UAE Pathway: Licensure (Prometric Exam) & Employment for Nurses
🇦🇪 UAE Pathway: Licensure (Prometric/Pearson VUE) & Employment
The pathway to becoming a nurse in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is unique because the country has three distinct licensing authorities. You must obtain a license from one of them, depending on the Emirate where you intend to work.
| Regulatory Authority | Emirate Covered |
| Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | Dubai |
| Department of Health (DOH) / HAAD | Abu Dhabi |
| Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) | Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ |
The process is heavily reliant on a credential verification agency (DataFlow) and a standardized licensing exam (Prometric or Pearson VUE).
Phase 1: Qualification & Primary Source Verification (PSV)
Before you can be approved to take the licensing exam, the UAE health authority must verify that your academic and professional credentials are authentic.
| Step | Action | Key Requirement |
| 1. Check Eligibility | Review the Professional Qualifications Requirements (PQR) for the specific authority (DHA, DOH, or MOHAP). You typically need a BSN and a minimum of 2 years of post-registration clinical experience (though some regulators now exempt recent graduates within the last 2 years). | PQR. This dictates the minimum education and experience levels for specific nursing titles. |
| 2. Initiate DataFlow (PSV) | Create an account with DataFlow Group, the third-party agency contracted by all UAE regulators. You upload scanned copies of your degree, license(s), and experience letters. | Primary Source Verification (PSV). DataFlow contacts your university, licensing body, and previous employers directly to verify authenticity. This process can take 4–8 weeks. |
| 3. Receive Eligibility Letter | Once your DataFlow report is successfully completed and your initial application is reviewed, the regulator grants you an Eligibility Letter or ID. This means you are approved to sit for the required licensing exam. | DHA/DOH/MOHAP. This letter is mandatory to book the exam. |
Phase 2: Licensing Examination (CBT)
This phase involves proving your clinical competence by passing the mandatory computer-based test (CBT).
| Step | Action | Key Requirement |
| 4. Pass the Prometric/Pearson VUE Exam | Book and pass the CBT for the specific regulator (DHA, DOH, or MOHAP). The test assesses your knowledge against GCC standards. | Prometric/Pearson VUE. DHA and MOHAP typically use Prometric; DOH uses Pearson VUE. The exam can be taken internationally. Most authorities limit candidates to three attempts. |
| 5. Search for a Job | Once you pass the exam and your DataFlow report is positive, your profile is complete. Hospitals and clinics will often require this completed status before extending a job offer. | Job Search. You are now a licensed candidate. Most IENs find jobs via online portals, recruitment agencies, or direct application to major hospital groups. |
Phase 3: Final License Activation and Entry
The final steps are managed by your employer once they issue a job offer.
| Step | Action | Key Requirement |
| 6. Secure Work Visa & License Activation | Your employer will initiate the UAE employment visa process and link your job offer to your licensing file. They will pay the final license activation fee (Approx. AED 1,000 for DHA). | UAE Employer Sponsorship. The license is activated after your employer confirms your employment and provides professional indemnity insurance. |
| 7. Practice as a Licensed RN | Upon arrival, you complete a mandatory medical fitness test, and your license is officially issued. | DHA/DOH/MOHAP License. This is your legal authorization to practice in the designated Emirate. |
Key Reality Checks (The GCC Experience)
- No Universal License: The UAE does not have a single national nursing license. A DHA license allows you to work in Dubai, but you must pass the DOH or MOHAP exam to work in Abu Dhabi or the Northern Emirates, respectively (though license transfer is possible after a period of work).
- The PSV Cost: You must personally pay the initial DataFlow fee (often between AED 900–1,500 for the standard package) to start the credential verification process.
- No PR Pathway: Unlike Canada or Australia, the UAE offers renewable work permits but does not currently have a Permanent Residency (PR) pathway for foreign workers. Your stay is tied entirely to your employment contract.
Comments (0)