DHA Pharmacy License Guide
Easy Steps to Work as a Pharmacy in Dubai
If you’re a Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy/PharmD/Doctor of Pharmacy And One (1) year post-graduate qualification in one of the specialties listed in table | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field |
| Specialized Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy/PharmD/Doctor of Pharmacy And American Board in one of the specialties listed in table | No experience required* |
| Clinical Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy And Clinical Pharmacy Residency program (Minimum two (2) years duration) | No experience required* |
| Clinical Pharmacist | PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy (minimum six (6) years course duration) | Two (2) years’ experience post qualification in related field with a minimum of six (6) months in hospital setting |
| Clinical Pharmacist | Bachelor or 4 years master’s degree in pharmacy And Postgraduate Diploma from UK in Clinical Pharmacy (minimum of one year duration) | Two (2) years’ experience post qualification in related field with a minimum of six (6) months in hospital setting |
| Clinical Pharmacist | Bachelor or 4 years master’s degree in pharmacy And Postgraduate Diploma from UK in Clinical Pharmacy (minimum of one year duration) | Two (2) years’ experience post qualification in related field with a minimum of six (6) months in hospital setting |
| Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field |
| Pharmacist | Doctor of Pharmacy | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field |
| Pharmacy Technician | Diploma in Pharmacy program (minimum two (2) years course duration) | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in related field |
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria
Note:
Experience with pharmaceutical companies or sales representatives is not accepted.
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.
Recognized Specialty Titles
Pharmacist – Compounding pharmacy
Pharmacist – Oncology
Pharmacist – Cardiology
Pharmacist – Critical care
Pharmacist – Geriatric
Pharmacist -Infectious diseases
Pharmacist – Nuclear
Pharmacist – Nutrition support
Pharmacist – Pediatric
Pharmacist – Pharmacotherapist
Pharmacist – Psychiatry
Pharmacist – Medication Safety
Pharmacist – Drug information
Pharmacist – Ambulatory Care
Pharmacist – Clinical Pharmacology
Pharmacist – Clinical Toxicology
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 Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy):
- 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 Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy 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
Clinical Pharmacy Examination Details (Code: PHO5482)
Exam Coverage Topics
The examination covers the following key areas:
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Decision Making, Pharmaceutical Care and Disease State Management, Pharmacokinetics, Clinical pharmacogenomics.
Pharmaceutical Sciences: Pharmaceutics/Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacy Calculation and Compounding, Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy and Dietary Supplements.
Practice and Safety: Medication Safety, Over the Counter Medication, Toxicology, Infection Control, Pharmacy Law and Ethics.
📚 References
The following sources are recommended for preparation:
Dick R. Gourley, James C. Eoff III, The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association.
Also cited: William E Paul, Fundamental Immunology, Philadelphia, USA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry.
Leon Shargel, Alan H. Munick, Paul F. Souney, Larry N. Swanson, Comprehensive Pharmacy Review.
Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics.
Shargel, Applied Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, the Middle East Observer, USA: Appleton and Lange.
Howard C. Ansel, Mitchell J. Stoklosa, Pharmaceutical Calculations.
Aulton, M., E., Pharmaceutics: The Science of Dosage Form Design, London Churchill Livingstone.
Karen E. Stine, Thomas M. Brown, Principles of Toxicology.
Karen Rascati, Essentials of Pharmacoeconomics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Pharmacist Licensure Examination Summary (Code: PHO5481)
Exam Coverage Topics
The examination covers the following disciplines essential to pharmacy practice:
Clinical and Patient Care: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Decision Making, Pharmaceutical Care and Disease State Management, Pharmacokinetics, Clinical pharmacogenomics.
Pharmaceutical Sciences: Pharmaceutics/Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacy Calculation and Compounding, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy and Dietary Supplements.
Practice and Regulation: Pharmacy Law and Ethics, Medication Safety, Over the Counter Medication, Toxicology, Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding, Infection Control.
📚 Recommended References
Candidates should prepare using the following materials:
Dick R. Gourley, James C. Eoff III, The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association.
Also cited: William E Paul, Fundamental Immunology, Philadelphia, USA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry.
Leon Shargel, Alan H. Munick, Paul F. Souney, Larry N. Swanson, Comprehensive Pharmacy Review.
Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics.
Shargel, Applied Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, the Middle East Observer, USA: Appleton and Lange.
Howard C. Ansel, Mitchell J. Stoklosa, Pharmaceutical Calculations.
Aulton, M., E., Pharmaceutics: The Science of Dosage Form Design, London Churchill Livingstone.
Karen E. Stine, Thomas M. Brown, Principles of Toxicology.
Karen Rascati, Essentials of Pharmacoeconomics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Pharmacy Technician Examination Overview (Code: PHT5451)
📋 Exam Coverage Topics
The examination content focuses on the practical and regulatory aspects of the Pharmacy Technician role, including:
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding
Medication Safety
Infection Control
Pharmaceutical Care and Disease State Management
Pharmacokinetics
Over the Counter Medication
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pharmacy Law and Ethics
📚 References
The following resources are recommended for exam preparation (Latest Editions):
Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Beringer, Paul et al.
Goodman and Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Hardman; Limbird; Gilman.
Drug Information Handbook, LexiComp.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach.
Specialized Pharmacist Oral Assessment
Oral Assessment is required for Specialized Pharmacist.
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
Cost Calculator: DHA Pharmacy License
Use the form below to estimate your total licensing costs in UAE Dirham (AED) and Indian Rupees (INR).
1 USD ≈ AED 3.673 | 1 AED ≈ INR 24.15
Required Questions for Cost Estimation
DHA Exam & Experience Exemption for Pharmacy
Pharmacy are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:
✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries
Pharmacy 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