UAE Licence Eligibility by Profession: The Unified PQR
Who can be licensed in which title by DHA, DOH and MOHAP: nurses, GNM, midwives, doctors, dentists and allied health under the Unified PQR, and the gap-in-practice rule.
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Under the Unified PQR, a BSc nurse (at least three years) is a Registered Nurse with no experience needed; a GNM diploma (18 months or more) is an Assistant Nurse; doctors and dentists need the internship and two years. A gap over three years needs CME and training.
The UAE's three health authorities, DHA, DOH and MOHAP, use one set of rules for who can be licensed in which title: the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements, or PQR. Whether you can sit the exam depends on your degree, its length and your experience. This guide sets out the rules for the most common titles.
Nurses and midwives
| Your qualification | Title | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Nursing (at least 3 years, full time) | Registered Nurse | None required |
| Nursing diploma of at least 18 months (GNM) | Assistant Nurse | None required |
| BSc Nursing, licensed as Assistant Nurse | Upgrade to Registered Nurse | Up to 5 years as an assistant nurse |
| Bachelor's in midwifery (at least 3 years) | Registered Midwife | 2 years after qualifying |
| BSc Nursing plus a midwifery certificate of at least 1 year | Registered Midwife | As the PQR asks |
An Assistant Nurse works under a Registered Nurse or Midwife, not on her own. The PQR has no separate "practical nurse" title.
Doctors and dentists
| Title | Qualification | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | MBBS or equivalent, with the internship | 2 years of clinical experience |
| General Dentist | BDS or equivalent, with the internship | 2 years of clinical experience |
Allied health
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years, full time, is the usual base.
- A master's or a PhD reduces the experience asked for by one year.
- Degrees by distance learning are not counted (2025 rules).
- Anaesthesia technologist (bachelor's) and technician (a programme of at least 2 years): 2 years of experience after qualifying.
The PQR pages for pharmacists, physiotherapists, laboratory technologists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, dietitians and occupational therapists were not readable when we wrote this guide. Tell us your title and we check it against the current PQR.
A gap in practice
- Up to 3 years: no extra steps (the 2025 rules; the 2022 rules said 2 years, and MOHAP's pages still say 2).
- 3 to 5 years: CME credits and a period of supervised clinical training, then the licensing exam. For nurses: 40 credits and 6 months of training for a gap of 3 to 4 years, 60 credits and 8 months for 4 to 5 years.
- More than 5 years: a non-UAE national cannot apply for a licence.
Frequently asked questions
Can a GNM nurse write the DHA exam?
Yes, for the Assistant Nurse title: a nursing diploma of at least 18 months qualifies for it. The Registered Nurse title needs a bachelor's of at least three years.
Do I need experience for a UAE nursing licence?
Not under the PQR, for a registered nurse with a BSc of at least three years. MOHAP's own licence page asks for two years: check which applies to you.
How long a career gap does the UAE allow?
Up to three years without extra steps under the 2025 rules. Longer gaps need CME credits and training first, and more than five years closes the door for non-UAE nationals.
Does the same rule apply in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates?
Yes. DHA, DOH and MOHAP all use the Unified PQR. Sharjah's SHA assessment also refers to it.
