For healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates who hold a license from the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and wish to practice in the emirates governed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) — such as Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain — transferring your professional license is a key process that enables you to broaden your career opportunities within the UAE’s dynamic healthcare ecosystem.
This article explains the entire HAAD-to-MOH license transfer process step by step, detailing required documents, typical procedures, potential challenges, and how FACTS Transcripts can assist you in managing the documentation side of your transition.
Understanding License Authorities in the UAE
The UAE has multiple healthcare regulatory authorities governing professional licensure depending on the emirate where you intend to work. The main authorities include:
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HAAD – Health Authority Abu Dhabi, responsible for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
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MOHAP – Ministry of Health and Prevention, responsible for the Northern Emirates.
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DHA – Dubai Health Authority, responsible for Dubai.
Each authority issues its own professional licenses. While these licenses are valid within the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, professionals seeking employment outside that jurisdiction must transfer or convert their license accordingly. For example, a nurse or doctor holding a valid HAAD license who wants to work in Sharjah — where MOHAP regulates practice — must go through the transfer process from HAAD to MOHAP.
Why Transfer Your License?
Transferring a professional license allows you to continue practising legally under a different authority without repeating the entire initial licensing process. A successful transfer enables you to:
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Work in broader geographic areas within the UAE.
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Be fully recognised by MOHAP for employment.
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Maintain your professional status and mobility across emirates.
If you have gained experience and spent time practising under a HAAD license, transferring it to MOHAP lets you pursue new job openings and clinical roles in MOHAP-regulated healthcare facilities.
Who Can Apply for a HAAD to MOH License Transfer?
Generally, healthcare professionals who are eligible for license transfer must meet these conditions:
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Hold an active HAAD professional license in good standing.
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Provide evidence of at least some clinical experience under the HAAD license.
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Submit a valid Good Standing Certificate from HAAD.
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Have completed Primary Source Verification of credentials (such as through DataFlow or another accredited PSV service).
These requirements demonstrate to MOHAP that your qualifications and practice history meet its standards, which streamlines the transfer approval.
Step-by-Step Process for HAAD to MOH License Transfer
Step 1: Prepare Complete Documentation
Your transfer application begins with ensuring you have all necessary documents ready and in the correct format. Key documents typically include:
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Valid Passport Copy: An essential identification document throughout the process.
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Active HAAD License: This must be current and free of disciplinary issues.
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Academic Degree and Transcripts: Detailed records of your nursing, medical, or allied health studies.
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Home Country License: If applicable, showing your original professional registration.
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Experience Certificates: Evidence of clinical practice under HAAD, usually from recognised healthcare facilities.
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Good Standing Certificate: A recent certificate from HAAD confirming no disciplinary history.
Collecting these materials carefully and ensuring they reflect your professional journey accurately is essential before submission to MOHAP. FACTS Transcripts can organise, review, and prepare your academic transcripts so they meet licensing requirements.
Step 2: Primary Source Verification
Before MOHAP can consider your transfer application, your credentials must undergo Primary Source Verification (PSV). This process confirms the authenticity of your:
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Degrees and professional licenses.
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Experience certificates.
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Supporting academic records.
A verified PSV report from DataFlow or a similar service is a foundational component for both initial licensure and transfers, as it ensures MOHAP can trust your submitted documents without questioning their legitimacy.
FACTS Transcripts assists with preparing accurate transcript packages and ensuring all credential details are ready for PSV processing.
Step 3: Create a MOHAP Account and Apply
Once you have complete documentation and a PSV report, the next step is to initiate your transfer application through MOHAP’s official portal. Key actions include:
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Setting up or logging into your MOHAP online account using secure credentials.
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Uploading all required documentation, including your verified DataFlow report, passport information, HAAD license information, Good Standing Certificates, and academic records.
MOHAP will then begin its internal review of the application to evaluate whether your HAAD credentials match MOHAP’s Professional Qualification Requirements.
Step 4: Application Review and Approval
MOHAP reviews your application to determine whether all submitted documents are valid and satisfy transfer criteria. During this phase:
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MOHAP may request additional information if any details are incomplete.
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Verification of your professional history, licence validity, and standing occurs against UAE standards.
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If approved, MOHAP will grant an evaluation or transfer approval.
This phase is crucial because it determines whether MOHAP recognises your HAAD-based professional experience and credentials for transfer. Having well-prepared transcripts and supporting documents streamlines this process significantly.
Step 5: Find a MOHAP Facility and Activate Your License
Once your transfer is approved by MOHAP, you need to activate your professional licence under a MOHAP-licensed healthcare facility. This typically involves:
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Securing a job offer from a facility in one of the northern emirates.
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Your employer submitting the final licence activation request to MOHAP.
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MOHAP issuing your official MOHAP-based professional licence.
At this stage, you begin practising under MOHAP’s jurisdiction. This also initiates your licence renewal cycles, continuing education requirements, and future career documentation under MOHAP regulations.
Key Considerations and Tips
No Waiting Period
Unlike some authorities that require professionals to practice for a minimum period before transferring, MOHAP generally does not impose a waiting period before initiating a transfer from an active HAAD license. This flexibility allows healthcare professionals to pursue licensing transitions without unnecessary delays, provided all documentation is in order.
Maintain Good Standing
Good Standing certificates play a crucial role in transfer approvals. These documents show that you maintained a clean professional record under HAAD, free of disciplinary actions. MOHAP reviews this as part of its assessment of your eligibility.
Avoid Redundancy
If your HAAD license has recently been verified under DataFlow for another process, that PSV report can often be reused, avoiding redundant verification fees and steps. Keeping your academic transcripts and PSV reports well-organised helps here.
Work with Experienced Documentation Professionals
The transfer process is detailed and sensitive to document accuracy. Missteps in credential presentation, missing transcripts, or unclear experience records are common reasons for delays or rejections. FACTS Transcripts specialises in aligning your academic records with the stringent requirements of UAE healthcare authorities, helping reduce rejection risk and accelerate the transfer timeline.
Conclusion
Transferring a healthcare license from HAAD to MOHAP enables you to continue your professional practice in the northern emirates of the UAE under the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The journey involves careful documentation, primary source verification, application submission, and facility sponsorship — but the result is wider career opportunity and licence recognition across UAE regions.
With accurate transcripts, verified credentials, and experienced guidance, you can confidently navigate this process and expand your licence mobility in the UAE healthcare market.
