Requirements for healthcare professionals to work in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi regulates the emirate’s healthcare system, ensuring professionals meet national medical standards. Every healthcare worker must obtain a DOH license before practicing. The department sets educational, professional, and examination requirements while managing Primary Source Verification (PSV) through the DataFlow Group to confirm the authenticity of qualifications and experience.

Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals must hold degrees from DOH-accredited institutions and meet the required professional experience levels, ranging from 2–3 years for entry-level, specialists with advanced experience, and consultants with 5–10 years of expertise.

Applicants must also provide a Good Standing Certificate, undergo Pearson VUE licensing exams, and meet health and age criteria. The process starts via the TAMM Portal, where documents are uploaded and reviewed before license issuance.

By 2026, the UAE aims to introduce a fully digital licensing system to simplify and speed up approvals, making the process more transparent and efficient for medical professionals seeking to work in Abu Dhabi.

The Licensing Authority: Department of Health (DOH)

The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DOH) is the government body responsible for overseeing the healthcare system and ensuring that healthcare professionals meet the required standards for practice in the emirate. The DOH’s role includes setting licensure requirements, managing the licensing process, and ensuring that healthcare providers adhere to the standards set forth by the UAE’s healthcare regulations.

Healthcare professionals must obtain a license from the DOH before they can practice in Abu Dhabi. The DOH sets out clear guidelines regarding the required education, professional experience, and examinations for licensure. The department also oversees the process of verifying educational qualifications and professional history through Primary Source Verification (PSV), ensuring that all professionals practicing in Abu Dhabi are properly credentialed.

Healthcare professionals looking to work in Abu Dhabi must understand that the DOH has stringent standards for medical practice. It is the responsibility of the healthcare professional to ensure their qualifications meet the DOH’s criteria, and they must provide all necessary documentation to verify their credentials.

Professional Requirements for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals who wish to practice in Abu Dhabi must meet a set of educational and professional requirements as outlined by the DOH. These requirements vary by profession and level of expertise. Below, we break down the key criteria for some of the most common healthcare professions:

Educational Qualifications

To be eligible for licensure in Abu Dhabi, healthcare professionals must possess the necessary educational qualifications from recognized institutions. For example:

• Doctors and Dentists: Must have an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) or equivalent degree for physicians or a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) for dentists from an accredited institution. The institution must be recognized by the DOH to ensure that the qualification meets global medical standards.
  
• Nurses: A minimum of a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in Nursing is required to practice as a registered nurse. The degree must be obtained from an accredited nursing school. Nurses who hold diplomas or certificates may be required to pursue further education or certification to meet the DOH’s standards.
  
• Pharmacists: To become a licensed pharmacist in Abu Dhabi, professionals must have a degree in Pharmacy, typically a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, from an accredited institution.
  
• Allied Health Professionals: For professions such as physiotherapists, laboratory technicians, and radiographers, a degree in the respective field is required. The DOH has specific educational requirements for each allied health profession.

Professional Experience

The DOH mandates that healthcare professionals have a certain level of professional experience to qualify for licensure. The experience required varies by profession and specialization:

• Tier 1 (Entry-Level): Entry-level positions require a minimum of 2 to 3 years of professional experience after obtaining the relevant degree.
  
• Tier 2 (Specialist): For specialists, additional years of experience are required, typically in specific medical fields such as surgery, cardiology, or pediatrics.
  
• Tier 3 (Consultants): Consultant positions are typically reserved for professionals with extensive experience, often 5 to 10 years in a specific medical discipline. These professionals are expected to have advanced training and additional certifications.

Primary Source Verification (PSV)

One of the most crucial parts of the licensure process in Abu Dhabi is the Primary Source Verification (PSV). This process is administered by the DataFlow Group and ensures that a healthcare professional’s qualifications and employment history are legitimate. All documents related to education, professional experience, and licenses must be verified by DataFlow to ensure their authenticity.

PSV is essential for maintaining high standards of medical practice in Abu Dhabi. Without completing the verification process, healthcare professionals cannot proceed with their application for licensure. The verification process can take several weeks, so professionals need to start early and ensure they have all the necessary documents for submission.

Licensing Exam Requirements

Most healthcare professionals are required to pass a licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE. The exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and competency in their medical field. The exam format varies by profession but generally includes multiple-choice questions and clinical case scenarios.

The DOH may waive the exam requirement for professionals with significant experience or advanced qualifications. However, for most applicants, passing the exam is a mandatory step in the licensing process.

Good Standing Certificate

As part of the application process, healthcare professionals must provide a Good Standing Certificate from their home country or the country where they last worked. This certificate confirms that the individual has no history of malpractice or disciplinary action against them. It must be dated within the last 6 months and should come from the professional regulatory body or employer.

Special Considerations

There are some additional factors to consider for healthcare professionals wishing to work in Abu Dhabi:

• Age Limits: Doctors over the age of 60 may be required to provide additional medical documentation to ensure they are fit for practice.
  
• Physical and Mental Health: In some cases, professionals may need to provide a health certificate if there are concerns about their ability to practice.
  

What is the Application Process for DOH Licensing?

The licensing process in Abu Dhabi involves several key steps:

1. Create an Account on the TAMM Portal: TAMM is the unified government platform for all services in Abu Dhabi. Healthcare professionals must create an account on the TAMM portal to begin the licensing process.
   
2. Submit Documentation: All required documents, including educational qualifications, professional experience certificates, and PSV results, must be submitted through the portal.
   
3. DOH Review: The DOH will review the application and documents. If everything is in order, the applicant will be allowed to schedule the licensing exam.
   
4. Pearson VUE Exam: Candidates must pass the exam, which tests their knowledge and competency in the field.
   
5. License Issuance: Upon successful completion of the steps, the DOH will issue a license to practice in Abu Dhabi.