DHA Radiographer Exam 2025 — Complete Guide for Indian and Pakistani Candidates By MedicoHelpKaro.com
Introduction
Every year, thousands of radiographers and radiologic technologists from India and Pakistan dream of working in Dubai. Dubai offers excellent salary packages, world-class hospitals, and a great quality of life. But before you can start working there, you must clear one important step — the DHA Radiographer Exam.
The Dubai Health Authority, commonly known as DHA, is the government body that regulates all healthcare professionals working in Dubai. Whether you are a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or allied health professional, you cannot practice in Dubai without a valid DHA license. For radiographers, this means passing the DHA Radiographer Exam.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this exam — what it covers, how it is structured, which books to study, and how to prepare smartly. If you are planning to appear for this exam, read this guide carefully from beginning to end.
What is the DHA Radiographer Exam?
The DHA Radiographer Exam is a licensing exam conducted by the Dubai Health Authority. It is designed to test whether a radiographer has the knowledge and skills required to work safely and effectively in a clinical setting in Dubai.
The exam is computer-based and consists of multiple choice questions. Each question has four options and you have to choose the correct one. There is no negative marking, so you should attempt every question even if you are not sure about the answer.
Here are the key details of the exam:
- Exam Name: DHA Radiographer Exam
- Category: Allied Health
- Exam Code: RAD5152
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Number of Questions: 150 MCQs
- Exam Fee: USD 240
- Pass Score: 55%
To pass the exam, you need to score at least 55%. This means you must answer at least 83 questions correctly out of 150. Note that the pass score for the Radiographer exam is 55%, which is slightly higher than some other DHA exams like the Registered Nurse exam which requires only 50%. So you need to be well prepared and not leave anything to chance.
Who Can Apply for the DHA Radiographer License?
To apply for the DHA Radiographer license, you must meet certain educational and professional requirements. In general, candidates with the following qualifications are eligible:
- B.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology (MIT)
- B.Sc. in Radiography
- Diploma in Radiography or Radiologic Technology (recognized by DHA)
Indian candidates who have completed their B.Sc. MIT or B.Sc. Radiography from a recognized university are generally eligible to apply. Pakistani candidates with an equivalent qualification can also apply. However, your degree and experience documents must be verified by DHA before you are allowed to book the exam.
The application is done through the DHA Sheryan portal (sheryan.dha.gov.ae). You need to upload your documents, pay the application fee, and wait for eligibility confirmation. Once DHA approves your application, you will receive a login to book your exam slot.
Make sure your documents are complete and correct before applying. Incomplete applications can cause delays.
Exam Coverage — What Topics Are Tested?
The DHA Radiographer exam covers 10 main subjects. All topics are important and you should not ignore any of them. Here is a brief overview of each subject:
1. Patient Management This section covers how to handle patients before, during, and after a radiographic procedure. It includes patient communication, positioning, consent, and care for special patient groups such as children, elderly, and pregnant women.
2. Radiation Protection This is one of the most important and heavily tested topics in the exam. It covers the principles of radiation safety, dose limits, ALARA principle, protective equipment, and radiation monitoring. You must have a strong understanding of this topic.
3. X-ray and CT This section tests your knowledge of conventional X-ray techniques, computed tomography (CT) scanning, image quality, exposure factors, and common pathologies seen on X-ray and CT images.
4. Health and Safety This covers general health and safety regulations in a radiology department. It includes infection control, handling of contrast media, emergency procedures, and safe use of equipment.
5. Ultrasound and MRI This section covers the basics of ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. You should know the physics behind these modalities, their clinical applications, and safety considerations — especially MRI safety for patients with implants.
6. Nuclear Medicine Nuclear medicine is a specialized area that uses radioactive tracers to diagnose and treat diseases. Questions in this section cover radiopharmaceuticals, PET scans, SPECT imaging, and radiation safety in nuclear medicine settings.
7. Operation of Equipment This section tests your practical knowledge of radiographic equipment — how X-ray machines, CT scanners, and other imaging equipment work, how to operate them, and basic troubleshooting.
8. Fluoroscopy Fluoroscopy is a real-time X-ray technique used for procedures like barium studies and cardiac catheterization. You should know the indications, technique, and radiation safety aspects of fluoroscopy.
9. General Anatomy, Patient Safety, Professionalism and Ethics This is a broad section that covers human anatomy relevant to radiography, patient safety principles, professional conduct, and ethical responsibilities of a radiographer.
10. Procedure Management This section covers how radiographic procedures are planned, performed, and documented. It also includes quality assurance and quality control in a radiology department.
Official Reference Books Recommended by DHA
DHA has provided an official list of reference books for the Radiographer exam. You do not need to read all of them completely, but you should use them as your primary study material. Here is the full list:
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Bontrager's Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy — John Lampignano and Leslie E. Kendrick, Mosby Publisher, 9th Edition, 2017. ISBN: 9780323399661
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Introduction to Radiologic and Imaging Sciences and Patient Care — Arlene M. Adler and Richard R. Carlton, Saunders Publisher, 6th Edition, 2015. ISBN: 978-0323315791
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Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography — Sherer, Visconti et al., Mosby, 8th Edition, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-323-44666-2
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MRI in Practice — Westbrook C. and Talbot J.
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Gurley's Introduction to Radiologic Technology
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X-Ray Technician (Passbooks) — Career Examination Passbooks
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CT and MRI Pathology: A Pocket Atlas
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Radiographic and Angiographic Procedures with an Introduction to Specialized Imaging — FA Davis
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Nuclear Medicine Technology: Procedures and Quick Reference — Pete Shackett, Third Edition, 2019
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MRI in Practice — Catherine Westbrook
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Health Professions Council (HPC) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics — London: HPC, 2019
Which books should you focus on?
If you have limited time, focus on these three books first:
- Bontrager's for X-ray positioning and anatomy — this is the most important book for the exam
- Sherer's Radiation Protection — radiation protection questions are very common
- Westbrook's MRI in Practice — covers MRI and ultrasound concepts clearly
Once you are done with these, use Gurley's and the Passbooks for additional MCQ practice and revision.
How to Prepare for the DHA Radiographer Exam
Preparing for the DHA Radiographer exam requires a structured study plan. Here is a simple and effective approach:
Step 1 — Understand the syllabus Before you open any book, go through the list of 10 topics carefully. Understand what each topic covers. This will help you study with direction and avoid wasting time on irrelevant material.
Step 2 — Study topic by topic Do not try to study everything at once. Take one topic at a time. Start with Radiation Protection as it is the highest-yield topic. Then move to X-ray and CT, followed by Patient Management and Anatomy.
Step 3 — Read the reference books selectively You do not need to read every chapter of every book. Focus on the chapters that match the DHA syllabus. For example, in Bontrager's, focus on positioning of major body parts. In Sherer's, focus on dose limits and protective measures.
Step 4 — Practice MCQs daily MCQ practice is the most important part of your preparation. Start practicing topic-wise MCQs after you finish studying each subject. Aim for at least 50 questions per day. As the exam date approaches, start solving full-length mock tests of 150 questions within 3 hours.
Step 5 — Revise regularly Do not just study and move on. Set aside time every week to revise what you have already studied. Make short notes or flashcards for important facts, formulas, and dose limits.
Step 6 — Give yourself enough time Do not rush your preparation. Give yourself at least 8 weeks of dedicated study before the exam. If you are working full-time, 10 to 12 weeks is a safer timeline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many candidates fail the DHA exam not because they lack knowledge, but because of poor preparation strategy. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Ignoring Nuclear Medicine and Fluoroscopy thinking they are small topics
- Not practicing MCQs regularly and relying only on reading
- Studying from too many books instead of mastering a few
- Not managing time well during the exam — spend no more than 1.2 minutes per question
- Skipping ethics and professionalism questions assuming they are easy
Final Words
The DHA Radiographer Exam is your gateway to a rewarding career in Dubai. The exam is challenging but very much passable with the right preparation. The syllabus is clearly defined, the reference books are available, and the pass score — while 55% — is achievable with consistent effort.
At MedicoHelpKaro, we are committed to helping Indian and Pakistani allied health professionals achieve their Gulf career goals. We provide topic-wise MCQ banks, concise study notes, and exam strategy guides designed specifically for the DHA Radiographer exam.
Start your preparation today. Dubai is waiting for you.
Visit us at medicohelpkaro.com
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