Jul 25, 2025
Planning to work in Dubai as a doctor, nurse, or therapist? You’re not alone. Every year, professionals from around the world move here for better career prospects, advanced hospitals, and structured systems. But before you step into a clinic or hospital, you’ll need to sort out your license.
Many think the licensing process is simple paperwork. In reality, it demands planning, accuracy, and knowing exactly what’s expected. A missed document or skipped step can delay your job offer or joining date.
Who Needs a License?
If you’re providing any kind of clinical care in Dubai, you’ll need a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Working in Dubai Healthcare City? Then your license comes from Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA).
In other emirates:
Abu Dhabi: Department of Health (DOH)
Sharjah & Northern Emirates: Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
This applies to doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, lab technicians, therapists, and anyone else delivering medical services.
Basic Eligibility Checklist
While exact requirements differ by profession, here are common essentials:
Educational Qualification
A degree or diploma in your field from a recognised university. Doctors and nurses should also have completed their internship.Experience
For example, general practitioners need two years post-internship. Specialists usually require three years in their field. Nurses should have at least two years of clinical work after graduating.Good Standing Certificate
You’ll need a certificate confirming your clean professional record, issued by your current licensing authority within the last six months.Practice Gap
Ideally, your clinical experience shouldn’t have gaps longer than two years. If it does, you might need to undergo extra training or assessments.
Documents You’ll Need
Get these ready early to save time:
Passport copy (with UAE visa if you have one)
Recent passport photo (white background)
Attested education certificates
Internship and work experience letters stating job title, facility, and dates
Good Standing Certificate
Current professional license from your home country or last place of work
Updated CV listing your clinical experience clearly
Certain roles also require certifications like BLS or ACLS.
Do You Have to Take an Exam?
Most healthcare professionals must clear a Prometric exam in their field. Doctors might also need to attend an oral assessment after passing the written exam. Nurses, pharmacists, and allied health staff usually only need the Prometric result and dataflow verification.
For those applying under DOH or MOHAP, the exam format can vary slightly, but the overall process is similar.
How Long Will Licensing Take?
Here’s a rough timeline:
Dataflow verification: 30–45 days
Exam scheduling and results: 1–2 weeks after dataflow approval
License issuance: Within 1–2 weeks of completing all steps
If your documents are organised, expect the entire process to take around 2–3 months.
Why Get Professional Help?
While it looks straightforward, a missing attestation or wrongly formatted document can set you back weeks. Working with a healthcare consultancy ensures:
Your documents meet UAE standards
Applications are submitted error-free
You save time and avoid unnecessary stress
At Business Heads, we assist healthcare professionals with DHA, DOH, and MOH licensing, guiding you at every step.
Final Thoughts
Dubai offers a rewarding environment for healthcare professionals. With the right preparation and support, you can get your license quickly and begin your career with confidence.
