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The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) made it compulsory for doctors to have a valid license, in accordance with DHA Law No. (14) of 2021, which amended certain clauses of Law No. (6) of 2018 regulating the practice of medicine in the emirate. The purpose of mandating the license is to ensure the healthcare sector meets global medical standards and protects patient safety by allowing only qualified professionals to serve them. To fulfill this dire need of the emirate, the DHA has established a highly organized regulatory framework, spanning from eligibility checks to final license approval.
Doctors are provided with a license after fulfilling educational, professional, and communication requirements. This includes meeting specific qualifications, passing assessments, and clearing Primary Source Verification (PSV), as well as providing a valid passport, English-translated documents, and malpractice insurance. Additionally, to improve the patient-doctor connection, they have set an oral assessment test.
Not only these, but you have to be eligible as per their criteria, like having a specific degree or certification, and experience, as well as not having any legal issues like revoked or blacklisted license, etc. Once these criteria are met, the actual process of getting a license is easier than anywhere else.
You have to register on the Sheryan portal, submit fees, verify documents, and potentially take assessments. Compliance is mandatory for working as a doctor in Dubai legally, and to avoid penalties under Federal Law No. (6) of 2023. Additionally, doctors have to renew their license every year as per the Dubai Health Authority’s official website. For renewal, you can have 6 months extra; however, after that, the license will be canceled.
What are the DHA license eligibility criteria for doctors in Dubai?
To practice medicine in Dubai, healthcare professionals must first meet the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) initial eligibility criteria. These criteria ensure that only capable, experienced, and ethically sound individuals are considered for licensing. To help healthcare professionals, DHA provides a self-assessment tool that they can use to determine their eligibility.
The general eligibility checks are provided below:
- Meet any nationality or language preferences required for specific roles
- Must be a qualified healthcare professional
- Graduated from a DHA-recognized medical or health science institution
- Hold relevant clinical experience for the intended role
- Have a clean professional record with no serious malpractice history
What are the DHA license requirements for doctors in Dubai?
The requirements for a DHA license for doctors in Dubai are having a 5-year MBBS or MD from an accredited university, 2 years of clinical experience, and passing the DHA Prometric exam with at least 60% as per DHA’s PQR. The doctors will only get licenses when they meet all the requirements of the DHA according to their profession.
However, one notable thing is that the UAE follows a tier system for qualifications. Physicians with Tier 1 qualifications generally require less experience than those with Tier 2 or Tier 3 qualifications. For example, a Tier 1 Specialist may not need post-qualification experience, while a Tier 3 Specialist may require up to three years of experience.
The common requirements for a doctor are.
- Educational documents, such as an MBBS degree, are required according to the specialty.
- A professional license to practice as a doctor in the current country.
- Clinical experience of 2 years, depending on the respective type of license and the country from which the doctor completed their education.
- Tier 1, no additional experience is required post-qualification.
- Tier 2 typically requires two years of experience after obtaining the specialty qualification.
- Tier 3 may require three years of experience after obtaining the specialty qualification.
- Good Standing Certificate from the relevant Health Authority.
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) of educational
- Clearance of the Dubai medical license tests both the Computer-Based Test and the Oral Assessment.
- Physicians holding certain international qualifications, such as the American Board, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the UK’s Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), may be exempt from taking the UAE licensing exam.
- Valid Medical Fitness Certificate
- Medical malpractice insurance
- Fill the application form with the correct information.
- Payment of application fees.
Besides these requirements for specialized roles, additional postgraduate qualifications such as a Master’s degree, Doctor of Medicine (MD), or fellowships from recognized institutions are required.
What are the types of DHA licenses for doctors?
The types of DHA licenses for doctors are General Practitioner (GP) License, Specialist License, Consultant License, and Temporary License. These licenses are issued based on the doctor’s qualifications, experience, and the role they will be performing in Dubai’s healthcare system.
| Type of License | Description |
| General Practitioner License | For doctors providing primary healthcare services and treating common illnesses. |
| Specialist License | For doctors with advanced training in a specific medical field, such as cardiology, etc. |
| Consultant License | For doctors with high-level expertise and a track record of teaching a specific specialty. |
| Temporary License | For doctors on short-term contracts or working in Dubai temporarily. |
What is the DHA license process for doctors in Dubai?
The process for obtaining a DHA license as a doctor in Dubai has several steps, including registering on the Sheryan portal, paying the DHA registration fees, and verifying documents, among others. The structured application process ensures that healthcare professionals meet the necessary qualifications and experience for their medical licenses, while also complying with the DHA’s standards, technical, and professional regulations.
As a Doctor, you must follow the process given below to get a DHA license.
- Check eligibility using DHA’s self-assessment tool
- Register on the Sheryan Portal
- Complete the Self-Assessment (if applicable)
- Pay DHA Registration and Primary Source Verification (PSV) Fees
- Verify Documents through Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow
- Take the Computer-Based Test (CBT) through Prometric (if required)
- Attend the Oral Assessment (if applicable)
- Receive and Activate Your DHA License
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Check eligibility using DHA’s self-assessment tool to confirm qualifications, experience, and exam requirements before proceeding with registration or paying any application or verification fees.
Step 2: Register on the Sheryan Portal
Register on the Sheryan Portal by creating a secure account where all licensing applications, document uploads, payments, and DHA communication are managed centrally.
Step 3: Complete the Self-Assessment
Complete the self-assessment (if applicable) to validate your professional category and confirm whether additional exams, experience, or documentation are required.
Step 4: Pay DHA Registration and PSV Fees
Pay DHA registration and Primary Source Verification (PSV) fees to initiate official review and credential authentication through approved verification channels.
Step 5: Verify Documents via DataFlow
Verify documents through Primary Source Verification (PSV) via DataFlow, ensuring all qualifications, licenses, and experience letters are authenticated directly from issuing authorities.
Step 6: Take the Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Take the Computer-Based Test (CBT) through Prometric if required, demonstrating clinical knowledge and competency according to DHA’s licensing standards.
Step 7: Attend the Oral Assessment
Attend the oral assessment if applicable, where DHA evaluates communication skills, clinical judgment, and professional readiness for medical practice.
Step 8: Receive and Activate Your DHA License
Receive and activate your DHA license once approved, allowing you to legally practice medicine in Dubai within DHA-approved healthcare facilities.
How much time is needed for a doctor to obtain a DHA license?
The time required for a doctor to get a DHA license typically ranges between 4 and 6 weeks, though the timeline varies based on the type of license and the consulting firm. For example, it may take 3-5 months for a specialist if you opt for Felix Happich as a license consultancy. Some of the types are provided with the time required to get a DHA license.
| Type of License | Time Required |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner License | 2-4 months |
| Specialist License | 3-4 months |
| Consultant License | 3-4 months |
| Temporary License (3 months) | 1-2 months |
How much does it cost for a doctor to obtain a DHA license?
The cost for a doctor to obtain a DHA license in Dubai is somewhere around AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 for general practitioners and AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 for specialists and consultants. However, these fees vary by medical profession and the document verification language, as well as the expatriate’s country. Below is the cost breakdown for different types of licenses:
| Type of License | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner License | AED 3,000 – AED 5,000 |
| Specialist License | AED 6,000 to AED 8,000 |
| Consultant License | AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 |
| Temporary License (3 months) | AED3,000 |
What is the validity period for a doctor’s DHA license?
A DHA license for doctors is valid for one year from the date of issuance, as per the official website of the Dubai Health Authority. After one year, doctors must renew their license within three months before it expires. If they don’t renew before the expiry date, they will be penalized AED 600 per month. Moreover, licenses will be canceled if they are not renewed within six months after expiry, by the DHA official portal.
| Type of License | Validity Period |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner License | 1 year |
| Specialist License | 1 year |
| Consultant License | 1 year |
| Temporary License | 3 months |
What are the limitations for a doctor to obtain a DHA license?
The limitations for a doctor to obtain a DHA License include acceptance of only degrees from approved institutions and mandating English proficiency for all documentation and assessments. A failed Prometric exam limits the number of retakes, and licenses restrict doctors to their exact specialty within DHA-approved facilities. Older applicants—especially those 65 or above—face extra evaluation before approval. Below are some limitations for a doctor to practice medicine with a DHA license.
- Only degrees from accredited and recognized medical schools are accepted by DHA.
- All exams are conducted in English, and applicants must prove proficiency without interpretation assistance.
- Doctors are allowed a maximum of three exam attempts, with a final chance in another UAE authority.
- Licenses are granted strictly for the approved specialty and cannot be used for unrelated clinical work.
- Doctors over the age of 65 may face further review before a license is issued or renewed.
Can a doctor with a DHA license work in other emirates?
Yes, a doctor with a DHA (Dubai Health Authority) license can work in other emirates, but they must apply for and obtain a license from the respective health authority of that emirate. For example, if a doctor licensed by DHA in Dubai wants to work in Abu Dhabi, they would need to apply for a license from the Department of Health (DOH) in Abu Dhabi.
Fortunately, the UAE’s licensing system allows for easier mobility between emirates. A doctor licensed in one emirate may not need to retake the licensing exam, provided their qualifications and experience meet the requirements of the new emirate’s health authority.
What are the DHA license rejection reasons for a doctor in Dubai?
The reasons for the rejection of a doctor’s DHA license application often relate to documentation, qualifications, clinical experience, or regulatory compliance. Below are the key reasons why a DHA license may be rejected for a doctor in Dubai.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
- Non-Accredited Educational Qualifications
- Expired or Invalid Home Country License
- Insufficient Clinical Experience or Internship
- Poor Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
- Practice Gap
- Failure to Pass the Licensing Exam
- Failure in Primary Source Verification (PSV)
- Ineligibility Due to Nationality or Status
What is the process for a Doctor disqualified from obtaining a DHA license?
The process for a Doctor who has been disqualified by the DHA has several methods due to different reasons of disapproval beyond failing the required exam. To resolve these issues, applicants should first ensure that they understand the reason behind the rejection. If disqualified due to exam failure in all three 3 attempts, a final 4th attempt may be taken under another UAE authority like MOHAP.
Identify the Reason for Disqualification
Review your rejection letter or application status. Check if the issue is related to exams, documents, credentials, or professional history. Below are some common steps to solve the disqualification issue.
- Verify Your Educational Credentials
- Resolve Licensing and Good Standing Issues
- Complete the Required Internship or Experience
- Address Any Practice Gap
- Submit for Primary Source Verification (PSV)
- Reattempt Licensing Exam (If Applicable)
- Reapply After Rectification
Expert consultation for a doctor to obtain a DHA license
At Happich DHA Licensing Agency, we specialize in helping medical professionals navigate the complete DHA license process with ease. Our team has successfully assisted numerous physicians in obtaining their DHA specialist and consultant licenses in Dubai.
We offer expert guidance throughout the entire process, from initial application to document verification, exam preparation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Our deep understanding of the specific requirements ensures a smooth and efficient path to obtaining your license to work as a doctor in Dubai.
