DOH Licence for Doctors in Abu Dhabi 2026: GP, Specialist and Consultant Requirements, the Pearson VUE Exam, DataFlow, Fees and Timeline
How doctors get a Department of Health Abu Dhabi licence in 2026: GP, specialist and consultant eligibility, recognised postgraduate degrees, the DOH DataFlow package, the Pearson VUE exam and consultant interview, total fees in AED, INR, PKR and EGP, the timeline and doctor pay in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is the UAE's largest emirate and one of its biggest employers of doctors, from government hospitals to large private groups and clinics in Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Every doctor working there needs a licence from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), formerly HAAD. The route looks like Dubai's, but there are three differences that catch applicants out: the exam is delivered by Pearson VUE, not Prometric; DOH uses its own DataFlow package; and consultants may face an interview panel.
Which title will you get?
| Title | Typical requirement | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | Recognised MBBS/MD, completed internship, about 2 years of clinical experience after internship | DOH GP exam |
| Specialist | Recognised postgraduate qualification in the specialty, plus post-qualification experience set by the qualification's tier | Specialty exam, unless exempt |
| Consultant | Recognised higher qualification and substantial experience as a specialist | Often exempt from the written exam, but may sit an interview or assessment |
The UAE authorities share a unified framework for professional qualification requirements, so your postgraduate degree is classified into a tier. The tier decides your title and how much experience you need. Check where FCPS, MD, MS, DNB, MRCP and Arab Board stand in postgraduate recognition, and which qualifications skip the exam in exam exemptions.
Documents you need
- Medical degree and transcripts, internship completion certificate.
- Postgraduate certificates, if applying as a specialist or consultant.
- Current registration with your home medical council.
- Experience certificates with exact start and end dates, your title and HR contact details (format guide).
- Good Standing Certificate issued within the last six months (guide).
- Passport, photograph and a valid BLS certificate; ACLS or PALS for many clinical roles (life support requirements).
The DOH process, step by step
- Create your DOH account through the Abu Dhabi government portal and open a professional licensing application for your title. If you already have an employer, its HR team can open the file through the facility system.
- DataFlow verification of the DOH package. Usually 4–8 weeks (DataFlow guide).
- Assessment and eligibility. DOH reviews your file and confirms your title and whether you must sit the exam.
- The DOH exam at Pearson VUE, or the consultant interview where required.
- Licence issuance and facility linking. After passing, the licence is issued and becomes active when an Abu Dhabi facility employs you.
Most doctors with clean documents finish in 3–5 months. DataFlow and experience letters without exact dates are the usual causes of delay.
The DOH exam for doctors
- Format: computer-based single-best-answer MCQs, usually 100–150 items in 2.5–3 hours.
- Pass mark: about 60%, depending on the title.
- Delivery: Pearson VUE test centres in the UAE and abroad. A Prometric booking will not work for DOH.
- Content for GPs: internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, emergency care, psychiatry, preventive medicine and ethics.
Prepare with the DOH exam for doctors page, the General Practice question bank, the high-yield GP topics and GP sample questions with answers. Exam windows are on the DOH exam dates page.
DOH licence fees for doctors (2026)
| Item | USD | AED | INR | PKR | EGP | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DataFlow verification (DOH package) | USD 240–340 | AED 880–1,250 | INR 21,000–30,000 | PKR 67,000–95,000 | EGP 12,000–16,500 | Candidate |
| DOH licensing exam (Pearson VUE) | USD 220–280 | AED 810–1,030 | INR 19,500–24,500 | PKR 61,500–78,500 | EGP 11,000–13,500 | Candidate |
| Consultant interview panel | USD 140–270 | AED 510–990 | INR 12,500–24,000 | PKR 39,000–75,500 | EGP 6,860–13,000 | Consultant tier and some specialties only |
| Licence issuance | USD 270–410 | AED 990–1,510 | INR 24,000–36,000 | PKR 75,500–115,000 | EGP 13,000–20,000 | Often the employer |
All figures are approximate 2026 ranges, converted at fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Authorities change fees without notice and your bank adds its own card charge, so confirm the amount on the official portal at the moment you pay.
A GP usually pays about USD 730–1,030 in official fees, and a consultant with an interview up to about USD 1,300. Attestation, translation and courier costs come on top. The full list is in DOH exam fees 2026, and the licence fee calculator adds it up for your profile.
Doctor salary in Abu Dhabi
| Grade | Monthly (AED) | USD | INR | PKR | EGP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | AED 15,000–30,000 | USD 4,080–8,170 | INR 359,500–719,000 | PKR 1,143,500–2,287,500 | EGP 200,000–400,500 |
| Specialist | AED 30,000–60,000 | USD 8,170–16,500 | INR 719,000–1,437,500 | PKR 2,287,500–4,574,500 | EGP 400,500–800,500 |
| Consultant | AED 60,000–120,000 | USD 16,500–32,500 | INR 1,437,500–2,875,500 | PKR 4,574,500–9,149,000 | EGP 800,500–1,601,000 |
Salaries are approximate 2026 monthly, tax-free ranges for a mid-experience (3–5 year) hire, blended from published pay scales, recruiter ranges and offers our placement team has seen. Home-currency figures use fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, SAR 3.75, QAR 3.64, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Always go by the offer letter.
Government hospital packages often include housing or a housing allowance, annual flights and schooling support at senior grades. Remote postings in Al Dhafra can carry extra allowances. Specialty-level figures are in doctor salary in the UAE.
DOH or DHA?
The licence follows the facility, not your preference. A DHA licence does not let you work in Abu Dhabi, and a DOH licence does not cover Dubai. If you have no offer yet, choose the emirate where you are most likely to be hired. Compare the authorities in DHA vs MOHAP vs DOH, and read licence transfer if you hold one UAE licence already. The Dubai route is in the DHA licence for doctors.
Next steps
Run the free eligibility check to see your likely title before you pay for DataFlow. Then join the doctor talent pool so Abu Dhabi employers can see your profile while your file is in progress. Authority details are kept current on the DOH authority page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DOH exam for doctors conducted by Prometric?
No. DOH exams are delivered by Pearson VUE. DHA, MOHAP and most other Gulf regulators use Prometric.
How many years of experience does a GP need for a DOH licence?
Usually about two years of recent clinical experience after internship, with exact dates on every certificate.
Do consultants have to sit the DOH exam?
Many consultants with recognised higher qualifications are exempt from the written exam, but DOH may require an interview or assessment.
Can I apply for a DOH licence without a job offer?
You can complete the assessment and exam on your own. The licence is activated only when an Abu Dhabi facility employs you.
How long does a DOH licence take for doctors?
About 3–5 months with complete documents, most of it DataFlow verification.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.