Choosing the wrong authority is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes for new arrivals. MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) issues federal licences used in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. DHA (Dubai Health Authority) licences are mandatory for clinical practice in Dubai. DOH (Department of Health — Abu Dhabi) licences apply to Abu Dhabi emirate.
These licences are not interchangeable. If your job is in Dubai, you need DHA regardless of nationality. If you hold MOHAP and later move to Dubai, you must complete the DHA pathway — sometimes with streamlined PSV if credentials are recent. Holding both DHA and MOHAP is common for locum or multi-emirate roles but each requires separate fees and maintenance.
Use our authority comparison page for a side-by-side view, then run the eligibility finder with your emirate and role. Our advisors map the correct authority before you spend on DataFlow or exams.