Radiographer Jobs in Dubai: DHA Licence, Exam, Employers and Salary
Radiographer jobs in Dubai: DHA qualification and experience rules, the DHA radiography exam (USD 240, 55% pass), HCPC and ARRT exemptions, employers and pay.
Radiographer jobs in Dubai need a DHA licence. The Radiographer title asks for a radiography or medical imaging bachelor's (or a three-year diploma, or a two-year associate degree plus registration) and two years of post-qualification experience. Radiography Technicians need one to two years. Most applicants sit the DHA computer-based exam: 150 questions, 3 hours, USD 240, pass mark 55% for Radiographer and 50% for Technician. HCPC (UK), ARRT (USA) and several other registrations can exempt you. Salary surveys show most radiographers on about AED 9,300 to 21,700 a month gross.
Last checked: 19 October 2026
DHA radiography titles and requirements
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Radiographer / Radiography Technologist | Bachelor's in Radiography, Radiology Technology or Medical/Diagnostic Imaging; or a Diploma in Radiology of at least 3 years; or an associate degree in radiography (at least 2 years) plus registration or certification as a radiographer | 2 years post-qualification in general radiology |
| Radiography Technician | Bachelor's in radiography or imaging (1 year experience), or a technician diploma of at least 2 years (2 years experience) | 1 to 2 years |
| MRI Technologist | Radiography or imaging bachelor's plus a postgraduate MRI diploma (12 months) or MRI registration (ARRT, HCPC, AIR or equivalent) | 2 years in MRI |
| Sonographer | Bachelor's or 3-year diploma in diagnostic ultrasound, or associate degree plus registration, or a radiography qualification plus a 12-month ultrasound certificate | 2 years |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Nuclear medicine imaging degree or diploma, or radiography degree plus a one-year nuclear medicine diploma | 1 to 2 years |
From the Medical Imaging section of the DHA Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR, April 2025). Accepted degree names include Medical Radiation Technology, Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Imaging, Medical Radiation Sciences, Radiography and Radiology Technology.
The DHA radiography exam
| Exam | Questions | Time | Fee | Pass score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiographer (RAD5152) | 150 | 3 hours | USD 240 | 55% |
| Radiography Technician (RAD5622) | 150 | 3 hours | USD 240 | 50% |
From the DHA computer-based testing guideline updated September 2026 (DHA CBT guideline). The Radiographer exam covers patient management, radiation protection, X-ray and CT, ultrasound and MRI, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, equipment operation, procedure management, anatomy, and patient safety and ethics. DHA's reading list includes Bontrager's positioning textbook, Sherer's radiation protection text and Westbrook's MRI in Practice.
Exam exemptions
Under section 21.16 of the PQR, imaging technologists with a valid licence and good standing certificate from listed authorities are exempt, if they qualified within the last three years or have no gap in practice. The list includes the UK (HCPC), the USA (ARRT), Ireland (CORU), Australia (Medical Radiation Practice Board), New Zealand, Canada, South Africa (HPCSA as Radiographer), Singapore and several European countries. Passing the Canadian CAMRT exam or New Zealand's REA also counts. If you studied or are licensed in a non-English-speaking country on that list, you need proof of English such as IELTS 5.0 or OET C.
Licensing steps
- Create a Sheryan account and run the free self-assessment.
- Submit documents for primary source verification: degree, transcripts if asked, experience letters and a good standing certificate issued within the last 6 months. See DataFlow DHA.
- Book the Prometric exam if not exempt. You get three attempts; failing the third blocks reapplication for two years.
- Get registered (valid one year), then accept a job. The employer activates your licence for one to three years.
- Keep 10 CPD points a year and valid BLS for renewal.
Full process: DHA licence guide and DHA exam guide.
Where radiographers work in Dubai
- Government hospitals (Rashid, Dubai, Latifa, Al Jalila Children's and others) under Dubai Health. See DHA and Dubai Health careers.
- Private hospital groups with full imaging departments: CT, MRI, mammography, interventional.
- Stand-alone diagnostic and radiology centres serving referrals from clinics across the UAE.
- Polyclinics, orthopaedic and sports clinics, dental centres (for dental imaging roles, check the dental title rules).
- Medical fitness centres that run chest X-rays for visa medicals.
Vacancies from licensed facilities are posted on DHA Sheryan Opportunities. Modality skills matter: CT and MRI experience widens the jobs open to you.
Radiographer salary in Dubai
Private employers set their own pay. Paylab's UAE survey shows 80% of radiographers earning about AED 9,276 to AED 21,714 a month gross, and about AED 15,291 after five years (Paylab). Paylab notes it has fewer than 20 verified respondents for this role, so treat the range as rough. PayScale reports an average base of about AED 87,000 a year from a small sample (PayScale). MRI and CT specialists and senior or lead radiographers sit at the top of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DHA exam fee for radiographers?
USD 240. The exam has 150 questions in 3 hours. The pass score is 55% for Radiographer and 50% for Radiography Technician.
Can a UK radiographer work in Dubai without the DHA exam?
Yes, with valid HCPC registration and a good standing certificate, if you qualified within the last three years or have no practice gap. You still need primary source verification and the two years of experience.
Can fresh radiography graduates get a DHA licence?
Not as Radiographer, which needs two years of post-qualification experience. A bachelor's holder can apply as Radiography Technician with one year.
How much do radiographers earn in Dubai?
Survey data from Paylab shows most radiographers between about AED 9,300 and 21,700 a month gross, depending on experience and modality.
Do I need a separate licence for MRI?
Yes. MRI Technologist is its own title, with a postgraduate MRI qualification or MRI registration plus two years of MRI experience.
Run an imaging or diagnostic centre? Read how to get more lab and radiology patients.
Sources
- DHA Professional Qualification Requirements (April 2025)
- DHA CBT Licensing Assessment Guideline (updated September 2026)
- DHA Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals (2025)
- DHA Sheryan Opportunities
- Paylab UAE: Radiographer salary
- PayScale: Radiographer salary in the UAE
Published 19 Oct 2026 · Access One
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