Onterra Tutor🇦🇪 Dubai and UAE healthcare licensing (DHA)
Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who trained outside the UAE and are not native English speakers from an exempt country generally need to prove English proficiency before sitting the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing exam or, for other emirates, the equivalent DOH (Abu Dhabi) or MOHAP pathway. IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no individual skill below 6.0, is the commonly published DHA benchmark; OET grade B is also accepted and is popular with nurses for its clinical content.
The requirement at a glance
| Test accepted | IELTS Academic (or OET, grade B in all sub-tests) |
|---|---|
| DHA benchmark | 6.5 overall, no skill below 6.0 |
| Who needs it | Non-exempt applicants trained outside the UAE, mainly nurses and allied health |
| Where it sits | Before the DHA licensing exam, not a visa requirement on its own |
What people miss
- Nationals and graduates of countries the DHA lists as English-speaking, and graduates of programmes taught entirely in English at an approved institution, may be exempt; check the current exemption list before booking.
- Abu Dhabi's DOH and the federal MOHAP pathway publish similar but not always identical thresholds; confirm the exact figure with the emirate or authority you are licensing through.
- The DHA benchmark is a licensing requirement, separate from whatever English level a hospital or recruiter privately prefers when hiring.
- Results are typically accepted within two years of the licensing application, in line with standard IELTS validity.
Are you already there?
Find out before you pay the exam fee. Check a real essay or record a speaking answer and get examiner-style bands in about a minute, free.
Questions people ask
What IELTS score do I need for DHA licensing in Dubai?
6.5 overall on IELTS Academic, with no skill below 6.0, is the commonly published DHA benchmark for non-exempt applicants. OET grade B in every sub-test is accepted as an alternative.
Is IELTS required for every healthcare job in the UAE?
Only for non-exempt applicants who need to clear the licensing exam. Exemptions exist for certain nationalities and for degrees taught entirely in English at approved institutions, so check the current DHA exemption list first.
Figures reflect commonly published requirements, checked September 2026, and can change. Confirm against the official government or regulator source before you book.