By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
A DOH license lets doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals practise in Abu Dhabi, and lets clinics, pharmacies and labs operate there. It is issued by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, which replaced HAAD. Professionals usually need PQR eligibility, Dataflow verification and the DOH exam, with direct costs often around AED 4,500 to 7,000. This guide covers both licence types, steps, fees and FAQs.
What Is a DOH License?
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) regulates healthcare across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, including Al Ain and Al Dhafra. A DOH license is its permission to practise or operate. People often still call it a HAAD license, because DOH was known as the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) until 2017.
There are two main types:
- DOH professional license: for individual healthcare workers such as physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals
- DOH facility license: for healthcare businesses such as clinics, medical centres, pharmacies, labs, home healthcare providers and hospitals
Most searches for an “Abu Dhabi medical license” or a “medical license in Abu Dhabi” mean the professional licence. Investors opening a clinic need both: a facility licence for the business and professional licences for every clinician.
Who Needs a DOH License?
- Doctors, specialists and consultants
- Dentists and dental hygienists
- Registered nurses and midwives
- Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
- Physiotherapists, radiographers and lab technologists
- Allied health and complementary medicine practitioners, including some massage and wellness roles
- Clinic, pharmacy, lab and hospital owners
DOH vs DHA vs MOHAP: Which Licence Do You Need?
| Authority | Where It Applies | Licence For |
|---|---|---|
| DOH | Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra | Professionals and facilities in Abu Dhabi |
| Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | Dubai | Professionals and facilities in Dubai |
| MOHAP | Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah | Professionals and facilities in the Northern Emirates |
| DHCC | Dubai Healthcare City free zone | Professionals and facilities inside DHCC |
Each authority runs its own licence, exam and eligibility rules. A DHA or MOHAP licence does not let you work in Abu Dhabi, although some verification reports can be reused. If you plan to work in Dubai instead, see our guides to the nursing license in DHCC and the pharmacist license in Dubai.
DOH Professional License: Eligibility
DOH sets eligibility through its Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). The PQR lists the qualifications, experience and registrations needed for each job title. Typical requirements include:
- Recognised qualification in your profession
- Active licence or registration in your home country
- Relevant experience, often around two years after qualification for many roles, and more for specialists
- Certificate of good standing, usually issued within the last six months
- Valid BLS or ACLS for many nursing and clinical roles
| Profession | Typical Requirement (check PQR) |
|---|---|
| General practitioner | Medical degree, internship and around 2 years of experience |
| Specialist or consultant | Board certification or fellowship plus specialty experience |
| Registered nurse | Nursing degree or diploma and around 2 years of experience |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacy degree and around 2 years of experience |
| Allied health | Relevant degree or diploma and 1 to 3 years of experience |
Always check the latest PQR for your exact title before you spend money on verification. Some professionals with recognised board certifications or qualifications from listed institutions may be exempt from the exam.
How to Get a DOH License in Abu Dhabi: Step by Step
- Check the PQR for your profession and title.
- Create an account on TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s government services platform, using UAE Pass.
- Submit your DOH application with your degree, licence, experience letters, passport and photo.
- Complete primary source verification through the DataFlow Group, which checks your documents directly with issuing bodies.
- Receive exam approval from the DOH Health Professionals Licensing Department.
- Book and pass the DOH exam, delivered by Pearson VUE as a computer based test.
- Get an eligibility status or job offer from a DOH licensed facility.
- Complete the medical fitness test and other employer steps.
- Activate your licence through your employer once your visa process starts.
With Dataflow and the exam running in parallel, many professionals complete the process in about two to four months. Delays usually come from slow verification of old documents.
DOH Professional License Fees
The figures below are approximate, based on published practitioner guides. DOH and its partners update fees, so check TAMM before you pay.
| Item | Approximate Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Dataflow primary source verification | 1,100 to 1,400 |
| DOH exam | 1,200 to 1,500 |
| DOH application and evaluation | 1,000 to 1,500 |
| Licence issuance | 1,000 to 2,000 |
| Medical fitness test | 300 to 500 |
| Good standing certificate | Varies by country |
| Typical direct total | About 4,500 to 7,000 |
Many employers reimburse licence fees once you join. Ask before you accept the offer.
DOH Exam: What to Expect
- Format: multiple choice, computer based, taken at a Pearson VUE test centre
- Booking: pay the pre-booking fee on TAMM, then book your date through the link in your account
- Content: based on your profession and specialty
- Retakes: allowed after a waiting period if you fail
Prepare with past question banks and focus on your specialty and patient safety topics.
DOH Contact for Licensing Questions
Most DOH services now run through TAMM, so visiting a DOH office is rarely needed. For exam questions, Pearson VUE lists the DOH exam team at exam@doh.gov.ae and +971 2 666 4442. For general questions, use the contact details on the official DOH website.
Using a Medical License Agency in Abu Dhabi
Many professionals search for a “medical license agency in Abu Dhabi” to manage the process. A good agency or consultant can:
- Check your PQR eligibility before you pay any fees
- Prepare and submit your TAMM application correctly
- Track Dataflow verification and chase slow institutions
- Advise on exam preparation and booking
- Connect you with DOH licensed employers
Use only reputable firms, never share your exam booking or UAE Pass login, and remember that DOH itself makes the final decision.
DOH Healthcare Facility License
Opening a clinic, pharmacy or lab in Abu Dhabi needs a DOH facility licence alongside a commercial licence.
Facility Types
- General and specialised clinics
- Medical and dental centres
- Pharmacies
- Diagnostic and clinical labs
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres
- Home healthcare providers
- One day surgery centres and hospitals
Facility Licensing Steps
- Choose the facility type and services.
- Get initial approval from DOH through TAMM.
- Obtain a commercial licence from the Abu Dhabi licensing authority. See our guide to the business license in Abu Dhabi.
- Lease premises that meet DOH design standards.
- Submit layout drawings for DOH review.
- Complete the fit-out and install equipment.
- Hire licensed staff, including a medical director.
- Pass the DOH inspection.
- Receive the DOH facility licence and start operating.
Our guide on how to open a medical clinic in Abu Dhabi covers this in detail, and how to start a business in Abu Dhabi explains the commercial side.
Facility Setup Costs
| Cost Item | Approximate Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| DOH facility licence fees | 10,000 to 50,000, depending on type |
| Commercial licence | 15,000 to 40,000 per year |
| Premises rent | 80,000 to 400,000+ per year |
| Fit-out to DOH standards | 150,000 to 1,000,000+ |
| Medical equipment | 100,000 to 2,000,000+ |
| Small clinic launch budget | About 500,000 to 1,500,000+ |
These are approximate market estimates. Pharmacies and labs vary widely, so see our guides to starting a pharmacy business and opening a diagnostic lab.
DOH Compliance After Opening
Once licensed, a facility must keep meeting DOH standards. Expect regular inspections, patient safety and infection control audits, accurate medical records and electronic claims through the approved insurance systems. Repeated violations can lead to fines, suspension or licence cancellation, so many clinics appoint a dedicated compliance or quality manager. Physiotherapy and wellness centres follow similar rules, see our guide to opening a physiotherapy centre. Professionals comparing Gulf markets can also read how a foreigner gets a medical license in Oman.
DOH License Renewal and CME
- Renewal: renew your professional licence through TAMM before it expires. Renewal usually needs a valid employer, medical fitness and proof of continuing education
- CME: DOH requires a set number of Continuing Medical Education credits in each licence cycle
- Facility renewal: clinics renew their DOH licence and commercial licence each year, and remain subject to inspections and DOH standards
- Insurance: facilities must work with DOH regulated health insurance, and employers must provide health insurance for staff
Business owners also need to renew their trade licence, see how to renew a trade license in Abu Dhabi.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying for Dataflow before confirming PQR eligibility
- Submitting documents with mismatched names or dates
- Assuming a DHA licence works in Abu Dhabi
- Leasing clinic premises before DOH layout approval
- Letting CME credits fall short before renewal
Expert Tip From Our Consultants
For professionals, the fastest route is to start Dataflow as soon as you confirm PQR eligibility, then study for the exam while verification runs. For investors, decide your facility type and services first, because that decides the space, staff and equipment DOH expects. Healthcare professionals with strong careers may also qualify for the UAE Golden Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DOH license?
It is the licence from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi that allows healthcare professionals to practise and healthcare facilities to operate in Abu Dhabi.
How much does a DOH license cost?
Direct professional licensing costs are often around AED 4,500 to 7,000, including Dataflow, the exam and licence fees.
How long does it take to get a DOH license?
Usually two to four months, depending on verification and exam timing.
Is HAAD the same as DOH?
Yes. HAAD was renamed the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.
What is the PQR in DOH?
The Professional Qualification Requirements set the qualifications and experience needed for each healthcare job title.
Can I work in Dubai with a DOH license?
No. Dubai needs a DHA licence, and the Northern Emirates need a MOHAP licence.
Who conducts the DOH exam?
Pearson VUE delivers the DOH exam at its test centres, with booking through TAMM.
Do I need a job offer to get a DOH license?
You can pass the exam and get eligibility without one, but activation usually needs a DOH licensed employer.
What does DOH compliance mean in the UAE?
It means meeting DOH standards for licensing, staffing, patient safety, records and inspections in Abu Dhabi healthcare facilities.
Start Your Healthcare Business in Abu Dhabi
Gulf Corporate Services helps doctors and investors open clinics, pharmacies and labs, from commercial licensing to DOH approvals, visas and banking. Explore our business setup in Dubai and UAE services, compare a clinic license in Dubai, or speak to our business setup consultants. Expanding to the Kingdom? Read how to start a healthcare business in Saudi Arabia.
