DHA License Process

DHA Psychology License Guide for Indian

Updated August 2025

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for Indian psychiatrist seeking to obtain a professional license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This license is legally required to practice in Dubai and proves your qualifications and skills.

Your DHA Licensing Journey: A Simple Overview

The process for obtaining your DHA license can be broken down into five main steps.

  1. Check Eligibility

  2. Create Sheryan Account

  3. Verify Documents via Dataflow

  4. Pass Exam (CBT for Specialists / Oral for Consultants)

  5. Get Eligibility Letter

1. Qualification and Experience Requirements as per Positions:

Before you begin the application process, you must confirm that you meet the DHA’s professional qualification requirements (PQR). If you meet the criteria below, you are eligible to apply for a DHA license. 

Position Qualifications Experience
Psychologist Bachelor’s degree (psychology)* And Master’s degree of a minimum two (2) years in Psychology* Two (2) years of experience post qualification
Psychologist Bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology* And Doctoral degree in Psychology One (1) year of experience post qualification in related field
Specialized Psychologist Bachelor's degree in the field of psychology + Master’s degree of a minimum two (2) years in one of the listed Psychology specialties below* Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field
Specialized Psychologist Bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology + Doctoral degree in one of the listed Psychology specialties below One (1) year of experience post qualification in related field***
Psychometrist Bachelor’s degree (includes B.A. or B.Sc.) in psychometrics Two (2) years of experience post qualification

* For Psychology titles with a bachelor's of 3-year course duration, three (3) years of experience are required in related field.

** Psychometrics and Assistant Psychologists can practice only under supervision by a Licensed Psychologist.

*** In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria

List of Specialties: 

Addiction, Child, Clinical, Counseling, Educational, Forensic, Health, Marriage and Family, Neuropsychology, Occupational, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic, Behavioral and Cognitive, Geropsychology, Rehabilitation, Clinical Psychopharmacology, and Cognitive Psychology.

Dubai-Specific Licensing (DHA):

    • In Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licenses only seven specific specializations under the “Specialized Psychologist” title:

      1. Addiction Psychology

      2. Clinical Psychology

      3. Forensic Psychology

      4. Health Psychology

      5. Neuropsychology

      6. Rehabilitation Psychology

      7. Clinical Psychopharmacology

    • Applications for the general “Psychologist” title or any other specializations not listed above must be submitted to the Community Development Authority (CDA).

Step 2: Create Your DHA Sheryan Account

Click here – 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 Orthopedic Doctor 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 3: DHA Primary Source Verification (PSV) via Dataflow

Click here – DHA Dataflow

Purpose: Verify the authenticity of your documents before applying for the DHA license.

Required Documents

  1. Degree Certificate (Only Higher Certificate)

  2. License (Valid license from Centre/state)

  3. Good Standing Certificate (From your licensing authority)

  4. Experience Certificate 

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 4: The DHA Exam

Clinical Psychology

  • Booking:

    • Visit prometric.com/dha.

    • Select “Clinical Psychology” (CPS5071).

    • Choose a date and test center in India.

    • Pay the USD 240 fee.

  • Test Centers in India: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Mumbai, Trivandrum.

  • On Exam Day: Bring your original passport, DHA Eligibility ID, and Prometric Confirmation Letter.

CBT (Computer Based Test) syllabus

The exam consists of 150 questions covering a wide range of topics, including:

• Schools of Psychology
• Biological Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychology of Learning

• General Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Clinical Psychology
• Research Methodology

Recommended References

To prepare for the exam, you should consult the latest editions of the following textbooks:

1. Alan Carr and Muireann McNulty (2006). The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology. Routledge: London
2. Alan D. Baddeley, Barbara A. Wilson, and Fraser N. Watts (1998). Handbook of Memory Disorders. John Wiley & Sons: Chichester.
3. A. Reber (1995). Dictionary of Psychology. Penguin Books: London.
4. Glen O. Gabbard (2000). Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (3rd Edition). American Psychiatric Press, Inc: Washington, DC.
5. G. Neil Martin (2006). Human Neuropsychology (Second Edition). Pearson Education Limited: Edinburgh, UK.
6. Arno F. Wittig (2001). Introduction to Psychology (Second Edition). McGraw-Hill: New York.

Pass Score: 55%

Step 5: Apply for Eligibility Letter

  1. Log in to your Sheryan account.

  2. Apply for the “Get Registered” service.

  3. Ensure your documents are verified by DataFlow and your exam results are recorded.

  4. Pay the AED 200 fee.

  5. You will receive your Eligibility Letter, typically within 24 hours. This letter allows you to begin your job search in Dubai.

Activate the License:

Once you have a job, your employer will finalize the process and activate your official license, allowing you to legally work.