What is the exam like, and what is the pass score?

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 pharmacists are exempt from the exam?

A valid licence and good standing certificate from the listed authorities (Australia, Canada's NAPRA boards, Ireland's PSI, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK's GPhC, the USA's NABP boards, and eleven European countries) with the qualification obtained within three years or no gap of practice, or a pass of the UAE's EPREE; non-English-medium graduates from those countries add TOEFL 500, IELTS 5.0, OET C or Cambridge 169.

How many times can I sit the exam?

You have 3 attempts across all the UAE's health authorities.

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).

← Pharmacists in the UAE outcomeOS

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · Pharmacists

What do pharmacists need for a DHA license in Dubai?

To be licensed by DHA as a Pharmacist you need a BSc in Pharmacy with two years of experience after it in a related field, or a PharmD, and a pass in DHA's pharmacist exam, which costs US$240, unless a licence from a listed country exempts you; DOH, MOHAP and SHA apply the same rules.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · DHA ↗

What DHA asks of a Pharmacist

Qualification and experience	A BSc in Pharmacy with two years of experience after qualification in a related field, or a PharmD; experience with pharmaceutical companies or as a sales representative does not count
Licence at home	Applicants must hold a valid licence or registration to practise in their home country and/or country of last employment
Good standing certificate	Issued in the last 180 days by the regulator where you last worked
Gap in practice	No longer than 5 years
Life support	A valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate
Exam	Healthcare professionals must pass the Authority's examination to obtain a licence; all examinations are conducted in English

Fees

Step	Fee
DataFlow verification, as priced on 24 May 2023Who pays varies	AED 935
DHA's pharmacist exam, at a Prometric centreWho pays varies	US$240
DHA registrationWho pays varies	AED 200

Good to know

What is the exam like, and what is the pass score?: 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 pharmacists are exempt from the exam?: A valid licence and good standing certificate from the listed authorities (Australia, Canada's NAPRA boards, Ireland's PSI, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK's GPhC, the USA's NABP boards, and eleven European countries) with the qualification obtained within three years or no gap of practice, or a pass of the UAE's EPREE; non-English-medium graduates from those countries add TOEFL 500, IELTS 5.0, OET C or Cambridge 169.
How many times can I sit the exam?: You have 3 attempts across all the UAE's health authorities.
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 pharmacy degree, your experience and where you are licensed, and we show whether DHA will license you and what is left, with each fee and how long it takes.

Sources

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