There are four licenses 
, one granted by Dubai government (Dubai Health Authority or DHA) after successful examination and entitles the holder to practice only in Dubai, the other is granted by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi or HAAD which allows you to practice in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and the third option is to pass the Abu Dhabi Ministry exam (MOH) which entitles its holder to practice anywhere in the UAE except the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, such as Sharjah or Ras Al Kheima. A separate license by Harvard International is issued for the Dubai Health Care City, a free Zone with the Government of Dubai as your sponsor. This license allows to set up a practice strictly within the DHCC free zone area. You can apply on line through the government websites.
The requirements to take the exam in Dubai
are the following (takes 2-4 weeks):
Must submit the application filled by employer
1. Updated CV
2.Medical school certificate
3.American Boards all equivalent
4.A certificate of good standing from the state Board or Medical Syndicate in home country
5.A recommendation letter.
6.Photocopy of passport clearly showing expiration date
7.Four photographs
8.Certificate of experience detailing your practice after graduation obtained either from your hospital or medical society.
9.In the case of surgeons, a list of the surgeries they usually perform is required to be submitted with the application.
Items 3 and 4 must be authenticated by the UAE consulate in the country where certificates are issued. American Board certification entitles doctors to a quasi automatic licensure. An interview is required with a licensing committee and rarely does a qualified person fail. The interview is usually a routine affair for board certified physicians although I strongly recommend that you study/refresh your memory for a few weeks.
Depending on the qualifications and training of the individual the committee would be tough or lenient. A three year post graduate experience is strongly preferred and five years is even better.
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Licensing (currently takes 3-4 months):
To apply for licensure as a ‘
General Practitioner’ including Dentistry to work in the private sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi you are required to demonstrate the following:
1.You have successfully completed and hold an accredited recognized primary medical qualification in your own country
2.You have successfully completed and can demonstrate a one(1) year internship ‘General Practice’ program. Plus you must show evidence of practice as a non training grade registered General Practitioner (GP) or Dentist for a minimum of two(2) years experience
3.You hold a current and valid license to practice as a registered Medical Practitioner (General Practice) in your home country without any conditions or limitations
4.You are proficient in reading and writing English (all examinations conducted in English)
To apply for licensure as a ‘
Specialist Physician\Dentist’ in work in the private sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi you are required to demonstrate the following:
1.You have successfully completed and hold an accredited recognized primary medical qualification in your own country
2.Specialization certificate obtained after a fulltime structured residency program/ course of no less than 3 years duration for Physicians and no less than 2 years duration for Dentists in a university centre, teaching hospital or where appropriate, in a health establishment approved by the competent authorities.
3.No less than 3 years post certification
4.You hold a current and valid license to practice as a registered Specialist Physician in your home country without any conditions or limitations
5.You are proficient in reading and writing English (all examinations conducted in English)
To apply for licensure as a ‘
Consultant Physician\Dentist’ in work in the private sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi you are required to demonstrate the following:
1.You have successfully completed and hold an accredited recognized primary medical qualification in your own country
2.Specialization certificate obtained after a fulltime structured residency program/ course of no less than 3 years duration in a university centre, teaching hospital or where appropriate, in a health establishment approved by the competent authorities.
3.No less than 8 years post certification in an acute care hospital and no less than 3 years as Consultant
4.You hold a current and valid license to practice as a registered Specialist Physician in your home country without any conditions or limitations
5.You are proficient in reading and writing English (all examinations conducted in English)
LICENSING APPLICATION CHECKLIST
The following checklist provides you a guide on the documents that you are required to submit along with your application form. Proof of originals is required upon submission. All attached documents for licensing require legal English translation because these documents may have to be reviewed by Non – Arabic speaking officers.
A.Completed application form with completed declaration by Private Health Care Facility including their official stamp
B.Current and up to date detailed resume with 5 passport photographs
C.Passport and Visa (Residence or Visit) – valid and current
D.High school leaving certificate. This is not a strict requirement for Physicians, Dentists and pharmacists
E.Professional qualifications – Certificate/ Diploma/ Degree/ Post Graduate
F.Transcript of professional training – must include theory and clinical hours
G.Practicing Professional License – valid and current from home country
A certificate of
‘Good Standing’/ Registration or License from each country where you have been employed to meet minimum requirement of 2 years experience post internship If you worked in a country and for a government facility where you practiced on your ‘home license’ (e.g. Saudi Arabia) please ensure to summit certificate of employment in place of certificate of ‘good standing’
Relevant Experience:
*Official certificate of service from an authorized person at health facility. Preferably from HR
**Experience must be in a substantive post (Volunteer work and training is not acceptable)
