Dubai is renowned for its high standards of healthcare services. Individuals interested in joining the healthcare services in Dubai must obtain a DHA (Dubai Health Authority) license issued by the Health Regulation Department of the DHA.
This license acts as a credential that ensures the professional competency of health professionals and guarantees complicity with the medical standards and requirements of Dubai.
Medical professionals looking to work in Dubai must apply for a DHA license in Dubai and pass the skill test and assessments to obtain one.
In this blog, we will guide you through all the information you need to know about getting a DHA license, including eligibility criteria, the documentation requirements, the application process, and much more.
What is a DHA License?
DHA was established in 2007 to control and manage the healthcare sector of the emirate and aim at high standards of healthcare services available in Dubai. DHA overseas aspects like licensing, healthcare policy, medical education, and service provision to the public.
A DHA license is a professional certificate that the Dubai Health Authority is compelled to offer to medical practitioners looking to practice within the emirate.
The license guarantees that Individuals in the medical field, specifically doctors and nurses, as well as many other allied healthcare providers meet stringent professional standards and possess the necessary qualifications, training, and expertise to deliver safe and high-quality care.
The DHA license is accepted across the whole city of Dubai for professionals to work in any public or private medical setup effectively. The license makes the medical professionals responsible for patient safety and those licensed professionals are answerable to the laws of Dubai Healthcare regarding regulatory compliance.
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DHA License Requirements / Eligibility Criteria
To be licensed by DHA, applicants must qualify for educational, professional, and experience-related criteria. These differ depending on the healthcare role applicants aim to fulfil. You can see the breakdown below:
- Educational Qualification – The applicant should be endowed with a related degree from an accredited institution in the field of his or her specialisation.
- Experience – Depending on the profession, applicants must have a stipulated amount of experience in that particular field. For example, nurses require about two years while doctors and specialist doctors for some professions require more extended professional practice.
- Professional Certifications – Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) are required for some positions.
- Licensing Exam – You must pass the DHA licensing exam to prove that you indeed have the right clinical know-how to deliver safe and appropriate care.
- PSV and CBT – You must have positive results in both, the Primary Source Verification (PSV) by DataFlow and Computer Bases Testing by Prometric.
- Language Proficiency – The applicant must demonstrate adequate language proficiency in the English language, as the art of communication forms an indispensable part of patient care.
Who is Eligible for a DHA License?
Many kinds of healthcare professionals can seek licensure by DHA, including but not limited to:
- Doctors and Specialists – General practitioners, specialists doctors, consultants
- Nurses and Midwives – Registered nurses, nursing assistants and midwives
- Allied Healthcare Professionals – Physiotherapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and radiographers
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners – Chiropractors, osteopaths, homeopaths
- Dentists and Dental Specialists – General dentists, dental specialists, orthodontists
- Surgical specialists and surgeons
In all professions, candidates should make sure they have the required qualifications under particular requirements before applying for a DHA license.
What is the Need of DHA License?
Every working healthcare professional in Dubai must hold a DHA medical license. Here are some of the top reasons why one may need a DHA license;
Legal Permits – Working in Dubai without holding a DHA license is illegal for healthcare workers, so it is a must.
Professional Credibility – The DHA license lends credibility to a healthcare professional since it would be attesting to their qualifications and experience.
Opportunities For Better Pay – Practitioners who obtain a DHA license can apply to work with higher salaries and even more job opportunities in the health sector of Dubai, which is quite credible.
Uniform Standards – The DHA license, in most respects, ensures that all practitioners have standardised qualifications, thus ensuring better care for the patient in the process.
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Documents Needed to Apply for a DHA License
All the medical professionals looking to secure a DHA license to practice medicine in Dubai need to submit the following documents along with their application;
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity
- Recent passport-size colour photographs
- Copy of visa
- Attested copies of diplomas or university certificates
- Experience Certificate: Letter from the concerned employer to establish experience in his or her area of work.
- Professional Medical practice license
- Good Standing Certificate: Certificate from the applicant’s licensing authority in the home country stating that the applicant has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Valid Health Card and Insurance: Proof of valid health card and medical malpractice insurance is usually needed after approval but before practice.
- A 2-year surgical logbook (for surgeons)
- A medical fitness certificate for applicants over 65 years old
Some other documents may also be required depending on the particular medical practice the applicant is applying for. It is advised to enquire with the responsible authorities about the exact documents needed before applying.
How to Get a DHA License in Dubai?
The DHA license is an important step for healthcare professionals looking to start their practice in Dubai. The application process for acquiring the license can seem daunting especially if you are not sure of the process.
Here are the steps to follow to get a DHA license in Dubai;
Step 1 – Self-Assessment of Eligibility
To complete the initial self-assessment, you have to visit the Dubai Health Authority Website (https://dha.gov.ae/). After that, you need to access the Sheryan portal on the website.
Enter all your professional details, experience and qualifications and click submit. The system will analyse the information and tell you if you are eligible or not. If approved, you can head to the next steps.
If you are not approved by the system, you can opt for a manual verification of your professional qualification. It just may take longer.
Step 2 – Create your Sheryan Account
After the eligibility assessment and approval, create your Sheryan account. This is where all the processes related to your license application can be checked and tracked. Once you complete the registration process, you will receive account authentication details via email.
Step 3 – Complete Primary Source Verification
Primary Source Verification (PSV) is an important step in the process of a DHA license. In this step, the educational backgrounds and all the professional credentials of the professionals who submit a DHA license application are checked. PSV ensures that all the credentials submitted are genuine. The DHA has partnered with DataFlow to complete this process.
Step 4 – Take the Computer Based Test via Prometric
Healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses need to undertake a CBT assessment organised by Prometric to evaluate their knowledge and skills. Prometric is an independent examination board conducting the test.
Once you are confirmed as eligible for a DHA license, you need to schedule your exam and select a location. It is advisable to choose a location in your vicinity.
Step 5 – Register for a DHA License
After the exam, you will receive your results in 2-5 days. Once you have passed, you need to register on the Sheryan portal for DHA license processing.
- Click on the “Register a Professional” button on the portal
- Enter all the necessary information
- Upload the required documents
- Pay the fee (200 AED)
Depending on the results of your Primary Source Verification (PSV) and Computer Based Testing (CBT), the DHA will examine your application and either accept, reject or return the application for further clarification.
Step 6 – Oral Assessment
To ensure the best quality candidates enter Dubai medical facility, the DHA conducts various tests and verifications. Depending on the position applied for, candidates may have to clear an oral assessment.
Step 7 – Obtain the DHA License
The oral assessment is the final test in the process of obtaining a DHA license. Upon passing the oral DHA exam, you will be registered as a licensed medical professional. The only thing remaining would be to activate your DHA license.
You need to activate the license through your Sheryan account. It can be done by following these steps;
- Apply to activate your DHA license.
- Pay the license fee (amount subject to change).
- The relevant authority will approve the application and the license will be processed in 4-6 weeks.
If all the mentioned steps are strictly followed, candidates will receive their Dubai Health Authority license without any hassle and unforeseen delays.
Mistakes to Avoid During DHA License Application
While applying for a DHA license can be a lengthy process, mistakes should be avoided to prevent delays or worse, rejections. Here are some of the common ones to watch out for:
- Giving Wrong Information – Double-check your names, dates, and personal information on all your papers to avoid getting the wrong details.
- Not Meeting the Eligibility Requirements – Perks of being check-tight; keep checking well on the eligibility requirement on how suitable your role is.
- Not getting your documents verified appropriately – In case you do not undergo Primary Source Verification, it may be delayed.
- Not preparing for the exam – Most of the applicants are so smug and they tend to underestimate DHA exams; therefore, prepare in good time to evade re-tests.
- Submitting Incomplete Applications – Ensure all required fields and document uploads are completed to prevent delays in processing.
Conclusion
A DHA license ensures medical professionals working in Dubai comply with high healthcare standards in Dubai. The license opens doors to a good career in Dubai’s healthy and vibrant healthcare sector and therefore strengthens both professional credibility and opportunities for growth.
A medical professional willing to work in Dubai should accurately follow the guidelines of eligibility assessment, application submission, and final license activation to obtain the license easily.
Proper documentation, prerequisites, and exam preparations are also important factors for a smooth application procedure. The DHA license is an exhaustive process but opens the doors to a highly rewarding healthcare career in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the cost of a DHA license?
The cost of a DHA license depends on the license category according to your profession. You can find the exact costs depending on your profession at https://www.dha.gov.ae/.
- How long does it take to obtain a DHA license?
The total time taken depends on certain variables, however, on average it may take anywhere between 4-6 weeks.
- How can I obtain a DHA license?
If you are a medical professional looking to practice in Dubai, you can simply start the procedure to obtain a DHA license through the official Dubai Health Authority website.
- Can I obtain a DHA license without experience?
Unfortunately, no. All medical professionals need to have work experience. The total experience required will vary depending on the applicant’s profession.