Department of Health Abu Dhabi HAAD License

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

🔎 What You Will Learn in This Guide

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

Health Insurance UAE Plans

GP Clinic

Dubai Insurance

Plan NameDubaiCare Next N5

Medical Cover (AED)1,000,000

Starting FromAED 1,239/Yearly

NetworkDubaiCare Next

GP Clinic

HAYAH Insurance

Plan NameBlue

Medical Cover (AED)150,000

Starting FromAED 1,275/Yearly

NetworkBlue

GP Clinic

Watania Takaful (Previously Noor Takaful)

Plan NameNAS NRICare Plan 6

Medical Cover (AED)1,000,000

Starting FromAED 2,049/Yearly

NetworkNAS-VN

Full Access

Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company

Plan NameBronze

Medical Cover (AED)250,000

Starting FromAED 4,541/Yearly

NetworkMSHI Bronze

Full Access

Cigna

Plan NameHealthguard Regional

Medical Cover (AED)2,750,000

Starting FromAED 10,651/Yearly

NetworkGeneral

Plans shown as per selected filters. T&Cs apply

What is the Department of Health (HAAD)?

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.

Role of DoH (HAAD) in Abu Dhabi

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

What is a HAAD License?

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 —

Doctors
Dentists
Nurses
Pharmacists
Other Professions (like physiotherapists, homeopathy, alternative medical practitioners and more)

How to Get a Department of Health Abu Dhabi License?

To work as a healthcare professional in Abu Dhabi, you must obtain a DoH license. Here’s a step-by-step guide —

Create an Account on DataFlow – Register on the DataFlow platform to begin your application.
Complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) – Submit your educational and professional documents for verification.
Log into the TAMM Platform – Access the TAMM system using your Unique Identification Number (UIN).
Submit Application & Documents – Upload all required documents, including certificates and proof of experience.
Pay Application Fees – Complete the fee payment to proceed with the process.
Book an Exam (If Required) – If your profession requires an exam, schedule your test.
Take the Exam (If Applicable) – Appear for and pass the required licensing exam.
Link to a Healthcare Facility – If not already linked, connect your application to a healthcare employer.
Pay the License Issuance Fees – Once approved, complete the final payment for your license.
Receive Your DoH License – After approval and payment, you will be issued your official DoH healthcare license.

📝 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!

Documents Necessary to Obtain Department of Health Abu Dhabi License

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

Fees Required for Department of Health Abu Dhabi License

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.

How to Renew Your DoH or HAAD License?

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 —

Visit TAMM Abu Dhabi and log in using your ID number or UAE PASS.
Choose Department of Health - Abu Dhabi services and apply for the renewal of your medical professional license.
Submit all necessary documents for verification through the DataFlow system. This may include your Continuing Medical Education (CME) certificates and updated professional records.
Once document verification is complete, the application is transferred to the Health Licensing Department for further review.
If the applicant meets the DoH requirements, they will be approved for the next phase of the renewal process.
Complete the license renewal payment as per the DoH fee structure.
After approval, the renewed DoH license will be issued.

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.

Cancellation of Health Department Abu Dhabi License

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.

Draft an official letter stating your intention to cancel your HAAD license. Include your full name, license number, profession and the reason for cancellation.
Access the TAMM platform using your UAE PASS or registered credentials.
Go to the Department of Health services section.Locate and select the option for "Manage a Healthcare Professional License" or a similar service related to license management.
Upload your cancellation request letter and any other required documents.
After submission, the DoH will review your application. Make sure that you monitor your registered email and the TAMM platform for any correspondence or additional requirements.
If you possess a physical copy of your HAAD license, you may be required to return it to the DoH. Follow any instructions provided during the cancellation process.
Upon successful cancellation, discontinue all professional activities under the HAAD license. Practicing without a valid license is prohibited.

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.