This article is part of our guide: Work as a nurse in the Gulf.
Part of our Nursing Councils of the World series. Last checked: October 2026.
The United Arab Emirates does not have one nursing council. A nurse is licensed by the health authority of the emirate where they will work:
| DHA | DOH | MOHAP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Dubai | Abu Dhabi and Al Ain | Federal facilities and the northern emirates (Sharjah has its own authority for some facilities) |
| Portal | Sheryan | TAMM / DOH e-licensing | MOHAP e-services |
| Exam provider | Prometric | Pearson VUE | Prometric |
| Typical RN exam | About 150 MCQs in 3 hours; pass mark around 60% | Computer-based MCQ | Similar to DHA |
| Verification | DataFlow primary source verification for all three. A verified report can be shared between authorities, which speeds up a second licence. | ||
A licence from one authority does not let you work in another emirate. A DHA licence does not cover Abu Dhabi, for example. Choose the authority that matches your job offer.
Who is eligible
- Registered Nurse: a BSc Nursing (or a three-year diploma such as GNM, with additional requirements). You usually need two years of post-registration clinical experience within the last five years.
- Assistant Nurse / Nursing Technician: a two-year diploma plus hospital experience.
- A current home licence, a Good Standing Certificate issued within the last six months, and a valid BLS certificate.
- A career gap of more than two years usually means you must show evidence of re-training.
Step by step (DHA example)
- Create a Sheryan account and upload your documents.
- Complete DataFlow verification. This is usually the longest step, at 4–8 weeks.
- The DHA assesses your file and issues an eligibility letter.
- Book and pass the Prometric exam.
- Get a job offer. The licence becomes active only when a licensed facility links you as its employee. An eligibility letter or exam pass is not a licence to practise.
Timeline: about 8–16 weeks from a complete file to an active DHA licence.
Fees (DHA, indicative 2026)
| Item | USD | AED (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheryan account | Free | Free |
| DataFlow verification | 220–320 | 810–1,175 |
| Prometric nursing exam | 240–280 | 880–1,030 |
| Eligibility and licence issuance | 270–410 | 990–1,505 |
| Facility linking / practice permit | Usually paid by the employer | |
| Typical out-of-pocket total | 730–1,010 | 2,680–3,710 |
Renewal and CPD
Licences are renewed through the same portal, typically every one to two years depending on the authority. Each authority requires a minimum number of CME/CPD hours from accredited providers, plus an up-to-date BLS certificate and employer sponsorship. Check your authority’s current CPD hours, and record every activity.
Medical liability and discipline
- Medical errors are governed by the UAE federal medical liability law. Complaints are investigated by medical liability committees of the relevant authority, which decide whether a professional error occurred.
- Outcomes can include warnings, fines, licence suspension or revocation, compensation to the patient and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution.
- Malpractice insurance is mandatory, and employers usually arrange it.
- Practising outside your licensed title or emirate, or with an expired licence, is a serious violation.
Tips
- Request your Good Standing Certificate close to applying, because it must be less than six months old.
- Experience letters need exact dates, your position and confirmation that you worked full time.
- Be careful with agents who sell “guaranteed” exam passes or eligibility letters. Fraud leads to a permanent ban.
Sources: PrometricMedical, DHA licence for nurses 2026 (24 September 2026); NurseHub GCC, process for nurses in the UAE (November 2025). Confirm requirements on the DHA, DOH and MOHAP portals.
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