Am I eligible to write the licensing exam in Dubai after two years of clinical experience?
Yes, two years of clinical experience generally meets the minimum requirement for many healthcare professions to write the Dubai Health Authority licensing exam, though your mandatory internship year does not count. Specialists and consultants need more, typically three to five or more years of post-specialization experience.
Two years of clinical experience generally satisfies the minimum post-qualification experience requirement for many healthcare professions, such as General Practitioners and certain nursing or allied health roles, to write the Dubai Health Authority licensing exam. However, your exact eligibility depends on your specific healthcare category, professional title, and how your experience was accrued.
Key Eligibility Factors for Your Category
| Category | Experience Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Practitioners (Doctors) | A minimum of two years of continuous, post-internship clinical experience; your mandatory one-year internship does not count |
| Specialists and Consultants | More extensive post-specialization clinical experience, often 3 to 5+ years |
| Nurses | Requirements vary by qualification and title, with some experience waivers depending on recent policy updates and your nursing degree |
What Counts as Experience and Other Requirements
The DHA strictly counts hands-on, paid clinical experience where you were directly involved in patient care; observerships, volunteer work, or pure research or academic positions generally do not count. You must also hold an active, valid professional license from your home country or country of last employment, and a Certificate of Good Standing issued within the last six months.
My Advice
Use the official DHA Self-Assessment Tool on the Sheryan portal to input your exact degree, graduation year, and experience timeline, since it will instantly show you what title you qualify for under the Professional Qualification Requirements.
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