DHA exam without two years of experience: what the PQR says about experience, by title

Do you need two years of experience to sit the DHA exam?

Not for every title. The two-year figure that many people quote comes from several titles, but not all. DHA’s Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements, shortened to PQR, set experience per title. Meddex is independent and is not connected to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Prometric.

Experience by title, in plain words

A nurse with a three-year bachelor’s degree does not need experience on paper. A doctor needs the internship year in every case, and two further years of clinical practice for the general title. A dentist is the same. A pharmacist needs two years after qualifying, in work related to pharmacy. Specialist, consultant and allied titles have their own rows, which we have not summarised, so open the PQR row for yours. Eligibility by profession lists the qualification side.

What kind of experience counts?

The PQR text we read says clinical experience after internship for doctors and dentists, and experience in the related field after qualifying for pharmacists. For pharmacists it states what does not count: pharmaceutical company work and sales. For others we did not find a definition, so ask DHA whether, for example, part-time, locum or non-licensed work would be accepted, and keep every employment letter. Employment is verified at source, so a letter that states dates, role and duties is easier to verify. The good standing certificate guide covers the other letter DHA asks for.

Can you gain the experience in Dubai first?

We found no DHA statement on this. Candidate answers online mention trainee posts and experience equivalency routes where you work at an approved facility, and one says the employer applies for the licence for a pharmacy trainee. None is in the DHA documents we read, so treat these as reported and unconfirmed. If you plan a move to gain experience, ask DHA in writing which roles count and what licence or permit you would need to work while you do it, before you resign or travel.

What about recent graduates?

One candidate answer says recent graduates may be exempt from submitting an experience certificate. That fits the nurse row, which lists none, but for doctors, dentists and pharmacists the PQR rows name experience. We cannot confirm any wider exemption. See also the gap of practice rules, since an old degree with no work is treated differently from a new one.

How should you document your experience?

Experience is verified at source, so the evidence matters as much as the years.

• An employer letter on letterhead with your name as on your passport, your job title, your dates of work and the main duties.
• A licence or registration for the period, where one was required.
• Contact details for the employer that still work, since the verification agency will use them.
• Translations where a letter is not in English or Arabic, with the original attached.

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