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A DoH medical license is a legal requirement for doctors to be part of the extensive healthcare ecosystem of Abu Dhabi, with a total of 3,517 healthcare facilities, including 66 hospitals and 6,993 physicians in 2023, as per the official portal of the Department of Health. The license is made compulsory by the emirate to ensure the healthcare sector meets global standards and complies with UAE laws by only allowing competent and well-aware medical professionals into the emirate. Additionally, it also ensures that patients receive the best level of medication while guaranteeing their safety, as the license has multiple quality checks for healthcare professionals.
Getting a DoH license in Abu Dhabi starts with an eligibility check, where doctors must ensure they hold accredited medical degrees or have graduated from MOE-recognized institutions if they are UAE graduates. Along with this, an internship or clinical experience is required, depending on their specialty, according to the PQR from DoH.
Then, doctors provide the required documents, including PSV through DataFlow, GSC, proof of English language proficiency, a valid license from their home country, and a passport, if they find themselves eligible. These documents have to be submitted to the authority through the Shafaf platform. The application process usually takes 1–3 months (30-90 days) if done properly. However, timelines vary based on license type, applicant skill, and how many exam attempts are needed.
Passing the DOH exam is also necessary, which ensures the educational and clinical credibility of the professional, unless exempted, such as professionals with degrees from educational institutions and licensing bodies that are listed in the DOH Tier 1 qualification list. The applicants from MOHAP do not need to retake the exam if they have successfully passed the test and the time on the test is under the recognized validity period by the authority.
Once the doctor is licensed, it doesn’t mean he is eligible for a lifetime, but the emirate has a renewal process to maintain the quality of healthcare by consistently checking the doctor’s professional advancement as per the innovations and needs of time. The renewal is must every year, and if not done within the 6 months after the renewal date, then the license will be cancelled and the doctor will not be eligible to provide healthcare services anymore.
However, some applicants face disqualification, mainly due to degrees from unrecognized institutions, outdated GSCs, or practice gaps of over 5 years (for non-UAE nationals). For rejected applicants, remedial action is possible. Completing training, updating documents, and reapplying may restore eligibility if professionals go through the right steps with complete guidance and document checks.
This guide covers everything a doctor needs to know before entering the detailed process of the DoH license. After reading this article, you will be capable of initiating the process by yourself. However, to save time and resources, our Felix Happich consultancy team, with years of experience, will help you by handling everything and briefing you on every detail.
What are the eligibility criteria for doctors applying for a DoH license?
The eligibility criteria for doctors applying for a DoH license include graduation from accredited allopathic medical schools or degrees from universities recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE/NQA) for UAE graduates. One year of internship post-graduation is mandatory, and an additional two years of clinical experience are required. The doctor needs to have a valid license or registration from the home or last employment country to be eligible for the license. Some of the main eligibility checks for doctors are:
- Graduates from a recognized allopathic Medical School or College of Medicine, accredited by the relevant authority in their country.
- UAE graduates must have a program and a university accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE/NQA).
- A valid license or registration to practice in their home country or country of last employment (if applicable).
- Experience in specific specialties (Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine, etc.) will be accepted for the General Practitioner title.
What are the DoH Medical license requirements for doctors in Abu Dhabi?
The requirements for doctors to get a DoH medical license in Abu Dhabi include having a bachelor’s degree (3 years) or higher diploma (recognized as equivalent to a bachelor’s), a valid professional license or registration, a Good Standing Certificate (GSC), and clinical, post-qualification experience. Additionally, training is required for non-UAE nationals or GCC graduates, six months in an APS-approved facility. The main requirements are mentioned below;
- Having a valid degree from the relevant authority
- Valid License/Registration to practice in the home or last employment country required
- A Good Standing Certificate
- Valid PSV(Primary source verification) of documents
- UAE graduates must have an MOE/NQA-accredited program and a university
- A one-year (12 months) internship post-graduation is required. If there is no internship evidence, two additional years of experience are needed. No post-graduation internship is needed if it was included in undergraduate training.
- Recognized specialty qualifications accepted after at least three years full-time clinical residency, master’s, or PhD programs
- Specialists with Tier 1 or 2 qualifications obtained within five years do not require post-qualification experience.
How to apply for a DoH license in Abu Dhabi as a doctor?
To apply for a DOH medical license as a doctor, you have to log into TAMM using UAE Pass. This will give you a personal ID number, called a UIN. Next, you need to make sure you qualify, with the right degree, some work experience, and proof of language skills like IELTS. Following the eligibility check, you have to complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) on the DataFlow portal.
After that, fill out the license application on TAMM and upload the needed documents. You might also have to take a test. Once it’s all approved, you can download the license. The clinic or hospital where you’ll work usually takes care of activating it through the DoH portal. The steps of the process for a doctor to get a DOH license are provided below.
- Check eligibility by confirming your qualifications match the DoH requirements.
- Sign up on TAMM by registering with UAE Pass to get your UIN.
- Complete PSV verification by uploading documents to the DataFlow portal and submitting the fee.
- Fill out the license application form through the DoH services section on TAMM.
- Upload all required documents in accepted formats such as PDF, JPG, or PNG.
- Take the assessment test if required based on your professional category.
- Pay the application fee online after submitting your form through TAMM.
- Receive your license once it is approved and available in your account.
- Activate the license by having your facility submit the request and pay the fee.
How much time is required for a doctor to get a DoH license?
The time required for a doctor to get a DoH license usually takes 1 to 3 months (30-90 days). However, the time varies based on how quickly documents are processed on DataFlow verification and the required exam attempts. Additionally, the time frame also depends on the type of license the consultation agency experience if hired any. Delays also occur due to re-verification, or additional documents are requested by the authorities.
There is no fixed duration, but the typical timeline involves:
- 4–6 weeks for DataFlow verification
- 2–4 weeks for examination scheduling and results
- 1–2 weeks for final license issuance
How much does it cost for doctors to obtain a DoH license?
The total estimated cost for a doctor to obtain a DoH license in Abu Dhabi is approximately AED 4,500 to AED 5,600, depending on the type of license and the exam attempts, as the exam fee is somewhere around 1000 AED. The core expenses generally cover DataFlow verification (AED 1,100–1,500), the exam fee if required (AED 800–900), and the DoH application fee (AED 300–500). Optional services like document translation and notarization may add to the total. In most cases, the cumulative cost lands around AED 2,200–2,900 before exam and issuance charges are added.
Approximate Cost Overview:
| Stage | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (TAMM) | 100 |
| PSV (DataFlow) Fee | 1,680 |
| CBT Exam Fee | 800-1200 |
| Processing/Admin Fee | 600 |
| License Issuance Fee | 2,500–3,500 |
| Translation and Notarization | 0–3,000 |
What is the validity period of a DoH license for doctors?
The validity period for a DOH Medical license for a doctor is one year (365 days). This means you have to renew your license after a year. The renewal is required to be done within 6 months, and if not done in this time frame, your license will be cancelled. One thing to keep in mind is that you will be fined every month after the expiry date is exceeded.
What are the limitations faced by doctors during DoH licensing?
The limitations faced by doctors during DoH licensing include that distance learning and honorary degrees are not accepted, and non-clinical roles, volunteer work, or teaching don’t count as valid experience. Along with that, gaps of over five years in clinical practice disqualify non-UAE applicants. Furthermore, assistant-level professionals can’t work independently. Below are the major limitations for a doctor while getting a DoH license.
- No recognition for distance learning or honorary degrees.
- Non-clinical, volunteer, or teaching roles don’t count toward required experience.
- Gaps in clinical practice exceeding 5 years (for non-UAE nationals) disqualify applicants.
- Assistant-level professionals cannot practice independently.
- All clinical training must occur in an APS-approved facility.
Can a doctor with a DoH license work outside Abu Dhabi?
No, a doctor with a DOH license cannot work in another emirate than Abu Dhabi in the UAE. To work in Dubai or the Northern Emirates, he/she must obtain a license through their respective healthcare authorities, even if the documents are the same. For instance, in Dubai, you have to get a DHA license, while in Abu Dhabi, you have to get the license from the DOH. However, one opportunity is there: if you pass any authority test, you will not be asked to pass the test of any other authority.
What are the reasons for the rejection of DoH license applications for doctors?
The main reasons for DoH license rejections for doctors are non-accredited qualifications, lack of experience, and outdated GSC, or long gaps in practice. I’ve reviewed these cases closely. Most issues come from avoidable mistakes. Below are some main reasons to help you fix or avoid them before applying.
- Unrecognized or non-accredited qualifications
- Insufficient clinical experience
- Invalid or outdated GSC
- Gaps in practice beyond permitted limits
- Failure in the licensure exam or exceeding exam attempt limits
- Incomplete or forged documentation
How to cancel a DoH license?
To cancel a DoH license, start by signing in to the Shafaf Portal. Once logged in, head to your account and find the section where your licenses are listed. Choose the one you want to cancel and send in the request. After you do that, the DoH team will check your paperwork. If everything is clear and there are no problems, your license will be turned off. You’ll get a message to confirm, and the system will show that your license is no longer active.
Expert help for doctors to get a DoH license in Abu Dhabi
Securing a DoH license in Abu Dhabi can be challenging for doctors, especially if they have unrecognized qualifications, limited clinical experience, outdated Good Standing Certificates, or extended gaps in practice. However, the process seems easier if you know how the process works or ask expert consultants to help you pinpoint these issues early. This way, you can save most of your time. Our expert team at Felix Happich Consultancy will help you get everything in the right way as per the PQR of the DoH. We will guide you through each step, from document checks to final submission, reducing errors and delays. With our assistance, you can apply with confidence and greatly improve your chances of getting licensed successfully in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system.
