Updated Exemption Criteria for HAAD, DHA & MOH Medical License Exams in UAE 2017/2018

Exemption Criteria for HAAD, DHA & MOH Medical License Exams

Medical practice in UAE just like in most countries is regulated by the regulatory agencies set up to enforce quality standards for licensure of medical practitioners. This is aimed at protecting the health of the Nationals and ensure they have the best treatment.

In UAE, most provinces have there regulatory agencies responsible for licensing medical doctors and ensuring they adhere to the laid down standard of care. Below is the explanation on the different health regulatory board in each province.

• DHA : Dubai Health Authority which is responsible for licensing health practitioners for medical jobs based in Dubai.
• HAAD: Health Authority of Abu Dhabi which is responsible for licensing health practitioners for medical jobs in Al-Ain and Abu Dhabi.
• MOH: Ministry of Health which is responsible for licensing health practitioners for medical jobs in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah or Umm al Quwain.
• DHCC:  Dubai Healthcare City which is responsible for licensing health practitioners for medical

In order foreign educated doctors to be licensed to practice in UAE, you must satisfy all the following conditions

Requirements for taking UAE Medical License Exams

1. MBBS or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
2. Completion of housemanship job (internship).
3. Have two years of recognized clinical experience.

Exemption Criteria for HAAD Medical License Exams in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Some physicians who are educated and licensed in some countries have been exempted from writing the licensure examination according to the registration guidelines. If you are educated and registered as a medical doctor in one of the following countries, you will be exempted from writing the licensing exams:

1. The United States of America
2. Australia,
3. Canada,
4. Ireland,
5. New Zealand,
6. The United Kingdom

Note that the below guideline was updated by the regulatory board in December 2017

Physicians

Applicants demonstrating valid examination pass record of the following recognized international examinations  will be exempted from ALL COMPONENTS of licensing exam as defined by Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR):

Consultant Physicians
Applicants demonstrating a valid examination pass record of HAAD recognized international examinations (shown below) will be exempt from all components of the HAAD competency based assessment (examination) as defined by the PQR

*Note 1: for UK issuing authority, Consultants in post prior to 1 January 1999 who do not hold a C.C.T., but who hold C.E.S.R. are included in the UK Equivalency Assessment.

Below conditions must be fulfilled:

A. Valid board certification status
B. Valid license of not less than 2 years duration from the most recent country of practice
C. Good standing certification attesting not less than two years of the most recent practice (an additional online licensing status may be conducted by HAAD)
D. Proof of active clinical privilege granted during the last two years of practice
E. Proof of the clinical privilege that will be granted from the sponsoring facility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Specialist Physicians

Applicants demonstrating valid examination pass record of the following recognized international examinations (shown below) will be exempted from ALL COMPONENTS of licensing exam as defined by Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR):

Must have a valid board certification status.

Note that Assessment exemption policy does not apply to healthcare professionals exceeding two (2) years of gap of practice

Do you have any question or concerns, you can drop it in the comment box.