DHA Exam: Fees, Format, Passing Score and How to Book

Who must sit the DHA exam

Every new applicant for a DHA professional registration (the step before a DHA licence) must pass an assessment for their title unless an exemption applies. Most titles use a computer-based test (CBT) at Prometric. Titles without a listed CBT are assessed orally, in Dubai or virtually. Check your title on DHA's Mode of Exam per Specialty page.

Exemptions

You may skip the exam if one of these applies, per DHA's licensing manual:

• You passed the same DHA title assessment within the last five years, with no practice gap.
• You hold an active DHA registration for the title.
• You apply within five years of cancelling a DHA licence for the same title, with no gap.
• You apply within five years of cancelling a DOH or MOHAP licence for the same title, with no gap, and meet the PQR.
• You hold an international exam or an active licence from a regulator listed in the PQR exemption tables. This waives the exam only, not verification or experience rules.

Moving from a trainee title to a full title always requires the DHA assessment. The self-assessment in Sheryan tells you whether an exam is required for your profile.

Prometric or Pearson VUE?

DHA uses Prometric. DHA's own service pages and its September 2026 CBT guideline name Prometric as the delivery partner. Pearson VUE delivers the DOH Abu Dhabi exam, which is why "Pearson VUE DHA" searches cause confusion. A Pearson VUE booking will not count for a Dubai licence.

The DHA exam is taken at a Prometric test centre. Prometric's DHA page lists it as a test-centre exam, so plan for travel rather than remote sitting. DHA's guideline says Prometric runs DHA exams across a network of about 8,000 test centres in more than 160 countries. Use ProScheduler's centre search to find seats near you.

DHA exam fees, format and passing score

From the DHA Healthcare Professional Licensing Assessment Guideline (CBT), updated September 2026. Fees are in US dollars, paid to Prometric.

The listed time includes check-in and the introduction, not just question time. DHA says it can change content, format or pass marks for any specialty without updating the guideline, so check your exact code in the official guideline before you book. Pharmacist and some allied codes are also listed there.

Questions are single-best-answer MCQs, most built around a clinical scenario. Results show only "Pass" or "Fail". DHA does not share your score.

DHA exam booking: step by step

1. Confirm the exam mode for your title (CBT or oral).
2. Log in to Sheryan and complete the self-assessment. See our DHA login guide if you are new.
3. Copy your DHA Unique ID from your profile.
4. Generate your Eligibility ID on DHA's CBT eligibility number page.
5. Book on Prometric ProScheduler at proscheduler.prometric.com. Pick the DHA programme, your exam code, a centre and a date. Pay by card.
6. Save the confirmation number. You need it to reschedule.
7. On exam day bring your original passport or national ID. The name must match your booking.

You can book the exam while DataFlow verification is still running. Both must be complete before DHA issues your registration. See DataFlow for DHA.

Rescheduling and refunds

• DHA allows one reschedule. It is free if requested more than five working days before the exam. Later changes need a new fee.
• Prometric states a strict no-refund policy for DHA exams. Illness, personal hardship and name mismatches are not grounds for refund.
• Cancelling or missing an exam does not count as a failed attempt.

Retake rules

• You get three attempts per title. Attempts at DOH and MOHAP for the same title count, and you must declare them.
• There is no waiting period between attempts. Rebook once the previous attempt is closed.
• After a third failure you cannot reapply for two years. A fourth attempt needs DHA approval and a signed declaration of all prior attempts.
• You get three fresh attempts after earning a new recognised qualification, or after two years of licensed clinical experience since your last attempt.
• To appeal a result, email info@dha.gov.ae within one month of receiving it.

Profession notes

DHA nursing exam

Registered Nurse (code RNT0312): 150 questions, 3 hours, USD 240, pass mark 50%. Midwife and Assistant Nurse papers follow the same format. Nurses need 20 CPD points a year once licensed.

DHA dentist exam

General Dentist and most dental specialty papers: 150 questions, 3 hours, USD 280, pass mark 60% (one dental specialty paper is set at 65%). Consultant dental papers are 100 questions at 70%.

DHA pharmacist exam

Pharmacists sit a Prometric CBT. Look up the current code, fee and pass mark in the CBT guideline table before booking, as allied and pharmacy papers vary.

DHA GP exam

Code GEN5331: 150 questions, 3 hours, USD 280, pass mark 60%. GP applicants need two years of post-internship experience under the PQR.

DHA exam preparation

• Study your own specialty's core. Scenario questions test diagnosis and next-best-step decisions, not rare facts.
• Use standard textbooks and current guidelines for your field. Many questions mirror common international practice.
• Practise timed blocks. 150 questions in under 3 hours, including check-in, leaves roughly a minute per question.
• Try Prometric's free tutorial and Test Drive so the screen layout is familiar on the day.
• Beware "real exam questions" sites. Prometric states it does not sell prep material and treats sites claiming official content as unauthorised. Leaked questions also risk disciplinary action.
• Oral assessments: DHA provides no study references. Expect 30 to 45 minutes for physicians and dentists, 20 to 30 minutes for other categories. Results arrive within five working days.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DHA exam passing score?

It depends on the title: 50% for registered nurses and midwives, 60% for GPs and general dentists, 65% for most specialists, and 70% for consultants, Pediatrics and Neurosurgery.

Is the DHA exam conducted by Prometric or Pearson VUE?

Prometric. Pearson VUE runs the DOH Abu Dhabi exam, not the DHA one.

How much is the DHA exam fee?

USD 280 for physicians and dentists, USD 240 for nurses, midwives and most allied health, and USD 180 for a few shorter papers.

How many times can I take the DHA exam?

Three attempts, with no waiting period between them. After a third failure you must wait two years, or gain a new qualification.

When do I get my DHA exam result?

Prometric CBT results show as Pass or Fail straight after the exam and appear in Sheryan. Oral results are published within five working days.

Can I take the DHA exam before DataFlow is complete?

Yes. DHA lets PSV and the exam run in parallel. Both must be done before you can Get Registered.

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Sources

• DHA Healthcare Professional Licensing Assessment Guideline (CBT), September 2026 (PDF)
• DHA Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals, v1.3 (PDF)
• DHA Sheryan FAQs
• DHA: Mode of Exam per Specialty
• DHA: Generate CBT eligibility number
• Prometric: Dubai Health Authority exam
• Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) (PDF)

Published 18 Oct 2026 · Access One