What Is DHA Eligibility?
The document commonly referred to as a DHA eligibility letter is now generally represented by an active DHA professional registration within the Sheryan system.
DHA explains that professional registration confirms that the applicant fulfils the requirements for the approved healthcare category, title, and speciality. DHA registration is normally valid for one year, during which a DHA-licensed healthcare facility can activate it into a professional licence.
A DHA eligibility or registration does not mean that the professional has worked under a DHA licence. It confirms that the individual was approved for the specified professional title but may not yet have had the registration activated by a Dubai employer.
Can DHA Eligibility Be Transferred to SHA?
A DHA eligibility letter cannot simply be renamed or directly converted into an SHA licence.
The applicant must submit a new application for an:
SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate
SHA accepts an evaluation or registration eligibility issued by another UAE health authority as supporting evidence. Its official FAQ lists an MOH evaluation or registration eligibility from another health authority among the documents that may be presented for the SHA assessment process.
Therefore, an active DHA eligibility or professional registration may be used to support:
- SHA professional assessment
- Examination-exemption review
- Recognition of a previous UAE credentialing decision
- Reuse or transfer of an existing DataFlow verification
- Confirmation of the DHA-approved professional title
The final approval and title remain subject to SHA review.
Difference Between DHA Eligibility and DHA Licence
| DHA Eligibility or Registration | DHA Professional Licence |
|---|---|
| Confirms that the applicant meets the requirements for a DHA title | Authorises the professional to practise under a DHA-licensed facility |
| May be held without employment in Dubai | Is connected to a healthcare facility |
| Normally valid for one year | Valid according to the licence issue and expiry dates |
| Does not prove that the applicant practised in Dubai | May support UAE employment and practice history |
| Does not normally generate DHA work experience | Can be supported with DHA facility experience |
| Good Standing from DHA may not apply if the applicant was never licensed | DHA Good Standing may be available to current or previously licensed professionals |
Who Can Apply?
Professionals with a valid DHA eligibility letter or registration may apply for SHA assessment when they satisfy the PQR requirements for their category.
This may include:
- Registered nurses
- Assistant nurses
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Medical laboratory professionals
- Radiology professionals
- Physiotherapists
- Optometrists
- Dental assistants
- Anaesthesia technologists
- Operation theatre technicians
- Dialysis technicians
- Other recognised allied healthcare professionals
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare:
SHA’s official assessment service lists academic qualifications, transcript, current licence if any, recent work experience, Good Standing Certificate from the current licensing authority if applicable, PSV reports, exemption documents, passport, Emirates ID, residency training, and surgical logbook among the required documents.
Is a DHA Good Standing Certificate Required?
A person who holds only DHA eligibility and has never had a DHA professional licence activated may not have practised under DHA.
In such cases, DHA Good Standing may not be the appropriate document because there was no licensed DHA practice period. The applicant should instead submit:
- Good Standing Certificate from the authority under which the applicant is currently or most recently licensed
- DHA eligibility or registration
- DHA DataFlow report
- Previous examination result
- Home-country licence and Good Standing Certificate, where applicable
SHA describes the Good Standing document as being issued by the applicant’s current licensed health authority, where applicable.
Step-by-Step DHA Eligibility to SHA Process
Step 1: Confirm That the DHA Registration Is Active
Check the DHA Sheryan account and confirm:
- Registration status
- Approved title
- Registration issue date
- Registration expiry date
- DHA Unique ID
DHA registrations are normally valid for one year. An expired eligibility may not receive the same treatment as an active registration and could require additional review.
Step 2: Download the DHA Registration Document
Download a clear copy showing:
- Applicant’s name
- DHA Unique ID
- Professional category
- Professional title
- Registration status
- Validity information
Step 3: Obtain the DHA Assessment Result
When available, include the result of the DHA CBT or other assessment.
This can assist SHA in reviewing whether an examination exemption applies. If you wrote DHA exam within last 2 year then you will get exam exemption. If not , you have to write SHA prometric examination.
Step 4: Download the Existing DataFlow Report
Obtain an unprotected copy of the DataFlow report used for DHA.
Review every section to ensure that it includes:
- Qualification
- Professional licence or registration
- Experience
- Internship
- Additional speciality qualification
If the report does not cover all documents required for the SHA title, additional PSV may be requested.
Step 5: Create an SHA Account
Access the Sharjah Health Authority portal and select:
Request for Healthcare Professional Assessment
The applicant completes the assessment application before an employer can activate the professional licence.
Step 6: Select the Correct SHA Professional Title
Select a title that is supported by the applicant’s:
- Qualification
- Internship
- Registration
- Experience
- Specialty education
- Existing DHA eligibility
Do not select a higher professional title merely because it is available in the portal.
Step 7: Upload DHA Eligibility as an Exemption Document
Upload:
- Active DHA registration or eligibility
- DHA assessment result
- DHA DataFlow report
- Other UAE licence or evaluation, if available
SHA states that applicants holding a valid evaluation certificate or licence from another UAE authority may be exempt from its assessment examination. Final exemption is subject to the Authority’s review.
Step 8: Declare Previous UAE Examination Attempts
Applicants must accurately declare all previous attempts completed with DHA, MOHAP, DOH, or another UAE health authority when the portal requests this information.
Incorrect or incomplete declarations may delay the application.
Step 9: Pay the SHA Assessment Fee
The current assessment fees are:
- Physicians, dentists, and TCIM practitioners: AED 500
- Nurses, midwives, pharmacists, allied healthcare professionals, and TCIM therapists: AED 300
Additional PSV or examination costs may apply. The official service duration is approximately eight working days for application review.
Step 10: Respond to SHA Comments
SHA may request:
- Updated experience
- Recent Good Standing
- Additional DataFlow verification
- Clear transcript
- Examination history
- Clarification of the DHA registration status
- Proof of professional practice
- Additional qualification documents
Applicants should respond within the portal and upload exactly what has been requested.
Step 11: Receive the SHA Assessment Certificate
Once approved, the applicant receives an SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate for the title accepted by SHA.
This is an eligibility-type document. It is not a licence to start working.
Step 12: Find an SHA-Licensed Employer
The applicant must obtain employment with an active SHA-licensed healthcare facility that is authorised to employ the relevant professional category.
Step 13: Employer Activates the SHA Licence
The facility representative applies for the professional licence using:
- Valid SHA assessment certificate
- Offer letter
- Medical malpractice insurance
- NOC, where required for part-time practice
- Medical fitness documentation for applicants over 60
- Other employer and facility documents
SHA requires a valid professional assessment certificate before an employer can activate the professional licence.
SHA Assessment and Licence Fees
Individual Assessment Fee
- Physicians and dentists: AED 500
- Nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals: AED 300
Full-Time Professional Licence Fee
- Physicians, dentists, and TCIM practitioners: AED 3,000
- Nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, trainees, and specified related categories: AED 1,000
Part-Time Licence Fee
- All healthcare professional categories: AED 4,000
Both assessment review and professional licence issuance are listed with a normal service period of approximately eight working days, provided the application is complete.
Will the DHA Prometric Result Be Accepted?
A valid DHA eligibility and examination result may support an SHA exam-exemption request.
However, acceptance can depend on:
- Whether the DHA and SHA titles are equivalent
- The validity of the DHA registration
- The applicant’s examination history
- Whether the qualification meets the current PQR
- Whether the applicant has a practice gap
- Whether the DataFlow report is complete and positive
Applicants should not assume automatic exemption until the SHA assessment application is approved.
What Happens if the DHA Eligibility Has Expired?
An expired DHA eligibility can still be submitted as part of the applicant’s licensing history, but it may not be treated as a valid evaluation for examination exemption.
SHA may request:
- Updated credentials
- New or supplementary DataFlow verification
- Recent experience
- Current Good Standing
- A fresh examination
- Additional assessment under the current PQR
Applying while the DHA registration is active is generally preferable.
Practice Gap
SHA states that applicants should not have a professional practice gap exceeding three years.
Applicants with a longer gap may be asked to complete approved training or other PQR requirements before the final professional licence can be issued.
Common Application Mistakes
Avoid the following:
- Uploading only the DHA exam pass result without the eligibility document
- Uploading a password-protected DataFlow report
- Selecting a different or higher SHA title without supporting qualifications
- Submitting an expired eligibility without current experience
- Requesting DHA Good Standing despite never holding an activated DHA licence
- Failing to declare previous UAE examination attempts
- Uploading incomplete experience certificates
- Ignoring name differences across documents
- Assuming that the SHA assessment certificate permits employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer DHA eligibility to SHA without a job offer?
The SHA assessment stage may normally be completed before final employment. An SHA-licensed facility is required to activate the professional licence.
Do I need to repeat DataFlow?
A complete positive DHA DataFlow report may be reused or shared. Additional verification may be required when the existing report does not cover all SHA-required documents.
Will I receive an SHA eligibility letter?
Once the assessment is approved, SHA issues a Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate.
Can I work with the assessment certificate?
No. The professional must wait until an SHA-licensed employer completes licence activation.
Do I need a new examination?
A valid DHA eligibility may support examination exemption, but SHA makes the final decision after reviewing the complete application.
Conclusion
The DHA eligibility-to-SHA pathway is:
Active DHA Eligibility or Registration → DHA DataFlow and Assessment Result → SHA Professional Assessment → SHA Assessment Certificate → SHA Employer → SHA Professional Licence
It is not a one-click transfer. Careful document preparation is essential to avoid additional DataFlow, examination, or title-related delays.
For assistance with DHA eligibility-to-SHA processing, eligibility validation, DataFlow review, document preparation, SHA assessment, and licence activation guidance, contact Nursing Manthra.
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/971502515717
UAE: +971 502 515 717
India: +91 6828756689
👩⚕️ About the Author
Shincy George, RN, MSN (Cardiothoracic Nursing), SCFHS-RN, DHA RN, MOH UAE RN, NCLEX-RN (USA), is the Founder of Nursing Manthra Academy.
With extensive international clinical and academic experience, she is dedicated to guiding healthcare professionals through global licensing pathways. Through Nursing Manthra, she supports internationally educated healthcare professionals in achieving their career goals across Canada, USA, UAE, Middle East, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
Her mission is to simplify complex licensing processes and empower healthcare professionals with the right knowledge, guidance, and support to succeed globally. 🌍
