Continuous Professional Education for DHA Healthcare Professionals — How to collect CPD points?
If you’re a healthcare professional working under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), you’ve probably heard about CME or CPD points — those little numbers that keep your professional license active and valid.When I first started my DHA journey, the term “CPD points” sounded a bit complicated. But once I understood it, it made perfect sense — it’s simply DHA’s way of helping us stay updated, confident, and competent in what we do.Let’s talk about it in a simple and easy-to-understand way
What is CPD or CME?
CPD (Continuous Professional Development) or CME (Continuing Medical Education) means continuous learning.It’s how DHA ensures that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and all other healthcare professionals keep improving their skills, learning new methods, and staying aware of global medical updates.
And yes — if you’re planning to renew your DHA license, earning CPD points is mandatory. No CPD, no renewal!
Why CPD Points Are Important
Your DHA license renewal depends on your annual CPD completion.Without enough CPD points, your license cannot be renewed or stay active.
Think of it like fueling your professional growth — each CPD point keeps your practice updated, safe, and in line with international healthcare standards.
How CPD Points Are Divided
DHA divides your learning activities into two main areas:
70% — must be in your professional specialty (related to your specific field).
30% — can be in general professional development (communication, leadership, safety, etc.).
This ensures you develop both technical expertise and professional growth.
Where and How to Get CPD Points
Now the big question — where can you actually earn CPD points?When it was my turn to collect cpd points for the renewal of my license i struggled a lot .Here’s the good news: you can earn 100% of your CPD points online or through recognized programs!
Let’s go through the most common ways:
- Online CPD / CME Platforms
You can register on DHA-approved or internationally accredited platforms such as:
Medscape, BMJ Learning, Omnicuris, MenaME-CME, Elsevier CME, Malaffi Learning, and others.
These sites offer accredited online courses, webinars, and e-modules with certificates you can upload to DHA’s Sheryan portal.
2. Medical Journals & E-Learning
Reading and summarizing peer-reviewed medical journals or completing online learning quizzes also counts toward CPD points.
Platforms like BMJ Learning or Medscape Education automatically issue certificates after completion. - Conferences, Webinars & Workshops
Attend DHA-approved conferences or workshops, either in person or online.Hospitals, universities, and medical associations across the UAE regularly organize accredited CME events. - Clinical Certifications (Extra CPD Points!)
Here’s something many professionals don’t realize .You can also earn CPD points from clinical and emergency certifications, such as:
BLS (Basic Life Support)-AHA/ASHI-3.5 POINTS
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)-AHA/ASHI-10 CPD POINTS
First Aid & CPR
PALS, NRP, Infection Control, and other clinical training courses
These are considered accredited continuing education activities, and you can upload the certificates to your Sheryan account for CPD credit.Not only do they add value to your profile, but they also strengthen your readiness in emergency situations.
- In-House Hospital Training
Many hospitals and clinics conduct DHA-approved internal training programs.Check with your facility’s education or HR department — these sessions often provide free CPD points.
- DHA Sheryan Portal
After completing any accredited activity, log in to your DHA Sheryan account
and upload your certificates.This ensures your CPD points are recorded and visible during license renewal.
Annual CPD Point Requirements
Profession Annual CPD Points
Physicians / Dentists 40 points
Nurses 20 points
Pharmacists 20 points
Allied Health Professionals 10 points
T&CM (Traditional & Complementary Medicine)10 points
CPD Points and License Validity-Your CPD activities should match your license validity ,make sure to complete your annual points before renewal time. It means you can only earn points while your DHA license is active.
For example:
If your license is valid from January 2024 to January 2026,
CPD points earned within this period count toward renewal.
Any points from before 2024 or after 2026 won’t be accepted.
It’s not a mandatory period set by DHA — but your CPD certificates must be dated within your license validity to be counted for renewal.So always check your certificate dates before uploading them to Sheryan!
What Happens If You Don’t Upload Your CPD Points?
If you don’t upload your CPD certificates to your DHA Sheryan account before your license renewal: DHA won’t be able to verify your CPD points. Your license renewal may be delayed or rejected. You might have to complete extra CPD points or resubmit certificates, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
Tip: Always upload your CPD points as soon as you earn them. This ensures DHA can verify them in time and keeps your license renewal smooth.