Who is eligible for DHA Dermatology exam in 2026?
DHA Dermatology Eligibility Quick Summary
You are eligible for the DHA Specialist Dermatology assessment if you hold a recognised medical degree plus a dermatology specialty qualification from a full-time programme of at least 3 years, a valid licence and a clean DataFlow report. Experience depends on the tier of your qualification: Tier 1 and 2 specialists need none, Tier 3 need 3 years, and consultants need 2 years (Tier 1) or 5 years (Tier 2).
Dermatologists ask us two things more than anything else. "Does my degree count?" and "How many years do I need?" The answer comes from the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), which DHA, DOH and MOHAP all use. This page applies those rules to dermatology only: which qualifications DHA accepts, how the tier system sets your experience, why a 2-year diploma usually falls short, and how to prepare for the Prometric exam once you are in. For the general physician rules, see our DHA requirements for GPs, specialists and consultants.
Who is eligible for DHA Dermatology exam?
To apply as Specialist Dermatologist in Dubai you need all of the following:
- A primary medical degree (MBBS, MBChB or equivalent) from a recognised medical school.
- A recognised postgraduate qualification in dermatology. The PQR accepts a specialty qualification only after a full-time programme of not less than 3 years: a clinical residency, a clinical master's or a clinical PhD.
- Post-qualification experience if your qualification is Tier 3 (see the table below).
- A valid licence or registration from your home country or the country where you last worked.
- A Good Standing Certificate not older than 6 months.
- Successful DataFlow primary source verification of your degree, specialty certificate, licence and experience.
The old rule of thumb on this page, "2 years for specialist and 5 years for consultant", is not how DHA counts it today. Your tier decides it.
How much experience does a dermatologist need for DHA?
The tier depends on the country and body that awarded your dermatology qualification. The PQR lists qualifications country by country, and the Sheryan self-assessment tool applies the list for you.
| Qualification tier | Specialist Dermatologist | Consultant Dermatologist |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | No experience required after the qualification | 2 years after the specialty qualification |
| Tier 2 | No experience required after the qualification | 5 years after the specialty qualification |
| Tier 3 | 3 years after the qualification (1 year for UAE nationals) | Not eligible for the consultant title |
Two more rules apply to every specialist. A gap of more than 2 years out of clinical practice means extra CME and supervised training before licensing, and non-UAE applicants with a gap of more than 5 years cannot apply. Experience only counts if it was licensed, paid clinical work in dermatology.
Which dermatology qualifications does DHA accept?
If your qualification or country is not in the list, select the closest title in the Sheryan self-assessment tool. DHA's credentialing team decides the final title from your documents, and you can request a paid manual review if you think the tool got it wrong.
How to apply for the DHA Dermatology exam step by step
Some dermatologists do not sit the exam at all, for example holders of a UAE licence in the same title or of an accepted overseas certification. Check the DHA exam exemption criteria before you book.
How to best prepare for DHA Dermatology exam?
The specialist dermatology exam is a computer-based Prometric MCQ test. The questions are clinical vignettes: a lesion description, a history, sometimes a biopsy or immunofluorescence finding, and you choose the diagnosis, the next investigation or the first-line treatment. Read the DHA Dermatology exam syllabus first so you know the scope, then spend most of your time on questions rather than atlases.
In our experience the marks are lost in the same places: blistering diseases and their immunofluorescence patterns, drug eruptions, paediatric dermatology, and the safety rules for systemic drugs such as isotretinoin, methotrexate and biologics. Most candidates need 2 to 3 months alongside work. You get 3 attempts per title, with no waiting period between them; the details are on DHA exam total attempts.
DHA Dermatology sample practice MCQs
Two questions in the clinical style Prometric uses. Tap a question to see the answer.
Question 1: Blistering disease
A 79-year-old woman has had itching for 2 months, followed by tense blisters on urticarial plaques over her thighs, groin and forearms. Oral mucosa is spared and Nikolsky sign is negative. Perilesional biopsy shows a subepidermal blister with eosinophils, and direct immunofluorescence shows linear IgG and C3 along the basement membrane zone. The blisters cover about 40% of her body surface. Which is the most appropriate initial treatment?
A) Oral acyclovir
B) Clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream applied to the whole body
C) Rituximab infusion
D) Wound care with emollients only
Correct answer: B) Clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream applied to the whole body
This is bullous pemphigoid. Superpotent topical corticosteroid over the whole body is first-line even for extensive disease, with control at least as good as oral prednisolone and fewer serious side effects in elderly patients. Rituximab is reserved for refractory disease, and emollients alone will not control active blistering.
Question 2: Acne therapy safety
A 17-year-old boy started oral isotretinoin for nodulocystic acne 6 weeks ago. Two weeks ago his family doctor added oral doxycycline for persistent inflammatory lesions. He now has daily headaches, nausea and blurred vision. Fundoscopy shows bilateral papilloedema, and his neurological examination is otherwise normal. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Migraine with aura
B) Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
C) Bacterial meningitis
D) Isotretinoin-induced depression
Correct answer: B) Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Isotretinoin and tetracyclines can each cause raised intracranial pressure, and the combination is contraindicated. Headache, visual blurring and papilloedema in this setting point to idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Stop both drugs and arrange urgent ophthalmology and neurology assessment with neuroimaging.
Dermatology Qbanks for Gulf licensing exams
If you are applying to more than one regulator, practise for each one with its own bank. The QBank finder lists the dermatology bank for DOH, MOHAP, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. For an overview of each exam, see DHA Dermatology exam and DOH Dermatology exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply as Specialist Dermatologist with a 2-year diploma?
Usually not. The PQR accepts a specialty qualification only after a full-time programme of at least 3 years, so most 2-year diplomas and 2-year master's courses fall short unless the PQR entry for your country lists them. Run the Sheryan self-assessment with your exact certificate. If you meet the GP rules, you can apply as General Practitioner instead.
How many years of experience does a dermatologist need for DHA?
It depends on the tier of your qualification. Tier 1 and Tier 2 specialists need no experience after the qualification, and Tier 3 specialists need 3 years. Consultants need 2 years (Tier 1) or 5 years (Tier 2), and a Tier 3 qualification cannot lead to a consultant title.
Is the DHA Dermatology exam a written test or an oral?
Specialist dermatology is assessed by a computer-based MCQ test at Prometric centres. The Sheryan self-assessment result states the assessment type for your title, and DHA may change it, so check your result before you prepare. Some applicants are exempt from the assessment.
Where can I take the DHA Dermatology exam?
At any Prometric test centre listed for DHA, in the UAE or abroad, including Pakistan and India. You book the date yourself with the Eligibility ID from Sheryan. There are no fixed exam dates.
How should I prepare for the DHA Dermatology exam?
Start with the DHA dermatology syllabus, then do timed MCQ practice for 2 to 3 months. Give extra time to bullous diseases, drug reactions, paediatric dermatology, skin infections and the monitoring rules for systemic treatments, which are frequent sources of lost marks.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Dr Neetu Chaudhary (Delhi, India): which 2-year dermatology master's makes me eligible?
"I am a General Practitioner working in Dubai. I want to do post graduation masters course for 2 years in Dermatology. Please advice which countries and the curriculum can I take admission in so that I am eligible for Specialist Dermatology licensing exam once I am back ? "
Dr Neetu Chaudhary
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: Delhi, India
Deeptarka Roy (Bristol, UK): applied for Critical Care, assessment shows Internal Medicine
"I have applied for a new professional license as Specialist Critical Care. My application has been accepted and I am due to apply for the assessment. However on the assessment page it says Specialist Internal Medicine. I am completely confused. What do I do and whom should I contact? "
Deeptarka Roy
Medical Qualification: MRCP, MFICM
City, Country: Bristol, UK
Muhammad Seraj Anwar (Karachi, Pakistan): where to upload documents, attestation and timing
"Please provide following information for DHA Exam for General Physician: Where to send/upload scanned documents Should the documents be attested Fee for documents verification? How long this process will take? When I shall be able to appear in exam after submission of the scanned documents? Regards, Dr. Muhammad Seraj Anwar "
Muhammad Seraj Anwar
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: Karachi, Pakistan
RAHUL (Mumbai, India): who can sign the experience certificate for orthodontics?
"Planning to appear for DHA exam, what is considered as best experience certificate or who is eligible to sign experience certificate for DHA Orthodontic exam. "
RAHUL
Medical Qualification: MDS (ORTHODONTICS)
City, Country: mumbai, India
eram zahra (Lahore): MBBS with one year house job, requirements and dates
"i m mbbs plus one yr house job exp,i want to do job in dubai,kindly tell me job requirement and test dates, schedule..i want to apply this year. "
eram zahra
Medical Qualification: mbbs plus one yr house job experience
City, Country: lahore
vijay (India): QA microbiologist, can I work as clinical microbiologist?
"i have an experience of 6 years as QA microbiologist.Am I eligible for doing job in medical health as clinical microbiologist?please guide me if DHA is mandatory for this.currently I am doing clinical practice in a diagnostic laboratory. "
vijay
Medical Qualification: M.Sc. Microbiology
City, Country: india
uzma bashir (Lahore, Pakistan): how to pay the DHA fee from Pakistan
"Hi I am uzma bashir I would like to payment of my dha exam fee but I m in Pakistan and I dont have dubai visa card.my process is in progress So, please tell me how I pay my fee thank u "
uzma bashir
Medical Qualification: General nursing& medwifery& Bsc
City, Country: Lahore&pakistan
amna mehmood (Karachi): DHA licence as sonographer and good standing certificate
"Guide to apply d.h.a licence sonographer and good standing certificate "
amna mehmood
Medical Qualification: ARDMS IN ULTRASOUND ,bechalor of eastern medicine and surgergy hammdard university and M.D i.u.f.s russia
City, Country: karachi
margaret mukta (New Delhi, India): sample and past question papers
"Hi please send me the sample of question paper for dha exam ...and also last exam,s question paper Thanks "
margaret mukta
Medical Qualification: bachelor in physiotherapy
City, Country: new delhi, india
muhammad aslam memon (Karachi, Pakistan): MBBS with DA, how to work in the UAE
"I wants to work at UAE PLEASE GUIDE ME , how to apply , which exam to pass,send completed information "
muhammad aslam memon
Medical Qualification: MBBS, DA diploma in anaesthesia
City, Country: karachi pakistan
aliya rasool (Karachi, Pakistan): consultant gynaecologist schedule, format and fee
"i want to work in dubai as consultant gynaecologist, plz send me the schedule and exam format and exam fee "
aliya rasool
Medical Qualification: MBBS,FCPS
City, Country: khi,pak
Zulkifal Hussain (Karachi, Pakistan): applying for a microbiology licence via Prometric
"how to apply via prometric to microbiology licences in Pakistan. please inbox me updates."
Zulkifal Hussain
Medical Qualification: Master (BS Hon) In Microbiology
City, Country: Pakistan, karachi
Dr.Mohd. Jaffer (India): DLO with 15 years, eligible as ENT specialist?
"Hello dear I have done Diploma in otolaryngology (DLO) having more than 15 experience in my field NOw i want to do DHA in ENT for specialist,what do u think can i eligible for specialist category???? Also need you help regarding MCQ of ENT thx & best regards dr.Jaffer"
Dr.Mohd. Jaffer
Medical Qualification: DLO
City, Country: INDIA
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