DHA Exam for Nurses and Midwives 2026: Eligibility, Format
Last updated on 26-Oct-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

DHA Exam for Nurses & Midwives 2026: Eligibility, Documents and Exam Format

DHA Nurses & Midwives Exam Quick Summary

Nurses and midwives need a recognised nursing or midwifery qualification, an active home licence, a clear DataFlow report and a pass in the DHA computer-based exam at Prometric (150 MCQs in 3 hours, per DHA's CBT guideline) unless exempt. Registered Nurses need no minimum experience under the UAE PQR, while Registered Midwives need 2 years.

This guide is for nurses and midwives planning to work in Dubai. It covers the documents you upload, the eligibility rules for each title, what the exam looks like, who is exempt and what fresh graduates can do. If you are a doctor or pharmacist, see our DHA exam general guidelines or the DHA pharmacist exam page instead.

What are DHA Dubai required documents for Nurses and Midwives?

You apply online through Sheryan, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing system, and your documents go to DataFlow for primary source verification. Keep scanned copies of these ready:

  • Nursing or midwifery qualification certificate (diploma, bachelor's or master's) and the academic transcript or mark sheets for all semesters. DataFlow may also ask for your school certificates (10th and 12th mark sheets).
  • Official experience certificates signed by Human Resources, the Nursing Director or the Medical Director, with exact dates.
  • A valid registration or licence to practise nursing or midwifery in your country of graduation or last employment.
  • A valid Good Standing certificate from your licensing authority, not older than 6 months when you apply.
  • A valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.
  • Passport copy (front and back) and a recent passport-size colour photo on a white background.

Our DataFlow requirements for nurses page lists the verification documents in more detail.

What are the eligibility requirements for Nurse/Midwife exam?

DHA uses the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), shared by all UAE health authorities. The main titles look like this:

Title Qualification Experience
Registered Nurse Degree in nursing None required (practice gap rules apply)
Assistant Nurse Diploma in nursing of at least 18 months None required; works only under a Registered Nurse
Registered Midwife Bachelor's in midwifery (3 years), or BSc Nursing plus a midwifery certificate of at least 1 year 2 years after qualifying, in a maternity setting
Assistant Midwife Diploma in midwifery (2 years), or nursing diploma with 1 year of midwifery 1 year after qualifying, in a maternity setting

Qualifications from distance learning or correspondence courses are not accepted. If you have been out of practice for more than 2 years, the PQR asks for extra CPD hours and supervised training first, and non-UAE nationals cannot apply after a gap of more than 5 years. Read complete Eligibility Requirements, then confirm your own case in the Sheryan self-assessment tool.

Can fresh graduate nurses apply for DHA?

Yes. Under the current PQR, the Registered Nurse and Assistant Nurse titles have no minimum experience requirement, so a new graduate with a recognised degree and a home licence can apply. Two caveats from practice. First, you still need your home registration before DataFlow can verify it. Second, many Dubai employers prefer nurses with hospital experience, so the first job can take longer to find. Midwives are different: the Registered Midwife title needs 2 years of post-qualification experience.

What is the DHA nursing exam format?

The nursing and midwifery assessments are computer-based tests of multiple-choice questions at Prometric centres, in English. DHA's CBT guideline lists 150 questions in 3 hours for the Registered Nurse, Assistant Nurse and Registered Midwife exams. DHA can change the format without notice, so check the guideline in Sheryan when you book.

Registered Nurse and Assistant Nurse domains
Unit management and leadership, nursing fundamentals, maternal and child nursing, and adult nursing.
Registered Midwife domains
Antenatal, intrapartum, antepartum and postpartum care, newborn care, gynaecological care, ethics and law, pharmacology in midwifery, and counselling.

Expect clinical scenarios that ask what the nurse should do first. Prioritisation, patient safety, infection control and medication safety run through most papers. You can book at any Prometric centre worldwide; Indian candidates can see our list of DHA Prometric centres in India.

What is the passing score for Nurses and Midwives?

DHA does not publish a fixed passing percentage for nurses or midwives. Scores are calculated from correct answers weighted by domain, and your Sheryan account shows only Pass or Fail, usually within 2 working days. The percentages you may see quoted online (60 to 70% for nurses, 50 to 60% for midwives) are not official DHA figures. Read more on our DHA result and passing score page.

What is the DHA Exam exemption criteria for Nurses/Midwives?

  • Nurses and midwives who hold an active licence or registration from regulators listed in the PQR exam equivalency chapter (for example in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia) may be exempted from the written Prometric exam. The exemption covers only the exam; DataFlow, experience and other requirements still apply.
  • UAE Nationals may also be exempted from some requirements when they meet the conditions in the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).

The full list of accepted licences is on our DHA exam exemption criteria page. If you have been out of practice for more than 2 years, the exemption does not remove the extra training and exam requirement.

How do nurses apply for the DHA exam?

STEP 1
Self-assessment in Sheryan
Create your account, choose your nursing or midwifery title and check that you are eligible.
STEP 2
DataFlow verification
Upload the documents listed above. Check that your name matches your passport on every document and that experience letters show exact dates.
STEP 3
Eligibility ID and Prometric booking
Generate your Eligibility ID in Sheryan and book a date. Our DHA exam schedule page explains how slots work.
STEP 4
Registration and licence
After a pass, apply for DHA registration, valid for 1 year. An employer in Dubai then activates it into a licence.
Practise the question style first
Reading notes is not the same as answering 150 timed questions. Start with our DHA sample questions to see how cases are written.

DHA nursing exam sample practice MCQs

Try these two questions in the Prometric style. Tap a question to see the answer.

Question 1: Adult nursing

A 58-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes on insulin tells the nurse she feels shaky and sweaty before lunch. She is alert, oriented and able to swallow. Her capillary blood glucose is 3.2 mmol/L (58 mg/dL). What is the nurse's most appropriate first action?

A) Give 50% dextrose intravenously
B) Give 15 to 20 g of fast-acting oral glucose and recheck the blood glucose after 15 minutes
C) Give glucagon 1 mg intramuscularly
D) Give her lunch together with her usual pre-meal insulin dose

Correct answer: B) Give 15 to 20 g of fast-acting oral glucose and recheck the blood glucose after 15 minutes

A conscious patient who can swallow is treated with oral fast-acting carbohydrate, then the glucose is rechecked after 15 minutes and treatment repeated if it is still low. IV dextrose and IM glucagon are for patients who are unconscious or cannot swallow safely. Giving insulin before the hypoglycaemia is corrected is unsafe.

Question 2: Postpartum care

Thirty minutes after a normal vaginal delivery, a woman has heavy, bright red vaginal bleeding. On palpation, the fundus is soft, boggy and above the umbilicus. What should the nurse or midwife do first?

A) Massage the uterine fundus
B) Record the blood loss and reassess in 30 minutes
C) Encourage the mother to start breastfeeding later in the day
D) Apply a cold pack to the perineum

Correct answer: A) Massage the uterine fundus

A soft, boggy uterus with heavy bleeding points to uterine atony, the most common cause of postpartum haemorrhage. Fundal massage is the immediate first step to make the uterus contract, while calling for help and preparing uterotonic drugs as ordered. Waiting (B) delays treatment, and perineal cold packs (D) do not treat atony.

Want to try more DHA Registered Nurse questions?

Start with 30 free questions from the same QBank, each with a full explanation, then unlock the full bank when you are ready.

Try 30 free MCQs

How many attempts do nurses get for the DHA exam?

Three. Failed attempts with DOH Abu Dhabi or MOHAP count towards the same limit and must be declared. After a third failure you are barred from applying to DHA for 2 years, unless a fourth attempt is approved. An additional recognised qualification, or at least 2 years of licensed experience after your last attempt, gives you 3 new attempts. See our DHA exam attempts page for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of experience do nurses need for DHA?

Under the UAE PQR, Registered Nurses and Assistant Nurses need no minimum experience, provided they do not have a practice gap of more than 2 years. Registered Midwives need 2 years of post-qualification experience in a maternity setting, and Assistant Midwives need 1 year. Specialty nursing titles have their own, longer requirements.

Can a GNM diploma nurse apply for DHA?

The PQR lists a degree in nursing for the Registered Nurse title and a nursing diploma of at least 18 months for the Assistant Nurse title. Which title your GNM diploma matches depends on its duration and content, so enter it in the Sheryan self-assessment tool to see the title DHA will offer you.

How many questions are in the DHA nursing exam?

DHA's CBT guideline lists 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours for the Registered Nurse, Assistant Nurse and Registered Midwife exams. The exam is in English at Prometric centres. DHA can change the format, so check the current guideline in Sheryan before you book.

Do I need IELTS or OET for the DHA nursing licence?

If you studied nursing in English and are licensed in an English-speaking system, usually not. The PQR asks for proof of English proficiency (such as IELTS, TOEFL, OET or a Cambridge test) from nurses and midwives who did not study in English or are licensed in a non-English-speaking country, in the cases it specifies. Check the requirement shown for your title in Sheryan.

How long is the DHA nursing eligibility valid after passing?

After you pass, your DHA registration (often called the eligibility letter) is valid for 1 year and can be renewed. It is not a licence to work. A Dubai employer must activate it into a licence during that time.

Your Comments

Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.

farzana peter (Quetta, Pakistan): requirements for a nurse with 7 years of experience

"Hi i am a professional journal nurse and seeking a job in dubai, uae so thats why i want to do this exam so plz send me all requirements of this thank u very much and i have 7 years experience in my job thanks bye."
farzana peter
Medical Qualification: Bjournal nurse
City, Country: quetta, pakistan

Team Interface: With 7 years of experience you are well covered for experience. The documents are listed at the top of this page, and the next step is the Sheryan self-assessment to confirm which nursing title your qualification matches.
Tanya Jessica (Philippines): how do I get my Eligibility ID?

"I would like to ask how do I get my eligibility ID to be able to take my exam here in my home country Philippines. I already registered and attached all the requirements on the UAE-DHA website. Thank you and have a great day!"
Tanya Jessica
City, Country: Philippines

Team Interface: Once your DataFlow report is accepted in Sheryan, you generate the Eligibility ID from your Sheryan account and use it to book at a Prometric centre in the Philippines. The guide linked in your question shows each step.
Rintu Mathew (Kerala): already DHA licensed, how to work in a government hospital?

"I have experiense 5yrs in general nursing.now am working in dubai pvt hospital.i already pass da exam and i got saudi lisence also.i would like to work in dubai ministry.if any vacancies for maching with my information plz infoam me....Thanking you"
Rintu Mathew
Medical Qualification: general nursing
City, Country: kerala

Team Interface: We do not handle recruitment. Your DHA registration is valid across Dubai, so you can apply directly through the careers pages of Dubai's public health providers. A new employer then arranges your licence under their facility in Sheryan.
RECHANACHANDRAN (Trivandrum): operation theatre scrub nurse

"I am operation theatre scub nurse working in kerala institute of medical science."
RECHANACHANDRAN
Medical Qualification: diploma in nursing
City, Country: trivandrum

Team Interface: Theatre nurses apply under the general nursing titles first. With a nursing diploma, check in the Sheryan self-assessment whether your course matches the Registered Nurse or Assistant Nurse title, then follow the steps above.
SASMITA BENIA (Bhubaneswar, India): can a fresh BSc Nursing graduate write the DHA exam?

"I am Fresh graduate from BSc.Nursing,I wish to write DHA exam ? can i ? Plz suggest me.thanks.."
SASMITA BENIA
Medical Qualification: B.Sc.Nursing
City, Country: Bhubaneswar,india

Team Interface: Yes. The Registered Nurse title has no minimum experience requirement under the current PQR. You will need your state nursing council registration first, because DataFlow verifies it.
irshad (Mansehra, Pakistan): Afghan nursing diploma, procedure and documents

"i have completed 3 year general nursing diploma from afghanistan.and i have 5 year experience in the field ;now i want to work in uae plz guide me proceadure .and required documints .and i shal appear from pakistan thanks."
irshad
Medical Qualification: 3year general nursing diploma
City, Country: mansehra, pakistan

Team Interface: The document list and steps are above. You will need an active licence from Afghanistan (or wherever you last worked) and a good standing certificate from that authority. You can sit the exam at a Prometric centre in Pakistan.
LIJIMOL VARGHESE (India): exam dates, registration and model papers for theatre nurses

"I am looking for nursing job from Dubai (Theater nurse),I want know about the DHA examination 2026,may,june,july,date of examination and how to register the exam, I also need model question papers. Please send me the details including next exam dates."
LIJIMOL VARGHESE
Medical Qualification: GNM Nursing passed with 65% of marks
City, Country: india

Team Interface: DHA has no fixed monthly exam dates; you book any open Prometric slot once you have your Eligibility ID. Registration steps are above, and for practice questions start with our DHA sample questions.
saima davis (Kerala, India): exam centre, fees and working anywhere in the UAE

"i like to wright MOH or DHA exam .i can wright from india in on line.were is the exam center.how much come the exam fees.were i get solved papper.if i pass the exam direct i can work u a e any hospital."
saima davis
Medical Qualification: gnm nursing
City, Country: india kerala

Team Interface: The exam is taken at a Prometric centre, not online from home; see our Prometric centres in India. Fees are on the DHA exam cost page. A DHA licence is for Dubai only; Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates have their own authorities (DOH and MOHAP).
Jini PP (Angamaly, India): any restriction on nurses from Andhra Pradesh?

"Ihave compleated general nursing course at Andra Pradesh In India& I worked 2year in the Hospital Asian institute of gastroenterology, as a staff nurse.Is there any restriction about Andhra nurses for job vacancies in U A E?."
Jini PP
Medical Qualification: Nursing
City, Country: Angamaly,India

Team Interface: DHA's published licensing rules do not restrict nurses by Indian state. What counts is that your college and qualification are recognised and that DataFlow can verify your degree, registration and experience directly with the issuing bodies.
Daljit kaur (India): GNM with 4 years of experience

"Please give me information about dha exam.. I have g. N. M done with 4 year work experience."
Daljit kaur
Medical Qualification: General nursing midwifery
City, Country: India

Team Interface: Your experience is more than enough for the nursing titles. Run the Sheryan self-assessment to see whether your GNM matches the Registered Nurse or Assistant Nurse title, then gather the documents listed above for DataFlow.
Sanita (Sukkur, Pakistan): jobs in Ajman or Sharjah

"Im looking for job in ajman or sharajah and Ive 4 years experience so plz send me all requirements that is needed for the DHA test, thankyou."
Sanita
Medical Qualification: General nursing
City, Country: Sukkur pakistan

Team Interface: Ajman and Sharjah are not under DHA. Government facilities in the Northern Emirates are licensed through MOHAP, and Sharjah also has its own health authority for some facilities. Our MOHAP nursing documents page lists what you need there.
Nimta Basnet (Biratnagar, Nepal): RN with 1 year of experience, how to proceed?

"Hello,myself Nimta RN of Nepal.i have 1 year job experience as RN in Nepal.i wanna take DHA Exam.how can i proceed for it? "
Nimta Basnet
Medical Qualification: PCL Nursing
City, Country: biratnagar,Nepal

Team Interface: Start with the Sheryan self-assessment. A PCL (diploma) in nursing may match the Assistant Nurse title rather than Registered Nurse, depending on its length, and the tool will show you which. Then follow the four application steps above.
Princy (Abu Dhabi): after 3 HAAD attempts, can I take the DHA exam?

"After 3 attempt of haad exam i can qualify to attempt dha."
Princy
Medical Qualification: Bsc nurse
City, Country: Abudhabi

Team Interface: Usually not straight away. DHA counts failed attempts with all UAE authorities, including DOH (HAAD), towards its 3-attempt limit, and after 3 failures you cannot apply to DHA for 2 years unless a fourth attempt is approved. Fresh attempts open after an additional recognised qualification or 2 years of licensed experience. See our DHA attempts page.
Rifat Bashir (Bangalore): is experience mandatory?

"Sir I want to know that is experience mandatory if yes then how many year ... please answer thanku."
Rifat Bashir
Medical Qualification: Bsc nursing
City, Country: Bangalore

Team Interface: For a BSc nurse applying as a Registered Nurse, no minimum experience is required under the current PQR, as long as you have no practice gap of more than 2 years. Midwifery titles do need experience; see the table above.
Kalu Arachchige Sanjeewani (Sri Lanka): complete process for a cardiothoracic nurse

"I have completed 3 years general nursing diploma.and i am working as a cardio thorasic assisting nurse since 2014. How may i apply for DHA exam.i want to know the complete process.regards."
Kalu Arachchige Sanjeewani
Medical Qualification: Nurse
City, Country: Sri Lanka

Team Interface: The complete process is in the four steps above. With a 3-year diploma and long experience, the Sheryan self-assessment will show your title; specialty nursing privileges may be considered later once you are licensed and meet the experience in that field.
Jibitha KG (Thrissur): optometrist with 1 year of experience

"I have a 1year experience I would like to get DHA. How do I go about it ."
Jibitha KG
Medical Qualification: Bs.c optometry
City, Country: Kunnamkulam,Thrissur

Team Interface: Optometry is an allied health title, not nursing, so it has its own requirements and exam. Check the Optometrist title in the Sheryan self-assessment, and see our DHA allied health and technician exam page.
Glen (Bahrain): does dental nurse experience count?

"Im currently working as a dental nurse here in Bahrain. Ive been wanting to take DHA exam but wondering if my experience as a Nurse in a multi specialty diagnostic clinic for 2 years and Dental Nurse experience for 4 years may be considered to qualify me to take the exam?May i ask about the qualification for nurses?thank you "
Glen
Medical Qualification: NURSE
City, Country: bahrain

Team Interface: If you hold a nursing degree and a valid licence, the Registered Nurse title has no minimum experience requirement, so your clinic and dental experience is a bonus rather than a condition. Your Bahrain licence and a good standing certificate from Bahrain will be needed for DataFlow.
RAJENDRA SUBHASH MUNTODE (Mumbai): GNM with 2 years in a paediatric hospital

"I have completed 3yrs general nursing diploma .naw I am working in a pediatric hospital (under UNICEF) I have 2 yrs experience. I want to apply DHA EXAM."
RAJENDRA SUBHASH MUNTODE
Medical Qualification: RGNM
City, Country: Mumbai

Team Interface: You can start now. Make sure your experience letter is on the hospital's letterhead, signed by HR or the Nursing Director, with exact dates, because DataFlow verifies it directly. Then follow the steps above.

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