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Quick Answer: The DHA nursing licensing assessment is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam for nurses seeking registration in Dubai. It consists of 150 questions with a 3-hour time limit and costs USD 240. Results are available on the Sheryan portal as Pass or Fail. An oral assessment is only required if mandated by DHA during registration review.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) oversees all healthcare services in the city, ensuring that every nurse, doctor, and pharmacist meets the high standards required to practice. For internationally trained nurses, the key to unlocking this opportunity is a two-part evaluation designed to test both your technical knowledge and your clinical judgment:
Earning your license is a major milestone for your career in the UAE. This guide breaks down the latest DHA fees, syllabus, and exam patterns so you can walk into your test with total confidence
| Table of Contents | |
| 1. What is the DHA Exam for Nurses? 2. DHA Exam Format and Details 3. What are the four categories in the DHA Nursing Exam? 4. What are the Eligibility Criteria for the DHA Nursing Exam? 5. What are the Documents Required for the DHA Exam for Nurse Registration? 6. What is the DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) 7. How to Complete DataFlow PSV? 8. How to Register for the DHA CBT Exam? 9. What is the DHA Exam Pattern and Category Details (CBT)? 10.What is the DHA Exam Syllabus for Nurses? 11. DHA Exam Fees: Complete Cost Breakdown 12. DHA Exam Results, Retakes & What Happens After You Pass 13. What is the DHA Oral Assessment for Nurses? 14. 4-Week Study Plan for DHA Nursing Exam Preparation 15. 7 Tips for Success in the DHA Nursing Exam 16. Final Thoughts |
The DHA nursing exam is a 150-question computer test conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The test assesses fundamental, medical-surgical, pediatric, maternity, and emergency nursing knowledge required for nurses who want to work in Dubai healthcare facilities.
The DHA exam is designed, validated, and regularly updated by subject matter experts under DHA’s supervision. It is delivered through Prometric’s worldwide network of over 8,000 test centres in more than 160 countries. As a result, participants do not need to be in Dubai to sit the exam.
DHA Exam Format and Details
| Format: |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) with single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
|
| Questions: | 150 MCQs for all nursing categories |
| Duration: | 3 hours (includes registration, introduction, and timed exam) |
| Results: |
Pass or Fail, updated in your Sheryan account. Individual scores are not shared.
|
| Negative marking | None — always attempt every question |
| Language | English |
| Exam fee | USD 240 (Prometric CBT fee only) |
The DHA nursing exam is divided into four professional categories:
Registered Nurse (RN) – The primary nursing licence for BSN-qualified professionals
Assistant Nurse (AN) – For diploma-qualified nurses in supportive clinical roles
Registered Midwife (RM) – Maternity care specialists (exam code MID5104)
Assistant Midwife – Currently “inactive” in the DHA CBT guideline; confirm availability in Sheryan before applying.
Registered Nurses play a vital role in delivering high-quality patient care across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres. Their responsibilities include assessing patient health, administering medications, coordinating with doctors, and providing education to patients and families. Those aiming to work in Dubai must clear the DHA Registered Nurse Exam.
| Category | Details |
| Duration | 3 Hrs |
| No. of Questions | 150 |
| Code | RNT0312 |
| Exam Fee | USD 240 |
| Pass Score | 50% |
| Exam Coverage |
|
Assistant Nurses support senior nursing staff in daily healthcare operations. They assist with patient hygiene, basic medical procedures, monitoring vital signs, and preparing medical equipment.
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Duration |
3 Hrs |
|
No. of Questions |
150 |
|
Code |
ARN5061 |
|
Pass Score |
45% |
|
Exam Fee |
USD 240 |
|
Exam Coverage |
|
Registered Midwives are professionals who oversee maternity care from pregnancy to postpartum. To get employed in Dubai’s healthcare sector, they must pass the DHA Registered Midwife Exam and get a license. Here are the DHA Registered Midwife exam details;
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Duration |
3 Hrs |
|
No. of Questions |
150 |
|
Code |
MID5104 |
|
Pass Score |
50% |
|
Exam Fee |
USD 240 |
|
Exam Coverage |
|
Assistant Midwives in Dubai provide crucial support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. To qualify, candidates must pass the DHA Assistant Midwife Exam. Here’s the exam details;
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Duration |
3 Hrs |
|
No. of Questions |
150 |
|
Code |
MID5101 |
|
Pass Score |
45% |
|
Exam Fee |
USD 240 |
|
Exam Coverage |
|
|
Important Note: DHA reserves the right to activate or deactivate a speciality assessment, change exam content, format, or pass scores without updating the published guideline. Always verify your title’s details in Sheryan before booking.
|
Meeting DHA’s eligibility requirements is the first and most critical step. The Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) document published by DHA outlines all criteria.
|
Category |
Educational Requirement |
Clinical Experience |
Mandatory Certifications |
|
Registered Nurse (RN) |
Bachelor’s Degree (BSc/BSN) — Min. 3 years |
Generally, 2 years post-registration |
Valid Home Country License, Current BLS, Good Standing Certificate |
|
Assistant Nurse (AN) |
Diploma in Nursing — Min. 18 months |
Generally, 1-2 years post-registration |
Valid Home Country License, Current BLS, Good Standing Certificate |
|
Registered Midwife |
Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery (or Nursing + Midwifery) |
Generally, 2 years in a midwifery setting |
Valid Midwifery License, Current BLS, Good Standing Certificate |
Note: Some "Fresher" pathways exist for recent graduates from specific accredited programs, though most international applicants require 2 years of experience.
In addition to your academic qualifications, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) enforces two critical eligibility rules:
If you are a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) holder currently working as an Assistant Nurse, you can apply for a Registered Nurse title upgrade. However, you must do this before you hit 5 years of experience in the Assistant Nurse role.
2025/2026 DHA EXAM POLICY UPDATE – FRESH GRADUATESThe updated PQR now allows Registered Nurses who graduated within the last 2 years to apply without the traditional 2-year clinical experience requirement. This landmark change benefits thousands of nursing graduates from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, and other countries. If your qualification is older than 2 years, clinical experience is still required. |
Read Now: Benefits and Opportunities of DHA License for Nurses
Prepare the following documents before beginning your Sheryan application. All documents must be in English or officially translated, and should be clear, unedited scans:
Tip: Start gathering documents early. The Good Standing Certificate and DataFlow verification can take several weeks and are the most common cause of delays.
DataFlow Group is DHA’s partner for screening healthcare professionals. PSV independently verifies the authenticity of your educational qualifications, professional licences, and employment history by contacting original issuing institutions.
|
PSV is mandatory for all international nursing applicants. Without a positive DataFlow report, you cannot proceed to licence registration even if you have passed the CBT.
|
Follow the steps below for a complete DataFlow PSV;
Visit dataflowgroup.com and register a new account
Complete the application form with personal details and a signed Letter of Authorisation (LOA)
Select your case type and enter educational, license, and experience details
Upload clear scans of all relevant documents
Pay the PSV fee (typically AED 500–1,000 depending on verifications needed)
Verification takes approximately 3 weeks; you receive the report via email
Tip: Ensure your institution contacts are correct and responsive. Delays most often occur when issuing institutions are slow to respond.
Sheryan is DHA’s official online licensing portal. From eligibility review through exam scheduling to licence activation, every step is managed here. Here is the DHA Sheryan Licensing Process;
Check out: How To Apply For A DHA License For A General Practitioner
The table below summarises key specifications for each nursing category from the official DHA CBT guideline (November 2025).
|
Title |
Questions |
Duration |
DHA Code |
Fee (USD) |
Pass |
Status |
|
Registered Nurse |
150 MCQs |
3 hours |
RNT0312 |
240 |
50% |
Active |
|
Assistant Nurse |
150 MCQs |
3 hours |
ARN5061 |
240 |
45% |
Active |
|
Registered Midwife |
150 MCQs |
3 hours |
MID5104 |
240 |
50% |
Active |
|
Assistant Midwife |
150 MCQs |
3 hours |
MID5101 |
240 |
45% |
In-active |
ACCURACY NOTE: The Registered Midwife code is MID5104 (not MID5102 as some older sources state). Assistant Midwife is currently listed as “inactive” by DHA. The official DHA CBT guideline states 50% for RN/RM and 45% for AN/AM. DHA may change these without notice; always verify.
Pass Score: What the Official Guideline SaysThe DHA CBT guideline (November 2025) explicitly states a pass score of 50% for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, and 45% for Assistant Nurses and Assistant Midwives. However, DHA reserves the right to change pass scores without updating published guidelines, and results are reported only as Pass/Fail. We recommend aiming for 70%+ on practice tests to maintain a comfortable safety margin regardless of the threshold.
|
The DHA nursing exam assesses clinical competency across the full scope of nursing practice. DHA publishes a “Mode of Exam” document for each speciality listing domain areas and recommended reference texts. Here is a brief breakdown of the DHA Exam syllabus and key topics covered.
|
Subject Area |
Major Focus |
Key Topics / Skills |
|
Fundamentals of Nursing |
Core nursing principles and basic patient care |
Patient assessment techniques, vital signs monitoring, infection prevention & control, medication administration (routes, dosage calculations, safety checks), nursing process, documentation standards, basic bedside procedures |
|
Adult Nursing / Medical-Surgical Nursing |
Care of adult patients across body systems |
Respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological disorders; pre-operative and post-operative care; fluid & electrolyte balance; pain management; emergency care; critical care basics |
|
Maternal–Child Nursing |
Care of mothers, newborns, and children |
Prenatal care, labour and delivery (intrapartum), postpartum care, newborn assessment & resuscitation, child growth and development, common pediatric illnesses, immunisation schedules, pediatric drug calculations |
|
Unit Management & Leadership |
Nursing management and decision making |
Delegation, prioritisation, triage, patient safety, quality improvement, team communication, leadership roles, healthcare policies, legal and ethical issues (confidentiality, informed consent, advance directives) |
|
Community Health Nursing |
Population and preventive healthcare |
Health promotion, disease prevention, community health assessment, epidemiology basics, family health education, public health programs, environmental health |
|
Pharmacology |
Medication knowledge and safe administration |
Drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects, drug interactions, dosage calculations, safe medication practices, high-alert drugs |
|
Mental Health Nursing |
Psychological and psychiatric care |
Psychiatric assessment, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, substance abuse management, behavioural disorders, legal & ethical aspects in mental health care |
The DHA Mode of Exam lists specific references. Commonly cited nursing texts include
Check Out: DHA Exam Fees, Syllabus & Exam Pattern For Pharmacist
The total cost for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing process for Nurses typically ranges between AED 2,200 and AED 3500+. This can vary based on specific documentation and exam requirements. The total fee is not paid at once; it is distributed across several key stages of the licensing journey. Here’s a quick overview of Exam fees
|
Fee Component |
Amount |
When You Pay |
|
Eligibility/Credentialing Review |
AED 200 |
During Sheryan registration (Step 2) |
|
DataFlow PSV |
AED 500–1,000 |
During the DataFlow application (Step 3) |
|
Prometric CBT Exam Fee |
USD 240 (~AED 882) |
When scheduling via prometric.com (Step 5) |
|
Oral Assessment – Normal (if mandated) |
AED 250 |
Only if DHA mandates oral assessment |
|
Oral Assessment – Urgent (if mandated) |
AED 2,000 |
If urgent processing is requested |
|
Licence Activation (1 year) |
AED 1,000–3,000 |
After passing, via the employer (Section 12) |
|
Licence Delivery |
~AED 20 |
Upon licence issuance |
|
ESTIMATED TOTAL |
AED 2,200–3,500+ |
Across the full licensing journey |
Also Check Out: DHA Exam Fees
DHA Exam Results, Retakes & What Happens After You PassResults & Retakes
|
The DHA oral assessment is a face-to-face interview evaluating practical skills, clinical reasoning, problem-solving, communication, and ethical conduct.
No. Oral assessment is not automatically required. DHA enables the “Schedule Oral Assessment” service in your Sheryan account only after DHA’s review and only when you have been explicitly mandated to complete an oral assessment. If your credentials and CBT results are deemed sufficient, you skip this step entirely. If mandated, the assessment involves clinical scenarios and competency questions within a 15–30 minute timeframe. Candidates typically attend in person in Dubai.
|
Type |
Fee |
|
Normal Oral Assessment |
AED 250 |
|
Urgent Oral Assessment |
AED 2,000 |
DHA Exam Exemptions for Nurses
|
This structured 4-week study plan for nursing exam preparation focuses on high-priority exam domains and includes full-length mock exams. It requires 3–4 hours of daily study, emphasising clinical reasoning, patient safety principles, and exam pacing.
|
Week |
Focus Areas |
Activities |
Target |
|
Week 1 |
Fundamentals of Nursing + Pharmacology |
Study core nursing concepts using textbooks, create drug flashcards, and practise 50 MCQs daily |
Build a strong foundation and master dosage calculations |
|
Week 2 |
Adult / Medical-Surgical Nursing |
Conduct a system-by-system review, practise prioritisation questions, and attempt 75 MCQs daily |
Cover all major body systems and strengthen clinical reasoning |
|
Week 3 |
Maternal–Child Health, Community Health, Mental Health |
Focused topic revision, practice paediatric calculations, and complete 75 MCQs daily |
Fill knowledge gaps and improve weaker areas |
|
Week 4 |
Leadership, Full Review & Mock Exams |
Take 2–3 full-time mock exams (150 questions in 3 hours) and review mistakes thoroughly |
Simulate the real exam and achieve 70%+ consistently in mocks |
Start with the Official Exam Blueprint: Download the Mode of Exam blueprint from the Sheryan portal for your specific nursing title and allocate study time according to domain weightage.
Practise MCQs Daily: The DHA exam evaluates clinical application rather than memorisation. Use MCQ banks that provide clear explanations for every answer.
Master Exam Pacing: With 150 DHA exam questions in 3 hours, you have roughly one minute per question. Practise timed sessions to improve speed and accuracy.
Prioritise Patient Safety: For every scenario, ask yourself: "What is the safest action for the patient right now?" This mindset often eliminates incorrect options quickly.
Use Reliable Study Resources: Focus on DHA-recommended textbooks, trusted MCQ banks, and structured review programs aligned with exam standards.
Join a Study Group: Discussing clinical scenarios with peers helps reinforce concepts and exposes you to different clinical perspectives.
Simulate Real Exam Conditions: Before your exam date, complete at least two full-length mock tests under timed conditions to build confidence and endurance.
Also read: Tips and Strategies for Nurses to Crack DHA Exams
The DHA exam is a crucial step for nurses who wish to work in Dubai. Obtaining a DHA license for nurses not only allows them to practice in Dubai but also opens doors to numerous professional and personal opportunities. By understanding the exam fees, syllabus, and exam pattern, nurses can adequately prepare themselves for the exam. With thorough preparation and dedication, nurses can successfully pass the DHA exam and pursue a rewarding nursing career in Dubai. Good luck!
Check Out: DHA Exam Tips and Strategies for Dentists
Yes. The updated PQR allows RNs who graduated within the last 2 years to apply without the traditional 2-year experience requirement. This is a 2025 policy change that benefits graduates from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, and other countries. Older qualifications still require experience.
The Prometric CBT fee is USD 240. Total licensing costs including eligibility review (AED 200), DataFlow PSV (AED 500–1,000), and licence activation (AED 1,000–3,000) range from AED 2,200 to AED 3,500+. See the fee breakdown table in Section 7.
No. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Your score is based entirely on correct responses, so always attempt every question.
The PQR grants 3 attempts across the Authorities. After three failures, additional training or qualifications are generally required before a fourth attempt.
After three unsuccessful attempts, you typically need evidence of additional training, clinical experience, or education before reapplying. Specific remediation requirements are outlined in the PQR.
DHA licenses nurses for Dubai, DOH for Abu Dhabi, and MOH for the Northern Emirates. Each has its own exam, portal, and fees, but all operate under the Unified PQR. Licences are not automatically transferable between emirates. See the comparison table in Section 14.
Yes. Prometric operates 8,000+ test centres in 160+ countries. Schedule via prometric.com using your DHA Eligibility ID.
No. A DHA licence is valid only in Dubai. Separate licences are needed for Abu Dhabi (DOH) and the Northern Emirates (MOH). Cross-recognition pathways exist for some cases.
