Qualifications to Work as a Nurse in Dubai

Snapshot — must-know facts

• Licensing authority: Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
  
• Verification: Primary-Source Verification (DataFlow) required.
  
• Core exam: DHA computerized licensing assessment (Prometric/CBT) for nurses (Registered Nurse category). Typical exam = ~150 MCQs, 165 minutes, passing ≈ 60% (pass/fail reported).
  
• Minimum clinical experience commonly required: ≥ 2 years post-qualification for nurses.
  
• Good-standing certificate (issued ≤ 6 months) is mandatory.
  

1. Understanding the Regulatory Framework in Dubai

All nurses who wish to work in Dubai must be licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which regulates all healthcare facilities within the emirate. The DHA oversees the entire process—from eligibility assessment to professional licensing—ensuring that every nurse meets the emirate’s standards for qualification, safety, and professional competence.

While other authorities like MOHAP and DOH operate in different regions of the UAE, they do not govern healthcare practice within Dubai. Therefore, nurses planning to work specifically in Dubai must complete the DHA licensing process, which includes credential verification, dataflow checks, and passing the DHA examination before they are eligible to practice.

2. Educational Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must hold:

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a recognized institution.
  
• Alternatively, a diploma in nursing (minimum 3 years) may be accepted if combined with additional years of professional experience.
  

The DHA does not accept two-year associate degrees or programs with fewer than 50% clinical training hours.
Your degree must be authenticated through DataFlow (explained later) and must be recognized as equivalent to UAE standards.

3. Professional Licensing from Home Country

Before applying to DHA, you must hold:

• A valid, active nursing license from the country where you last practiced.
  
• At least two years of post-graduation clinical experience in a recognized healthcare setting.
  

This ensures the nurse has professional competence and up-to-date practice exposure. The DHA may request Good Standing Certificates from each licensing authority where you’ve worked in the past five years.

4. Document Verification — DataFlow Process

The UAE requires Primary Source Verification (PSV) of all academic and professional documents through DataFlow.
This process confirms the authenticity of your degree, license, and experience certificates directly from issuing authorities.

Documents typically verified:

• Nursing degree and transcripts
  
• Home-country license
  
• Experience letters
  
• Passport copy
  
• Good Standing Certificate
  

Verification outcomes are shared with DHA. If any document is found fraudulent, the application is immediately rejected.

5. Eligibility and Licensing Application (Through Sheryan)

After successful DataFlow verification, applicants proceed with registration through Sheryan, the DHA’s online licensing platform.

Steps include:

1. Creating an account and submitting verified documents.
   
2. Paying the eligibility review fee.
   
3. Waiting for DHA eligibility approval, which confirms that you meet qualification criteria.
   

Once approved, you receive permission to schedule your DHA Nursing Licensing Exam through Prometric.

6. DHA Nursing Licensing Exam

The DHA nursing exam is a computer-based test evaluates your clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and application of nursing standards.

• Exam provider: Prometric.
  
• Format: Multiple-choice questions, approximately 70–100 questions.
  
• Duration: Around 2 hours.
  
• Subjects covered: Fundamentals of nursing, adult health, pediatrics, maternity, community health, and professional practice.
  
• Passing score: Usually 60–65%.
  

Upon passing, your result is automatically updated in the Sheryan portal.

7. Post-Exam Classification and Licensing

After passing the exam, the DHA classifies nurses into specific categories based on education and experience:

• Registered Nurse (RN) — Bachelor’s degree holders.
  
• Assistant Nurse / Practical Nurse — Diploma holders.
  
• Specialist Nurse — Nurses with postgraduate specialty qualifications (e.g., ICU, dialysis, pediatrics).
  

Once classification is complete, nurses can be hired by hospitals or clinics that will sponsor the residence and labor visa. A DHA license is valid for one year, renewable upon employment continuation and good standing.

8. Language and Skill Requirements

English proficiency is essential, as it is the working language in most healthcare facilities. While DHA does not mandate IELTS, hospitals may require:

• IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 or higher, or
  
• TOEFL iBT equivalent.
  

Other required competencies:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (from AHA or equivalent).
  
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
  
• Cultural competence for diverse patient populations.
  

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete experience letters (must specify job title, dates, and hospital type).
  
• Providing expired Good Standing Certificates.
  
• Registering under the wrong licensing authority (DHA vs. MOHAP).
  
• Scheduling the Prometric exam before eligibility approval.
  

Each error causes delays of weeks or months—careful review of documents prevents rejections.

10. Timeline and Cost Overview

Typical timeline for a foreign nurse:

• DataFlow verification: 30–45 days.
  
• DHA eligibility review: 10–15 days.
  
• Exam scheduling and results: 2–3 weeks.
  
• Total process duration: 2–3 months on average.
  

Approximate costs (as of 2026):

• DataFlow package: USD 200–250
  
• DHA eligibility review: AED 200–250
  
• Prometric exam fee: USD 90–110

Further Reading: The 10 Most In-Demand Nursing Specialties in Dubai in 2026

11. After Licensing — Employment and Career Progression

Once licensed, you can apply directly to hospitals, clinics, or through recruitment agencies. Many employers prioritize nurses already holding DHA eligibility or license.

Career growth often includes roles like Charge Nurse, Unit Coordinator, Nurse Educator, or Clinical Specialist, depending on experience and postgraduate studies.

12. Summary — What It Takes to Qualify

To legally practice as a nurse in Dubai, you must:

1. Hold a recognized BSN or equivalent.
   
2. Have a valid home-country license and minimum 2 years’ experience.
   
3. Complete DataFlow verification.
   
4. Obtain DHA eligibility and pass the Prometric exam.
   
5. Be classified and licensed by DHA.
   
6. Secure an employment contract and visa sponsorship.
   

Each step builds on the previous, forming a structured pathway from qualification to licensed practice.

Conclusion

Becoming a registered nurse in Dubai requires a balance of verified education, proven clinical experience, and successful licensing. While the process can be meticulous, it ensures patient safety and professional credibility. By preparing your documents early and understanding each stage, you’ll transition smoothly into Dubai’s dynamic and internationally recognized healthcare sector.