🔹 What are DHA / MOH / DOH?

• DHA — Dubai Health Authority. Governs healthcare regulation, licensing, public health, medical education, and facility oversight within the emirate of Dubai.
• MOH / MOHAP — Ministry of Health and Prevention (federal-level). Covers the northern emirates and those not under DHA or DOH jurisdiction: eg, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain.
• DOH — Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (formerly HAAD). Oversees licensing and regulation of healthcare in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (including Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain).

In short, they’re the major “health authorities” of the UAE, but each covers different geographic territories.

🌍 Jurisdiction: Who covers which region

So, depending on which emirate you intend to work or operate in, you must obtain the license from the corresponding authority.

✅ What do they do — licensing and regulation

• All three authorities regulate healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs) and healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, allied staff).
• They enforce licensing requirements via a unified framework — the Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). This sets the minimum qualification, experience, and documentation standards for practitioners across the UAE.
• They monitor, inspect, and regulate the quality, safety, and compliance of health services, facilities, and practitioners. They may also coordinate public health efforts, medical education, licensing renewals, continuing professional development (CPD/CME), and record-keeping systems.

🩺 Why it matters for Healthcare Professionals (Doctors / Nurses / etc.)

If you plan to work in the UAE as a health professional, you need to:

• Determine which emirate you will work in → then apply to the correct authority (DHA / DOH / MOH).
• Meet the PQR standards: valid degree, transcripts, experience where required, possibly internship or post-qualification experience, depending on role.
• Undergo Primary Source Verification (PSV/Data Flow) for credentials and submit required documents correctly.
• Pass the relevant license exam (if required) — licensing exam formats vary depending on authority.

If you are already licensed by one authority and then move to a different emirate, there are processes to transfer or convert the license under certain conditions.

🧑‍⚕️ Example: Which license do you need, depending on your work location

• Working in Dubai → need a DHA license
• Working in Abu Dhabi → need a DOH license
• Working in Sharjah / Ajman / Ras Al Khaimah / Fujairah / Umm Al Quwain → need a MOH (MOHAP) license