Becoming a licensed pharmacist in Dubai, UAE, is a rewarding career path managed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The licensing process is mandatory for all healthcare professionals, including international graduates, ensuring that they meet the Emirate’s high standards of care. The core steps involve meeting eligibility criteria, successfully completing the credential verification process, and passing the DHA licensing exam.

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Phase 1: Eligibility and Documentation

Before you can sit for the exam, you must first confirm that your academic and professional profile meets the DHA’s requirements.

Meet the Core Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a Pharmacist license with the DHA, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) from an accredited university recognized in your home country.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of post-qualification experience as a registered pharmacist in a community, hospital, or clinical setting is generally required.⁵ Fresh graduates are typically not eligible without an internship period.
• Professional Registration: Must hold a valid, active license/registration to practice pharmacy in your home country or previous country of employment.
• Good Standing: Provide a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from your licensing authority, issued within the last six months, confirming professional conduct.

Create a DHA Sheryan Account

The official application portal for healthcare professionals in Dubai is called Sheryan. You must register and create an account on the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) website to manage your entire application process.

Gather and Attest Required Documents

Collect all necessary personal and professional documents. These generally include:

• Valid Passport copy
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Pharmacy degree certificate and official transcripts (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and UAE Embassy, if required by your home country)
• Experience certificate(s) proving the two years of post-qualification practice
• Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
• Home Country Pharmacist License/Registration

Submit for Primary Source Verification (DataFlow)

The DHA requires that all educational qualifications, professional licenses, and work experience documents be verified directly from the issuing source through an external agency known as DataFlow (Primary Source Verification – PSV). You must submit your documents through the Sheryan portal to initiate this mandatory process.

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Phase 2: Licensing Examination (CBT Assessment)

Once your credentials are verified by DataFlow, you will receive an Eligibility Letter allowing you to book the licensing exam.

Book and Prepare for the DHA Exam

The DHA Pharmacist licensing exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) administered by Prometric testing services.

• Exam Format: The test consists of 120 to 150 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours (165 minutes).
• Passing Score: A minimum score of 60% is required to pass.
• Attempts: Candidates are typically allowed a maximum of three attempts to pass the DHA exam across the various UAE health authorities (DHA, MOH, DOH).

Focus on the Core Syllabus

The exam syllabus covers a wide range of topics essential for pharmacy practice in Dubai, including:

• Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics: Drug interactions, adverse reactions, and treatment guidelines for common chronic and acute conditions.
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: Pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry.
• Pharmacy Practice & Law: UAE/Dubai drug laws, regulations, controlled substances, and professional ethics.
• Pharmaceutical Calculations: Dosing, conversions, and compounding calculations.
• Patient Safety & Counseling: Medication error prevention, OTC medication use, and communication skills.

Sit the DHA Exam

You can take the Prometric CBT exam at approved testing centers globally, including centers in your home country.

Receive the Eligibility/Assessment Result

After sitting the exam, the DHA will issue your results, typically within 5-7 working days. A pass grants you an Eligibility Certificate or Assessment Result, which is valid for a period of time (usually one year) and allows you to seek employment in Dubai.

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Phase 3: Final Licensing and Practice

The final steps involve securing a job and formally activating your license.

Secure an Employment Offer

You must secure a job offer from a licensed healthcare facility (hospital or community pharmacy) in Dubai. The employer will typically assist you with the final steps of the licensing process and the work visa application.

Complete the Medical Fitness Test

All applicants are required to undergo a mandatory Medical Fitness Test at an approved medical center in Dubai to ensure they are fit to work.

Obtain Malpractice Insurance

Pharmacists are required to have Malpractice Insurance Coverage before they can legally begin practicing. This is usually arranged by the employing facility.

Activate the Professional License

Once you have an employment offer, a cleared Medical Fitness Test, and insurance, your employing facility will submit an application to the DHA to activate your professional license. The DHA reviews the final application and issues your official license, enabling you to legally work as a pharmacist in the Emirate of Dubai.

Maintain and Renew Registration

Your DHA license is typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually. To maintain licensure, you are required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as mandated by the DHA.