UAE: Healthcare licensing in UAE to be fully unified and digital by 2026, serving 200,000+ professionals

The Ministry of Health and Prevention ( MoHAP ) has unveiled plans to launch a National Unified Digital Platform by Q2 2026, aimed at simplifying healthcare professional licensing across the UAE. By integrating all federal and local health entities into a single AI-powered system, the initiative is set to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, reduce redundancy, and significantly improve operational efficiency.

A unified system for a streamlined future
The National Unified Health Licensing Platform will serve as a centralized gateway for over 200,000 healthcare professionals annually, allowing them to register and apply for licenses without needing to navigate multiple systems. The platform is being built with advanced AI technologies and smart tools that will guide users, analyze submitted data, handle inquiries, and recommend optimal service pathways.

Upon its full launch in Q2 2026, the platform will enable a single professional profile that is recognized across all UAE health authorities, including:

• Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)
• Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH)
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
• Sharjah Health Authority (SHA)
  
  
  This unified approach will eliminate the need for redundant applications, allowing professionals to transfer between emirates or authorities without re-submitting documentation. It will also harmonize evaluation processes for medical and specialty certificates, academic qualifications, professional titles, and experience requirements.

The infrastructure is being designed to ensure interoperability with existing digital health systems, allowing for automatic data updates, high system reliability, and the scalability to add services or users in the future.

Powering the " Zero Government Bureaucracy " vision
The platform is a key part of Phase II of the UAE’s "Zero Government Bureaucracy" programme, an initiative designed to strip away complexity from public services. In alignment with this goal, MoHAP has already:

• Redesigned and reduced healthcare licensing and accreditation services by 50%, from 32 services to 16.
• Simplified documentation processes.
• Integrated digital systems to cut down the number of smart applications being used.
• Reduced processing times and administrative burden on applicants.

These efforts aim to enhance quality of life, boost institutional efficiency, and ensure a faster and more proactive model of government service delivery.

MoHAP conducted surveys and user studies to refine its services, incorporating feedback from internal teams, stakeholders, and frontline users to achieve a more human-centric system.

Enhancing healthcare workforce mobility and efficiency
The Ministry expects the platform to:

• Standardize hiring and licensing procedures across all UAE health institutions.
• Reduce gaps in healthcare delivery, ensuring patients receive consistent, high-quality care nationwide.
• Attract and retain skilled global healthcare talent by simplifying licensing and employment transitions.

Professionals will benefit from:

• A single-point submission recognized by all authorities.
• Removal of duplicate requirements during license transfer.
• Faster evaluation and licensing decisions.
• A unified database that simplifies mobility between emirates without new assessments or paperwork.

According to MoHAP, this initiative strengthens UAE’s competitiveness in the global health sector while aligning with national strategies for digital transformation, regulatory efficiency, and workforce development.

Licensing procedures, requirements, and service access
Currently, the licensing or re-licensing process for health professionals includes:

Step-by-step service process:

Login to the MoHAP portal via UAE PASS.

Search for the practitioner by license or registration number.

Upload verified documents (e.g., passport, insurance, experience certificate).

Pay initial application fees.

Await acceptance of the work invitation (from both the practitioner and the current facility, if applicable).

Application is reviewed by MoHAP.

Pay final service fees and download the new license.

Required documents:

• Passport
• Medical error insurance
• Experience certificate
• Mental and physical fitness report (mandatory for doctors aged 60+)

Key conditions:

• Valid MoHAP medical evaluation must be completed.
• All documents need third-party verification (e.g., Dataflow).
• No more than a 2-year gap in clinical practice (if more, additional training documentation is required).
• Current facility license must be valid.
• For clinic settings, the staffing ratio must be:
  
  • 1 nurse for every 2 doctors, or
  • 2 dental assistants for every 2 dentists (excludes hospital facilities).