

  • Role: Optometrist
  • Code: OPT5581
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Total Questions: 150
  • Pass Score: 55%
  • Fee: USD $240

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 Areas for Optometrist

The 150 questions cover the following core domains of nursing practice:

• Geometric Optics
• Clinical Visual Optics
• Basic Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
• Binocular Vision
• Refraction
• Contact Lenses

• Ocular Disease
• Pediatric Optometry
• Geriatric Optometry
• Low Vision Practice
• Environmental Optometry

Recommended References

The following texts and resources are recommended for preparation (use the Latest Edition for all):

1. Bennet and Rabbett’sClinical Visual Optics by Ronald B. Rabbetts, Latest Edition.
2. Contact Lenses in Ophthalmic Practice by Mark J. Mannis, Karla Zadnik, CleusaCoral-Ghanem and Newton Kara-Jose, Latest
Edition.
3. Essentials of Low Vision Practice by Richard L. Brilliant, Latest Edition.
4. Theodore Grosvenor. Primary Care Optometry, Latest Edition.
5. Kanski. Clinical Ophthalmology. A Systematic Approach, Latest Edition.

  Oral Assessment

Oral Assessment is required for  Specialty:

  1. Dispensing Optician
  2. Ophthalmic Technician
  3. Orthoptist

You can directly book oral exam by DHA sheryan Portal

How to book Oral Exam

  1. Applicant views and selects the preferred date or date range
  2. Pay required fees
  3. Oral Assessment team confirms assessment date
  4. Oral assessment is conducted
  5. 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 Ophthalmology Technology License Cost Calculator

DHA Ophthalmology Technology License Cost Calculator

Please answer the following questions to calculate the estimated cost for your DHA license application in AED and INR.

Your estimated costs will appear here after calculation.

Disclaimer: The INR cost uses an approximate exchange rate (1 AED ≈ 22.50 INR) and is for estimation only. The final cost in INR will depend on the exact exchange rate and bank charges at the time of payment. All fees are based on the provided guide and are subject to change by the DHA/DataFlow/Prometric.

DHA Exam & Experience Exemption for Ophthalmology Technology

Ophthalmology Technology are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:

✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries

Ophthalmology Technology 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