Abu Dhabi provides high-quality healthcare to its residents. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), formerly known as the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), regulates and oversees the healthcare system. It ensures that hospitals, clinics and medical professionals follow strict safety and ...read more
In this guide, you will learn everything about the Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi License and how to manage it.
Here’s what we’ll cover —
✅ What is the DoH (HAAD) License? – Understand its purpose and importance for healthcare professionals
📝 How to Apply for a DoH License? – Step-by-step process to obtain your license and start practicing in Abu Dhabi
💰 Fees & Required Documents – Know the costs and paperwork needed for a successful application
🔄 How to Renew Your DoH License? – Learn the process of keeping your license valid and up to date
❌ How to Cancel Your DoH License? – Step-by-step guide to officially cancel your license if you no longer need it
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is the authoritative body overlooking the healthcare industry in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi. It sets strategies for the healthcare industry and analyses the overall health conditions of UAE nationals and the residents of the Emirate as well as the medical facilities.
DoH also creates programs to raise awareness about adopting healthy living standards in Abu Dhabi. Besides designing a framework, it also inspects the hospitals in case of regulation violations and enforces standards. Through these efforts, DoH ensures a well-regulated and efficient healthcare system for the community.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) plays an important role in maintaining and improving the healthcare system across the emirate.
☑️The DoH formulates comprehensive plans to improve the health system and monitors the population's health status. This involves analysing health data to identify trends and areas needing attention
☑️The DoH establishes and enforces regulations to ensure healthcare providers adhere to quality and safety standards. This includes setting guidelines for medical practices, conducting inspections and taking corrective actions when necessary to maintain high standards of care
☑️The department continuously assesses the performance of healthcare services so that they meet established benchmarks. This involves collecting and analysing data on various health indicators, facilitating improvements where needed and promoting accountability among healthcare providers
☑️By disseminating evidence-based guidelines and facilitating professional development, the department makes sure that the latest and most effective medical practices are implemented across the emirate
☑️The initiatives by DoH aim to educate the public on preventive healthcare measures, promote wellness and encourage lifestyle choices that lead to better health outcomes
☑️The DoH determines licensing criteria, issues licenses and maintains up-to-date records of licensed healthcare professionals
To work in the healthcare industry in the UAE, all practitioners are required to have a professional license. The eligibility criteria, however, differ as per the profession. In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (previously called Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD)) issues the license.
Following healthcare professionals require HAAD license —
To work as a healthcare professional in Abu Dhabi, you must obtain a DoH license. Here’s a step-by-step guide —
📝 When Applying for a DoH License ❌ No More Than 4 Attempts – You are allowed only 4 attempts to pass the assessment across UAE health authorities. If you exceed this limit, you will not be eligible to reapply 🏥 Healthcare Facility Requirement – Your workplace must have the right specialty for your profession. Make sure the facility is approved before applying 📚 When Preparing for Exams 📝 Some Professions Require Two Exams – Certain titles may need both a written and an oral exam. You’ll know this after your credentials are reviewed. 🔤 No Translators Allowed – All exams are in English, and no translators are permitted in the oral examination. Make sure you're well-prepared! |
The following are the documents required to obtain a DoH license or HAAD license in Abu Dhabi –
Document Name |
Explanation |
Other Required Details |
---|---|---|
Academic Qualifications |
Educational certificates issued by an accredited institution in the country of issuance. The program must be full-time |
The certificate must be listed in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements document |
Family Book |
Proof of UAE nationality or relation to an Emirati mother (for children of Emirati women) |
Required for UAE Nationals and children of Emirati women |
Good Standing Certificate |
A certificate from a health regulatory body confirming the applicant’s professional conduct |
Must be issued within six (6) months of the application submission |
Health License/Registration |
A valid healthcare license from the regulatory authority in the country where the applicant worked |
The license must be valid during the required experience period |
Official Nomination Letter (if applicable) |
A letter from a healthcare facility in Abu Dhabi specifying the requested job title |
Only required if the applicant is nominated by an employer |
Logbook for Surgical Specialties |
An official document listing operations performed, issued by the healthcare facility |
Must be signed and stamped by the facility |
Valid Resuscitation Course Cards |
Certification required for certain healthcare professionals |
Applicable to nurses, midwives, EMTs and TC&M professionals |
Mother’s Family Book & Applicant’s Birth Certificate |
Proof of relation for children of Emirati women |
Required only for children of Emirati women |
Passport |
A valid passport copy |
Must be valid at the time of application |
Photograph |
A recent passport-size photo |
White background, taken within the last three months. |
Most Recent Employment Certificate(s) |
A letter issued by a healthcare facility confirming the applicant’s experience |
Should list designation and duration (start and end dates) |
Transcript or Residency Program Certificate |
A document verifying the applicant’s study or training duration |
Must follow the exact durations listed in the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements document |
To obtain a Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi License, applicants must pay various fees, including application, examination and license issuance fees.
The following table provides a breakdown of the required DoH license fees —
Fee Type | Amount (AED) | Notes |
Application Fees | 100 | Standard application processing fee |
Request Submission Fee | 100 | Required for submitting the licensing request |
Examination Fees |
Varies |
Depends on the examination type and category |
Examination Company |
450-470-490 |
Varies depending on the requested title |
Written Exam (Physicians, Dentists & Pharmacists) |
100 |
Required for these specific professions |
Written Exam (Other Categories) |
50 |
Applicable to all other healthcare professionals |
Oral Exam & Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (Physicians, Dentists & Pharmacists) |
0 |
No fee required for these categories |
Oral Exam & OSCE (Other Categories) |
100 |
Applicable to non-physician, dentist and pharmacist categories |
License Issuance Fees |
Varies |
Based on profession and license validity. |
Physicians & Dentists (1-Year Validity) |
2500 |
License fee for one year. |
Physicians & Dentists (2-Year Validity) |
3350 |
License fee for two years. |
Pharmacists (1-Year Validity) |
300 |
License fee for one year. |
Pharmacists (2-Year Validity) |
600 |
License fee for two years. |
Pharmacy Technicians (1-Year Validity) |
150 |
License fee for one year. |
Pharmacy Technicians (2-Year Validity) |
350 |
License fee for two years. |
Other Categories (1-Year Validity) |
200 |
License fee for one year. |
Other Categories (2-Year Validity) |
400 |
License fee for two years. |
💰 When Paying Fees & Submitting Documents 💳Payment Validity: 30 Days – Once you reach the payment step, you must complete it within 30 days or your application may be canceled. 📄 Document Validity: 90 Days – Attach all requested documents within 90 days of starting your application or you may need to resubmit them. |
A Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi license is valid for one or two years, depending on the profession. Healthcare professionals must renew their licenses before expiration to continue practicing legally. The renewal process confirms that medical practitioners maintain updated qualifications and comply with healthcare standards in Abu Dhabi.
Follow the given steps to renew your DoH license in Abu Dhabi —
DoH license renewal fees are given in the table below —
License Type |
Validity |
Renewal Fee (AED) |
Healthcare Professional License |
1 Year |
100 |
Physician License |
1 Year |
850 |
Physician License |
2 Years |
1,600 |
Nurse, Allied Health, and Pharmacist License |
1 Year |
200 |
Nurse, Allied Health, and Pharmacist License |
2 Years |
300 |
Pharmacy Technician License |
1 Year |
100 |
Pharmacy Technician License |
2 Years |
100 |
🔄 When Renewing or Linking Your License 🔗 Healthcare Facility Link Validity: 90 Days – Once you receive approval, you must link your license to a healthcare facility within 90 days. 🎟️ Exam Booking Validity: 6 Months – If your application requires an exam, you must book it within 6 months or your approval may expire. |
If you're a healthcare professional in Abu Dhabi and wish to cancel your Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) license, it's essential to follow the proper procedures for compliance with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) regulations.License cancellation is necessary if you plan to cease practicing in the emirate or are transitioning to a different role that doesn't require a HAAD license.
Important - A fee of AED 100 is required to cancel your DoH license.
The HAAD license (now called the DoH license) is required for healthcare professionals who want to work in Abu Dhabi. It is issued by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
Doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals must have a valid DoH license to work in Abu Dhabi.
No, a HAAD (DoH) license is only valid in Abu Dhabi. If you want to work in Dubai, you need a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) license.
A DoH license is valid for 1 or 2 years, depending on your profession. You must renew it before it expires.
You can retake the exam, but you cannot fail more than 4 times across UAE health authorities (DoH, DHA, MOH).
Yes, but to activate your license, you must link it to a healthcare facility within 90 days after approval.
You can check your application status on the TAMM platform (www.tamm.abu dhabi).
Yes, you can apply for license cancellation through the TAMM portal or your employer can do it for you.
Health Insurance Dubai | Dubai Health Insurance Cost | Health Insurance for Kids | Health Insurance Plans for Family | Dental Insurance | Individual Health Insurance | Health Insurance Abu Dhabi | Medical Insurance Sharjah | How to check Medical Insurance status with Emirates ID | Best Health Insurance companies in UAE | Health Insurance for Parents | Maternity Insurance UAE