Short answer: This hub answers common questions about the DHA licensing exam and the EMREE residency exam in a line or two, grouped by what you need to do next, and links to a full guide for each. Where a fact is unconfirmed it says so and sends you to the authority.
Which exam or authority applies to me?
Start here if you are not sure which route you are on.
- Do I need DHA or EMREE? DHA licenses clinicians to work in Dubai. EMREE is an entrance exam for doctors seeking residency. See EMREE vs DHA.
- Which authority licenses me? It depends mainly on where you will work. See DHA vs DOH vs MOHAP.
- Which professions have a DHA exam? Several do, but the rules are per title. Check the DHA guideline for yours.
How is the exam built?
Figures below are from DHA's CBT guideline of September 2026 unless we say otherwise.
- How many questions? 150 in 3 hours for a Registered Nurse and General Practice, with fewer for consultants and some allied titles. See DHA nurse facts and exam format.
- What is the pass mark? DHA sets it per title: 50 percent for a Registered Nurse, 60 for General Practice, and 55 to 70 for specialists. See the passing score guide.
- What does EMREE cover? Seven disciplines with published weights. See EMREE weights.
- What does the physician paper cover? See the physician subject map.
How should I plan?
Plans are planning figures, not promises.
- How long should I study? Meddex plans run 4, 8 or 12 weeks, depending on your baseline. See 4, 8 and 12 week plans.
- How do I fit study around shifts? See study plans for working nurses and night shifts.
- When should I book? When your mock scores are steady and no subject lags far behind. See mock tests.
How should I study?
Test yourself, then review.
- How do I read a question? Find the lead-in, then the deciding detail. See reading a nursing stem and single best answer technique.
- How do I learn from mistakes? Keep an error log and use explanations well.
- Are flashcards worth it? They suit facts you must recall. See flashcards vs question banks.
What about exam day and after?
Rules for identification and arrival come from your booking.
- What should I do the day before? See the last 24 hours plan.
- What happens at the test centre? See the test centre day guide.
- What if I do not pass? Follow the rules for retakes set by the authority. See what to do if you fail.
What does this word mean?
Use the glossary for authorities, portals and exam terms. For account, plan and product questions, see the Meddex FAQ.
What we cannot answer yet
Some questions have no confirmed answer on this site. We would rather say so than guess.
- Which of DHA's two result timings applies to you (within 2 working days, or instantly): DHA's own sources disagree.
- Percentage weights per DHA content area: we found none published.
- Fees, dates and waiting times: set by the authority and the test provider, and they change.
- Whether a result is accepted by a particular employer or programme: ask the employer or programme.
- How many unscored questions a paper holds: not confirmed.
How we label answers
Published means the exam body states it and we read it. Reported means secondary sources state it and we could not confirm it. Estimated means a Meddex planning figure. Each guide names its sources at the foot, and the editorial standards page explains the rules we follow. If you spot something outdated, tell us through the contact page and we will check the source. We update a guide only when its content changes, so the last updated date at the foot of each page tells you when we last checked it. If a figure matters to a decision, check the date, then check the authority.
If you only read three guides
Pick the three that match your situation and leave the rest. If you are choosing a route, read DHA vs DOH vs MOHAP and EMREE vs DHA. If you are planning, read how long to prepare. If you have a date, read the last 7 days and the last 24 hours. If you want to test yourself first, take the free assessment and let the result tell you where to begin. The assessment shows where you stand today and is not a prediction of your result. Whatever you choose, come back to the authority’s page for any rule, date or fee, because those are set by the authority and the test provider and can change without notice to us.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general educational guidance, not official advice. Exam rules, fees and timelines are set by the Dubai Health Authority and the test provider and can change, so always confirm the latest details on their official channels.
Last updated .