Dubai Health Authority Exam for Nurses 2025: Eligibility & Study Guide

Key Points To Remember 

• The Dubai Health Authority Exam nurses compulsory to practice in Dubai.
• Eligibility: Diploma/nursing degree, with 2 years of experience, Good Standing Certificate.
• Exam Format: 150 MCQs, 3 hrs computer-based by Prometric. 
• Syllabus: fundamentals, medical-surgical, pediatric, maternity, pharmacology, community nursing and ethics.
• Fees: Prometric (AED 920), PSV (AED 900-1200) license activation (AED 1,000). 
• Results will be out within 5 days.
• Minimum 3 attempts allowed.
• License activation required for employment with a DHA-approved facility.

Dubai over the years has always been among the top 5 healthcare hubs famous all over the world. For this reason more than thousand nurses are coming from all over the world and are seeking employment in Dubai every year. As a measure to ensure patient safety and deliver high-quality medical care. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has put a criterion that every nurse trained abroad must pass the Dubai Health Authority Exam for Nurses to get their professional license.

This test seeks to evaluate the clinical knowledge or professional skills and ethical conduct of nurses who are planning to work in the hospitals, clinics and primary healthcare centres of Dubai.

In this guide, we will cover the entire DHA Nursing Exam 2025. It is starting with the eligibility and syllabus, going further to fees, application steps and licensing requirements.

What is the Dubai Health Authority Exam for Nurses?

The Dubai Health Authority Exam for Nurses is a computer-based test (CBT) that aims to verify that nurses in Dubai are at par with the global professional standards. It evaluates the understanding of nursing basics, the specialised area of care, ethics, and clinical decision-making.

Any nurse who is trained abroad and has not passed this examination is not allowed to practice in Dubai.

DHA Exam Eligibility for Nurses in Dubai (2025)

As per the DHA Sheryan portal and official guidelines:

• Educational Qualification:
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (minimum 3-4 years) OR
• Three years Diploma in Nursing + Certificate in Midwifery

• Work Experience:
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience after the qualification.
• Experience during the internship will not be considered.

• Licensing Requirement:
• The candidate must submit a valid home country nursing license. 

• Good Standing Certificate:
• Should have been issued by the nurse’s current licensing authority not more than 6 months ago

• Required Documents:
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport-size photograph (white background)
• Nursing degree/diploma + transcripts
• License for nursing from the home country (current)
• Letters of work experience
• Good Standing Certificate

DHA Exam Syllabus for Nurses

Final Online Exam Guideline (CBT PDF) outlines the exam syllabus for nurses that includes:

• Fundamentals of Nursing – Patient care, basic procedures and ethics
• Medical-Surgical Nursing – Management of diseases, infection control, perioperative care
• Pharmacology – Safe medication administration, drug calculations, side effects
• Pediatric Nursing – Neonatal, infant, and child care
• Maternity Nursing – Antenatal, labour & delivery, postnatal and neonatal care
• Community Health Nursing – Public health, vaccination programs and preventive care
• Critical Care & Emergency Nursing – ICU protocols, trauma response and emergencies
• Professional Ethics & Law – Nursing ethics, patient rights and DHA regulations

Exam Structure

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) via Prometric
• Questions: 150 MCQs
• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
• Passing Score: 50% (as per DHA CBT guideline)

DHA Exam Fees for Nurses

Note: Fees may vary slightly; always confirm on the official DHA Sheryan Portal.

How to Apply for DHA Nursing Exam (Step-by-Step)

• Self Assessment Tool – Check your eligibility on the DHA Sheryan portal.
• Create a Sheryan Account – Get registered and upload the required documents.
• Primary Source Verification (PSV) – DataFlow Group verifies your credentials (14–25 working days).
• DHA Eligibility Review – The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) decides if you are eligible, conditionally eligible or rejected.
• Book Exam Slot – Organise your test via Prometric.
• Sit for Exam – Go to the Prometric test centre, bring your original passport and confirmation email.
• Results – Posted to your Sheryan account within 2–5 working days.
• License Activation – Get a job in Dubai; your facility applies for license activation (AED 1,000).

DHA License Requirements for Nurses in the UAE

• Successfully passed the DHA exam (minimum 50% score).
• Completed PSV verification (DataFlow).
• An employment offer from a healthcare facility that has been approved by the DHA.
• The employer (AED 1,000) has facilitated the license activation.
• Required annual renewal (valid for 1 year).

Preparation Guide for Nurses

• Start Early: Preparation begins from 3-4 months before the exam.
• Daily Practice: Commit yourself to daily practice by solving 20-30 MCQs.
• Mock Exams: The candidates need to practice at least 3-4 full-length mock exams.
• Study References: You need to use Brunner & Suddarth’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, and community nursing guides.
• Revise Regularly: The last 2 weeks should be completely dedicated to revision.
• Focus on Dubai Laws: You need to familiarise yourself with the DHA’s code of conduct or patient safety regulations and ethical guidelines.

Final Words

Dubai Health Authority Exam for Nurses 2025 is the primary door through which international nurses enter the internationally recognised healthcare sector of Dubai. By meeting the eligibility requirements, getting familiar with the exam syllabus, planning the fees, and practising properly, you can certainly pass the test.

Your DHA license will be turned on, thereby giving you the power to work as a nurse in Dubai after a successful exam. This will enable you to practice the advantages of a globally recognised healthcare career.