Medical professional checking DHA exam retake policy, attempt limits, and 45-day waiting period for licensing in Dubai.

DHA Exam Attempt Limits & Retake Policy Explained

For any medical professional to practice in Dubai, understanding the DHA re-take policy, DHA attempt limit, and the overall DHA repeat rules in the Exam is quite crucial. While many candidates often pass on their first try, others take a good number of attempts, which is absolutely normal. However, knowing exactly how many attempts are allowed, the waiting period involved, and when retakes shall not be allowed will help you avoid delays or unnecessary stress in getting your license.

Overview of Attempts Limitations

Clear directives by the Dubai Health Authority outline ways that ensure equal opportunity with the view of maintaining high professional integrity. The DHA exam will be used to assess clinical knowledge, decision-making ability, and readiness for safe practice in the Dubai healthcare system.

Attempt limits exist to:

Safeguard examination integrity
Avoid abuse of the system
Encourage adequate preparation.
Ensure that only competent professionals are licensed with DHA.

Understanding these guidelines helps you to plan your study timeline, know what to expect, and avoid unintentionally violating the rules of the DHA.

Maximum Number of Tries Allowed

According to the DHA exam retake policy, one of the most essential constituents is the fixed limit on attempts.

Maximum attempts allowed: 3 tries

DHA allows candidates to take the exam a maximum of three times only.

After three failed attempts, you cannot continue attempting in the same cycle unless special approval is granted.

Attempt

Status

Notes

1st Attempt

Initial exam

Standard booking

2nd Attempt

First retake

Allowed after mandatory waiting period

3rd Attempt

Final allowed attempt

Must show improved preparation

Mandatory Gap Between Attempts

DHA has a strict waiting period before you can rebook the exam. This ensures that candidates use the time to improve their knowledge instead of repeating without preparation.

✔ Waiting period between attempts: 45 days

You must wait at least 45 days between each attempt.

This applies to:

1st → 2nd attempt
2nd → 3rd attempt

The gap between the two attempts is utilised to revise your weak areas, practice MCQs, and do better preparation.

Failure to adhere to this may result in delays or cancellation of the application.

Resitting Process Explained

It is easy to repeat the DHA exam by following this procedure step-by-step:

Step-by-Step DHA Exam Repeat Process
- Wait 45 days after your failed attempt.
- Log in to your Sheryan account with the DHA portal.
- Go to “Examination” → “Book Exam”
- Choose Prometric as your testing partner
- Select the date, time and test center you want
- Pay the Repeat exam fee
- Get your confirmation email
- Attend the examination with identification and proof of the examination confirmation letter.
This means that if your application has expired during this time, you may need to renew the documents through the portal before booking again.

Fee for Re-take

Every attempt must be paid for separately. DHA does not provide any discounted fees for retakes.

✔ Retake fee range:

From AED 260 to AED 520, depending on the profession and location.

This includes:

Prometric test fee
Scheduling fee
Optional rescheduling fees

If you fail to take your exam or arrive late, you will need to pay the fee again.

Validity of Scores

Your DHA exam result, whether that be a pass or a fail, remains valid for a certain period.

Score validity: 2 years (for passed candidates)

In case of passing the exam and not completing Dataflow or licensing steps, your exam result will remain valid for 24 months.

Validity of failed attempts

Failing sets only your exam status back to zero, and after 45 days, you can reapply.

When Retake Is Not Allowed

There are particular instances when DHA does not allow candidates to attempt the exam again.

❌ You can’t retake the DHA exam in the following case:

You have already used all 3 attempts
Your application to Sheryan has expired and was not renewed.
You have submitted false or forged documents.
You are on a disciplinary ban by DHA or other Gulf licensing body;
Your credentialing or Dataflow report is negative
You no longer qualify due to educational or experience requirements changes.

In rare cases, DHA may block exam access due to policy violations or suspicion of malpractice.

Tips before Reapplying for the DHA Examination

Failing the DHA exam is not the end. Thousands of candidates pass on their second or third try. With the right preparation, you can too.

Here are practical tips to improve your next attempt:

Analyze your weak areas

Review your score report and identify which sections require improvement, such as clinical decision-making, theory, or scenario-based questions.

Take more mock tests.

Mock tests improve speed, accuracy, and exam confidence. They also help you practice question patterns similar to the real exam.

Read DHA-related material

Use updated study guides, updated clinical guidelines, and profession-specific UAE protocols.

Manage time better

Many candidates fail due to poor time management, not lack of knowledge.

Enlist in a training centre

If you struggled in the first two attempts, joining a DHA coaching class can significantly improve your preparation.

Enhancing clinical reasoning

Most questions test real-life scenarios rather than textbook theory.

Don’t rush the next attempt

Use the 45-day gap judiciously to strengthen your concepts.

Keep your papers up to date.

Expired identification or missing experience certificates can delay your rebooking.

Conclusion

Understanding the DHA exam retake policy, DHA attempt limit, and DHA exam repeat rules helps you plan properly and avoid mistakes. You are allowed three attempts, with a mandatory 45-day waiting period between each try. If you prepare strategically and use the gap to study effectively, your chances of passing increase significantly.

Passing the DHA exam opens the doors to excellent career opportunities in Dubai — so stay focused, stay motivated, and use every attempt wisely.