UAE MEDICAL LICENSING
DHA, DOH & MOHAP
Licensing Tiers Explained
Understanding which tier you qualify for — Resident, Specialist or Consultant — is the most critical step in your UAE licensing journey. This page explains all three authorities and their tier structures.
Get a Free Tier Assessment →The Three UAE Health Authorities
Each Emirate falls under a specific licensing authority. Your target Emirate determines which authority you apply to.
DHA
Dubai Health Authority
Licenses all physicians practising in the Emirate of Dubai — in government hospitals, private clinics and free zones including DHCC (Dubai Healthcare City).
- ✅ Dubai government hospitals
- ✅ Private clinics & polyclinics
- ✅ Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
- ✅ Telemedicine (DHA)
DOH
Department of Health — Abu Dhabi
Regulates all healthcare professionals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including SEHA hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and all private sector facilities.
- ✅ SEHA government hospitals
- ✅ Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
- ✅ Al Ain & Al Dhafra facilities
- ✅ All Abu Dhabi private clinics
MOHAP
Ministry of Health & Prevention
Federal authority covering Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain — plus federal government hospitals across all Emirates.
- ✅ Sharjah, Ajman, RAK
- ✅ Fujairah & UAQ
- ✅ Federal government hospitals
- ✅ Ministry-approved clinics
DHA Licensing Tiers
The Dubai Health Authority classifies physicians into three tiers based on qualifications, specialty training and years of experience.
Resident (GP)
General Practitioner / Entry-Level
- 📚 MBBS, MD or equivalent
- 📋 Completed internship year
- ⏱ 0–3 years post-graduation
- 🎯 No specialty board required
- 📝 Prometric MCQ exam required
- 🔍 DataFlow verification required
Specialist
Board-Certified Specialty Physician
- 📚 MBBS/MD + postgraduate specialty
- 📋 Specialty board certification
- ⏱ Minimum 4 years post-board
- 🎯 Active specialty practice
- 📝 Prometric exam (specialty MCQ)
- 🔍 DataFlow + board verification
Consultant
Senior Specialist / Consultant
- 📚 MBBS/MD + fellowship / FRCS / FACP
- 📋 Senior board / fellowship credential
- ⏱ Minimum 8–10 years post-board
- 🎯 Evidence of senior clinical roles
- 📝 Portfolio review (no exam often)
- 🔍 DataFlow + fellowship verification
DOH Licensing Tiers (Abu Dhabi)
The Abu Dhabi Department of Health uses similar tier categories with specific credential requirements.
🟢 Resident
General practitioners and recently graduated physicians. Requires MBBS/MD, completed internship and Prometric exam. Suitable for polyclinics and general practice roles across Abu Dhabi.
🔵 Specialist
Specialty-trained physicians with postgraduate qualifications and board certification. Minimum 4 years post-board experience. Prometric specialty exam required. Eligible for SEHA and private hospitals.
🟣 Consultant
Senior specialists with fellowship credentials (FRCS, FACP, FRCOG, etc.) and extensive clinical leadership experience. Typically 10+ years post-board. Portfolio review process, exam may be waived.
MOHAP Licensing Tiers (5 Emirates)
MOHAP operates a four-tier structure for physician licensing across Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
| MOHAP Tier | Qualification | Experience | Exam Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | MBBS/MD + Internship | 0–3 years | Prometric MCQ | Entry level, general practice |
| Specialist | Postgrad + Board Cert. | 4+ years post-board | Prometric (specialty) | Most common tier for trained specialists |
| Senior Specialist | Postgrad + Senior Board | 8+ years post-board | Portfolio review | Advanced specialists, may skip exam |
| Consultant | Fellowship (FRCS/FACP/etc.) | 10+ years post-board | Usually exempt | Department head / senior clinical lead |
Mandatory Requirements for All Tiers
DataFlow Verification
Primary source verification of all credentials through DataFlow Group — mandatory for every tier and every authority. Takes 4–8 weeks.
Prometric Exam
Required for Resident and Specialist tiers across all three authorities. Computer-based MCQ exam in English. Consultant tier may be exempt.
Good Standing Certificate
Issued by the medical council or licensing authority of every country where you have held a medical license. Must be current (within 6 months).
Degree Attestation
Medical degree must be attested by the relevant ministry of education and UAE embassy in your home country, or via apostille where applicable.
Experience Letters
Official employment letters from all previous hospitals and clinics confirming your position, specialty and dates of service.
Medical Fitness & DLD
Medical fitness test and Drug & Alcohol (DLD) test completed at an approved UAE government health centre — required before license issuance.
Not Sure Which Tier You Qualify For?
Book a free 30-minute assessment with our licensing team. We review your credentials and tell you exactly which tier and authority is right for you.
