DHA vs MOH vs HAAD (DOH): The Ultimate UAE Healthcare Licensing Guide
If you are planning to work as a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, or allied health professional in the United Arab Emirates, choosing the correct licensing authority is the first critical step. Learn the key differences in jurisdiction, exam format, fees, and license conversion.
TL;DR: Key Authority Jurisdictions at a Glance
- DHA (Dubai Health Authority): Grants medical licenses valid exclusively in the Emirate of Dubai.
- DOH / HAAD (Department of Health Abu Dhabi): Grants medical licenses valid in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
- MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention): Grants medical evaluations valid across the 5 Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain).
Side-by-Side Comparison: DHA vs MOH vs DOH (HAAD)
| Parameter | DHA (Dubai) | MOHAP (Northern Emirates) | DOH / HAAD (Abu Dhabi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulated Territory | Dubai Emirate | Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ | Abu Dhabi & Al Ain |
| Testing Body | Prometric (CBT) | Prometric (CBT) | Pearson VUE / Prometric |
| Exam Format | 150 MCQs / 3 Hours | 100–150 MCQs / 2.5–3 Hours | 150 MCQs / 3 Hours |
| Passing Score Threshold | 55% (Nurses), 60% (Doctors, Pharm, Dentists) | 50%–55% (Nurses), 60% (Doctors, Pharm) | 55% (Nurses), 60% (Doctors, Dentists) |
| Primary Application Portal | Sheryan System | MOHAP Online Portal | TAMM Abu Dhabi Portal |
| DataFlow PSV Fee | AED 700 – AED 950 | AED 700 – AED 900 | AED 800 – AED 1,100 |
| Prometric Exam Fee | AED 1,000 – AED 1,050 (~$285 USD) | AED 950 – AED 1,000 (~$275 USD) | AED 950 – AED 1,050 (~$285 USD) |
What is the Difference Between MOH and Prometric?
Many international healthcare applicants confuse MOH with Prometric. They are two entirely distinct entities:
MOHAP (MOH)
The government regulatory body that establishes qualification standards, reviews medical credentials, approves DataFlow primary source verifications, and issues the official medical practice license.
Prometric
The private global testing assessment company that operates secure, computer-based test centers in India, Pakistan, Philippines, GCC, and worldwide where candidates sit the exam.
How to Convert a DHA License to MOH or HAAD (DOH)
Thanks to the UAE Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), healthcare professionals are not required to take multiple exams if they relocate between emirates:
- Active Status Requirement: You must hold an active, valid DHA license (not just an eligibility letter) or have at least 6 months of documented, active clinical employment under a licensed facility in Dubai.
- Certificate of Good Standing (CGS): Request a Certificate of Good Standing issued directly from the DHA Sheryan portal to MOHAP or DOH.
- DataFlow Report Transfer: Utilize the DataFlow TrueProfile portal to transfer your existing primary source verification report directly to the target authority.
- Submit Conversion Application: Apply through the recipient portal (MOHAP evaluation portal or TAMM for Abu Dhabi) under the "License Transfer / Reciprocity" service.
- License Issuance: Upon verification, the new license or evaluation certificate is issued without requiring a repeat Prometric CBT examination.
Preparing for Your UAE Licensing Assessment?
Whether you choose DHA, MOH, or HAAD/DOH, Study Prometric provides high-yield questions, real exam recalls, timed mock exams, and instant explanations designed for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of DHA, MOH, and HAAD?
DHA stands for Dubai Health Authority (governing Dubai). MOH stands for Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP, governing Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain). HAAD stands for Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, officially renamed Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH).
What is the difference between DHA and MOH exams?
DHA license permits medical professionals to practice strictly within the Emirate of Dubai. The MOHAP (MOH) evaluation allows professionals to practice across the other five Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, and UAQ). Both exams are computer-based multiple-choice tests administered through Prometric, but they have separate registration portals and application fees.
What is the difference between MOH and Prometric?
MOH (Ministry of Health and Prevention) is the official government healthcare regulatory body in the UAE that sets licensing requirements. Prometric is the independent global testing organization that MOH contracts to administer the computer-based multiple-choice licensing exam.
Can I convert a DHA license to a MOH or HAAD (DOH) license without re-taking the exam?
Yes. Under the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), if you hold an active DHA license and have completed at least 6 months to 1 year of continuous clinical practice in Dubai, you can transfer your license to MOHAP or DOH Abu Dhabi through the license conversion pathway without taking another Prometric examination.
Which exam is harder: DHA, MOH, or HAAD?
All three licensing exams maintain similar syllabus blueprints and clinical standards, with 100 to 150 single-best-answer MCQs and a passing score threshold generally between 55% and 60%. Most candidates report comparable difficulty levels; success depends on mastering clinical management protocols and recent exam recalls.
MOH exam is accepted in which countries?
The UAE MOHAP evaluation is recognized across the Northern Emirates of the UAE (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain). Furthermore, a completed DataFlow primary source verification (PSV) report can be transferred across other GCC health authorities (DHA, DOH, SCFHS Saudi Arabia, OMSB Oman, and Qatar DHP) to reduce verification time and cost.
Official UAE & Gulf Healthcare Licensing Guides
Explore complete fee schedules, passing score criteria, and exam blueprints by authority and profession: