Four Authorities, One Country
The UAE does not have a single national healthcare licensing system. Instead, four separate authorities regulate healthcare professionals, each covering a different part of the country:
- DHA (Dubai Health Authority) — covers Dubai
- DOH (Department of Health) — covers Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region
- MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) — covers Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah
- SHA (Sharjah Health Authority) — covers Sharjah, including Sharjah Healthcare City
SHA is the newest addition. Until recently, Sharjah was fully under MOHAP. The Sharjah Health Authority was established to give the emirate its own regulatory framework, and facilities in Sharjah are now transitioning from MOHAP to SHA licensing. If you are targeting a position in Sharjah, you need to know whether your employer operates under SHA or still under MOHAP during this transition period.
A license from one authority does not allow you to work in another authority's jurisdiction. A DHA license is only valid in Dubai. A DOH license only covers Abu Dhabi. You cannot choose which authority to apply under based on convenience or cost — your license must match the emirate where your employer operates.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Coverage and Jurisdiction
| Authority | Emirates Covered | Major Cities | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHA | Dubai | Dubai | Sheryan (dha.gov.ae) |
| DOH | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Western Region | DOH Portal |
| MOHAP | Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah | Ajman, RAK City, Fujairah City | MOHAP Portal |
| SHA | Sharjah | Sharjah, Sharjah Healthcare City | sha.shj.ae |
Exam Systems
| Authority | Exam Provider | Exam Format | Pass Mark | Oral Assessment? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ | 60% | Rare (senior consultants only) |
| DOH | Pearson VUE | Computer-based MCQ | 60% | Yes (specialists and consultants) |
| MOHAP | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ | 60% | No |
| SHA | SHA Assessment | Assessment + supervised practice | Varies | SHA-specific assessment process |
Fees by Profession (Authority Fees Only, AED)
| Category | DHA | DOH | MOHAP | SHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse (RN) | 2,700–3,600 | 2,300–3,100 | 2,100–2,700 | ~1,000 + DataFlow + exam |
| Pharmacist | 2,800–3,700 | 2,400–3,200 | 2,200–2,800 | ~1,000 + DataFlow + exam |
| General Physician | 3,700–4,600 | 3,300–4,500 | 2,900–3,900 | ~3,000 + DataFlow + exam |
| Specialist / Consultant | 4,000–5,000+ | 3,500–4,800+ | 3,200–4,200+ | ~3,000 + DataFlow + exam |
DataFlow PSV costs (AED 935 for nurses, AED 1,235+ for physicians) are the same regardless of authority. For a detailed breakdown of every fee component, see our complete cost guide.
Processing Timeline
| Phase | DHA | DOH | MOHAP | SHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DataFlow PSV | 20–30 days | 20–30 days | 20–30 days | 20–30 days |
| Application review | 5–10 days | 5–10 days | 5–10 days | 5–15 days |
| Exam + assessment | 2–4 weeks | 2–6 weeks* | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| License issuance | 5–15 days | 5–10 days | 5–10 days | 5–10 days |
| Total | 2–4 months | 2–4 months | 2–3 months | 2–4 months |
*DOH takes longer if oral assessment is required for specialists, which adds 2 to 4 weeks.
The New Authority: Sharjah Health Authority (SHA)
SHA is the newest UAE health regulator and deserves special attention because most online guides have not caught up with it yet. Here is what you need to know:
- SHA operates independently from MOHAP with its own portal at sha.shj.ae
- SHA uses a three-stage licensing model: initial assessment, supervised practice license, and full independent license. This staged approach is unique among UAE authorities
- License fees are AED 3,000 for physicians and dentists, AED 1,000 for nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. These are the license issuance fees only — DataFlow and exam fees are additional
- Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC) falls under SHA jurisdiction
- Healthcare professionals with existing MOHAP licenses working in Sharjah may need an SHA Assessment Certificate to continue practicing as facilities transition to SHA regulation
The transition from MOHAP to SHA is ongoing. Some Sharjah facilities still operate under MOHAP licensing while others have moved to SHA. If you are applying for a position in Sharjah, ask the employer directly which authority their facility falls under before starting the licensing process.
Transferring Between Authorities
One of the most important things to understand: your DataFlow PSV results transfer between all UAE authorities. This means if you hold a DHA license and want to move to Abu Dhabi, you do not need to repeat the verification process. You pay the receiving authority's application and issuance fees, but you save AED 935 to AED 1,235+ and several weeks of processing.
| Transfer Direction | Typical Duration | Additional Exam Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| DHA → DOH | 4–8 weeks | Possible oral assessment for specialists |
| DOH → DHA | 4–8 weeks | Prometric if DOH was oral-assessment based |
| MOHAP → DHA or DOH | 4–8 weeks | May require receiving authority's exam |
| DHA or DOH → MOHAP | 3–6 weeks | Usually no additional assessment |
| MOHAP → SHA | 2–4 weeks | SHA Assessment Certificate required |
| Any → SHA | 4–8 weeks | SHA-specific assessment |
For a full transfer guide including costs and what carries over, see our license transfers page.
How to Choose the Right Authority
The decision is simpler than most guides make it. Ask yourself these three questions in order:
1. Do you already have a job offer or a specific employer in mind?
If yes, the answer is automatic. Your license must match the authority that covers your employer's emirate. A Dubai hospital requires DHA. An Abu Dhabi clinic requires DOH. A Sharjah facility requires either SHA or MOHAP depending on their current regulatory status. There is no choice to make.
2. Are you open to multiple emirates?
If you are flexible on location and want to maximize your options, here is how to think about it:
- Highest salary potential: DHA (Dubai) and DOH (Abu Dhabi) are broadly comparable. Dubai offers more private hospital options. Abu Dhabi offers the SEHA government network with strong packages
- Best purchasing power: DOH (Abu Dhabi) or MOHAP/SHA (Northern Emirates). Lower housing and living costs mean your take-home goes further
- Fastest entry to the UAE: MOHAP. Fastest processing, lowest fees, lower competition for positions. Use it as a stepping stone and transfer later if needed
- Broadest geographic coverage: MOHAP covers four emirates with one license. DOH covers Abu Dhabi plus Al Ain and Western Region
3. Are you a specialist or consultant?
If yes, the exam requirements differ significantly. DHA is Prometric only. DOH may require an oral assessment (in Abu Dhabi, in person). MOHAP is Prometric only. SHA has its own assessment process. If you want to avoid an oral assessment, DHA or MOHAP may be simpler paths. If you are comfortable with the oral format, DOH is fine.
The Future: UAE Unified Licensing Platform
The UAE government has announced a National Unified Health Licensing Platform, targeted for Q2 2026. Once launched, this platform will integrate DHA, DOH, MOHAP, and SHA into a single portal where professionals create one verified profile and use it to apply across all authorities.
This does not mean licenses become interchangeable — each authority will still issue its own license for its jurisdiction. But the application process will be streamlined: one DataFlow submission, one credential profile, and the ability to apply to multiple authorities simultaneously without repeating paperwork.
Until the unified platform launches, each authority operates its own separate system. Plan your licensing based on current processes, and the transition to the new system should be seamless once it goes live.
Quick Reference Summary
| Factor | DHA | DOH | MOHAP | SHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Dubai careers | Abu Dhabi careers | Northern Emirates entry | Sharjah positions |
| Salary range | Highest | High | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| Cost of living | Highest | High | Lowest | Low-Moderate |
| Competition | Highest | High | Lower | Moderate |
| Processing speed | Standard | Standard | Fastest | Varies (new system) |
| Authority fees | Highest | Moderate | Lowest | Moderate |
For detailed guides on each authority individually, see our DHA guide, DOH guide, and MOHAP guide. For a complete fee comparison, see our cost breakdown.
Still not sure which authority is right for you? Reach out to our team for a free assessment. We license professionals across all four authorities and can give you an honest recommendation based on your qualifications, experience, and career goals.