A Guide to the DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam 2025
A Guide to the DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam 2025
Dubai’s reputation as a global center for luxury, innovation, and premier healthcare has created a significant demand for highly skilled dermatologists. The city’s discerning patient population seeks the latest advancements in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, making it a highly attractive destination for specialists. To ensure the highest standards of care, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires all dermatologists to pass a rigorous specialist licensing exam. This is a comprehensive, high-stakes assessment designed to validate a specialist’s in-depth knowledge, diagnostic skills, and clinical judgment.
The DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam is not a general medical test; it is a deep dive into the full spectrum of the specialty. It is composed entirely of case-based Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) that will challenge your ability to diagnose rare genodermatoses, formulate management plans for complex inflammatory conditions, interpret dermatopathology slides, and manage complications from cosmetic procedures. Success requires a preparation strategy that is as nuanced and detailed as the specialty itself, focusing on the latest international guidelines and evidence-based practices.
This ultimate 2025 guide is your definitive blueprint for conquering the DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam. We will provide a meticulous breakdown of the exam’s pattern and a high-yield overview of the key syllabus domains. This is followed by a collection of realistic, exam-style MCQs with detailed, evidence-based rationales to hone your critical thinking. Finally, a comprehensive 10-point FAQ section will demystify the entire process, empowering you with the confidence and knowledge to pass on your first attempt and secure your DHA license.
Key Takeaways for the DHA Dermatology Exam
- It’s a Visual and Analytical Exam: Be prepared to make diagnoses based on detailed clinical descriptions and images.
- Guideline-Driven Management is Key: Your answers for conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and melanoma must reflect the latest international guidelines.
- Master Dermatopathology: A solid understanding of basic dermatopathology is essential for diagnosing tumors and inflammatory conditions.
- Cosmetic and Surgical Dermatology are High-Yield: Expect numerous questions on procedures, lasers, and the management of their complications.
- Specialty-Specific MCQs are Non-Negotiable: Your preparation must be centered on a question bank designed for a board-level dermatology exam, not a general medical QBank.
Deconstructing the DHA Dermatology Exam: Pattern and Syllabus
A successful study plan begins with a clear understanding of the exam’s architecture. The exam follows the standardized Prometric format for DHA specialty exams, a critical component of your overall DHA Prometric exam preparation strategy.
Core Exam Framework
- Administrator: Prometric
- Format: Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 100% MCQs, many of which may be image-based.
- Structure: Typically 150 MCQs.
- Duration: Typically 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Scoring: A Pass/Fail result is provided. The unofficial passing score is estimated to be in the 65-70% range, reflecting the advanced knowledge required. There is no negative marking.
High-Yield Dermatology Syllabus Breakdown
The exam covers the entire breadth of dermatology. A strategic plan focuses on these core domains.
| Dermatology Domain | High-Yield Topics and Key Concepts for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Medical Dermatology | ~40-50%: This is the largest domain. It includes papulosquamous diseases (psoriasis, lichen planus), eczematous dermatitis (atopic, contact), bullous diseases (pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid), connective tissue diseases (lupus, scleroderma), infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), acne, rosacea, and hair/nail disorders. Management with systemic agents and biologics is a key focus. |
| Surgical Dermatology & Oncology | ~20-25%: Diagnosis and management of skin cancers (BCC, SCC, melanoma), including staging and treatment options (Mohs surgery, excision). Principles of local anesthesia, wound closure, and skin flaps/grafts. Pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratosis). |
| Cosmetic & Procedural Dermatology | ~15-20%: This is a very high-yield area for the DHA exam. Principles and applications of lasers (hair removal, resurfacing, vascular). Botulinum toxin and soft tissue fillers (hyaluronic acid), including facial anatomy, injection techniques, and management of complications (e.g., vascular occlusion). Chemical peels and microneedling. |
| Dermatopathology & Basic Science | ~10-15%: Ability to recognize classic histopathologic features of common conditions (e.g., psoriasis, lichen planus, BCC, melanoma). Understanding of skin structure, immunology, and molecular pathways relevant to dermatologic diseases. |
| Pediatric Dermatology | ~5-10%: Diagnosis and management of common pediatric conditions like atopic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, hemangiomas, and genodermatoses (e.g., neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis). |
High-Yield DHA Dermatology MCQs: Free Practice Questions
This collection of MCQs is designed to simulate the high-level clinical reasoning required for the DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam. Analyze each case and rationale to master the application of your knowledge. For comprehensive preparation, a dedicated bank of Dermatology MCQs is your most essential tool.
Question 1: Medical Dermatology (Psoriasis)
A 45-year-old man with a 10-year history of severe plaque psoriasis covering 25% of his body surface area has failed to respond adequately to topical corticosteroids and phototherapy. He has no other significant medical history. According to current international guidelines, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
- Acitretin
- Methotrexate
- An IL-17 inhibitor such as secukinumab
- Oral prednisone
Correct Answer: C (An IL-17 inhibitor such as secukinumab)
Rationale: This question tests your knowledge of the modern, guideline-based management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. For patients who have failed or are not candidates for topical therapy and phototherapy, systemic therapy is indicated. While traditional systemic agents like methotrexate and acitretin are options, biologic agents are now often preferred due to their high efficacy and targeted mechanism of action, especially for severe disease. The IL-17 pathway is a key driver of psoriatic inflammation, and inhibitors like secukinumab and ixekizumab have demonstrated superior efficacy (e.g., high rates of PASI 90/100) compared to older agents. Given the severity and failure of other treatments, initiating a highly effective biologic is the most appropriate next step.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Acitretin is a systemic retinoid that is effective for psoriasis but is teratogenic and has a less favorable efficacy profile compared to modern biologics.
B: Methotrexate is a valid systemic option, but biologic agents are often preferred for severe disease due to their better efficacy and safety profile in many patients.
D: Systemic corticosteroids like prednisone are generally contraindicated for the long-term management of plaque psoriasis as they can cause a severe rebound flare upon withdrawal.
Question 2: Surgical Dermatology & Oncology
A biopsy of a pigmented lesion on the back of a 55-year-old man reveals a superficial spreading melanoma with a Breslow depth of 0.6 mm, no ulceration, and a mitotic rate of 0/mm². According to the latest AJCC staging guidelines, what is the most appropriate management?
- Topical imiquimod cream
- Wide local excision with 1 cm clinical margins and a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- Wide local excision with 1 cm clinical margins without a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- Mohs micrographic surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This question assesses your knowledge of melanoma management based on staging. The primary treatment for an in-situ or thin invasive melanoma is surgical excision with clear margins. For a melanoma with a Breslow depth of less than 0.8 mm (this patient’s is 0.6 mm) without ulceration or other adverse features, the standard of care is a wide local excision with 1 cm clinical margins. A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is generally not recommended for thin melanomas (<0.8 mm) as the risk of nodal metastasis is extremely low (<5%), and the procedure carries its own morbidity without a proven survival benefit in this population.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Topical therapies are not appropriate for invasive melanoma.
B: The SLNB is not indicated for this low-risk, thin melanoma.
D: Mohs surgery is typically reserved for melanomas in cosmetically sensitive or anatomically constrained areas (like the face) to ensure margin clearance while preserving tissue; it is not the standard first-line approach for a melanoma on the back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the DHA Dermatology Exam
The official result is Pass/Fail. While the DHA does not publish an exact percentage, the accepted unofficial passing score for specialist exams is estimated to be around 65% to 70%, reflecting the advanced level of knowledge required. For a general overview, you can review our guide on DHA exam passing scores.
The core clinical content is very similar, as both are based on international, evidence-based standards and major textbooks (e.g., Bolognia, Andrews’). The DHA exam may have a slightly stronger emphasis on procedural and cosmetic dermatology, given the patient demographics and practice trends in Dubai.
The cornerstones of your preparation should be the major dermatology textbooks (Bolognia’s *Dermatology* is essential), the latest clinical guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and, most critically, a high-quality, image-rich question bank designed for dermatology board review.
It is very important. You will not be expected to have the knowledge of a fellowship-trained dermatopathologist, but you must be able to recognize the classic histopathologic features of common inflammatory dermatoses, benign and malignant neoplasms. You should be able to correlate the clinical picture with the microscopic findings.
Yes, you can expect questions on major genodermatoses (e.g., Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous Sclerosis, Epidermolysis Bullosa). The questions will likely focus on recognizing the classic clinical signs and understanding the associated systemic manifestations.
Yes, Primary Source Verification (PSV) by DataFlow is a mandatory step for all specialists. Your medical degree, specialty qualification (e.g., residency certificate), and board certification must be verified before your final DHA license can be issued.
Common pitfalls include underestimating the breadth of knowledge required (especially in basic science and dermatopathology), not being up-to-date with the latest biologics and systemic agents, and insufficient practice with high-quality, image-based MCQs.
No, the exam uses only generic (international non-proprietary) names for all medications (e.g., “isotretinoin,” not “Accutane”; “adalimumab,” not “Humira”).
Focus on the principles, not just the procedures. Understand laser physics and tissue interactions. Know your facial anatomy, especially the “danger zones” for fillers and neurotoxins. Most importantly, study the diagnosis and management of complications, as these are frequently tested.
The final month should be dedicated to intensive MCQ practice and consolidating your knowledge. Do timed blocks of questions daily. Spend significant time reviewing images of classic dermatologic conditions and their corresponding dermatopathology. Take at least two full-length mock exams to simulate the real test.
Conclusion: Your Path to a Dermatology Career in Dubai
The DHA Dermatology Specialist Exam is a comprehensive and challenging assessment designed to certify dermatologists who can provide the highest level of care. It is a test that rewards deep, guideline-based knowledge and sharp clinical acumen across the full spectrum of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. By dedicating yourself to a structured study plan centered on the latest evidence and intensive practice with high-quality, case-based MCQs, you can master the material and pass with confidence. Success on this exam is your definitive step to joining the ranks of elite specialists in one of the world’s most exciting cities.
Ready to Master Dermatology and Ace Your DHA Exam?
Our comprehensive Dermatology MCQ package is filled with high-yield clinical vignettes, classic images, and guideline-based rationales designed to cover the entire DHA syllabus and ensure your success.
