Passed SDLE? How to Relocate to UAE as a Dentist in 2026
Last updated on 27-Oct-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

Passed SDLE Exam, How to Relocate to UAE in 2026?

SDLE to UAE Quick Summary

Passing the SDLE or holding an SCFHS dental licence does not exempt you from the UAE dental licensing exam. A Saudi-licensed dentist applies to one UAE regulator (MOHAP, DHA Dubai or DOH Abu Dhabi), which counts your licensed Saudi experience and can take a transferred DataFlow report, and then sits that regulator's exam. Only a valid UAE licence, or one of the international exams the PQR lists (for general dentists, NBDE Part I and Part II), removes the exam.

Dentists who have passed the SDLE (Saudi Dental Licensing Exam) and worked in Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply for a UAE dental licence through MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention), DHA (Dubai) or DOH (Abu Dhabi). The Saudi side, sitting the SDLE and registering with the SCFHS, is covered on our Saudi Dental Licensing Exam (SDLE) guide. Doctors asking the same question about the SMLE will find the physician version on passed SMLE, am I exempted for MOHAP. This page is the dentist's move from Saudi Arabia to the UAE: if you need an exam, which regulator to choose, what your Saudi documents count for, and the steps.

Does passing SDLE exempt me from the UAE dental exam?

No. An earlier version of this page suggested that an active SCFHS licence, 3 years of experience and the GCC mutual recognition agreement could together exempt you. We could not find that rule in any UAE regulator's published requirements, so it has been removed. Under the Unified PQR that MOHAP, DHA and DOH share, the exam is waived only in two situations:

  • Licensure recognition: you hold a valid licence from a UAE health authority in the same title (or one expired or cancelled within the last 6 months), with a valid Good Standing Certificate and a full primary source verification report.
  • Exam equivalency: you have passed an international examination listed in the PQR for your title. For general dentists that is the NBDE Part I and Part II. The SDLE is not on the list.

Your Saudi licence and SDLE pass still matter a great deal. They prove your licensed experience and good standing, and they mean the UAE exam syllabus will feel familiar.

Which UAE regulator should a Saudi-licensed dentist choose?

Choose the regulator for the emirate where you expect to work, ideally where you already have a job offer. You can move a valid licence between regulators later, but each move has its own conditions.

Regulator Where you can work General dentist exam Read more
MOHAP Ministry and EHS facilities and private facilities in the northern emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah) Prometric CBT, Pass or Fail at 60%, 3 attempts MOHAP general dentist guide
DHA Dubai Prometric CBT, booked after Sheryan approval and DataFlow DHA general dentist exam
DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra 150 MCQs in 3 hours, booked through TAMM and Pearson VUE DOH requirements for dentists

Dubai experience requirements are set out on DHA qualification and experience requirements for dentists. If you plan to apply in Dubai, the DHA General Dentist QBank follows the DHA format; all dental QBanks by authority are on find your medical QBank.

What do my Saudi credentials count for?

Licensed Saudi experience
A general dentist needs a dental degree, internship and 2 years of licensed experience. Practice under your SCFHS licence counts, from the licence date, if your employer letters show the dates and post.
SCFHS good standing
Ask the SCFHS for a Good Standing Certificate. It must be dated within the last 6 months when you apply.
Your DataFlow report
The SCFHS also uses DataFlow. Its Report Transfer service can move a verified report to a UAE regulator with a new signed authorisation, usually in 5 to 7 working days if no new documents are needed. The UAE regulator may still ask for extra items.
Saudi Specialty Certificate
For dental specialists, the Saudi Specialty Certificate issued by the SCFHS is listed in the PQR. Its tier, and your experience requirement, are confirmed at evaluation.

Can I use the same SCFHS DataFlow report for MOHAP?

Usually yes, through a report transfer rather than by uploading the old PDF on its own. MOHAP's evaluation form also asks you to upload any previous DataFlow reports. An earlier version of this page said the report is accepted if it is "not five years old"; we found no published validity rule, so check with DataFlow when you request the transfer. More detail is on DataFlow report transfer to DHA, DOH and MOHAP.

How to relocate from Saudi Arabia to the UAE as a dentist

  1. Choose the regulator for the emirate where you want to work (table above).
  2. Check your eligibility for the title: general dentist, or specialist if you hold a recognised specialty qualification. Keep any gap in practice under 2 years.
  3. Collect your documents: degree and internship certificate, SCFHS licence, experience letters with exact dates, a Good Standing Certificate dated within 6 months, passport, and your previous DataFlow report.
  4. Apply: MOHAP through the Health Professional Evaluation with UAE PASS (AED 500 for dentists), DHA through Sheryan, or DOH through TAMM. The MOHAP steps are in our MOHAP registration guide.
  5. Complete DataFlow, by report transfer or a new verification for any documents not already covered.
  6. Sit the exam. MOHAP and DHA use Prometric and DOH uses Pearson VUE, all with centres outside the UAE, so you can usually test without leaving Saudi Arabia. DOH booking from Saudi Arabia is explained on DOH Pearson VUE exam scheduling in Saudi Arabia.
  7. After you pass, a UAE facility offers you a job and applies for your licence; the employer also arranges the residence visa.

If you already passed a UAE exam some years ago and now want to return, read transferring a MOHAP licence to DHA or DOH first, because a valid UAE licence can transfer between regulators without a new exam.

Specialist dentists moving from Saudi Arabia

Specialist titles need a recognised specialty qualification from full-time training (at least 3 years for a residency or 2 years for a clinical master's), and the experience depends on the PQR tier: none for Tier 1 and Tier 2, 3 years for Tier 3. Short diplomas generally do not give a specialist title, but you can still apply as a general dentist. The full rules are on MOHAP qualification and experience requirements for dentists, and orthodontists can read MOHAP Orthodontics specialty exam eligibility.

Preparing for the UAE dental exam?
Your SDLE preparation is a good base. Switch to UAE-style scenario MCQs with explanations and timed mocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does passing SDLE exempt me from the MOHAP, DHA or DOH exam?

No. The PQR waives the exam only for a valid UAE licence in the same title or for listed international exams, which for general dentists are NBDE Part I and Part II. The SDLE is not listed, so Saudi-licensed dentists sit the UAE regulator's exam.

Does my experience in Saudi Arabia count for a UAE dental licence?

Yes, if it was licensed practice that DataFlow can verify. General dentists need 2 years of licensed experience after internship, and MOHAP counts it from the licence date.

Can I transfer my SCFHS DataFlow report to a UAE regulator?

Usually. DataFlow's Report Transfer service moves a verified report with a new signed authorisation, typically in 5 to 7 working days if no new documents are needed. The UAE regulator may ask for extra verification.

Which exam does a general dentist sit in Abu Dhabi?

DOH tests general dentists with a computer-based exam of 150 MCQs in 3 hours, booked through TAMM and taken at Pearson VUE centres, including centres in Saudi Arabia.

Do I need a GCC licence to be exempt from the UAE dental exam?

No GCC licence by itself gives an exemption. Only a valid licence from a UAE health authority, or the international exams listed in the PQR, remove the exam requirement.

Your Comments

Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.

ramy tammam (Alexandria, Egypt): working in KSA with BDS and an oral surgery diploma, relocating to the UAE

"hi i am presently working in KSA and planning to relocate to UAE and give moh exams pls can anybody help me regarding qualification and experience requirements for Dental specialist candidates."
ramy tammam
Medical Qualification:B.D.S&diploma in oral surgery
City, Country:Alexandria;Egypt

Team Interface: A specialist title needs full-time training of at least 3 years (residency) or 2 years (clinical master's), so a shorter diploma may not qualify; your Saudi licensed experience still counts for the general dentist title. The specialist rules are on the linked requirements page.
Floreson (Bangalore, India): radiographer, cleared the exam and worked in Abu Dhabi 2020 to 2024, how to return

"I was in UAE between 2020-2024 I had cleared my MOH then and was working as a Radiographer in AbuDhabi, now I wish to get back there so how do I go about."
Floreson
Medical Qualification: BSc Radiography
City, Country:Bangalore/India

Team Interface: If your DOH licence is still valid, or was cancelled within the last 6 months, ask a facility to reactivate or reissue it. If it lapsed longer ago, check your status in TAMM; a previous pass may still count, otherwise DOH exam retake policy explains the next attempt.
Dr, Durdana Inayat (Gujranwala, Pakistan): MOH registration, exam in Pakistan and contact numbers

"Kindly guide me regarding MOH registration. And I require contact Nos for upcoming exam. MOH registration & exam in Pakistan. Thanx"
Dr, Durdana Inayat
Medical Qualification:New Registration for MOH
City, Country: Gujranwala, Pakistan

Team Interface: Registration is online through the Health Professional Evaluation, as described in the linked guide, and once eligible you can find centres in Pakistan with the locator on Prometric's MOH page. The MOHAP call centre is 80011111.
saurabh (Agra, India): DHA anaesthesia specialist exam, written or oral, and in India?

"dha exam for anesthesia specialist is wrtten or oral or mcqs based and is it possible in india and what is the course?"
saurabh
Medical Qualification: mbbs md
City, Country:agra, india

Team Interface: DHA tests some specialist titles by computer-based exam and others orally, as explained on DHA written CBT or oral assessment. The CBT can be taken at Prometric centres in India, listed on DHA Prometric centres in India.
riyamole liju (Ajman, UAE): nurse on a visit visa, can I register with only passport and visa?

"I am came for a visiting visa.I want to attend moh exam .how can I register for a exam .I have only passport a nd visa proof.can I get a chance to attend the exam.can u please give me the procedure"
riyamole liju
Medical Qualification:diploma in general nursing
City, Country: ajman.united Arab Emirates

Team Interface: The visa is not the problem, but you need your nursing degree, registration licence, experience letters and a Good Standing Certificate to apply. The full list is on MOHAP requirements for nurses.
sohail ahmad khan (Najran, KSA): FRCS Glasgow, 14 years in vascular surgery, teaching or clinical job

"I have 14 years of post fellowship experience of vascular surgery and teaching medical students looking for teaching or vascular surgery job in UAE"
sohail ahmad khan
Medical Qualification:FRCS Glasgow UK
City, Country: najran KSA

Team Interface: With your experience you may qualify for the consultant title, depending on the PQR tier of your qualification. See MOHAP specialist doctors eligibility, and for job routes after licensing, UAE jobs for healthcare professionals.
Dr. Wazed Hossan (Natore, Bangladesh): BAMS, MOH licence, registration, exam and syllabus

"I have completed my BAMS course from the Dhaka University. I am interested to get a MOH license in the UAE. Please mail me details about this license, registration, exam & syllabus."
Dr. Wazed Hossan
Medical Qualification:BAMS
City, Country: Natore,Bangladesh

Team Interface: Ayurveda is evaluated under traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM), with an AED 300 evaluation fee. The officer checks your degree against the PQR minimum for the title.
Anju Adhikary (Kathmandu, Nepal): dental hygienist with 3 years of experience, licensing and jobs

"Please send me details about licensing process regarding MOH online exam & job for Dental Hygienist. I have completed 3 years Dental Hygiene course in Nepal & I have also 3 years working experience in a Teaching Hospital."
Anju Adhikary
Medical Qualification:Certificate in Dental Science(Dental Hygiene)
City, Country: Kathmandu,Nepal

Team Interface: Dental hygienists apply under allied health, with an AED 300 evaluation fee at MOHAP. Your course length and experience are checked against the PQR minimum for the hygienist title.
annalakshmi (Coimbatore, India): MSc Nursing, 10 years, syllabus and exam dates

"I like to take the Nurses MOH exam for a position in UAE - I have about 10 yrs experience too - please guide me with details n where can I get exam syllabus n exam dates kind regards"
annalakshmi
Medical Qualification:MSc nursing
City, Country: coimbatore/india

Team Interface: There are no fixed dates; you book after your evaluation (AED 400 for nurses) and DataFlow. The documents are on MOHAP requirements for nurses.
noor ullah (Peshawar, Pakistan): MOH GP exam requirements and study material

"I want to appear in MOH exam as Gp. I failed to find the MOH GP exam requirements and MOH Gp exam preparation study material/books and in this page.please mention study materials for readers.thankyou."
noor ullah
Medical Qualification:MBBS RMP
City, Country: peshawsr pakistan

Team Interface: The requirements are on the linked GP page, and book suggestions are on MOHAP exam books and study material.
B.K.L.V.Kishore (Visakhapatnam, India): B.Pharm 2004, study material, can I sit the exam online in India?

"I Want to apply for MOH / DOH license. I have done B.Pharma in 2004. Where can i get the study material? can we attend the exam online in india also? kindly forward the details."
B.K.L.V.Kishore
Medical Qualification:B. Pharmacy
City, Country:Visakhapatnam, India

Team Interface: The exam is not taken online at home; it is taken at a test centre, and MOHAP and DHA both have Prometric centres in India. Pharmacist documents are on MOHAP pharmacist requirements.
imran (Karachi, Pakistan): cardiac perfusionist, registration and preparation

"i am cardiac perfusionist and search the job in middle east and i dont know how can i do ...i am v much interested to do MOH bt i dont have idea to it registration and preparation i request to all of you kindly help out."
imran
Medical Qualification:bsc medical technologist cardiac perfusionist
City, Country:karachi,pakistan

Team Interface: Perfusionists apply under allied health; the evaluation checks your qualification against the PQR title. The steps are in our MOHAP registration guide.
kiran pandit (Nepal): dental hygiene certificate, dental work in Dubai

"Can i practice dental work in UAE Dubai. What is the process to get the licence of Dubai health council?"
kiran pandit
Medical Qualification: The Proficiency Certificate Examination in Dental Hygiene
City, Country:Nepal

Team Interface: Dubai licenses through DHA via Sheryan. Check your title and eligibility first with the Sheryan self assessment tool.
waseem arshad (Lahore, Pakistan): radiography, CT and MRI technician, working in Dubai or the Gulf

"i have one year of radiography,two years of x ray technician,two years of MRI and four years of DHMS. I am working as a juner technician in jinnah hospital lahore pakistan from 1999.i do juneral radiography,c t scan,mammography,barium study,ivu,hsg,every type of procedure,Rutan c t scan and MRI.i want work in Dubai or other Arabic country."
waseem arshad
Medical Qualification:under graduation
City, Country:lahore,pakistan

Team Interface: Radiographers and imaging technologists are licensed under allied health titles. For Dubai, see DHA technician and technologist exam.
FILJO JOY (Kerala, India): BSc Nursing with 1.5 years, what extra qualifications are needed?

"Hi, i completed my Bsc Nursing and i am having 1 1/2 year experience also.what all are the extra qualifications need to attend the MOH Exam?"
FILJO JOY
Medical Qualification:Bsc Nursing
City, Country:kerala,india

Team Interface: No extra qualification is needed for the Registered Nurse title; the PQR sets no minimum experience for it. You need an active nursing licence, a Good Standing Certificate and a positive DataFlow report, listed on MOHAP requirements for nurses.

Moving your dental career to the UAE?

Practise UAE general dentist MCQs in the Prometric style, with explanations and timed mocks.

Start MOH UAE General Dentist QBank