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The Ministry of Health and Prevention licensing process ensures that medical practitioners meet all the educational and professional requirements listed on the MOHAP official portal. The MOHAP license application process involves creating an account on the MOHAP portal, submitting documents, completing Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow, and paying the medical license application fee.
Licensing requirements differ for general practitioners, specialists, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals. For instance, some healthcare professionals are required to attend oral assessments in addition to written medical license exams. Once you get a license, you must activate the MOHAP medical license through their respective healthcare facilities so that you can practice in that medical facility.
The MOHAP license is valid for one year, and professionals must renew their license annually at least three months before the expiry date, as per MOHAP regulations. To convert an MOH license into a DHA or DOH medical license, get a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from the MOHAP portal, link the existing PSV reports with the respective authority DataFlow, start the license conversion application from the respective authority portal, and pay the license conversion fees.
What is the MOH license in the UAE?
The MOH license is a legal document or permit issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention under Federal Law No. 5 of 1984, as amended, to permit healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health experts, to provide medical services legally within the UAE.
This license applies mainly to the Northern Emirates, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The primary purpose of an MOH license is to ensure healthcare quality across the UAE by enforcing licensing standards, verifying qualifications, and authorizing only approved professionals to treat patients, thereby protecting public health and patient safety.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the MOH License in the UAE?
The eligibility criteria for the MOH license include having a PSV-verified medical degree, clinical experience, a medical license from the native country, and the MOH exam fee. Three authorities are involved in the MOHAP licensure process. These include the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Prometric Exam Authority, and the Data Flow Group.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) sets standards for licensing, the Prometric Exam Authority conducts and evaluates the medical exam, and Dataflow verifies educational and experience documents before the test.
The eligibility criteria for the MOH license are listed below:
- Medical degrees like MBBS, BDS, Bachelor of Pharmacy, or Bachelor of Nursing.
- Internship Certificate.
- Two years of clinical experience for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, and three to four years of clinical experience for specialists and consultants.
- Valid medical practice license from the native country.
- Good Standing Certificate (GSC), which should be valid for a minimum of six months.
- Data flow Primary Source Verification (PSV) of the educational and professional documents.
- Passport copy.
- Colored photograph
- Medical Fitness Test for medical professionals above 65.
- English language proficiency certificate.
- Prometric MOH test fees start from AED 477 ($130).
How to check the eligibility for an MOH License?
To check MOH license eligibility, you can use two methods, including the MOHAP self-assessment tool or manually review you eligability. Log in through UAE Pass, upload certificates and dataflow reports, and receive an evaluation certificate. If unsatisfied, request a manual review for registration eligibility confirmation
MOHAP Self-Assessment Tool
To use the assessment tool, First of all, log in to the MOHAP official portal with the UAE pass and navigate to the Healthcare Professional Evaluation section. Select the professional category and provide all the professional certificates, educational certificates, and Data flow reports. MOHAP will show your eligibility through the evaluation certificate when you apply.
Manual Review Process for Registration Eligibility
Healthcare professionals who are not satisfied with the results of the MOHAP self-assessment tool can review their eligibility manually by following the steps given below:
- Log in to the MOHAP official portal and navigate to the Manual Review section.
- Complete the application with personal details like name, contact information, and nationality.
- Select the medical profession and write a detailed description of the profession and qualifications.
- Upload the educational certificates, medical licenses, experience letters, and Good Standing Certificate (GSC).
- Pay the manual review fee that starts from AED 100, which varies for different medical professions.
MOHAP takes some days to review the documents manually. They ask for interviews and Primary Source Verification of documents in this process, if required. MOHAP sends an eligibility letter if you are eligible for the MOH license.
What are the Requirements for an MOH License?
The requirements for an MOH license are verified medical degrees, application and license fees, clinical experience, and medical license tests, as mentioned on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
Healthcare professionals cannot get the MOHAP medical license without fulfilling all these requirements. The MOHAP requires all educational and professional documents to be verified through the Primary Source Verification.
- Educational documents – MBBS for doctors, BDS for dentists, or BSc Nursing for nurses
- Professional documents – job offer, employment contract, valid passport
- Experience certificates – two years for general practitioners or nurses, three years for specialists
- Medical license tests – Prometric exam for doctors and nurses
- Application and license fees – AED 100 application fee, AED 3,000 license fee for doctors
- Facility requirements – registered legal entity, approved clinic location, licensed staff
What are the required documents forthe MOH Application?
The documents for the MOHAP license vary for every healthcare professional. But the general professional requirements include the following:
- Passport
- Introductory Statement
- Insurance against medical errors
- Experience certificate
- Official job offer
- Copy of a valid passport
- Passport-sized photos
- Valid residence permit
- Valid Emirates ID
What is the application process for the MOH license?
A step-by-step process for healthcare professionals to obtain the MOH license application in the UAE. The MOH license application process involves the following steps:
- Sign in to the MOHAP Portal
- Initiate the Application
- Upload Required Documents
- Facility Review and Referral
- MOHAP Application Review
- Complete Fee Payment
- Attend the Oral Assessment and Medical License Test (If Applicable)
- Receive and Activate Your MOHAP License
MOH License Tests
Medical professionals require an oral assessment certificate or passing the MOH medical license tests, except for those who are exempted. The Ministry of Health notifies the healthcare professionals on the MOHAP accounts of the medical professionals if they require oral assessment or medical license tests.
You can give 3 attempts, and if you aren’t able to pass the test within those attempts, you can appear in the last and final attempt in any other emirate authority test.
How Much Is the MOH License Fee?
The MOH license cost ranges from AED 1,662 to AED 2,212, depending on the healthcare profession.
Please note:
- The Primary Source Verification (PSV) fee listed below typically covers the standard required documents only.
- If additional documents need to be verified during the PSV process, each additional document may cost up to AED 400.
- Additional legalization, notarization, or certified translation (if documents are not in English or Arabic) may incur extra charges.
The standard fees listed on the MOHAP official portal are outlined below.
General Practitioners & Specialist Physicians
The MOH license fee for General Practitioners and Specialist Physicians is AED 2,212.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 2,212 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235* |
* Additional documents required for PSV may cost up to AED 400 per document, plus any applicable legalization or translation fees.
Consultant Physicians
The MOH license fee for Consultant Physicians is AED 1,735.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 1,735 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235* |
* Additional PSV documents may cost up to AED 400 per document, plus legalization or translation if required.
General & Specialist Dentists
The MOH license fee for General and Specialist Dentists is AED 2,212.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 2,212 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235* |
* Additional documents required during PSV may cost up to AED 400 per document, plus any required legalization or certified translation.
Pharmacists
The MOH license fee for Pharmacists is AED 1,662.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 1,662 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 935* |
* Any additional document verification during PSV may cost up to AED 400 per document, in addition to legalization or translation fees if applicable.
Registered Nurses & Midwives
The total MOH license fee for Registered Nurses and Midwives is AED 1,962.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 1,962 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235* |
* Additional PSV verification documents may cost up to AED 400 per document, plus any required legalization or translation.
Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Radiographers, etc.)
The total MOH license fee for Allied Health Professionals ranges between AED 1,662 and AED 1,962, depending on the specific profession.
| Category | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Total License Fee | AED 1,662 – AED 1,962 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 935 – AED 1,235* |
* If additional documents must be verified in the PSV process, each may cost up to AED 400, and legalization or certified translation may incur further charges.
How much time is required to get an MOH license?
To obtain an MOH license, it takes 2 to 3 months. This time varies depending on the type of medical license, the condition of the applicant, and specific requirements depending on the country. The process of obtaining an MOH license in the UAE involves several steps, each step taking a different amount of time, as mentioned below:
- The MOHAP reviews and evaluates the application and documents within 5 working days, as mentioned on the official portal of MOHAP.
- The data flow takes 6 to 12 weeks in the Primary Source Verification (PSV) of educational and professional documents.
- The scheduling of medical license tests is not fixed, as it depends on availability. The result comes immediately within 24 hours.
- The MOHAP issues licenses within 2 working days, according to the MOHAP official portal.
How to Renew an MOH License?
To renew an MOH license, fill out the license renewal application form on the MOHAP official portal, submit the required documents, and pay the necessary fees. Renewal of an MOH license is compulsory in the UAE every year, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention. You can renew an MOH license by following the steps listed below:
- Log in to your account on the MOHAP official website or app with the help of a UAE authentication pass.
- Open the license renewal section and fill out the license renewal application form with the correct information.
- Submit all the required documents, including the following:
- Recent Continuous Medical Education (CME) (40)
- Valid Insurance Against Medical Faults
- Valid Labor Card
- Valid National Identity Card
- Valid Visa Copy
- Recent Medical Report for those above 60.
- Pay the application and license renewal fees.
- AED 3000 for Doctors.
- AED 1000 for Nurses.
- AED 3000 for Dentists
When the application is submitted, documents are uploaded, and fees are paid, the MOHAP will process the application and send a renewed license through email.
How to Convert an MOH License?
To convert an MOH license into other medical licenses, such as the DHA and DOH medical licenses, you have to create an account on the official portal of the respective authority, upload the required documents on the data flow for Primary Source Verification (PSV), pay the license transfer fees, and wait for the license transfer in the respective type of license.
It is compulsory to have a medical license from the respective authority to practice as a medical professional, as per Article 4 of Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists. That’s why healthcare professionals with a license from one authority can convert into other healthcare license types.
Expert tips to get an MOH License in the UAE
To get an MOH license without rejection and delays, confirm your eligibility through the MOHAP self-assessment tool, complete all the required documents, apply for the license through the MOHAP official portal, start the Data flow Primary Source Verification of documents, pass the Prometric MOH license exam, and pay all the license fees in compliance with the DHA manual for licensing.
The process of getting an MOH license can become easier if you follow the tips given below:
Choosing the right pathway based on qualifications
The medical professions, such as general physicians, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists, have a different pathway to get an MOH medical license. They need to check the requirements from the MOHAP official portal for their profession and fulfill them accordingly.
Ensuring all required documents are ready
The process of getting an MOH license becomes easy if you have all the required documents. All the required documents are mentioned on the official portal of the MOHAP’s official website. Missing any of the mentioned documents results in the delay or rejection of a medical license.
Meeting exam and training requirements efficiently
Every type of medical professional needs to pass a different MOH exam. They vary in their format, syllabus, and preparation materials. Healthcare professionals should consult the MOHAP directly to get up-to-date information about the MOHAP medical license test.
The training requirements for an MOHAP medical license also vary with the type of medical profession that is mentioned on the MOHAP official portal. The applicants must fulfill the exam and training requirements to get the MOHAP medical license.
MOH License Consultancy in the UAE
As a medical professional, if you are trying to get a medical license in the UAE but are not sure where to start, it’s a common struggle. Most of the healthcare professionals we’ve worked with get stuck at different steps; some fail the MOH exam, some fail to fulfill the criteria, and a few just miss small but important details in the paperwork.
As an MOH License Consultancy in the UAE, we provide a detailed overview of what to do and how to do it to complete the process quickly and with minimal expense. In short, we help you get the process done the right way, from step one to the final stage of license approval.
FAQS:
Below are the frequently asked questions our experts encounter throughout the consultancy
Can a MOH license permit you to work in all seven emirates of the UAE?
Not fully. A MOH license (from the UAE federal health ministry) is meant for healthcare work in most emirates, like Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. But it does not cover Dubai or Abu Dhabi unless there are special unified rules that roll out later. Dubai has its own health licensing authority (DHA), and Abu Dhabi has DOH/HAAD. So a MOH license alone cannot be used to work in every emirate now.
How to check the MOH license status?
You check status online through your account on the MOHAP website or app. After you submit your application, log in to your workspace and view the status (Submitted, Approved, Rejected). You also receive notification updates via email when anything changes.
Where can I get support if I encounter any issues in the licensing process?
You can contact MOHAP support, or you can take help from any consultant, such as Felix Happich Healthcare Consultancy, if you face technical portal issues.
- Email: info@mohap.gov.ae
- Call center: 800 11111
- info@felixhappich.com
How long does it take to complete the process?
On the official portal, approval of a submitted application often takes about 1–2 working days once all documents are in place. In practice, the full process (including document verification like DataFlow, exams, and final licensing steps) typically takes weeks to a few months, depending on your profession and how fast your credentials are verified.
