What is the General Practice exam like?

150 questions in 3 hours; pass score 60%. DHA's CBTs are multiple-choice exams run by Prometric through its test centres worldwide; the result is posted to the applicant's Sheryan account as pass or fail and the score is not shared.

Which exams exempt a GP from DHA's assessment?

Both parts of the AMC examination (or an AMC-accredited Australian degree); the LMCC; both parts of PRES or an IMC-accredited Irish degree or a valid IMC general registration; NZREX or an MCNZ-accredited New Zealand degree; EMREE; valid PLAB 1 and 2, a GMC-accredited UK degree (UK graduates only) or a valid GMC registration where the PLAB pass is older than five years; USMLE Step 3.

Which specialists and consultants are exempt?

Holders of a recognised Tier 1 specialty certificate from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the Emirati Board, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, South Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the USA; or a Tier 2 certificate with a sub-specialty certificate, more than ten years in the specialty including two in a senior post at a teaching hospital, academic training work, a valid licence in good standing and clinical publications or research.

Is the assessment a computer test or an oral exam?

Depending on the position the assessment is a computer-based test or an oral assessment; oral assessments are scheduled after the Get Registered application and carry their own fee; two further attempts after a fail. Titles not in the guideline are assessed orally. Computer-based test delivered by Prometric for DHA and MOHAP and by Pearson VUE for DOH.

How many times can I sit it?

You have 3 attempts across all the UAE's health authorities. One final attempt may be granted with a different authority after failing three times with another. Failing three times at DHA blocks a new application for two years.

I trained in the UK. Is the Foundation Programme enough for the GP title?

UK medical graduates who completed Foundation years 1 and 2 need a third year of post-graduation experience for the GP title.

How long does DataFlow take?

DHA says 15 working days for a new report, 5 for a transfer.

How long does DHA take to register me?

On average 5 working days. The PSV result must be received and any required CBT passed before the Get Registered application can be processed; PSV and CBT run in parallel; the registration is valid one year and a licensed facility must activate it into a licence.

Is it the same in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates?

Yes: one qualification rulebook applied by DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), MOHAP and SHA (Sharjah).

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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · Doctors

What do doctors need for a DHA license in Dubai?

To be licensed by DHA as a General Practitioner you need a medical degree of at least 5 years, then successful completion of the internship programme and two years of clinical experience after it, and a pass in DHA's assessment unless an accepted exam exempts you; DOH, MOHAP and SHA apply the same rules.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · DHA ↗

What DHA asks of a General Practitioner

Medical degree	At least 5 years of study, not counting the internship. Graduates of formal recognised allopathic medical schools accredited by the concerned issuing authority of that country
Internship	One year (12 months) of internship post-graduation; physicians without evidence of an internship need an additional two years of experience; an internship inside the programme counts if completed after the final degree exam
Experience	Successful completion of the internship programme and two years of clinical experience after it. Experience in cardiology, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology or paediatrics is accepted for the General Practitioner title
What counts as experience	Hands-on clinical experience gained by a licensed professional during salaried employment or a contract; non-clinical and teaching experience is not considered
Licence at home	Applicants must hold a valid licence or registration to practise in their home country and/or country of last employment, covering the minimum required experience
Good standing certificate	Issued in the last 180 days by the regulator where you last worked
Gap in practice	No longer than 5 years

Specialist and Consultant

Specialty certificate	A recognised medical specialty qualification listed in the PQR's Recognized Specialty Certificates table (Tier 1, 2 or 3), obtained after a full-time programme of not less than three years (clinical residency, clinical master's or clinical PhD)
Specialist: experience after it	36 months with a Tier 3 certificate. Specialists with Tier 1 or 2 qualifications are not required to have post-qualification experience if the qualification was obtained within the recent three years
Consultant: experience after it	24 months with a Tier 1 certificate, 60 months with Tier 2; with Tier 3 you cannot attain the title

Fees

Step	Fee
DataFlow verification, doctors' package, as priced on 24 May 2023Who pays varies	AED 1,235
DHA's General Practice exam, at a Prometric centreWho pays varies	US$280
DHA's exam for a listed Specialist or Consultant titleWho pays varies	US$280

Good to know

What is the General Practice exam like?: 150 questions in 3 hours; pass score 60%. DHA's CBTs are multiple-choice exams run by Prometric through its test centres worldwide; the result is posted to the applicant's Sheryan account as pass or fail and the score is not shared.
Which exams exempt a GP from DHA's assessment?: Both parts of the AMC examination (or an AMC-accredited Australian degree); the LMCC; both parts of PRES or an IMC-accredited Irish degree or a valid IMC general registration; NZREX or an MCNZ-accredited New Zealand degree; EMREE; valid PLAB 1 and 2, a GMC-accredited UK degree (UK graduates only) or a valid GMC registration where the PLAB pass is older than five years; USMLE Step 3.
Which specialists and consultants are exempt?: Holders of a recognised Tier 1 specialty certificate from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the Emirati Board, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, South Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the USA; or a Tier 2 certificate with a sub-specialty certificate, more than ten years in the specialty including two in a senior post at a teaching hospital, academic training work, a valid licence in good standing and clinical publications or research.
Is the assessment a computer test or an oral exam?: Depending on the position the assessment is a computer-based test or an oral assessment; oral assessments are scheduled after the Get Registered application and carry their own fee; two further attempts after a fail. Titles not in the guideline are assessed orally. Computer-based test delivered by Prometric for DHA and MOHAP and by Pearson VUE for DOH.
How many times can I sit it?: You have 3 attempts across all the UAE's health authorities. One final attempt may be granted with a different authority after failing three times with another. Failing three times at DHA blocks a new application for two years.
I trained in the UK. Is the Foundation Programme enough for the GP title?: UK medical graduates who completed Foundation years 1 and 2 need a third year of post-graduation experience for the GP title.
How long does DataFlow take?: DHA says 15 working days for a new report, 5 for a transfer.
How long does DHA take to register me?: On average 5 working days. The PSV result must be received and any required CBT passed before the Get Registered application can be processed; PSV and CBT run in parallel; the registration is valid one year and a licensed facility must activate it into a licence.
Is it the same in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates?: Yes: one qualification rulebook applied by DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), MOHAP and SHA (Sharjah).

What to do next

Tell us your degree, internship, experience and specialty, and we show which UAE licence you can get and what is left, with each fee and how long it takes.

Sources

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