Which UAE health authority licenses you? DHA, DOH, MOHAP, SHA and DHCR

UAE health regulation has two levels. Federal law sets the rules every healthcare professional follows, and a licensing authority applies them in its own territory. Federal Law No. 5 of 2019 on the practice of human medicine defines the "Health Authority" as "the Ministry or any governmental federal or local authority in charge of health affairs in the State, each within its respective area of competence". That one phrase explains the map: the Ministry of Health and Prevention at federal level, and an emirate authority wherever one has been given competence.

• Federal laws that apply everywhere: Federal Law No. 5 of 2019 (physicians and dentists), Federal Law No. 6 of 2023 (nurses, midwives and allied health), Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 (pharmacists and medical products) and Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability, which bars practice without insurance against civil liability for medical errors (Art. 25).
• Emirate frameworks on top: Dubai has Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024, Abu Dhabi has Law No. 10 of 2018 establishing the Department of Health, and Sharjah has Executive Council Resolution No. 29 of 2025.
• A provider is not a regulator: Emirates Health Services, set up by Cabinet Resolution No. 9 of 2016, runs federal hospitals and clinics. It employs professionals; MOHAP licenses them.

Each authority counts continuing professional development in its own way: points per year in Dubai, credits per two-year cycle in Abu Dhabi, hours per renewal service at MOHAP. The CPD requirements guide has the figures by profession.

1. A federal government hospital or clinic, including those run by Emirates Health Services, in any emirate: MOHAP.
2. Any other facility in Dubai, including DIFC and other free zones: the DHA. Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024 covers "all facilities engaged in practising Health Activities across the Emirate".
3. Dubai Healthcare City: Dubai Law No. 16 of 2024 requires DHA licences and permits for healthcare activity in DHCC, while older DHCC regulations stay in force until replaced. Check with DHCC which licence your role needs today.
4. Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Dhafra: the DOH.
5. Sharjah: the SHA regulates Sharjah government and private facilities under Resolution No. 29 of 2025. MOHAP still lists a Sharjah office for its licensing service, so confirm with your facility which authority holds your licence.
6. Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah (private sector): MOHAP.

The authorities differ on portals, CPD and fees, but several rules are national:

• One qualification standard. The Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), adopted at State level by Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2017, are now in their 3rd version (April 2025), issued jointly by MOHAP, the DOH, the DHA and the SHA. The DHCR has historically applied its own licensing guidelines.
• Primary source verification of degrees, experience and previous licences, checked directly with the issuing institution.
• Exam attempts are shared. The PQR allows three attempts across the authorities, plus one final attempt with a different authority. UAE nationals and Children of Emirati Women are exempt from the authority's examination.
• Good standing travels with you. A good standing certificate must be no older than six months when you apply, and it reflects any disciplinary history.
• Medical liability law is federal. Complaints about medical error go to the authority that licenses you, which refers them to a Medical Liability Committee under the same Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 in every emirate. The remediation hub explains what follows.