Every healthcare professional who wants to run a medical practice in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain must first acquire a HAAD license — an official document that offers licensure for medical professionals like nurses, doctors and pharmacists to work in the UAE. How do you apply for a HAAD license and how do you know whether you are exempt from taking the exam for it? Let’s find out.
Why do I need a HAAD license to practice medicine in Abu Dhabi?
Healthcare professionals in Abu Dhabi are required to obtain a license through the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for which they will have to pass the HAAD exam.
A HAAD license is valid for 5 years from the date of passing the HAAD exam. The medical license must be current and valid during a health professional’s practice. Additionally, it must also be renewed 3 months before the expiry date. Medical professionals are also required to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their hospital management for the license.
Medical disciplines that require licensure to practice in Abu Dhabi include:
- Dentistry (Consultant/GP Dentist/Specialist)
- Physicians (Consultant/ Medical Practitioner/ Specialist)
- Nursing/Midwifery
- Allied health
- Pharmacy
How do I apply for a health professional license?
All health professionals can apply for a medical license to work in the country through the HAAD website. Here is the process in detail:
- Submit your application and required documents through the DataFlow verification company
- An email will be sent to you containing the application number and payment methods for DataFlow
- Pay the DataFlow fee via credit card
- After successful verification, receive another email which will provide you with a new password and username along with a link to the HAAD e-licensing system
- Complete the application process through the HAAD website with the received credentials
- The application will be reviewed by the Health Professional licensing section and forwarded either for the exam or for direct licensure (in case the applicant is exempt from taking the HAAD exam)
- Register for the exam upon successful approval
- Pay the fee once the license is approved
- Receive the license via courier
What documents are required for HAAD license?
All documents required for the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi license must first be legally translated into English. A full list of required documents is available on the HAAD website. In general, HAAD license requirements include these documents:
- Completed application declaration formed signed by the applicant
- A valid copy of passport
- A recent passport-sized photograph (with white background)
- Experience certificates
- Educational qualifications
- Certificate(s) of Good Standing from relevant regulatory authorities
- A letter of nomination (for applicants sponsored by facilities)
- Staff data clearance form (provided in the application)
- Current and valid Health Professional license issued by the relevant regulatory authority
- Malpractice insurance for healthcare professionals
What are the fees required for a new HAAD license?
Those applying for new HAAD licenses are required to pay DataFlow, exam and license fees. Exam fees differ according to the type of exams applied for while licensing fees are dependent on the field of specialization.
Here is a list of HAAD license fees for different medical practices:
- Licensure for Pharmacist Tech: AED 150
- Licensure for Pharmacist: AED 300
- Licensure for Tech: AED 300
- Licensure for Nurse: AED 300
- Licensure for Physicians: AED 2,600
For a full list of DataFlow fees and exam fees for specific medical disciplines, please visit the HAAD website.
How do I register for the HAAD license exam?
Upon successful verification, applicants must log onto the official website and follow this process to register for the HAAD license exam:
- Log onto the system
- Click on E-licensing and select the Examination option
- Select Exam Scheduling and click on BOOK
- Pay the exam fee and print your exam ticket
The exam fee can be paid with credit cards. Exams may be taken in Authorised Testing Centres at the applicant’s country of origin. The exam test centre in the emirate of Abu Dhabi is DoH Abu Dhabi.
Special Conditions
Certain health professionals are exempt from taking the HAAD exam, as specified on the HAAD website. Additionally, health professionals who are over the age of 60 are required to take annual Medical Fitness Examinations from SEHA facilities.
HAAD License Renewal
Medical professionals who have successfully acquired HAAD licenses are required to renew them after 5 years, starting from the time of passing the exam. Before renewal, applicants may be required to provide documents or pass certain exams. The sponsoring healthcare facilities can request for their healthcare professionals to apply for license renewals.
Like the HAAD licence application process, renewals can be applied for online. Here is the process:
- Fill the online application on the HAAD website
- Submit the required documentation online
- Make the necessary payment at the Health Professional Licensing Section
- Receive your renewed license via courier (Empost)
Required documents for HAAD license renewal
Those looking to renew their HAAD licences are required to provide these documents:
- Recent passport-sized picture with white background
- Valid passport
- DataFlow report
- Continuous Medical Education
- Malpractice insurance
- Family Book (only for UAE nationals)
- UAE identification card
The Health Authority-Abu Dhabi website also mentions these charges for license renewals:
| Discipline | Fee for One-year renewal | Fee for Two-year renewal | Penalties per month |
| Pharmacy Technicians | AED 100 | AED 100 | AED 37 |
| Pharmacists | AED 200 | AED 300 | AED 50 |
| Technicians (Clinical Support Service) | AED 200 | AED 300 | AED 50 |
| Nursing | AED 200 | AED 300 | AED 50 |
| Physicians | AED 850 | AED 1,600 | AED 625 |
Licenses that are not renewed within 6 months of their expiry dates will be cancelled by law. Also, applicants will incur penalties if they do not renew their licenses before they are scheduled to expire.
That’s a wrap of the process for obtaining the HAAD license and its renewal. Are you an expat who wishes to work in the capital city of the UAE? If so, you will have to apply for medical fitness tests in Abu Dhabi to validate your visa. Does your place of work happen to be in Dubai? You can apply for medical certificates from visa medical centres in Dubai.
If you are a medical professional who has recently moved to the capital, don’t forget to check out our latest listings for apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi.
Leave a Reply
i m already consultant in Saudi Arabia with a valid licence and my data flow has been done should i do data flow again
Hi Yasmeen. We recommend contacting your designated officer or the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555 for details pertaining to your case. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
Hi. Do you happen to know how long the dataflow report is valid from the time it is approved?
Hi Kresleen! Dataflow report validity durations vary on a case by case basis. We recommend contacting your designated officer or the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555 for additional details. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
my DOH license application number is ATD246989 for transfer of license. How I can check the current status of my license application for AbuDhabi health authority
Hi Koukab. Thank you for getting in touch with us. In answer to your query, we recommend contacting the Abu Dhabi Department of Health at 800-555 or +971-2-449-3333. We hope this helps. Have a great day!
How to get licensed for permanent makeup or microblading?
Hi Maria,
Please contact HAAD at +971-2-449-3333 for assistance regarding licensing applications. Have a great day!
Hi what are the exact requirements for an allied health professional to be licensed under HAAD please?
Hi Mandy. Thank you for getting in touch with us. In answer to your query, we recommend contacting the Abu Dhabi Department of Health at 800-555 or +971-2-449-3333. We hope this helps. Have a great day!
After passing license, how much time do we have to start work in abudhabi, is there a maximum time frame upto which we should start to work in AbuDhabi.
Hi Bharath,
As far as a time frame is concerned, a HAAD license is valid for five years from the date of passing the HAAD exam and must be valid during your medical practice. We recommend contacting your designated officer or the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555 for additional details. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
Hi, I’m fresh graduate from Bejing Medical Unversity, China. Now im live in Sharja. How I can take eligibility . Is I eligible for exam in UAE?
Hi Dr Sohail. Thank you for getting in touch with us. We recommend contacting the Abu Dhabi Department of Health at 800-555 or +971-2-449-3333 for assistance. Have a nice day!
How can I know my HAAD Licence process status
Hi Liji. Thank you for getting in touch with us. In answer to your query, we recommend contacting the Abu Dhabi Department of Health at 800-555 or +971-2-449-3333. We hope this helps. Have a great day!
Hi, Can I renew expired license in another facility? He is cancelled visa and expired license and want to work in another facility, so the other facility can renew his license?
Hi Jean! In answer to your query, we recommend consulting appropriate authorities at the facility that you plan on working to determine whether they allow renewals. We hope this helps. Have a great day!
hello my application was disapproved last year and told us to reapply through facility in abu dhabi, how i will reapply? do i need to do another account? because i cant see any option to edit my current account to reapply it? please answer. thanks
Hi Naser. In answer to your query, application rejection is decided by the entity and not the DataFlow group. You may need to contact the facility to learn the reason for the rejection. Based on this, you may be required to apply for the license again. For more information, we recommend contacting the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555 for details pertaining to your case. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
Does the HAAD license applicable in other gulf countries?
Hi Haneen. Thank you for getting in touch with us. HAAD stands for the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. This means that all health professionals who acquire a HAAD license are only allowed to work in Abu Dhabi, not in other Gulf countries. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
hello there. I just wanted to ask if there is an expiration or validity of the data flow report? I’m on the next step where I am about to attach some documents for the e- licensing ( HAAD website) unfortunately due to this pandemic COVID19 events, I wasn’t able to comply.. I am still waiting for my CAV from my school registrar to release it.
Hi Janice,
The DataFlow report validity varies from one entity to another and is subject to change without prior notice. Please check with your designated officer for more details.
Hope this helps. Have a great day!
Hi. For Respiratoy Therapist, THE HAAD exam Will be under technician ( respiratory)??. OR it will be respiratory Therapist exam separate not as technician
Hi Faisal,
For queries regarding HAAD examinations, please contact the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
What is fees for transferring license from one faculty to another. Within Haad If license is already active
Hi Ayesh,
In answer to your query, the fee for requesting the transfer of a healthcare professional license to another facility is AED 100.
Have a great day!
Hi. l resigned from one facility and lm moving to another facility. my Haas licence expires in 2022. l have submitted all required documents together with my data flow for application for new licence to my new facility.. l jus want to know how long will the process take considering that l have the data flow ready.? l heard that there is a new system in place, will that delay the new licence to be issues?
Hi Dee,
In answer to your query, please contact the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555 for details pertaining to the transfer of new licenses under the new system. Have a great day!
How can I apply for HAAD exam
Hi Wafaa,
If you are suitably qualified to take the HAAD Exam, you must first apply to DataFlow and go through the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process. Once your credentials are verified by DataFlow, you will be emailed your application number after which you can register for the HAAD exam.
To register for the HAAD exam,
– Visit the HAAD registration website
– Register or log in with a username and password
– Click on “e-licensing” and select “Examination”
– Click on “Exam Scheduling”
– Enter your application number and click on search
– Select a date and location for the exam
– Click on BOOK
After you have paid your exam fee (via credit card or cash at a HAAD Customer Service Counter), you can print your Exam Ticket to present at the test centre. The fee varies according to your speciality and profession.
We hope this helps you successfully apply for the HAAD Exam. Best of luck!
Hi.i am candidate for haad exam but I came to know that exam fee is increased now .is that true news ??? I listen this from someone
Hi Maaza,
For queries related to the HAAD exam fee, please contact the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or at the toll-free number at 800-555. Hope this helps. Have a great day!
what is the website address of HAAD ?
Hi Jay,
The webs address of HAAD is: https://www.doh.gov.ae/
Have a great day!
I ve DHA eligibility and DHA dataflow .For converting to HAAD what I need to do .Please guidance. I m specialist in ksa
Hi Fatima,
Thank you for getting in touch with us. To register for the HAAD exam,
– Visit the HAAD registration website
– Register or log in with a username and password
– Click on “e-licensing” and select “Examination”
– Click on “Exam Scheduling”
– Enter your application number and click on search
– Select a date and location for the exam
– Click on BOOK
After you have paid your exam fee (via credit card or cash at a HAAD Customer Service Counter), you can print your Exam Ticket to present at the test centre. The fee varies according to your speciality and profession.
For further details, please contact the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on +971-2-449-3333 or 800-555.
Best of luck!
Hello, This is Dr. Saira from Al AIN
please guide me how Can I got My DOH Application ID no ,in order to create an account on their website ..my documents are successfully verified through Dataflow
Hi Dr. Saira,
Thank you for getting in touch with us. In answer to your query, we recommend contacting the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DOH) at +971-2-449-3333. Hope this helps. Have a great day!