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A Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) medical license is compulsory for every healthcare professional who practices the medical profession in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 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 medical license application process involves account creation on the MOHAP portal, document submission, Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow, and medical license application fee payment.
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 along with medical license written exams. Once you get a license, you must activate the MOHAP medical license through their respective healthcare facilities so that they can practice in that medical facility. The MOHAP medical license is valid for one year, and the professionals must renew their license annually at least three months before the expiry date as per MOHAP regulations.
To convert a MOHAP medical 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 MOHAP Medical License Application Process?
The MOHAP medical license application process involves signing up on the MOHAP portal, initiating the application, uploading all the required documents, passing the MOHAP medical license test, and paying the license fees. Getting the MOHAP medical license is compulsory to practice health-related services in the UAE as per Article 5 of Federal Law No. 4 of 1983, which states that no person can practice health-related professions in the UAE without a valid medical license issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
The MOHAP medical 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
Sign in to the MOHAP Portal
Signing in to the MOHAP portal is the first step in the medical license application process. Access the portal through MOHAP’s official website or the MOHAP app. Create an account if you are a new user by clicking on the sign-up option and filling in the sections with personal and professional details, such as your full name, contact details, email, and profession-related qualifications.
Initiate the Application
To initiate the application process, log in to the MOHAP account, select the medical licensing option, start the new licensing application, select the right license type, provide all the required details, upload all the required documents, and submit the application.
Upload Required Documents
The medical license application requires several documents, which are mentioned on the official portal of MOHAP:
- Valid assessment certificate
- Certificates of recent experience from the employer
- Certificate of Good Conduct
- A letter of authorization request from the facility
- Job offer
- Copy of a valid passport
- A recent photo with a white background
- Copy of a valid residence license
- Copy of a valid Emirates ID
- Employment contract
- Labor card
- Insurance against medical errors
You can submit these documents in PDF or PNG format.
Facility Review and Referral
The facility review refers to the verification of the facility in which the applicant is going to work. The MOHAP ensures that the respective facility is approved, licensed, and complies with all the operational, infrastructural, and professional regulations of MOHAP for healthcare facilities in the UAE. The MOHAP sends the applicants’ documents and details to the facility management for referral and further evaluation.
MOHAP Application Review
The Ministry of Health and Prevention will review the submitted application and documents. You can check the status of the application from the account on the MOHAP official website. The MOHAP requests extra documents or an oral assessment during the review if any information or document is missing.
Complete Fee Payment
The total cost of the MOH medical license ranges from AED 1100 to AED 4865. This fee includes the application fee, data flow fee, and the Prometric exam fee. All these fees are different for every type of healthcare professional, as mentioned on the official website of MOHAP, such as the following:
For Doctors:
| Category | Fee Amount |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477.48 |
| Dataflow Verification Fee | AED 1,235 |
| License Issuance Fee | AED 3,000 |
For Dentists:
| Category | Fee Amount |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477.48 |
| Dataflow Verification Fee | AED 1,235 |
| License Issuance Fee | AED 3,000 |
For Nursing:
| Category | Fee Amount |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477.48 |
| Dataflow Verification Fee | AED 1,235 |
| License Issuance Fee | AED 1,000 |
Attend the Oral Assessment and Medical License Test (If Applicable)
Some applicants need to pass the medical license test and undergo an oral assessment to get their MOH medical license. The Ministry of Health and Prevention confirms that the healthcare professionals are competent, skilled, and knowledgeable enough to provide medical services in the UAE. The healthcare professionals who are asked for medical license tests are general physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals.
They will receive a notification on the MOHAP account that has details about the format, date, time, and location. In addition to tests, some medical professionals need to attend oral assessments in which they are asked scenario-based clinical questions. For instance, a general physician will be asked about the diagnostic tests through a scenario of a 45-year-old person with hypertension who presents with chest pain. The MOHAP will share the results of the tests on the MOH accounts. In case the applicants fail, they have to retake the test.
Receive and Activate Your MOHAP License
When MOHAP approves the license, they will send a notification (email or SMS). The applicants access this license by logging in to their MOHAP account. They can download the hard copy of this license. In case the applicant works in a healthcare facility, their employer will activate their license by registering with their facility.
How to Activate an MOHAP Medical License?
An MOHAP medical license is activated by the medical facility. The medical facility will open the e-portal of MOHAP and provide job offers, MOHAP evaluation, and original educational and professional documents. The MOHAP will activate your medical license if you meet all its requirements.
What are the Requirements for a MOHAP Medical License?
The requirements for a MOHAP medical 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 from the Primary Source Verification.
The requirements for a MOHAP medical license are listed below:
- Educational Documents
- Professional Documents
- Experience Certificates
- Application and License Fees
- Medical License Tests
Educational Documents
The educational documents required for the MOHAP medical license differ for every healthcare professional, including the following:
For General Physicians
- 5-year Medical Degree like MBBS or MD
- Postgraduate Specialization Degrees for Specialists and Consultants
- Academic Transcripts of Previous Degrees
For Dentists
- 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry, like BDS or equivalent degree
- Postgraduate Dental Speciality Certificate for Dental Specialists
- Academic Transcripts of Previous Records
For Nurses
- 4-year Bachelor’s or Diploma of Nursing
- Academic Transcripts of Previous Degrees
For Pharmacists
- Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy, like Pharm B or Pharm D
- Postgraduate Degree of Specialization for Specialists or Consultants
- Academic Transcripts of Previous Records
Professional Documents
The professional documents for the MOHAP medical license vary for every healthcare professional. But the general professional requirements include the following:
- Formal letter of authorization from the healthcare facility
- Official job offer
- Copy of a valid passport
- Passport-sized photos
- Valid residence permit
- Valid Emirates ID
- Employment contract
Experience Certificates
Every medical professional requires different years of experience, which must be verified by the Primary Source Verification (PSV).
- Two years of clinical experience after internship for the general practitioner.
- Three years of clinical experience for specialists.
- Three years of clinical experience after a specialization degree for consultants.
- Two years of clinical experience after internship for dentists.
- Three years of clinical experience for specialist dentists.
- Two years of clinical experience after qualification as a nurse.
- Two years of clinical experience for pharmacists.
Medical License Tests
Some medical professionals require an oral assessment certificate or a passing certificate of medical license tests. 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.
How Much Is the MOHAP Medical License Cost?
The MOHAP medical license cost ranges from AED 1662 to AED 2212, varying for different healthcare professionals. The medical license costs for different medical professionals mentioned on the MOHAP official portal are given below:
General Practitioners & Specialist Physicians
The MOH medical license fee for general practitioners & specialist physicians is AED 2,212.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| General Practitioners & Specialist Physicians | AED 2,212 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235 |
Consultant Physicians
The MOH medical license fee for consultant physicians is AED 1,735.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| Consultant Physicians | AED 1,735 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235 |
General & Specialist Dentists
The MOH medical license fee for general & specialist dentists is AED 2,212.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| General & Specialist Dentists | AED 2,212 |
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235 |
Pharmacists
The MOH medical license fee for pharmacists is AED 1,662.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| Pharmacists | AED 1,662 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 935 |
Registered Nurses & Midwives
The total fee for the medical license of registered nurses & midwives is AED 1,962.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| Registered Nurses & Midwives | AED 1,962 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 1,235 |
Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Radiographers, etc.)
The total fee of a medical license for allied health professionals ranges between AED 1,662 and AED 1,962.
| Category | Fee Amount (AED) |
| Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Radiographers, etc.) | AED 1,662 – AED 1,962 |
| Application Fee | AED 250 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 477 |
| DataFlow (Primary Source Verification) Fee | AED 935 – 1,235 |
How Long Does It Take to Obtain a MOHAP Medical License?
To obtain an MOHAP medical 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 a medical 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 upon the slots’ 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 a MOHAP Medical License?
To renew a MOHAP medical license, fill out the license renewal application form on the MOHAP official portal, submit the required documents, and pay the necessary fees. Renewal of a MOHAP medical license is compulsory in the UAE every year, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
You can renew an MOHAP medical 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 above 60.
- Pay the application and license renewal fees. The application fee is AED 100, while the license renewal fee varies with the medical profession, such as the following:
- 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 a MOHAP Medical License?
To convert a MOHAP medical license into other medical licenses, such as the DHA and DOH medical license, 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 their 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 having a license from one authority can convert into other medical license types.
You can convert a MOHAP medical license by following the steps listed below:
- First, fulfill the requirements for the MOHAP medical license, like a valid MOHAP license and at least 3 months experience duration.
- Then, obtain a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) through the MOHAP official portal.
- Now, create an account on the official website of the respective authority and receive the Unique Identity Number (UIN).
- Upload the documents to DataFlow for Primary Source Verification by visiting the official DataFlow website, adding new cases on the dashboard, linking the existing data flow with the new case number, uploading the required information, and paying the required fee to transfer the MOHAP data flow PSV into the new DHA or DOH data flow.
How to Convert a MOHAP Medical License to a DHA Medical License?
To convert a MOHAP medical license to a DHA medical license, confirm the eligibility, initiate the data flow PSV, submit the license conversion application, and pay the application and license transfer fees. The conversion of an MOHAP license to a DHA medical license can take up to three months.
Converting a MOHAP medical license to a DHA medical license involves the following steps:
- Confirm your eligibility for the DHA medical license. You must have an active MOHAP medical license and have practiced your medical service for at least three months.
- Get a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from the official portal of MOHAP, which will take up to five days.
- Start the data flow Primary Source Verification process to link the MOHAP PSV verification to the DHA. Open the data flow website, navigate to the dashboard, and add a new case number. You need to upload the documents and pay the required fee.
- Make an account on the official Sheryan DHA portal and start the application for the license transfer. Click on ” Transfer from Other Authorities, upload all the required documents, and pay the license transfer fees.
The DHA authority will review the application and approve the license transfer if you meet all requirements and submit all necessary documents.
How to Convert a MOHAP Medical License to a DOH Medical License?
To convert a MOHAP medical license to a DOH medical license, you have to ensure your eligibility, get a Good Standing Certificate, initiate the data flow Primary Source Verification, start the application process, and pay the application fees. The DOH license is compulsory to work as a medical professional in Abu Dhabi, as stated in Section 13.2 of the DOH Healthcare Professionals Manual available on the official DOH portal.
Converting a MOHAP medical license to a DOH medical license involves the following steps:
- Verify your eligibility for the DOH medical license by having an active MOHAP license. You should have a minimum of three months of clinical experience using the MOHAP license.
- Get a Good Standing Certificate (GSC) from the official MOHAP portal.
- Link your existing data flow Primary Source Verification (PSV) to the DOH data flow PSV. You need to upload the required documents and pay the PSV fee.
- Make an account on the DOH official portal and obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN). Apply for the license transfer by clicking on ” Transfer from Other Authorities “. Upload the required documents mentioned on the portal and pay the license transfer fee.
DOH will assess the application and approve your license transfer if you meet all the requirements.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for MOHAP Medical Exams?
The eligibility criteria for MOHAP medical exams include a PSV-verified medical degree, clinical experience, a medical license from the native country, and the MOHAP medical exam fee. Three authorities are involved in the MOHAP medical exams: 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 MOHAP medical exams 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 medical test fees start from AED 477 ($130).
You can know your eligibility for the MOHAP medical license through other ways, such as the following:
Using the MOHAP Self-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 qualification.
- 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 MOHAP medical license.
What is the Easiest Way to Get a MOHAP Medical License?
The easiest way to get a MOHAP medical license involves confirming your eligibility through the MOHAP self-assessment tool, completing all the required documents, applying for the license through the MOHAP official portal, starting the Data flow Primary Source Verification of documents, passing the Prometric MOHAP medical license exam, and paying all the MOHAP medical license fees.
The process of getting a MOHAP medical license can become easier if you follow the tips given below:
Choosing the right pathway based on qualifications
The medical professions, such as general physician, dentist, nurse, and pharmacist have a different pathway of getting a MOHAP 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 a MOHAP medical 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 MOHAP medical 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 a 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.
