Dubai and the wider UAE remain highly attractive for Indian nurses — tax-free salaries, modern hospitals, and proximity to home make the Gulf a popular choice. To work as a registered nurse in Dubai, you need a DHA (Dubai Health Authority) license, which requires passing the DHA Prometric exam and meeting English language requirements. This guide covers the full process.
What Is the DHA Nursing Exam?
The DHA license exam is a computer-based test administered by Prometric at authorised test centres worldwide, including multiple locations in India. It assesses your clinical nursing knowledge and your ability to apply it in healthcare scenarios. The exam is designed to verify that internationally trained nurses meet the competence standards required for safe practice in Dubai's healthcare system.
Exam Format
- Number of questions: 150 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes)
- Language: English
- Negative marking: None — there is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question
- Pass mark: 50% for registered nurses (75 correct answers out of 150)
The questions are scenario-based and cover clinical nursing practice across multiple specialties. They test your decision-making in realistic patient care situations rather than isolated factual recall.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a DHA nursing license, you must meet the following criteria:
- A Bachelor's degree in Nursing (B.Sc. Nursing) with a minimum 3-year course duration. GNM diploma holders may face additional scrutiny — check the latest DHA guidelines for diploma acceptance.
- Active nursing registration or license in your home country (Indian Nursing Council or State Council registration).
- Minimum 2 years of clinical experience post-qualification. DHA typically requires experience in your area of intended practice.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
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- English language proficiency (if your degree was not taught in English — see below).
English Language Requirements
If you completed your nursing education in a non-English-speaking country or your professional license is from a non-English-speaking country, DHA requires proof of English proficiency:
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5
- OET: Minimum Grade B in all four sub-tests
Indian nurses who completed their B.Sc. Nursing in English from an English-medium institution may be exempt from this requirement, but this depends on how DHA classifies your institution. It is safer to have a valid English test score ready.
The IELTS threshold for DHA (6.5) is lower than the NMC UK (7.0) or AHPRA (7.0). If you already have an IELTS 6.5 or an OET Grade B, you meet the DHA English requirement without additional testing.
DataFlow Verification
Before you can sit the DHA exam, your credentials must be verified through DataFlow Group — a third-party verification service used by all UAE health authorities. DataFlow contacts your nursing school, licensing body, and previous employers to confirm the authenticity of your documents.
- Documents verified: Nursing degree certificate, transcripts, registration certificate, experience letters
- Cost: Approximately AED 600 to 800 (USD 165 to 220)
- Processing time: 4 to 8 weeks, depending on institutional response times
Start DataFlow verification early — delays from Indian institutions are common and can push back your entire timeline.
How to Register and Book the Exam
- Step 1: Create an account on the DHA Sheryan portal (services.dha.gov.ae).
- Step 2: Submit your application with required documents and pay the application fee.
- Step 3: Complete DataFlow verification.
- Step 4: Once your application is approved, you receive an eligibility letter.
- Step 5: Book your Prometric exam through prometric.com/DHA, selecting your preferred test centre and date.
- Step 6: Sit the exam at the Prometric centre. Results are typically available within 5 to 10 business days.
Exam Syllabus and Topics
The DHA nursing exam covers a broad range of clinical nursing topics:
- Medical-surgical nursing: The largest portion. Covers cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine, and musculoskeletal conditions.
- Pharmacology: Drug classifications, dosage calculations, side effects, and nursing considerations.
- Maternal and child health: Obstetric nursing, neonatal care, and paediatric nursing.
- Mental health nursing: Common psychiatric conditions and nursing interventions.
- Community health and infection control: Public health principles, isolation protocols, and standard precautions.
- Professional practice and ethics: Patient rights, consent, confidentiality, and scope of practice.
Preparation Strategy
Timeline: 6 to 8 Weeks
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- Weeks 1–3: Content review. Work through each major topic area systematically. Focus on understanding clinical scenarios rather than memorising facts.
- Weeks 4–5: Practice questions. Complete at least 500 practice MCQs from DHA-specific question banks. Review every wrong answer and understand the reasoning.
- Weeks 6–7: Full mock tests. Take two to three full-length mock tests (150 questions, timed) to build stamina and identify remaining weak areas.
- Week 8: Final review. Revisit weak topics, review pharmacology calculations, and rest before exam day.
Recommended Resources
- Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN — the gold standard for clinical nursing review, highly relevant to DHA content.
- DHA-specific question banks from platforms like Prometric Gulf, ExamCure, and NursingManthra.
- Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN — excellent for scenario-based practice.
After Passing: What Happens Next
Once you pass the DHA exam, you receive your DHA nursing license. You can then apply for nursing positions in Dubai hospitals and clinics. Most employers assist with visa sponsorship and accommodation. The DHA license is specific to Dubai — if you plan to work in Abu Dhabi (HAAD/DOH) or other emirates (MOH), you will need the corresponding license, though there are reciprocity arrangements in some cases.
DHA nursing salaries in Dubai range from AED 7,000 to 15,000 per month (approximately INR 1.6 to 3.4 lakh) depending on the facility, specialty, and experience level — all tax-free.