What is DHA license? The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) license is a verified and reliable approval issued to any health practitioner who wants to reside and work in Dubai. This license is not limited to expats. Any healthcare practitioner must get it. The Health Regulation Department which is managed by the DHA oversees all that has to do with the DHA licence.

When a DHA license is obtained, you are eligible to work or start your own medical practice in Mainland or UAE free zones.

Who can apply for the DHA license?

There are specified categories of health experts who are basically eligible for the DHA license. However, it doesn't just end at being qualified to get the license. There are key requirements to also meet up to finally be recognised as a DHA licensed medical expert.

So we start by identifying different categories of health practitioners who can get the DHA license:

Medical doctors and surgeons
Nurses and midwives
Dentists
Allied healthcare givers
Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine specialists

DHA license Dubai requirements:

A valid passport copy and resident visa copy
Passport size photographs
A logbook for surgeon that proves a surgeon has been licensed in an outpatient facility service for more that 2 years
A medical fitness test results for professionals of 65 years and above (for full time license only)
Certificate of good standing
Medical practice license
Educational qualification
Certificate of experience

How to get a DHA license

Here, we are going to give all the necessary information you need to get started with getting your DHA license.

Below are the steps to take.

DHA license - step 1: complete self-assessment tool service

This requires you to visit the DHA online portal called the Sheryan. It is managed by the DHA and this is where you carry out most of the assessment protocols and some other processes involved in getting the DHA license.

Automatic assessment guide:

Click here to start the self-assessment
Enter the category you are applying for in the box provided
From there you keep providing the required information and submit when you are done
The system will automatically show if you are eligible for the chosen role or not.

If you are eligible, there will be a review of your profile and some background checks. This is to verify your eligibility to be added to the DHA registry for health experts.

After verification, you will be notified hence taking the next step. If you are not found eligible, you may need to go for the manual checks, but with this you may need to pay some fees.

Manual assessment guide:

Click here to make the manual application
Under “Regulatory Services” scroll down and click on “Self Assessment Tool”
It takes you to a review page then click on “Access this Service”
You will then have to login or register a new account
Provide the necessary documents
Be sure to enter the appropriate details and submit
Make the payment of AED 200
Wait for the response. It takes up to 7 working days to get the feedback.

DHA license - step 2: create a DHA Sheryan account

Click here to register and get a DHA single sign-on account
Create an account
You may need to confirm the account creation through an email

DHA license - step 3: complete the PCV and CBT (if required)

The PCV stands for primary source verification. The Health Authority department in charge runs complete background checks to ensure your educational background and other information provided are genuine. They carry this out through an approved dataflow website.

On the other hand, the computer based test (CBT) may be written by some applicants if required at all. These tests are conducted by Prometric which is an approved education test platform.

If you succeed in both the checks and examination, then you can go ahead and register with DHA.

To start with this, you need to link your PCV and CBT results, then submit an online application to get the service. To do this, do the following:

Click here to get started
Click on “Get Registered”

Click on “Start Service”
Click on the “Link” sign to upload the required documents
This will take you to a page where you will have to fill forms to complete the process
Submit and make the necessary payment of AED 200

After all these above, the DHA reviews your documents and application, then subsequently gives you feedback. Your application may be accepted, refused or rejected. Whicheverway, aside from being accepted, they will give a reason for that. You will then have to do any possible modification if required.

DHA license - step 4: get oral assessment

Depending on your medical category and position, you may be required to take an oral assessment exam. Once you pass the oral exam, the registration license will be issued and you will automatically have your name in the Dubai medical registry.

DHA license - step 5: get your DHA license activated

Click here to get started
Under the service catalogue, click on “Activate Professional License”

Click on “Access the Service”
Log in to proceed with the service
Provide the right information and documents (e.g. Offer Letter and Malpractice Insurance Document)
Make the required payment then submit

The activation process is instant and can be ready within 1 working day. For the meantime, you may be provided with a temporary or interim license to keep till the main license is offered to you.

Some service limitations:

Applicant must not be shortlisted
The applicant must pass the required tests and assessments within 3 attempts.

DHA license Dubai cost

Below are the license categories and associated costs:

License category	Licence Fees
Full time license	AED 1,000
Part time license	AED 4,000
Trainee license	AED 1,000
Conversion to full time license	AED 200

How to renew your DHA license

The DHA license certificate is renewed annually. So ensure to follow a few simple steps below to get your license renewed. Renewal is done online.

Below are the steps to renew the Dubai DHA license:

Click here to visit the DHA portal
Select “ Renew Professional Certificates”
Click on “Access this Service”
Login to your Sheryan account
Provide the relevant documents and information
Make the payment and submit
Then your professional certificate is renewed

Required documents for the renewal of the DHA professional license:

Valid Emirates ID
Valid passport copy
Valid medical fitness certificate for practitioners of 65 years and above
Valid medical malpractice insurance certificates

Approximate DHA license renewal fees for each category:

DHA Health categories	Full time licence renewal fees	Part time licence renewal fee	Trainee fees	Penalty fees for late licence renewal
Nurse/Allied Health	AED 1000	AED 4000	AED 1000	AED 200/month
Physician/ Dentist	AED 3000	AED 4000	AED 3000	AED 600/month

Aside from the price chart above, there will be knowledge and application fee at the checkout. To know more about the service limitations to renewing your medical professional certificates, click here.

DHA address in Dubai: Al Maktoum Bridge street, Bur Dubai Area 4545, UAE.
Office hours 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday)
Contact number 800342

Dubai DHA license: all you need to know to start practicing