DOH licence requirements and TAMM application
You can start a DOH application without a job offer. A facility must nominate you before DOH issues your licence.
Facts last verified 5 October 2026. Updated 6 October 2026.
Check your title before you apply
You need a Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) licence to work in health in the emirate. Check your title against the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | MBBS, MBChB or equal degree; at least 5 years excluding internship | 1-year internship, then 2 years of clinical experience |
| General Dentist | BDS, DMD, DDS or equal degree; completed internship | 2 years of clinical experience |
| Registered Nurse | Nursing bachelor’s; at least 3 years full time | No minimum experience; practice-gap rules apply |
| Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy | 2 years of related experience after qualification |
UAE nationals and some UAE graduates have title-specific exceptions. Check your title before booking.
| Your case | Next step |
|---|---|
| Nursing diploma | At least 18 months leads to Assistant Nurse, working under a Registered Nurse. No minimum experience; practice-gap rules apply. Distance or correspondence nursing awards do not count. |
| Assistant Nurse with a new bachelor’s | Apply to upgrade if assistant experience is no more than 5 years. DOH must approve. |
| Specialist or consultant | Follow the separate specialist routes. A GP licence does not cover specialist practice. |
| Break in practice | DOH’s PQR has a 3-year general-break rule and a 2-year exam-equivalency rule. DOH’s catalogue uses 2 years for profession requirements. The DHA-hosted PQR equivalency clause uses 3 years. Ask DOH which rule applies. |
The DHA-hosted PQR and DOH catalogue use those different practice-gap limits. Ask DOH before relying on an exemption.
The PQR also sets general practice-gap limits. Gaps over 5 years exceed the limit for non-UAE nationals. For UAE nationals and children of Emirati women, the limit is over 10 years. After required practice-gap training, you must sit an exam even if you previously qualified for an exemption. UAE nationals and children of Emirati women are exempt from that exam requirement.
Check exam exemptions
An exemption removes only the exam. DOH still checks your award, work experience and documents before issuing the licence (PQR). DOH’s 2024 manual says “no exceptions whatsoever”, while the April 2025 PQR lists equivalent exam routes. Ask DOH which route applies before you book. The DOH-hosted PQR and DHA-hosted PQR differ on qualification age for nursing and pharmacy licence routes.
| Title or case | Route and limits |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner | AMC written and clinical, LMCC, PRES, NZREX, EMREE, both PLAB parts or USMLE Part III. Proof must be valid. |
| General Dentist | ADC, NDEB, Irish or New Zealand routes, ORE, UK graduate and GDC route, NBDE parts or EDEE. Each route has conditions. |
| Nurse or midwife | Valid NCLEX pass (USA, Canada or Australia), or valid listed-country licence and good standing. Licence route: qualification within 2 years in DOH’s PQR, or 3 years in DHA’s, or no break since your last job. English evidence may be needed. Ask DOH which qualification-age rule applies. |
| Pharmacist or clinical pharmacist | EPREE, or a qualifying licence and good standing from a listed country. The licence route has the same qualification-age conflict and continuous-practice alternative. English evidence may be needed. |
| Proof without an expiry | PQR accepts it within 5 years of issue. The proof must match your title. |
| UAE nationals and children of Emirati women | PQR exam exemption with the required documents. |
| DHA or MOHAP licence | DOH may exempt the same title in good standing. Apply for a new DOH licence in TAMM, with a full report addressed to DOH. Valid licences, or those expired or cancelled within 6 months, qualify for recognition; see UAE licence transfer. |
Prepare your documents
- Valid passport.
- Degree certificates and your transcript or residency letter.
- Proof of work and your licence or registration.
- Good Standing Certificate, no older than 6 months. This is a letter from your regulator about your licence status.
- A facility’s letter naming you for a job, or a job offer, if you have one when you apply.
You can apply without an employer (procedural manual). A new award used to upgrade your title also needs primary source verification. DataFlow checks your documents with the bodies that issued them.
Start TAMM, then DataFlow
- Register through TAMM with your ID number or UAE PASS. Select DOH services, then the service to issue a professional licence (DOH FAQ).
- Use your TAMM unique identifier (UIN) and the same email address for DataFlow.
- Send your documents and sign the letter that lets DataFlow check them. Check the quote before paying (DataFlow applicant guide).
- Wait for DOH to review your file after the checks. A good report alone does not let you sit the exam.
DataFlow’s August 2026 guide gives 25 working days standard or 14 express, after payment and complete documents. DOH’s 2024 catalogue gives 24 working days. Check the estimate for your case.
Complete the facility link after assessment
If you are not yet linked to a facility, link within 3 months of assessment. Otherwise your application expires (DOH catalogue). DOH issues the licence after facility nomination, clearance and payment. Follow DOH fees and booking, then DOH results and next steps.