Professional Directory Guide
How DHA Medical Licensing Works in Dubai
A complete guide to the Dubai Health Authority’s professional licensing framework
99,520
Total professionals
24,186
Physicians
5,505
Facilities
46
Specialties
Overview of DHA Licensing
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing all healthcare professionals and facilities in the Emirate of Dubai. Every physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, and allied health worker must obtain a valid DHA license before practicing. As of 2026-04-03, 99,520 professionals hold active DHA licenses across 5,505 facilities.
Who Needs a DHA License?
Every healthcare professional working in Dubai needs a DHA license. This includes:
24,186 licensed
7,713 licensed
34,733 licensed
32,888 licensed
The Licensing Process
The DHA licensing process involves several stages, each designed to verify that practitioners meet international standards of competence:
Eligibility Check
Review qualification requirements for your profession and grade. DHA maintains detailed eligibility matrices for each category.
Primary Source Verification (PSV)
All qualifications are independently verified through DataFlow Group directly with issuing institutions. This takes 2-4 weeks.
Professional Exam
Some applicants must pass the DHA professional exam (Prometric/Pearson VUE). Exemptions apply for certain qualifications and experience levels.
License Issuance
Once verified, DHA issues the license with the appropriate grade (GP, Specialist, or Consultant) and license type (FTL or REG).
License Types: FTL and REG
DHA issues two types of licenses: FTL (Full-Time License) for professionals employed full-time at a single facility, and REG (Registered) for those working part-time, visiting, or across multiple facilities. Both require the same credentialing standards.
Regulatory Scope: DHA vs DOH vs MOHAP
Each emirate in the UAE has its own health regulator. DHA covers Dubai, DOH covers Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP covers Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. Licenses are not automatically transferable between authorities, though there is ongoing work on UAE-wide portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DHA licensing?
DHA (Dubai Health Authority) licensing is the mandatory credentialing process for all healthcare professionals practicing in Dubai. Every physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, and allied health worker must hold a valid DHA license. Currently, 99,520 professionals are licensed across 5,505 facilities.
How long does it take to get a DHA license?
The DHA licensing process typically takes 4-8 weeks for straightforward applications. This includes document verification, dataflow primary source verification (PSV), and the DHA professional exam if required. Complex cases or applications requiring additional verification may take longer.
What is the difference between DHA, DOH, and MOHAP licenses?
DHA licenses are for Dubai, DOH (Department of Health) licenses are for Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) licenses cover the other five emirates. Each authority has its own licensing process, though there are mutual recognition agreements for certain qualifications.
Can a doctor with a DHA license practice in Abu Dhabi?
Not directly. A DHA license is valid only within Dubai's jurisdiction. To practice in Abu Dhabi, a separate DOH license is required. However, the UAE has been working on licensing portability, and some reciprocal arrangements exist for visiting consultants.
How do I check if a doctor is DHA-licensed?
Visit the DHA Sheryan portal (sheryan.dha.gov.ae) and search by name or license number. The Zavis Professional Directory also provides searchable access to all DHA-licensed professionals with their specialty, grade, and facility details.
Related Guides
Specialist vs Consultant in Dubai: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between a Specialist and Consultant in Dubai's healthcare system. Understand DHA licensing grades, experience requirements, and how to choose the right doctor for your needs.
FTL vs REG License: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between FTL (Full-Time License) and REG (Registered) license types in Dubai's DHA system. Understand what each means for healthcare professionals and patients.
How to Verify a Doctor’s License in Dubai
Learn how to verify a doctor's license in Dubai using the DHA Sheryan portal. Step-by-step guide to checking credentials, specialty, and facility affiliation for any healthcare professional.
How to Choose the Right Medical Specialist in Dubai
A practical guide to choosing the right medical specialist in Dubai. Learn how to evaluate credentials, compare specialists vs consultants, and find the best doctor for your condition.
Data Source
99,520 healthcare professionals across 5,505 facilities. Last updated 2026-04-03. Source: DHA Sheryan Medical Registry.
Source: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Sheryan Medical Professional Registry. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Verify professional credentials directly with DHA before making healthcare decisions.