DHA assessment and Prometric exam who sits it and how to prepare

Who must pass it

Under the PQR, healthcare professionals must pass the authority's examination to get a licence; UAE nationals and children of Emirati women are exempt. The mode depends on the title: DHA runs computer-based tests (CBT) through Prometric for listed specialties, and oral assessments for others, for example certain consultant titles. DHA has been converting oral exams to CBT, so check the current list for your specialty.

Who may be exempt or get a shorter route

An exemption covers only the exam. Verification, experience and all other PQR requirements still apply.

• Recognised international exams or registrations listed in the PQR exam equivalency chapter; for GPs these include PLAB 1 and 2, USMLE Step 3, both parts of the AMC exam, LMCC, NZREX, PRES and EMREE
• A valid licence from DOH, MOHAP or SHA for the same title (licence recognition between authorities)
• A pass in the DHA assessment for the same title within five years, with no gap in practice
• Reapplying within five years of cancelling a DHA licence, with no gap in practice
• For the GP title: completing a residency in Dubai government health facilities in an accepted specialty, under the conditions in the DHA manual

Rules to know before booking

• All exams are in English; no translator is allowed in the oral assessment
• Three attempts are allowed. After a third failure DHA blocks a new application for two years; a fourth attempt may be allowed with permission
• A new set of attempts is possible after an additional recognised qualification or at least two years of licensed clinical experience since the last attempt
• The result is reported as pass or fail in Sheryan; the score is not shared
• DHA may change the format, content and pass score without notice, so rely only on the current official guideline

How to prepare

• Download the current DHA CBT guideline for your title: it lists the topics and the reference textbooks
• For the GP exam the scope is broad: chronic diseases, acute problems, paediatrics, women's health, emergencies, surgery, psychiatry, eye and ENT, dermatology, screening and evidence-based medicine
• Use question banks to practise reasoning, not to memorise; avoid anything sold as leaked questions
• If English is not your first language, practise clinical reading under time pressure
• Book with Prometric only after you have the DHA eligibility ID

How we help

For employers we show which candidates are exam-exempt or already registered, so start dates are predictable. For doctors we check the route before you spend on the exam. Candidates never pay us: the employer pays the recruitment fee. Recruitment fee: one month's salary of the placed employee, 50% when they start and 50% after probation, with a free replacement within 2 months. Consulting and CRM projects are priced after a free review.