DHA · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026
DHA Nursing Licensing Exam (Dubai)
Exam-aligned nursing prep covering the full clinical core the DHA Prometric exam tests, plus DHA-specific scope-of-practice and licensing guidance, in focused 15-minute topics built for retention.
- Questions
- 200 MCQs
- Time limit
- 240 minutes (divided into two 120-minute blocks)
- Passing score
- 50% for Registered Nurses / 45% for Assistant Nurses
- Cost
- USD 240 (typically ranges from USD 180 to USD 300 depending on exact category)
- Format
- Multiple-choice
- Delivery
- Computer-Based Testing (CBT) administered via Prometric
- Calculator
- Virtual in-built calculator provided where required
- Prep time
- ~200 hours
Exam overview
The DHA Nursing Licensing Exam is a crucial assessment for registered and assistant nurses aspiring to practice within the health ecosystem of Dubai. Administered as a computer-based test via Prometric, this examination evaluates your foundational clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and adherence to evidence-based healthcare practices. The comprehensive testing blueprint spans critical areas including basic nursing fundamentals, adult and pediatric medical-surgical care, and frontline nursing management. Candidates are tested on their ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical, patient-centered scenarios. To streamline your exam preparation, Only Ever maps every domain to 15-minute study topics, allowing you to master complex clinical guidelines and nursing models incrementally. This highly organized framework helps you focus your study hours effectively, ensuring you comprehensively cover priority areas such as adult nursing and maternal-child health before test day.
Exam domains & weighting
Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.
How to study this domain
Focus heavily on the spectrum of basic human needs and core physical assessment techniques. Review essential pharmacological principles, including pharmacokinetics and medication administration safety, alongside foundational basic sciences like anatomy and physiology.
Key objectives
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Physical Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Basic Sciences
Readiness self-check
Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- The exam includes a scheduled 30-minute break between the two 120-minute testing blocks.
- Up to 10% of the total examination questions may be unscored pilot items used for future test development.
- Testing blocks are strictly timed; once a block begins, the timer runs continuously even if you take an unscheduled break.
- Candidates are monitored continuously via audio and visual recording by Test Center Administrators.
- You must present an acceptable, unexpired form of identification matching your scheduling permit exactly to be admitted to the test center.
Reading isn’t remembering.
Most DHA prep is generic question dumps that ignore Dubai's licensing process and the scope-of-practice rules the Dubai Health Authority expects nurses to know.
Only Ever pairs a complete clinical nursing core with DHA-specific regulatory guidance, structured into 15-minute topics designed for long-term retention.