How to Transfer a DOH (HAAD) Licence to DHA Dubai in 2026
DOH to DHA Transfer Quick Summary
If you hold a valid DOH Abu Dhabi licence, you can move to Dubai without sitting the DHA exam, as long as you apply for the same title, have not used up your exam attempts, and submit a valid good standing certificate and a full verification report. You apply on DHA's Sheryan portal, transfer your DataFlow report from DOH, and a Dubai facility then activates your licence.
DOH licenses healthcare professionals for Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, while the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licenses Dubai. A DOH licence does not let you work in Dubai, but because both authorities follow the same Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), moving across is mostly paperwork rather than a new exam. This guide explains who qualifies, the steps on Sheryan and what to prepare.
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Who can transfer without the DHA exam
Chapter 3 of the PQR (April 2025) exempts professionals licensed by another UAE health authority from the exam, provided they:
- Hold a valid licence issued by DOH (or another UAE authority).
- Meet the PQR licensing requirements for the title they are applying for.
- Have not exceeded the permitted exam attempts for that title.
- Submit a valid good standing certificate and a full primary source verification report.
DHA grants you the same title you hold with DOH. If a health authority suspends or revokes a licence, the other authorities apply the same decision, so your DOH record must be clean.
Under the PQR, DOH issues a good standing certificate only after 3 months of clinical work under the licence. If you have worked less than 3 months, you can present a good standing certificate from your last health facility instead. An eligibility letter or an unactivated registration does not count as a licence.
DHA's own licensing manual adds further exemptions for people with a DHA history: those who passed the DHA assessment for the same title within five years with no gap in practice, those with an active DHA registration, and those applying within five years of a DHA licence cancellation.
When you still need the DHA exam
- Your DOH licence is no longer valid when you apply.
- You want a higher title than the one DOH gave you.
- You have already used your permitted attempts for that title across UAE authorities.
- Your verification report or good standing certificate is missing or out of date.
In these cases you sit the DHA exam at a Prometric centre. Our DHA exam guide lists the format and QBanks for each specialty.
How to transfer a DOH licence to DHA, step by step
Register on DHA's Sheryan portal and complete the free self-assessment for the same title as your DOH licence.
Submit your application with your DOH licence, qualification and experience documents. Your exemption is assessed against the PQR conditions.
Ask DataFlow to transfer your existing DOH primary source verification report to DHA. DHA accepts reports transferred from DOH, MOHAP and the Sharjah Health Authority, but may ask for more verification.
Get a good standing certificate from DOH that is less than six months old and upload it to Sheryan.
When DHA approves the exemption, pay the registration fee in Sheryan. The registration certificate is valid for one year.
A licensed Dubai health facility activates your licence through its own Sheryan account, and you can then start work.
Documents to prepare
- Valid DOH licence and your DOH licence history
- Good standing certificate from DOH, less than six months old
- DOH primary source verification report, for transfer through DataFlow
- Degree, internship and postgraduate certificates
- Experience certificates with exact dates
- Passport, Emirates ID and a recent photograph
- Basic Life Support certificate (ACLS for anaesthetists)
Fees and timing
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Sheryan self-assessment | Free |
| DataFlow report transfer | A transfer fee is charged by DataFlow, usually far less than a new verification; check the amount in your DataFlow account |
| DHA registration | Fee shown in Sheryan when DHA approves your application |
| Licence activation | Paid through the employing facility |
| Timing | Usually a few weeks, mainly depending on how quickly the DataFlow transfer and good standing certificate come through |
Fees change from time to time, so always check the amount shown in Sheryan and DataFlow before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pass the DHA exam if I have a DOH licence?
No, if your DOH licence is valid, you apply for the same title, you have not used up your exam attempts for that title, and you submit a valid good standing certificate and a full verification report. These are the exemption conditions in the Unified PQR that DHA and DOH both follow.
Can I get a higher title when I move to DHA?
No. Under the PQR, DHA grants the same title you hold with DOH. You can apply for a higher title only if you meet the PQR requirements for it, which may include the DHA exam.
Do I need a new DataFlow report for DHA?
Usually not. DHA accepts primary source verification reports transferred from DOH, MOHAP and the Sharjah Health Authority, although it can ask for extra verification.
Can I transfer my DOH licence to DHA without a job in Dubai?
You can complete the DHA registration without a job. To practise, a licensed Dubai facility must activate your licence through its own Sheryan account. A DHA registration certificate stays valid for one year.
What if my DOH licence has expired?
The PQR exemption is for professionals who hold a valid licence from another UAE authority. If your DOH licence is no longer valid, check your case in the Sheryan self-assessment, as you may need the DHA exam.
Is HAAD the same as DOH?
Yes. The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) became the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) in 2018. A HAAD licence today is a DOH licence.
Further reading
Not eligible for the exemption?
Prepare for the DHA exam with specialty QBanks, full explanations and timed tests.
