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Doctors who want to start a career in the growing healthcare sector of Dubai need a medical license issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The purpose of the license is to ensure the doctor/physician meets global medical standards and fulfills educational, professional, and communication requirements to protect patient safety.
The licensing process for doctors in Dubai is highly organized, with structured assessment procedures starting from eligibility checks to final license activation. The main steps include getting initial eligibility approval, completing Primary Source Verification (PSV), passing the DHA Physician Exam, and activating the license.
The total time it takes is typically two to four months end-to-end, and costs roughly AED 3,000โ5,000 for general practitioners, AED 6,000โ8,000 for specialists, and AED 6,000โ10,000 for consultants, depending on the license type, PSV verification, and exam attempts.
The doctor license in Dubai is valid for one year, and the Dubai Health Authority expects renewal in the three months before it expires. Missing the renewal date applies a fine of AED 600 per month. If it is unrenewed for six months, the license gets canceled.
Ready to begin your DHA physician licensing journey? This guide walks you through the complete process, providing detailed information about eligibility, requirements, exams, fees, and timelines specific to doctors.
What is a DHA Doctor license in Dubai?
The DHA Doctor License is a legal certificate that is compulsory for every doctor to practice their medical services in Dubai. The DHA doctor license ensures that only qualified and verified professionals practice as per Federal Law No. 6 of 2023 and Law No. 6 of 2018. Without getting this license, a physician cannot serve in the health sector of the Emirate of Dubai (UAE).
What are the eligibility criteria for a DHA license for doctors in Dubai?
The eligibility criteria for a DHA license for doctors in Dubai include holding a degree from a DHA-recognized medical or health science institution, having clinical experience appropriate to the intended role, and having a clean professional record with no serious malpractice history. To help healthcare professionals, DHA provides a self-assessment tool that they can use to determine their eligibility.
The general eligibility checks for the DHA doctor license are provided below:
- You must hold a recognized primary medical degree, such as an MBBS or equivalent, from a DHA-recognized medical or health science institution.
- You must have completed a medical internship that meets the required clinical rotation standards.
- You must have the required post-internship clinical experience for your intended physician category and role.
- You must hold a valid medical registration or professional license from the relevant regulatory authority.
- You must provide a valid Good Standing Certificate from the relevant medical regulatory authority.
- Your education, professional license, and clinical experience must pass Primary Source Verification (PSV).
- You must pass the required DHA Physician Exam unless you qualify for an official exemption.
- You must have a clean professional record without serious malpractice history, disciplinary restrictions, or other disqualifying issues.
- You must not have a blacklist status or unresolved negative verification result.
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, 2-3 years of clinical experience, and passing the DHA Prometric exam with at least 60% as per DHAโs PQR (Professional Qualification Requirements). 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.
For specialized roles, additional postgraduate qualifications, such as a Masterโs, MD, or recognized fellowship, are required. - A professional license to practice as a doctor in the current country.
- Two to three years of post-qualification clinical experience, set by your qualification tier:
- 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 documents
- Clearance of the Dubai Health Authority Exam, 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 UKโs Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), may be exempt from taking the UAE licensing exam.
- Valid Medical Fitness Certificate
- Medical malpractice insurance
- Get a job offer from a DHA-recognized facility to activate the license
Documents required for a DHA Physician License
The exact document requirements depend on the physicianโs professional title and work history. However, doctors should generally prepare clear copies of the following documents:
- Recent Passport -Photograph
- Valid Passport Copy
- Medical Degree and Transcript
- Medical Internship Completion Certificate
- Post Internship Experience Certificates
- Professional License and Registration
- Valid Good Standing Certificate
- Name Change Supporting Documents
- DHA Exam Exemption Evidence (if exemption applied)
- Certified Legal Document Translations (if documents are not in English or Arabic)
Who needs a DHA doctor license in Dubai?
All doctors, including General Practitioners (GPs), Specialists, and Consultants, need a DHA doctor license in Dubai to work legally in Dubai. They are provided with medical licenses based on their qualifications, experience, and the role they will be performing in Dubai’s healthcare system. The medical professionals who need a physician license in Dubai are listed below.
| Medical Professionals | Description |
| General Practitioner | For doctors providing primary healthcare services and treating common illnesses. |
| Specialist | For doctors with advanced training in a specific medical field, such as cardiology, etc. |
| Consultant | For doctors with high-level expertise and a track record of teaching a specific specialty. |
How to apply for a DHA License for doctors in Dubai?
To apply for a DHA doctor license in Dubai, check your eligibility, register on the Sheryan Portal, complete Primary Source Verification (PSV), pass the DHA exam and, if required, the oral assessment, receive your DHA Eligibility Letter, secure a job offer from a DHA-licensed facility, and finally activate your license through your employer. The structured application process ensures that physicians meet the necessary qualifications and experience for their medical licenses, while also complying with the DHA’s professional regulations.
Below is the step-by-step process you have to follow to apply for a DHA Physician License in Dubai.
- Complete the physician self-assessment
- Sign up on the Sheryan Portal
- Complete PSV (DataFlow) verification
- Take the DHA Physician CBT Exam
- Attend the Oral Assessment, if applicable
- Get the DHA Eligibility Letter
- Receive a job offer from a DHA-recognized healthcare facility
- Activate your DHA Physician License
Complete Physician Self Assessment
The first step is to complete the physician self-assessment. This tool helps doctors determine whether they meet the DHA requirements for their intended physician category. Use the official DHA self-assessment tool on the Sheryan portal, or the Felix Happich Consultancy professional assessment tool, and enter your qualification and experience details to confirm which physician category you are eligible for.
Sign Up on the Sheryan Portal
The second step in getting a DHA Physician License is creating a DHA Sheryan account, which handles everything after this point, including the application, document uploads, fee payments, and all messages from DHA. Register with the email you will use throughout the license term, as renewal notices are sent to the same address.
Complete PSV (DataFlow) Verification
Submit the required documents and complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow. Your medical qualifications, professional license, and experience documents are verified directly with the issuing authorities.
Take the DHA Physician Exam
The next step is to take the DHA Physician computer-based exam, delivered through Prometric, if required. The DHA exam evaluates your clinical knowledge and professional competency according to DHA licensing requirements.
Attend the Oral Assessment, If Applicable
Some physicians may be required to attend an oral assessment. DHA uses this assessment to evaluate the physician’s clinical knowledge, communication skills, and professional judgment. Physicians should check the applicable DHA requirements to determine whether an oral assessment is required.
Get the DHA Eligibility Letter
After completing the required assessments and meeting the licensing requirements, you can receive your DHA Eligibility Letter. The eligibility letter confirms that you are eligible to obtain a DHA physician license and allows you to seek employment with a DHA-recognized healthcare facility. However, it does not by itself allow you to practice medicine in Dubai.
Receive a Job Offer From a DHA Recognized Facility
After receiving your DHA Eligibility Letter, you can apply for a suitable physician position with a DHA-recognized healthcare facility. The facility must be authorized to employ physicians under the DHA licensing system.
Activate Your DHA Physician License
License activation is the final step. After you receive a job offer, the healthcare facility initiates the license activation request through the Sheryan Portal. DHA reviews the request and, after approval, changes your license status to active, allowing you to practice medicine within the scope of your approved physician category.
How much time does it take for a doctor to obtain a DHA license?
A DHA license typically takes two to four months end to end, depending on your license type and how quickly DataFlow verification clears. General Practitioner licenses are usually fastest (2โ4 months); specialist and consultant licenses run 3โ4 months because of the extra qualification review; a 3-month temporary license can be issued in 1โ2 months.
| 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 a DHA doctor license cost?
A DHA doctor license costs roughly AED 3,000โ5,000 for general practitioners, AED 6,000โ8,000 for specialists, and AED 6,000โ10,000 for consultants. Fees vary with your medical category, the language your documents are issued in, and the country DataFlow must verify from. 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 – AED 8,000 |
| Consultant License | AED 6,000 – AED 10,000 |
| Temporary License (3 months) | AED 3,000 |
What is the validity period for a doctorโs 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, you must renew the license within three months before it expires. If you do not renew before the expiry date, you will be penalized AED 600 per month. Moreover, licenses will be canceled if they are not renewed within six months after expiry, according to the official DHA portal.
Can I work as a doctor in other emirates with a DHA license?
No, with a DHA (Dubai Health Authority) license you cannot work in other emirates unless you obtain a license from the respective health authority of that emirate. For example, if you want to work in Abu Dhabi, you need to apply for the DOH license from the Department of Health (DOH) in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE lets license holders move between emirates without re-sitting the exam, as long as their qualifications and experience meet the new authority’s requirements. A DHA-licensed doctor moving to Abu Dhabi, for example, applies to the Department of Health (DOH) but usually keeps their existing exam pass.
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 inconsistent documentation: Submitting missing, inaccurate, conflicting, or expired documents stops the DHA from processing the application until every file is complete and consistent.
- Non-recognized qualifications: A medical degree or postgraduate qualification from an institution that is not on the DHA and PQR recognized lists does not meet the licensing criteria.
- Invalid home-country license: An expired, suspended, or unverifiable medical license or registration in your current country of practice fails the DHA requirement for an active professional license.
- Insufficient experience: Not completing the internship or the post-qualification clinical experience required for your physician category and tier results in rejection.
- Expired Good Standing Certificate: A Good Standing Certificate that is more than six months old is out of date, because the DHA accepts only a certificate issued within the previous six months.
- Extended practice gap: A gap of more than two years adds a competency-review requirement; a gap beyond 5 years (non-locals) or 10 years (locals) makes the doctor ineligible to apply.
- Failed licensing exam: Scoring below the 60% pass mark on the DHA licensing exam prevents the license from being issued.
- Failed Primary Source Verification: Qualifications, licenses, or experience letters that DataFlow cannot confirm with the issuing authority, or that receive a negative verification result, fail Primary Source Verification and halt the application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DHA Doctor License in Dubai
Yes. A doctor can complete the self-assessment, Primary Source Verification, and any required assessment, and receive the DHA Eligibility Letter, without an employer. A job offer from a DHA-recognized facility is needed only for the final activation step.
No. The DHA Eligibility Letter confirms a doctor qualifies and can seek employment, but it does not permit clinical practice. A doctor may treat patients only after a DHA-licensed employer activates the license through the Sheryan portal.
The license is issued to the doctor but activated against one DHA-licensed employer. If the doctor leaves that employer, the license moves to an inactive status until a new employer reactivates it.
Yes, within limits. A clinical break of more than two years classifies the doctor as having a “gap of practice.” The gap must not exceed five years for non-locals or ten years for locals; beyond that, the doctor is not eligible to apply.
No. DHA assessments and documentation are handled in English, and applicants must demonstrate English proficiency without an interpreter. Certified translations are needed only for documents issued in another language.
A DHA license authorizes practice in Dubai, a DOH license in Abu Dhabi, and a MOHAP license in the northern emirates. Each is issued by that emirate’s health authority, and a doctor needs the license matching the emirate where they work.
Expert Consultation to Obtain a DHA Doctor License
At Felix Happich Consultancy, we specialize in helping medical professionals navigate the complete DHA license process with ease. Our team has been assisting physicians with obtaining their DHA licenses in Dubai for more than ten years.
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.
