DOH /HAAD Exam Eligibility Requirements for Medical Doctors
Last updated on 24-July-2025, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

DOH Eligibility requirements for Medical Doctors

All medical doctors who are willing to apply for the DoH (Department of Health) Abu Dhabi license as a doctor, must meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements ensure that healthcare professionals meet the necessary educational, professional, and experience standards to practice safely in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

What are general eligibility requirements for all Doctors?

  • All Medical Doctors (Physicians)/ Dentists: Must provide evidence of current license/ certification/ certificate of good standing from country, state, or province of origin, as well as license from country of current and previous practice. (Not applicable for UAE Nationals).
  • Consultants: If not currently practicing in a Western, European Union, or North American country, must provide evidence of current licensure and Certificate of Good Standing from the appropriate licensing authority. (Not applicable for UAE Nationals)
Position Qualifications Experience (Relevant to the Position)
General
Practitioner(GP)		 a. MBBS, MD, or equivalent from a Medical school / college listed in the Directory of medical schools published by the  World Health Organization (WHO) or

b. Graduate from a medical school / college listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER)

*Current national registration/ license.

* Successful completion of internship.		 * 2 years relevant experience post internship (Hospital, P.H.C, ER, etc).

* UAE Nationals: On successful completion of Internship.

* Non National UAE residents: must be graduates from UAE universities/ colleges and successfully complete a UAE internship program.

* Acquisition of a post graduate qualification, which would eventually entitle the candidate for evaluation as a specialist according to the PQR criteria, would substitute for the 2 years post Internship experience.
Specialist
Physician		 Beside fulfilling all above GP requirements, one must hold recognized specialty qualification (e.g., MD, MCh, FRCS).
Specialization Certificate obtained after a full time structured residency program/ course of NLT 2 years study duration in a university centre, teaching hospital or where appropriate, in a health establishment approved by the competent authorities.

It should involve the personal participation of the doctor training to be a specialist in the activity and in the responsibilities of the establishments concerned.
* Current national license or equivalent		 Minimum 2 years (Master’s) or 3 years (PhD) full-time structured clinical training.
* UAE national: working for 1 year post qualification in same field of Specialty.

c. Medical Specialists equivalency table:
NLT 3 years experience as Specialist post qualification.
Consultant
Physician		 Beside fulfilling all above requirements,
* Certified proof of yearly CME.		 a. Tier 1:
*2 years relevant experience as a consultant or equivalent post board certification, with
2 years in the same country of certification or western accredited institution or equivalent (UAE national not applicable)
* For UAE national: working as a Specialist is equivalent to working as a Consultant.

b. Tier 2:* 5 years full-time employment as a Consultant or equivalent by a World Health Organization (WHO) listed medical school (Teaching Hospital) or a fully JCI- or Canadian- or Australian-accredited hospital.

* UAE national: working as a Specialist is equivalent to working as a Consultant.
* Presentation of log-book listing full range of procedures performed as a Consultant with letter of certification from Ministry of Health (or equivalent institution) in country of origin.

For some positions, subspecialty fellowship training following primary specialty board may substitute for experience.
 

Who is eligible for Consultant (Physicians) position? Tier 1 Qualifications:
Country Qualification
1. America (USA) American Board- Certificates and Subspecialty Certificates. (only Boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties are acceptable)
2. Austria Facharztfiplom (Diploma of Medical Specialist) issued by the Austrian Medical Chamber.
3. Australia/Australasia Fellowship of the Royal College/ Colleges.
4. New Zealand Fellowship of the Royal College/ Colleges.
5. Belgium The Belgium Board (Specialist Certificate) issued by the Minister Responsible for Public Health.
6. Canada 1. Current Fellowship (The Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons).
2.For Family Medicine: Certification by the College of Family Physicians Canada (CFPC).
7. France 1. Diploma of Specialized Studies in Medicine (D.E.S.) or
2. Certificate of Specialized Studies in Medicine (C.E.S.) or
3. Certificate of Specialized Studies in Medicine (The Council of the Ordre Des Medicines).
8. Germany (Facharzt) Specialist Certificate issued by the Chamber of Physicians.
9. Ireland Certificate of Specialist Doctor issued by the competent authority recognized for this purpose by the Minister of Health/ inclusion in the Irish G.M.C Specialist Register.
10. South Africa 1. Fellowship of one of the Specialty Colleges (e.g. Medicine, Surgery, ect.) or
2. M.Med. degree (Master of Medicine).
11. Switzerland Specialist, Fachartz, Specialista (awarded by Department Federal De I'interieur).
12. Sweden Swedish Board. Issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare.
13. UK 1. Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (C.C.S.T.) or
2. Certificate of Completion of Training (C.C.T.) or
3. Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register or
4. For General Practice (Family Medicine): Certificate of Completion of Training in General Practice issued by the PMETB and inclusion in the GMC G.P Register.
 

Who is eligible for Consultant (Physicians) position? Tier 2 Qualifications:



Required: Completion of NLT 3 years of postgraduate specialization sponsored by a World Health Organization (WHO) listed medical school or a fully JCI- or Canadian- or Australian-accredited hospital.
Country Qualification
1. Arab Countries Arab Board.
2. Czech Republic Diploma of Specialization- Druheho Stupne (Diploma of 2nd Degree) Health.
3. Denmark Danish Board (Specialist Certificate)issued by the competent Authority of Health Services.
4. Egypt MD: Doctor of Medicine (not PhD).
5. Finland 1.Certificate of the degree of specialist in medicine issued by the competent authorities.
2. Examination or diploma to become a specialist awarded by one of the following universities:-
(Helsingin Yliopisto/ Helsingfors Universitet, Kuopion yliopisto, Oulun ylio.
6. France DIS
7. Holland Specialization Certificate issued by the commission for Registration of Specialist (C.R.S.)
8. Hong Kong Fellowship of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM)
9. Hungary Sza Korvosi Bizoniyitvany (Specialist Certificate) awarded by the Nemzeti Vizgabizottsag (National Board of Examination). Before 28 August 2004, this was awarded by the Ministry of Health.
10. India DM, MCH.
11. Iraq Iraqi Board.
12. Ireland 1. Memberships of Royal Colleges or
2. Fellowships of Royal Colleges
13. Italy The Diploma of Specialized Doctor issued by a university
14. Jordan 1. Certificate of Higher Specialization or
2. Jordanian Board.
15. Lebanon 1. AUB/Lebanese Specialty Board : Certificate of completion of residency and exit exam or
2. Saint Joseph University: Certificate of completion of residency and exit exam or
3. Lebanese University: Certificate of completion of residency and exit exam.
16. Norway Norwegian Board (Specialist Certificate).
17. Poland Dyplom Uzyskania Tytulu Specialty ( Specialist Diploma) awarded by the Centrum Egzaminow Medycznych.
18. Portugal 1. Gran de Assistente (Assistant Grade) awarded by Ministry of Health or
2. Tetulo de Espcialista (Professional qualification of specialist) awarded by the professional association for medical practitioners.
19. Saudi Arabia Saudi Board
20. Singapore Specialist Qualification awarded by the Specialist Accreditation Board
21. Spain The title of Specialist awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science
22. Sudan MD: Doctor of Medicine
23. Syria Syrian-Specialization Certificate issued by the Specialist Training and Rehabilitation Authority
24. UK 1. Memberships of Royal Colleges (MRCP) or
2. Fellowships of Royal Colleges (FRCP)
 

What qualifications are eligible for Specialist (Physicians)?
Country Qualification
1. Algeria Certificate of Specialization
2. Cuba First Degree of Specialization
3. Czech Republic First Degree of Specialization
4. Greece Certificate of Medical Specialization
5. India MD or MS , DNB
6. Iran Iranian Board
7. Pakistan Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (F.C.P.)
8. Philippines Philippine Board
9. Poland First Degree of Specialization
10. Russia Canidata
11. Syria Certificate of Higher Studies
Other PhD, MD, MSc issued by an accredited university (refer to Specialist criteria and the statement for the criteria for evaluation of certificates)
Other Other countries Boards not included under the consultants table
Note:Qualifications not included in the above list: Must be referred to the Credentialing Section (HAAD)

 

Your Comments

"I would like to work in Abu dhabi what is the registration procedure to be followed . Kindly reply. Thanks with regards."
Elangovan
Medical Qualification: MBBS 3year experience then completed MD. Year2015
City Country: india

"while applying for HAAD licence, i found that we need to attach the log book copies in the application. but we use to practice entering log books only during our intership. At our work place we dont follow any log book proceedure. can you kindly, pls advise on how to proceed on this. thanks in advance. "
Lokeshwari
Medical Qualification: MD
City Country: Chennai, India

"i am 5.5 years post m.d. with holding fellowship in pediatric critical care from india. M.D. is done from MCI recognised medical college and fellowship is accredited by indian academy of pediatrics (IAP).presently I am working in pediatric intensive care unit in a super specialty hospital. Do i need to go through any Pediatric written exam or oral exam or i can apply directly licensing procedure. how to initiate procedure. please guide. "
Dr. M. K. Singh
Medical Qualification: M.D. Pediatrics, fellowship pediatric critical care
City Country: Delhi, India

"Im intending to work in my fathers clinic in Abudhabhi..Ive two years experience including internship..Which exam can i attend now? Please reply "
Fathima Manal
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City Country: Calicut, India

"Why you not mention the certificate of libyan medical board ? Libyan board are recognised in UK,France,canada ,many of our colleague working as specialist holding libyan board in these countries...while saudia neglect to mention libyan borad ???? Any answer from you !!!! "
Gheith
Medical Qualification: libyan board of medicine
City Country: benghazi,libya

"I, desirous of working as Public Health Specialist/Primary Health Care Specialist in UAE. Please, guide me how to proceed! Thanking you in anticipation Regards "
Dr. Abdul Sattar Khan
Medical Qualification: MBBS, PgD (Nutrition), M.Sc (Community Health & Nutrition), M.S (Public Health), Pg Cert HRHM (UK)
City Country: Islamabad, Pakistan

"Hello!!i have a query,does clearing mrcp 1 n 2 will give an exemption from UAE licensing exam as GP?"
Faseeha
Medical Qualification: Mbbs
City Country: Uae( Abu dhabi)

"Hello!!i have a query,does clearing mrcp 1 n 2 will give an exemption from UAE licensing exams?thankyou!! "
Faseeha
Medical Qualification: Mbbs
City Country: Uae( Abu dhabi)

"I m freshly graduate, dont have any experience, and dont know any thing about these exams, when I would br eligible for these exams.plz give me info . whole details. Thanx "
Bakhtawar soomro
Medical Qualification: M.B.B.S
City Country: Hyderabad Pakistan

"I got the offer letter for physician assistant from clevland clinic at abu dabi al maryah island, PLEASE TELL ME IT IS ALLOWED FOR BAMS DOCTOR WITH 8.5YR EXPERIANCE."
VIKAS SHIVAJI KATKAR
Medical Qualification: BAMS
City Country: Thane West

"MBBS 2002 (WHO Listed Medical College,Bangladesh Medical College, Dhaka,Bangladesh) Anaesthesiology,MD 2011 ( MCI recognized University,Institute of medicine,Tribhuvan University teaching hospital) 5 years work experience in the same hospital as Cardiac Aanaesthetist AFTER MD in anaesthesiology WHAT DO I NEED TO WORK AS A CARDIAC ANAESTHETIST IN DUBAI/ABUDABI? WHAT WOULD BE MY PAY SCALE PER YEAR? "
ashish
Medical Qualification: MBBS,MD
City Country: Kathmandu,Nepal

"I have post MD internal medicine experience of 1. 5 yrs. I have heard that we require post MD 3 years experience to apply HAAD.. Does this experience require 3 years in one institution or it can be from multiple institutions."
Vinu Abraham
Medical Qualification: MD INTERNAL MEDICINE
City Country: India

"I want to work in dubai.currently Im working as senior resident in llrm medical college meerut. Ive done my mobs from King Georges medical college,lucknow. "
Faisal mumtaz
Medical Qualification: MS general surgery with 2 years government experience
City Country: Meerut .India

"I would like to work in Abu dhabi .I have about 5years robust work experience .what is the procedure to follow.Kindly reply.thanks "
Egwuonwu obinna
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City Country: Enugu, Nigeria

"Currently doing my intern year. Is Postgraduate fellowship in Surgery from Pakistan recognised in the UAE? "
Saeed
Medical Qualification: Mbbs
City Country: Islamabad, pakistan

"I would like to work and do residency in neuro surgery in Abu dhabi. i have about 3years experience.please how do i go about it. "
Odo Emmanuel k
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City Country: Nigeria

"i want to apply for haad.I have done mbbs and have one and a half year experience postinternship..I will be sitting for mrcp part 1 exams next year in jan..will I be exempted from experience criteria then? will they take me after one and a half year of experience? "
sarah
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City Country: karachi,pakistan

"I want to apply for HAAD.I want to apply for work as Medical Specialist in Universal Hospital in Abu Dhabi.I am working as Medical Specialist in my country Philippines for more than 10 years.How do I go about it. "
Gerardo T. Balmediano
Medical Qualification: Fellow of Philippine College of Physicians
City Country: Philippines

"Hi I am graduate from republic of CUBA ,working in Emergency hospital in Chile. would like to ask when and how can I attempo for HAAD exam. or Cuba or Chile are in HAAD Exempt countries. regards"
Dr JUNAID IRSHAD KHAN
Medical Qualification: General Physician
City Country: Chile

"I want to apply for HAAD. I want to apply for work as Specialist Radiologist in Hospital in Abu Dhabi.I am working as Assistant Professor in my country Pakistan for last three years. How do I go about it."
Dr Adnan Ahmed
Medical Qualification: MBBS, FCPS
Email: dradnanqureshi@hotmail.com
City Country: Hyderabad, Pakistan

"Hi Iam a doctor working in a national hospital srilanka.Post intern experience 5 years..I want to apply for HAAD.Guide me. "
R.Renuka
Medical Qualification:MBBS,DCH,MRCGP part 1
City Country: Colombo Srilanka

"I would like to know if i can apply for Haad exam in case that my experience after the master is just 7 months also i would like to know if i can attend the exam here in Egypt via person vue Sincerely."
Dr Mahmoud Mohamed Abbas
Medical Qualification: Master in OBGYN
City Country: Egypt

"I am working as an assitant professor of Plastic Sugery having 5 yrs of post FCPS experience. How should i Proceed further for HAAD exam. ? "
Zahid iqbal Bhatti
Medical Qualification: MBBS, FCPS
City Country: Bahawalpur Pakistan

"Iam holding Arab board post graduate speciality in Accident and Emergency Medicine with 2 years post certificate experience. . I would like to know do I have to sit for exam in case if I will work in Emirates. "
Entisar Abd éminemment Salih Mohamed
Medical Qualification: Arab board of health specialisation
City Country: Muscat

"i have been wrking in critical care since last 4 yeas.I am interested to work in UAE,can anyone guide me through the steps.Do i need to write any exams."
Dr.Sanjo Sunny
Medical Qualification: MBBS,MD (ANAESTHESIOLOGY)
City, Country: Tiruvalla, kerala

"I am 59 young old. Have served PAK Army as consultant surgeon for 25 then associate professor and professor of surgery for over 9 years. What type of exam I have to appear and can it be CBT in pak ."
Muhammad Javed
Medical Qualification: MBBS, FCPS (PAK CPSP)
City, Country: Pesh

"Dear Sir, I have done my fellowship in Urology in 2004. and currently working as Associate Professor Urology at Institute of kidney Diseases Hayatabad Peshawar Pakistan. I have vast experience of clinical, academic and research credential. I m interested in locum jobs in dubai both as clinical or teaching ."
Liaqat Ali
Medical Qualification: MBBS, FCPS Urology
City, Country: Peshawar, Pakistan

"What r the exam dates in India and how many times this exam is conducted. what is the exact schedule. any syllabus, preparation tips will be highly appreciated."
Dr Akbar
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City Country: India