DHA Exam for Indian Nurses — Complete Guide 2025
The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam is the mandatory licensing assessment for nurses who want to work in Dubai. It’s one of the most popular international nursing exams among Indian nurses — and with good reason. Dubai offers excellent salaries, tax-free income and a high standard of living.
What Is the DHA Nursing Exam?
The DHA exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test conducted by the Dubai Health Authority to assess the clinical competency of healthcare professionals. For nurses, it covers all core nursing domains including Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatric, Mental Health and Community Health nursing.
DHA Exam Eligibility for Indian Nurses
- BSc Nursing or GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) from a recognised Indian university
- Valid nursing registration with State Nursing Council
- Minimum 2 years of clinical experience (for some categories)
- Valid passport and required documents for dataflow verification
DHA Exam Pattern
- Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Number of Questions: 100 questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Passing Score: Approximately 65% (varies by specialty)
- Language: English
- Mode: Computer-based at Prometric test centres
DHA Exam Syllabus for Nurses
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacology and Drug Administration
- Maternal and Child Health Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Mental Health / Psychiatric Nursing
- Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
- Professional Ethics and Nursing Jurisprudence
DHA Application Process for Indian Nurses
- Create an account on the DHA Sheryan portal
- Submit documents for Dataflow verification (primary source verification)
- Receive eligibility approval from DHA
- Book your exam at a Prometric test centre in India or UAE
- Clear the exam and receive your DHA licence
How to Prepare for the DHA Exam
Indian nursing graduates are generally well-prepared for the DHA’s knowledge-based MCQ format. However, targeted preparation for 3–4 months significantly improves pass rates.
- Focus on clinical MCQs across all nursing domains
- Revise pharmacology and drug calculations thoroughly
- Practice timed mock tests under exam conditions
- Review NCLEX-style rationale-based questions for critical thinking
NCA Academy’s DHA nursing coaching in India and online DHA coaching are designed specifically for Indian nurses with expert faculty and DHA-pattern mock tests.
DHA vs MOH vs DOH — What’s the Difference?
- DHA — Dubai Health Authority (for Dubai only)
- DOH — Department of Health (for Abu Dhabi)
- MOH — Ministry of Health (for other Emirates: Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain)
Make sure you’re applying for the correct exam based on which Emirate you intend to work in.
How many attempts are allowed for the DHA exam?
You can retake the DHA exam if you don’t pass. There is typically a waiting period of 90 days before retaking. The number of attempts allowed varies, so check the latest DHA guidelines.
Can I take the DHA exam in India?
Yes. Prometric test centres where the DHA exam is conducted are available in several Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Chennai.
