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Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) is a comprehensive regulatory and licensing framework jointly approved by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Department of Health -Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, and Sharjah Health Authority. The PQR establishes the minimum academic qualifications, clinical training standards, professional experience criteria, and competency benchmarks required for healthcare professionals to practice in Dubai legally.
It verifies the educational qualifications of physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals to ensure they meet international standards before practicing in any of the 7 emirates of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
The PQR provides a systematic approach for professional evaluation by mentioning recognized medical degrees and awarding institutions, required clinical experience by profession, accepted specialty certifications, licensing exam requirements, eligibility criteria by country and qualification, and a tier-based classification of countries and training systems.
What is PQR (Professional Qualification Requirements)?
Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) in the UAE are official rules set by the Unified Healthcare PQR Committee, which is represented by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) health regulatory authorities, including MOHAP, DHA, and DOH, for medical professionals seeking a medical license in the UAE. They define the required degrees, experience, and licensing criteria for healthcare professionals to comply with UAE federal laws and international standards.
PQR ensures only qualified individuals can practice to protect patient safety, standardizes licensing across the country, and helps applicants check eligibility before applying. Without meeting PQR, a healthcare professional cannot legally work in the UAE. One thing to make sure is this pqr applied throught out the UAE but the local authroities makes laws to regulates healtchare licensnig in thier respective jurisditions. Such as
Dubai healthcare licensing is regulated by the DHA (Dubai Health Authority).
Abu Dhabi healthcare licensing is regulated by the DOH (Department of Health – Abu Dhabi).
MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) regulates licensing in the Northern Emirates.
General Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for Healthcare Professionals License in 2026
To obtain a healthcare license in the UAE including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Norther Emirates, professionals must meet specific qualification, training, and experience requirements set by the authorities. These standards ensure that applicants have the required education, clinical skills, and professional status before they are allowed to practice. Below are the general requirements applied to almost all healthcare professionals, with minor differences.
Educational Qualifications
Provisional certificates are accepted if properly accredited; hybrid certificates are not accepted except in special cases, and the minimum entry-level qualification is a high school certificate. Also, applicants accepted into the Authoritiesโ approved residency programs will be entitled to the status of โResident.โ
Internship / Training
All physicians and dentists must complete one year of internship after graduation. If there is no proof of internship completion, they must have an additional two years of relevant work experience.
For physicians trained outside the UAE, the internship may be accepted if completed after the final degree exam. Two years of clinical experience after an internship are required to apply for the GP title.
When it comes to UAE nationals who are nurses, midwives, and Allied Healthcare workers, and children of Emirati women, they do not need post-graduation training. However, Non-UAE and GCC graduates must complete six months of training unless experience is not required.
Professional Experience
The applicantโs experience must be relevant to the applied title. Physicians in surgical specialties must provide logbooks with sufficient cases covering key procedures. It must have hands-on clinical work gained during licensed, paid employment. Non-clinical or teaching experience is not accepted.
Good Standing Certificate
A Good Standing Certificate (GSC), issued within the last six months by the relevant authority or last employer, is required to confirm the applicant’s status of good conduct.
Primary Source Verification
All required licensing documents must be verified from primary sources, including educational qualifications, experience certificates, professional licenses, and any other documents required by the authorities.
Professional Medical Examination
Healthcare Professionals must pass the Authorityโs examination within three attempts unless exempt due to completing certain international examinations. After three failed attempts, one final attempt may be allowed with another authority.
Gap in Serving/ Discontinuity of Practice
Healthcare Professionals with a gap in clinical practice of over three years must complete the required CME/CPD credits and relevant clinical training from approved facilities before licensing, including surgical logbooks for surgical specialties.
Renewal of Licenses
Surgical physicians and dentists must submit logbooks every two years for license renewal. If not provided, gaps are assessed from the last surgery, and restrictions or training may be required. If the license has expired or been canceled, it should not be older than six months when applied again.
Licensure Regulations among the Authorities
All other health authorities in the UAE will apply the same decision if one health authority suspends or revokes a physicianโs license.
MOHAP, DHA, and DOH Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for Physicians
Physicians who want to serve in Dubai have to fulfill the requirements provided in the PQR to practice safely and receive the appropriate professional title. These include completing a recognized medical degree, obtaining a valid license, finishing required training, and gaining relevant clinical experience. Titles such as Intern, General Practitioner, Specialist, and Consultant are assigned based on these defined criteria.
Educational Qualifications
Physicians must complete their education at a recognized and approved allopathic medical school or college of medicine. If they studied in the UAE, the institution must also hold approval from the Ministry of Education. The table provided an overview of the qualifications required.
| Category | Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Intern | MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent from an accredited institution |
| Resident | MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent + internship + residency requirements |
| General Practitioner | MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent |
| Specialist | MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent + recognized specialty qualification |
| Consultant | MBBS, MBChB, or equivalent + recognized specialty qualification |
Licensing and Registration
Physicians must hold a valid license or registration in their home country or in the country where they were last employed. In addition, physicians with Tier 2 qualifications who were licensed in the UAE before 2010 may qualify for a consultant title, provided they maintain an active license and remain in good standing.
Internship
Physicians must complete a one-year internship, which equals 12 months of supervised training.
Specialty and Subspecialty Qualifications
- A recognized specialty qualification requires at least three years of full-time study, such as residency, masterโs, or PhD.
- A subspecialty degree of at least two years is accepted if the main specialty is at least three years.
- The PQR Committee may review unlisted qualifications if they meet the required criteria.
- A valid sub-specialty must follow a recognized main specialty and usually involves 1โ2 years of structured clinical training from an approved program.
- Combined Anesthesia and Critical Care degrees are accepted for Anesthesia only.
- Osteopathy graduates with recognized specialization may apply as specialists or consultants.
Experience
- Experience in specialties such as cardiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and others can support eligibility for the General Practitioner title.
- Intern: MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution is required; no experience is required.
- General Practitioner: MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and successful completion of an internship are required; two (2) years of clinical experience are required.
- Specialist (Tier 1 and Tier 2): MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and completion of a specialty qualification as per the โRecognized Specialty Certificateโ table are required; no experience is required after obtaining the main or sub-specialty qualification.
- Specialist (Tier 3 โ Non-UAE Nationals): MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and completion of a specialty qualification as per the โRecognized Specialty Certificateโ table are required; three (3) years of experience after the main specialty or two (2) years after the sub-specialty are required.
- Specialist (Tier 3 โ UAE Nationals and Children of Emirati Women): MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and completion of a specialty qualification as per the โRecognized Specialty Certificateโ table are required; one (1) year of experience after the main specialty or no experience after the sub-specialty is required.
- Consultant (Tier 1): MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and completion of a specialty qualification as per the โRecognized Specialty Certificateโ table are required; two (2) years of experience after the main specialty and one (1) year after the sub-specialty are required.
- Consultant (Tier 2): MBBS, MBChB, or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, and completion of a specialty qualification as per the โRecognized Specialty Certificateโ table are required; five (5) years of experience after the main specialty and four (4) years after the sub-specialty are required.
- Consultant (Tier 3): Physicians cannot attain the consultant title unless they were enrolled in a recognized Tier 3 program before June 2017 and meet the required conditions.
Clinical Sub-specialty Experience
The table below outlines the requirements for clinical sub-specialty experience based on the physicianโs main specialty, license tier, and designation as either a specialist or consultant. It shows how experience varies across Tierโs qualifications, with separate conditions for UAE nationals and non-UAE nationals.
| Main Specialty | License | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Specialist | Tier 1 ( No experience) Tier 2 ( 2 years for non-UAE nationals) (0 for UAE nationals)Tier 3 ( 3 years for non-UAE nationals) (2 years for UAE nationals) |
| Tier 1 | Consultant | Tier 1 ( 2 years )Tier 2 ( 5 years for non-UAE nationals )(3 years for UAE nationals) Tier 3 ( Not allowed ) |
| Tier 2 | Specialist | Tier 1 ( No experience )Tier 2 ( 2 years for non-UAE nationals) (0 for UAE nationals)Tier 3 ( 3 years for non-UAE nationals) (2 for UAE nationals) |
| Tier 2 | Consultant | Tier 1 ( 2 years )Tier 2 ( 5 years for non-UAE nationals) (3 for UAE nationals)Tier 3 ( Not allowed ) |
| Tier 3 | Specialist | Tier 1 ( No experience ) Tier 2 ( 2 years ) (0 for UAE nationals)Tier 3 ( 3 years for non-UAE nationals) (2 for UAE nationals) |
| Tier 3 | Consultant | Not allowed for all tiers |
License Renewal
Physicians must complete a minimum of 40 CME/CPD hours each year. Those in surgical specialties must also submit surgical logbooks every two years to renew their license.
Recognized Specialties Certificate of Tier 1 countries
| Country | Recognized Tier 1 Specialty Certificates for Physicians |
|---|---|
| USA | American Board Certificates issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) |
| UK | Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) issued by STA; Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) issued by GMC (or) PMETB |
| Germany | Specialist Certificate (with Oberarzt title) and GP Specialist Training Cert. (with Oberarzt title). Note: UAE Nationals are not required to hold the Oberarzt title. |
| Australia | Exam-based Fellowship only of the Royal College/Colleges recognized by the Australian Medical Council (No Endorsement/Election) |
| Austria | Specialist Diploma (Facharztdiplom) + Specialist Registration. (UAE Nationals exempt from registration) |
| Luxembourg | Certificat de mรฉdecin spรฉcialiste รฉmis par le ministre de la Santรฉ publique Diplรดme de formation spรฉcifique en mรฉdecine gรฉnรฉrale |
| Netherland | Specialist/GP Registration (RGS, MSRC, SGRC, or HVRC*) |
| New Zealand | Exam-based fellowship of the Royal College/Colleges, not by endorsement or election |
| Belgium | Specialty degrees may be issued by the Federal Public Service (SPF), Public Health, or the French Community of Belgium (CFB). |
| Denmark | Certificates issued by the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) include proof of specialist title and certification for general medical practice. |
| Finland | Recognized qualifications include a specialist certificate in medicine from a Finnish university, certification of specific training in general medical practice, and the French Certificate of Specialized Studies in Medicine (CES) with a full license from the National Council of the Order of Physicians. UAE nationals are not required to have specialist registration. |
| France | Recognized French qualifications include the Certificate of Specialized Studies in Medicine (CES), the Diploma of Specialized Studies (DES), the Diploma of Complementary Specialized Studies (DESC), and the qualification in general medicine. All require a full license from the National Council of the Order of Physicians. UAE nationals are not required to have specialist registration. |
| Ice Land | Recognized qualifications include Sรฉrfrรฆรฐileyfi (Certificate of a medicine specialist issued by the Directorate of Health) and Almennt heimilislรฆkningaleyfi (Evrรณpulรฆkningaleyfi) (Certificate of specific training for general practice). |
| Ireland | Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) issued by any of the Irish colleges |
MOHAP, DHA, and DOH Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for Dentists in the UAE
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must hold a degree accredited by the relevant authority in their country, such as BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), or an equivalent qualification from a nationally accredited dental school or college. For UAE graduates, the program and university must also be accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE/NQC). A general overview is provided in the table below.
| Category | Qualifications |
| Intern | BDS, DMD, DDS, or equivalent recognized by MOE/NQC |
| Resident | BDS, DMD, DDS, or equivalent + internship + residency requirements |
| General Dentist | BDS, DMD, DDS, or equivalent |
| Specialist | BDS, DMD, DDS, or equivalent + recognized specialty qualification |
| Consultant | BDS, DMD, DDS, or equivalent + recognized specialty qualification |
Internship
All dentists must complete a one-year (12-month) internship after graduation.
Licensing and Registration
Applicants must hold a valid license or registration in their home country or country of last employment. The table below outlines the types of programs, their minimum duration, and their acceptance status.
| Program Type | Minimum Duration | Requirement Status |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Residency Program | 3 years | Accepted |
| Clinical Masterโs Degree | 2 years | Accepted |
| Clinical PhD | 3 years | Accepted |
| Other Qualifications | โ | Subject to PQR committee review if criteria are met |
Experience
Specialists with Tier 1 or 2 qualifications do not need experience if qualified within the last three years. Those without the required experience may be accepted as General Dentists, except in certain specialties. Tier 2 specialists licensed in the UAE before 2010 may qualify as consultants if in good standing.
UAE nationals and children of Emirati women do not need clinical experience to be licensed as General Dentists within three years of completing their internship, while Tier 3 specialists require at least one year of experience. Non-UAE nationals who graduate from UAE universities are also exempt from experience within the same three-year period. A summary is provided in the table below.
| Category | Experience |
|---|---|
| Intern | No experience required |
| Resident | Internship required |
| General Dentist | Internship + 2 years clinical experience |
| Specialist (Tier 1) | No experience required |
| Specialist (Tier 2) | No experience required |
| Specialist (Tier 3) | UAE nationals, Graduates of UAE Dental Universities are exempted from the required experience for the title of Specialist; Non-UAE nationals: 3 years |
| Consultant (Tier 1) | 2 years of experience |
| Consultant (Tier 2) | 5 years of experience |
| Consultant (Tier 3) | Not allowed |
Recognized Dental Specialty Certificates
| Countuy | Recognized Tier 1 Dental Specialty Certificates |
|---|---|
| USA | American Board Approved by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Bodies |
| UK | CCST with inclusion in the General Dental Council Specialist Registry (UAE nationals may qualify with the training completion certificate alone). |
| Canada | Proof of clearing the NDSE or holding the FRCDC fellowship is required |
| Australia | Exam-based Fellowship only of the Royal College/Colleges recognized by the Australian Medical Council (No Endorsement/Election) |
| New Zealand | Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons |
| Ireland | Certificate of Completion Specialist Training by the Irish Dental Council (CCST) And Inclusion on the Irish Dental Council Specialist Register |
| South Africa | Fellowship from the College of Dentistry of South Africa or an MChD (Master of Dentistry), along with HPCSA registration. |
MOHAP, DHA, and DOH Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for Nurses and Midwives
Nurses and midwives who plan to work in the UAE must meet the standards listed below. These rules help ensure safe practice and appropriate job titles. They include obtaining a degree from an approved medical institute, holding a valid license, completing the required training, having a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, complying with the scope of practice, and having sufficient clinical experience.
Those who fulfill these criteria and whose professional history does not conflict with Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2017 will be provided with a professional license.
Educational Qualifications
Nurses and midwives need a recognized nursing degree from an approved Nursing college or University. For local graduates, the institute must be accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE/NQC). The degree must be at least 3 years long and cannot be online, distance, or honorary.
Additionally, nurses with a Bachelorโs degree in nursing who are working as Assistant Nurses can apply for a title upgrade, as long as they have not worked as an Assistant Nurse for more than five years. The table shows the qualification criteria by professional title.
| Category | Qualifications |
| Registered Nurse | Bachelorโs degree in nursing |
| Assistant Nurse | Diploma in Nursing (minimum 18 months) |
| Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse requirements + Clinical Masterโs/Doctoral degree + National certification/license |
| Specialty Nurse | Registered Nurse requirements + Clinical Masterโs/postgraduate specialty (min 1 year) OR Bachelorโs in specialty (min 3 years) |
Postgraduate clinical training
Six months of clinical training after graduation are required in an APS health facility. However, not everyone needs it. UAE nationals and children of Emirati women are exempt upon submission of a copy of their birth certificate and the motherโs family book. Non-UAE graduates, even if they graduate from UAE universities (except for Registered and Assistant Nurse titles), as well as GCC nationals, must complete this training.
Experience
The experience depends on your professional title and whether you are a UAE national or a non-UAE national. The UAE nationals and children of Emirati women who graduate from the UAE are exempt from experience and clinical training requirements for their applied title; however, children of Emirati women must provide a birth certificate and their motherโs family book.
Along with this, school nursing experience is accepted for the Registered Nurse and Assistant Nurse titles, subject to confirmation of their skills and competencies by the healthcare facility. Assistant nurses and assistant midwives must work under supervision, as their independent work is not accepted as per the PQR.
| Category | Experience |
| Registered Nurse | No experience required |
| Assistant Nurse | No experience required |
| Nurse Practitioner | Two (2) years post-qualification |
| Specialty Nurse | 1 year of experience after a postgraduate qualification. 2 years of experience after a Bachelorโs in a specialty. |
Nurses and midwives with a valid license or registration from certain countries listed below are exempt from experience requirements. However, they must meet specific conditions. Their qualification must be obtained within the last three years, or they must have no gap in practice since their last employment.
They are required to submit a valid Good Standing Certificate and complete Primary Source Verification for their qualifications, experience, and license documents.
Along with this, they must show proof of English proficiency (if their studies were not in English or their license is from a non-English-speaking country), such as:
- TOEFL score of at least 500
- IELTS score of at least 5.0
- OET grade of at least C
- Cambridge English score of at least 169
These countries include:
| Country | Country |
| Australia | Netherlands |
| Austria | New Zealand |
| Belgium | Norway |
| Canada | Singapore |
| Denmark | South Africa |
| Finland | Sweden |
| France | Switzerland |
| Germany | UK |
| Iceland | USA |
| Ireland | Luxembourg |
Qualification Requirements for Midwifery Licensure
| Title | Qualifications |
| Registered Midwife | Bachelorโs degree in Midwifery (minimum 3 years), BSc in Nursing (minimum 3 years), plus Midwifery Certificate (minimum 1 year) |
| Midwife Practitioner | Must meet Registered Midwife requirements and complete one of the following: Clinical Masterโs in Midwife Practitioner (minimum 1 year with supervised clinical practice), or Doctoral degree in Midwifery Practitioner with supervised clinical practice |
Experience Requirements for Midwifery Licensure
| Title | Experience |
| Registered Midwife | 2 years of experience after qualification as a Midwife in a maternity hospital or related setting |
| Midwife Practitioner | 2 years of experience after qualification as a Midwife in a maternity hospital or related setting |
MOHAP, DHA, and DOH Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) for Allied Health Professionals
Allied healthcare is the largest and most varied group in the PQR. It has more than 30 sub-fields, from medical imaging, pharmacy, and physiotherapy to laboratory science, paramedics, and psychology, and each field has its own entry route.
Qualification and Experience Requirements for Allied Healthcare Professionals
The PQR has set specified qualification and experience requirements for Allied Health Professionals before they get DHA, DOH or MOHAP licenses to work in the healthcare sector of the United Arab Emirate. Below we have provided the details of each
Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Clinical Dietician | BSc in Dietetics, or Bachelor’s in health science majoring in Nutrition + postgraduate diploma or Master’s in Dietetics | 2 years post-qualification in a health facility |
| Nutritionist | BSc in Nutrition or Public Health Nutrition | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
Emergency Medical Services
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) | Advanced Care Paramedic qualification + postgraduate diploma or Master’s in critical care paramedicine (min. 1 year) + valid BLS, ACLS, PALS and Trauma certificate (PHTLS or ITLS) | 2 years post-qualification as a critical care paramedic |
| Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) | Bachelor’s in paramedicine/emergency medicine services (min. 3 years) + valid BLS/ACLS/PALS/Trauma certificate, OR Bachelor’s in Nursing + ACP bridging program (min. 8 weeks/500 hours) + valid certificates | 2 years post-qualification as an Advanced Care Paramedic |
| Paramedic | Certificate in paramedicine, EMS, emergency and trauma care (min. 2 academic years/1,500 hours) + valid BLS/ACLS/PALS/Trauma certificate, OR Bachelor’s in Nursing + valid certificates | 1 year post-qualification as a paramedic |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | Certificate in EMS (min. 6 weeks) + valid BLS and Trauma certificate, OR academic qualification as Assistant/Registered Nurse + valid BLS and Trauma certificate | 1 year post-qualification in a related field |
| Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) | Certificate in EMS/EMR (min. 4 weeks/80 hours) + valid BLS | 1 year post-qualification in a related field |
In Dubai, EMS professionals are licensed by the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS). EMRs cannot work independently in an ambulance or be used to license one. UAE nationals must complete 6 months of training to apply for ACP or CCP.
Medical Imaging
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Radiographer / Radiography Technologist | Bachelor’s in Radiography, Radiology Technology, or Medical/Diagnostic Imaging, OR Diploma in Radiology (min. 3 years), OR Associate degree in Radiography (min. 2 years) + registration/certification as a radiographer | 2 years post-qualification in general radiology |
| Radiography Technician | Bachelor’s in the field | 1 year post-qualification in a related field |
| Radiography Technician (alternate route) | Diploma or equivalent (min. 2 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Resonance Magnetic (MRI) Imaging Technologist | Bachelor’s/Diploma (min. 3 years) in MRI, OR Bachelor’s in Radiography + postgraduate diploma in MRI (min. 12 months)/registration with ARRT, UK HCPC, AIR, or an equivalent body | 2 years post-qualification in the MRI field |
| Sonographer | Bachelor’s/Diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound/Sonography (min. 3 years), OR Associate degree (min. 2 years) + registration, OR Bachelor’s/Diploma in Radiography + post-primary certificate/diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound (min. 12 months) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (PET Scanning) | Bachelor’s/Diploma (min. 3 years) in Nuclear Medicine Imaging | 1 year post-qualification in the Nuclear Medicine field |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (alternate route) | Associate degree (min. 2 years) + valid registration/certification, OR Bachelor’s/Diploma/Associate degree in Radiography + Diploma/Master’s (min. 1 year) in Nuclear Medicine | 2 years post-qualification in the Nuclear Medicine field |
Recognized registrations include ARRT, ARDMS, CAMRT, Sonography Canada, AIR, ASAR, registration with Ireland’s Regulation of Health and Social Care Professionals, NMTCB (USA), or the Registration Examination Assessment (REA)/New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board route.
Medical Laboratory
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Phlebotomist | 6-month program in Medical Laboratory Sciences, or completion of an approved certified phlebotomy program, or 1-year certificate in Health Science | 1 year post-qualification as a phlebotomist |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | Diploma or certificate (min. 2 years) from an accredited program or equivalent, or Bachelor’s in Biotechnology covering Medical Laboratory subjects and clinical training | No experience required* |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Science or Biomedical Science | No experience required* |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles | Bachelor’s in the specialty field, or BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology with a 1-year emphasis in the specialty | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles (alternate route) | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology + ASCP certification in the specialty | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Medical Laboratory specialty titles (alternate route) | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology alone | 4 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Clinical Scientist | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Science or equivalent + MSc in a relevant specialty | 3 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Clinical Scientist (alternate route) | BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology/Science or equivalent + PhD in a relevant specialty | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
Subject to the Discontinuity of Practice (Gap of Practice) rules. Specialty titles: Blood Banking/Transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry (Chemical Pathology), Cytogenetics, Cytology, Genetics, Hematology, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, Histotechnology, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics.
Occupational Therapy
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Occupational Therapist | Bachelor’s/Diploma from an accredited institution in Occupational Therapy (min. 3 years), or direct-entry MSc in Occupational Therapy | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant* | Accredited course in Occupational Therapy (min. 2 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Psychomotor Therapist | Bachelor’s in Psychomotor Therapy (min. 3 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
Occupational Therapy Assistant can’t Cannot work independently as they need fully licensed Occupational Therapist
Optometry
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Dispensing Optician | BSc in Optical Dispensing or Ophthalmic Dispensing | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Dispensing Optician (alternate route) | Associate Degree/Diploma (min. 2 years) in Optometry or Ophthalmic Dispensing | 4 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Ophthalmic Technician | Certified program (min. 2 years) | 2 years post-certification in retinal photography and fluorescent angiography |
| Optometrist | Bachelor’s/Diploma or Doctor of Optometry (min. 3 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Orthoptist | BSc or equivalent in Orthoptics | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Orthoptist (alternate route) | 2-year qualification + registration with the Healthcare Professional Council of the UK, American Orthoptic Council of the USA, International Orthoptic Association, or the Canadian Orthoptic Society | 4 years post-qualification in a hospital setting |
Dispensing Opticians can only work in optical centers. Ophthalmic Technicians can only work with an Ophthalmologist. Optometrists can work in ophthalmology clinics and optical centers.
Pharmacy
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Specialized Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy/PharmD/Doctor of Pharmacy + 1-year postgraduate qualification in a recognized specialty | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Specialized Pharmacist (alternate route) | BSc in Pharmacy/PharmD/Doctor of Pharmacy + American Board certification in a recognized specialty | No experience required* |
| Clinical Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy + Clinical Pharmacy Residency program (min. 2 years) | No experience required* |
| Clinical Pharmacist (alternate route) | PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy (min. 6-year course), OR BSc in Pharmacy + 2-year postgraduate qualification leading to a PharmD/Doctor of Pharmacy/Master’s in clinical pharmacy, OR Bachelor’s/4-year Master’s in pharmacy + UK Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (min. 1 year) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field, including a minimum of 6 months in a hospital setting |
| Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy, or Doctor of Pharmacy | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Pharmacy Technician | Diploma in Pharmacy program (min. 2 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
Experience with pharmaceutical companies or as a sales representative is not accepted toward licensing.
Physiotherapy / Sport Therapy
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Physiotherapist | BSc in Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy, or direct-entry MSc in Physiotherapy | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Physiotherapy Technician | Diploma/Associate degree in Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy (min. 2 years) | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Sport/Exercise Therapist | Bachelor’s in Exercise/Sport Therapy or equivalent | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Massage Therapist* | 500-hour massage therapy training program (education + supervised clinical instruction) + valid BLS | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
However one thing to keep in mind is that the Massage Therapist is licensed only by DHA.
Psychology
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Psychologist | Bachelor’s in psychology + Master’s (min. 2 years) in Psychology | 2 years post-qualification |
| Psychologist (alternate route) | Bachelor’s in psychology + Doctoral degree in Psychology | 1 year post-qualification in a related field |
| Specialized Psychologist | Bachelor’s in psychology + Master’s (min. 2 years) in a listed specialty | 2 years post-qualification |
| Specialized Psychologist (alternate route) | Bachelor’s in psychology + Doctoral degree in a listed specialty | 1 year post-qualification in a related field |
| Psychometrist | Bachelor’s (BA/BSc) in psychometrics | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Psychologist Assistant (UAE nationals only) | Bachelor’s (BA/BSc) in psychology from a psychology or education faculty with a focus on psychology | No experience required*** |
A 3-year Bachelor’s requires 3 years of experience in the related field. Psychometrists and Assistant Psychologists can practice only under supervision by a licensed Psychologist.
Respiratory Therapy
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Respiratory Therapist | Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy + valid ACLS/PALS certification, OR Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy (min. 2 years) + valid ACLS/PALS, OR Bachelor’s in Nursing + postgraduate qualification in Respiratory Therapy + valid ACLS/PALS | 1 year experience requirement |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician* | Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy or equivalent diploma (min. 2 years) | No experience required** |
| Sleep Technologist | Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy, or 2+ year certificate in Respiratory Therapy, or Bachelor’s in Nursing, plus one of: RPSGT, ABSM, or NBRC sleep-disorder certification | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
With all the above requirements fulfilled they still need to work under the supervision of a Respiratory Therapist.
Social Work
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Clinical Social Worker | BSc in Social Work + Master’s in Social Work | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
| Social Worker Assistant (UAE nationals only) | Bachelor’s in Social Work or equivalent (min. 3 years) | No experience required* |
| Applied Behavioral Analyst | Master’s in Behavioral Analysis or equivalent + proficiency test from an accredited professional association | 2 years post-qualification, or 1,500 hours of supervised training |
| Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst | Bachelor’s/Diploma in Applied Behavior Analysis + proficiency test from an accredited professional association | 2 years post-qualification, or 1,500 hours of supervised training |
| Behavior Therapy Technician | Bachelor’s/Diploma in a related psycho-analysis field | 2 years post-qualification in a related field |
DHA does not license social workers, applicants apply to the Community Development Authority (CDA). Assistant Social Workers may only practice under onsite supervision of a licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Speech Therapy
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
| Speech Therapist / Speech & Language Pathologist | BSc in Speech-Language Pathology, Speech and Language Therapy, Speech Pathology, Speech Therapy, or Audiology and Speech Therapy | 2 years post-qualification in a hospital or clinical setting |
| Speech Therapist (alternate route) | BSc in Communication, Psychology, or Linguistics + Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 year post-qualification in a hospital or clinical setting |
Other Allied Healthcare Fields at a Glance
The PQR covers 26 more allied healthcare fields with their own qualification tables. In short:
- Aesthetic/Beauty Therapy: Aesthetician: diploma in Beauty Therapy or Cosmetics (min. 1 year) + 1 year of experience.
- Allied Health Technology: Technologist/Technician (Endoscopy or Urology emphasis): bachelor’s or diploma with emphasis training + 2 years of experience.
- Anesthesia: Technologist/Technician: bachelor’s in Anesthesia Technology or a 2-year technician program + 2 years of experience.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Embryologist/IVF Technologist: bachelor’s in a lab or applied science + Master’s in Human ART, with experience ranging 1โ5 years depending on route and nationality.
- Audiology: Audiologist: BSc in Audiology or Speech & Hearing + 1โ2 years of experience; Audiology Assistant: 2-year diploma + 2 years.
- Cardiac Perfusion: Cardiac Perfusionist: bachelor’s in Cardiac Perfusion, or health sciences plus a perfusion diploma, + 2 years’ experience and 100 independent procedures performed.
- Cardiovascular Technology: Technologist/Technician/ECG Technician: BSc or 2-year program + 2 years of experience.
- Cast Technology: Cast Technician: Higher Secondary School + training certificate + 2 years of experience.
- Central Sterile Services (CSS): Technician/Aide: 2-year diploma or associate degree + 6 months to 2 years of experience.
- Dental Clinical Support: Dental Assistant, Hygienist, Lab Technician, Lab Aide: diploma-to-bachelor’s routes, with experience from none to 4 years depending on the title.
- Electro-Neurodiagnostics: Technologist/EEG Technician: bachelor’s or associate degree + registration, or a 1-year certification + 2 years of experience.
- Forensics Allied Health: Mortuary and Forensic Anthropology/Archeology/Entomology titles: bachelor’s or diploma routes + 2 years of experience.
- Genetic Counseling: Genetic Counselor: BSc + MSc in Genetic Counseling + 2 years of experience.
- Hair Transplant: Hair Transplant Technician: allied health BSc/diploma, or nursing BSc plus on-job training + 2 years of experience.
- Health Education: Health Educator: bachelor’s in a health field + postgraduate education qualification + 2 years’ experience (none if already a licensed healthcare professional).
- Healthcare Assistant (UAE nationals and children of Emirati women only): 2-year NQC-approved certificate + valid BLS, no experience required.
- Laser Hair Reduction Therapy: Laser Hair Reduction Technician: licensed Nurse or Beauty Therapist + laser training course, 0โ1 year of experience.
- Medical Physics: Medical Physicist/Assistant Medical Physicist: BSc in Physics + Master’s/PhD in Radiation or Medical Physics + 2 years of experience.
- Operation Theatre Technology: Technician/Technologist: diploma or bachelor’s + 2 years of experience.
- Physician Assistants: Physician Assistant: PA studies certificate or master’s, or an accredited program plus national certification, + 2โ4 years of experience.
- Podiatry: Podiatrist/Surgical Podiatrist: bachelor’s or diploma (plus residency and board certification for the surgical title) + 1โ2 years of experience.
- Prosthetics and Orthotics: Technologist/Technician/Anaplastologist: bachelor’s, diploma, or board certification + 2 years of experience.
- Public Health (government facilities only): Medical Entomologist and Public Health specialists (Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Biostatistics): bachelor’s + postgraduate specialty qualification + 2 years of experience.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiotherapy Technologist/Technician, Mould Room Technician: bachelor’s or diploma + 2 years of experience.
- Renal Dialysis: Dialysis Technologist/Technician: bachelor’s in Dialysis Technology or Nursing + 1โ2 years of experience.
- Toxicology: Toxicology Technologist: BSc in a health field + MSc in Clinical Toxicology, or an equivalent certification, + 2 years of experience.
Does the PQR mean one licence is valid across the UAE?
No. The PQR unifies the qualification standard, not the licence. DHA, DOH and MOHAP each issue their own licence, each with its own renewal cycle and its own CPD requirement. The value of the unified PQR is that your degree, internship and experience are judged against one national yardstick, so a file that satisfies the PQR in one emirate is normally acceptable in another. The paperwork still has to be filed again.
Once you hold the licence, the requirements do not stop. Renewal depends on your CME points per year, and if you plan to work in home care, the provider itself needs a DHA home healthcare license.
How Do Regulators Check Whether Your Degree Qualifies?
The PQR does not only look at the title of your degree, it looks at how the education was delivered. That distinction decides a large share of rejections. The video below explains what the credentialing review actually examines, and the practical points are written out underneath it.
Distance, Correspondence and Hybrid Degrees
The requirement behind the rule is evidence of hands on, face to face clinical competence. Distance learning and correspondence degrees are excluded outright. Hybrid programmes are the harder case, because they do include some time on campus. The authorities judge the degree as a whole: if the university cannot confirm that the core clinical competencies were achieved through in person attendance, the certificate is flagged during the credentialing review.
What the Credentialing Review Looks For
The agency reads your transcript rather than just your certificate. It looks for labels such as distance, external or online, and then weighs your total credit hours against the PQR baseline for in person education. If the balance of the curriculum leans towards remote delivery, the degree is usually deemed ineligible.
There is one recognised exception. If clinical teaching was interrupted by a government mandated lockdown, and your university issues an official letter confirming that the move to remote teaching was a temporary authorised measure, the case can be evaluated. It is decided individually, and without that letter from the registrar the submission does not hold up.
Check This Before You Apply
- Read your own transcript first. Any description of the mode of study other than full time or in person is a red flag worth resolving before you pay a fee.
- Verify the accreditation. The PQR requires validation by the national accreditation authority of the country where you graduated, not a place in an international ranking.
- Check your scans. High resolution, full page, colour, with the seal and signature clearly readable. Blurry or cropped scans made with a phone are a common cause of resubmission requests and of delays measured in weeks.
