DHA Social Work License Guide
Easy Steps to Work as a Social Work in Dubai
If you’re a Social Work 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 Social Work 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Social Worker | BSc in Social Work And Master’s degree in Social Work | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
| Applied Behavioral Analyst | Master’s degree in Behavioral Analysis or equivalent and passing the proficiency test from one of the professional associations accredited in the specialty | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field Or 1500 hours of training under the supervision of specialized professional |
| Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst | Bachelor or Diploma of Applied Behavior Analysis or equivalent And passing the proficiency test from one of the professional associations accredited in the specialty. | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field Or 1500 hours of training under the supervision of specialized professional |
| Behavior therapy Technician | Bachelor or Diploma in related psycho-analysis field | Two (2) years of experience post qualification in a related field |
*In compliance with the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) criteria.
Note:
DHA does not license social workers. Applicants with these specialties have to apply to Community Development Authority (CDA).
Assistant Social Worker license allows practice only under onsite supervision by a licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Additional Requirements
- Registration/License: Applicants must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in 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. 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
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 Social Work 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 Respiratory Therapy):
- Degree Certificate (Social Work qualification)
- 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 Social Work 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 Social Work Exam - Complete Details
Behavior therapy technician Oral Assessment
Oral Assessment is required for Behavior therapy technician.
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
Applied behaviour analyst - No exam required
DHA Social Work License Cost Calculator 🇦🇪🇮🇳
Exchange Rate Used: 1 AED ≈ 24.18 INR (Estimated)
Total Estimated Mandatory Cost
Total Cost (AED): 0.00 AED
Total Cost (INR): 0.00 INR
**Note:** This estimate **excludes** university/authority PSV reply fees, possible English Proficiency exam fees (IELTS/TOEFL/OET), and the final **License Activation Fee** (paid after getting a job offer and is typically around AED 1000).
DHA Exam & Experience Exemption of Social Work
Social Work are exempted from the DHA exam if they meet either of the following criteria:
✅ Criteria: License + GSC from Recognized Countries
Social Work 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