DHA vs DOH vs MOHAP: UAE Nursing License Comparison
Table 3.1: UAE Nursing Licensure Comparative Overview
This table highlights the key differences and commonalities in the licensing process for Registered Nurses across the UAE’s three main regulatory bodies.
| Feature | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | Department of Health (DOH) – Abu Dhabi | Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) |
| Jurisdiction | Dubai only. | Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. | Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ). |
| Online Portal | Sheryan Portal | TAMM Portal (DOH Services) | MOHAP E-Services Portal |
| Primary License Documents (Common) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Valid Home Country License, Experience Certificate, Good Standing Certificate (GSC), Passport, BLS. | Same as DHA. | Same as DHA. |
| PSV Provider | DataFlow Group | DataFlow Group | DataFlow Group |
| PSV (DataFlow) Fee (Approx.) | AED 900 – 1,300 (or $250 – $350 USD) | AED 1,000 – 1,400 (or $270 – $380 USD) | AED 1,000 – 1,400 (or $270 – $380 USD) |
| Initial Application/Credentialing Fee (Approx.) | AED 200 – 300 | AED 100 – 200 | AED 400 (Evaluation Fee) |
| Licensure Exam | Prometric Exam (CBT) | Pearson VUE/Prometric Exam (CBT) | Prometric Exam (CBT) |
| Exam Format/Focus | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) only. | MCQ, often with more focus on clinical case scenarios/judgment. | MCQ + Oral/Viva Assessment (historically, though moving to CBT). |
| Exam Pass Mark (Approx.) | ≈ 60% | ≈ 60-65% | ≈ 60% |
| License Issuance Fee (Approx.) | AED 1000 (Paid by employer upon activation) | AED 1000 (Paid by employer upon activation) | AED 1000 (Paid by employer upon activation) |
| License Validity | Typically 1 year (Must be activated by an employer). | Typically 1 year (Must be activated by an employer). | Typically 1 year (Must be activated by an employer). |
Key Differences to Note:
- Jurisdiction: The most crucial difference. A DHA license is valid only in Dubai; a DOH license only in Abu Dhabi.
- Exam Format: While all use Computer-Based Testing (CBT), the MOHAP system sometimes requires an additional Viva/Oral assessment, which is generally not required by DHA or DOH.
- License Transfer: All three authorities recognize the PSV report. After successfully practicing for a specified period (usually one year), a nurse can apply to transfer/convert their license to another Emirate’s authority, often without needing to retake the exam.
This table provides a quick and accurate reference for navigating the financial and procedural aspects of your application.
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