MOHAP licence requirements and application
Start with MOHAP evaluation through UAE PASS. The officer decides your assessment; your hiring facility applies for the licence later.
Facts last verified 5 October 2026. Updated 6 October 2026.
Check your title and experience
The Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) set the rules for your title. MOHAP, DHA, DOH and SHA share this rulebook. Your title decides which exam or exemption applies. Read your title’s full PQR entry before you apply.
| Title | Qualification | Experience and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | MBBS, MBChB or equal; at least 5 years excluding internship | 1-year internship, then 2 years of clinical experience; exceptions for UAE nationals and qualifying UAE graduates |
| General Dentist | BDS, DMD, DDS or equal | Completed internship and 2 years of clinical experience; title-specific exceptions for UAE nationals and some UAE graduates |
| Registered Nurse | Nursing bachelor’s; at least 3 years full time | No minimum experience; practice-gap rules apply |
| Assistant Nurse | Nursing diploma; at least 18 months | No minimum experience; practice-gap rules apply; work under a registered nurse |
| Pharmacist | BSc in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy | 2 years of related experience after qualification; licensing service allows no gap over 2 years |
On 1 April 2026, MOHAP removed its 6-month experience rule for registered and assistant nurses (announcement). This covers UAE and overseas graduates. Distance and correspondence nursing awards do not count. For bridging degrees, follow diploma nurse eligibility.
Check an exemption before booking
An exemption removes only the exam. Qualifications, experience and verification still apply. Your equivalent exam or licence must match your title. The officer decides during evaluation.
| Title | Routes to check |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner | AMC written and clinical, LMCC, PRES, NZREX, EMREE, both PLAB parts, USMLE Part III |
| General Dentist | ADC, NDEB, Irish and New Zealand routes, ORE, UK graduate and GDC route, NBDE parts, EDEE |
| Nurse | Listed-country licence and good standing, or NCLEX for USA, Canada and Australia |
| Pharmacist | Listed-country licence and good standing, or EPREE |
Nurse and pharmacist licence routes need a qualification from the last 3 years or no practice gap. English evidence may be needed. Proof with no expiry date is accepted within 5 years of issue. UAE nationals and children of Emirati women can skip the exam if they have the required documents. Read the exemption conditions for your route.
Resolve a practice gap before paying
The August 2025 evaluation page uses a 2-year practice-gap limit. The November 2025 version uses 3 years. The January 2026 licensing page keeps 2 years. If your gap exceeds 2 years, ask MOHAP which rule applies before paying.
The DHA-hosted PQR removes exam equivalency after a gap over 3 years. The DOH-hosted copy says over 2 years. Ask MOHAP which rule applies 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.
Apply for evaluation, then verification
- Sign in through UAE PASS on the MOHAP website or app. Choose Evaluation of Health Professional.
- Upload qualifications, academic records, passport, experience and professional documents, exemption evidence and earlier DataFlow reports. Use readable copies with no password.
- Pay the evaluation fee and submit. The officer selects documents for DataFlow, which checks them with their issuers.
- Follow the written, oral or Prometric exam route the officer sets, or the accepted exemption.
- After meeting the assessment requirement, download your evaluation letter.
The checklist makes experience, licence and good-conduct documents optional for new graduates. You can start evaluation without an employer. An earlier DataFlow report needs a transfer and new signed consent. Extra checks may follow; see MOHAP fees.
The November 2025 service gives 5 working days for evaluation review. DataFlow gives 15 to 25 working days from payment and complete documents. Its 2023 pharmacist article gave an average of 14 working days. These cover different scopes and dates.
Your facility applies for the licence
Your evaluation letter alone does not let you work. The facility needs your valid evaluation, accepted verification, accepted work invitation and a valid facility licence. Add your passport, introductory statement, experience evidence and malpractice insurance.
The January 2026 licensing service gives 1 to 2 working days once your file is complete, depending on licence type. It sends the electronic licence to your registered email. You can also access it through UAE PASS.
Pharmacists use a separate service. Its checklist asks for academic and experience certificates, a valid assessment and criminal clearance. Add the facility request, job offer, identity and residence documents, and pharmacist forms. It gives 5 working days.
If you hold an active DHA or DOH licence, your facility uses MOHAP’s licence transfer route.
Your employer arranges the work permit and residence visa. Follow the job offer and visa steps for the documents and order.