GENERAL PHYSICIAN

In determining the eligibility of an applicant for licensing with Dubai Health Authority
(DHA) as General Physician (G.P), applicant must comply with the following
eligibility requirements:

(i) Primary medical qualification awarded after a course of study comprising at

least 5,500 hours (or four years full time equivalent study) and an approved
Medical Schools listed on the Avicenna Database (formerly the WHO
directory of medical schools)
(ii) Completion of internship program (one (1) year program)
(iii) Valid practice license in country of graduation and/ or country of last
employment
(iv) Recent experience1

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Applicants for licensure as General Physician must provide the following:

(i) Evidence of successful completion of an approved medical education

program.
(ii) Valid practice license in country of graduation and/or country of
employment/ appointment.
(iii) Evidence of all clinical experience including appointments (Service
certificates will be accepted only if signed by Human Resources (Personal
Department or Medical Directors).
(iv) Recent Good Standing Certificate issued by the medical council/association
from the country of last employment (Certificates are only valid for six (6)
months from date of issue)
(v) Log book (for surgical specialities only)
(vi) Signed declaration and consent for release of information
(vii) Applicant’s resume
(viii) Passport copy
(ix) One (1) colour passport photograph

ASSESSMENT

All applicants for General Physician license category will be required to attend and pass
assessment of their competency to practice in Dubai except if the physicians have valid
certification of the following examinations will be exempted from the competency based
assessment requirement by DHA and will be eligible for primary source verification of
their certificates in regards to the processing of their application for licensure in the
Emirate of Dubai:
1
Recent experience means applicant should not be absent from the practice of medicine of two (2) or more
years. If the applicant is a UAE National they may apply for licensure under the category of Physician
Returning to Practice. If you are a UAE National please see Section 4 of this document; if you are a NON
UAE National then you are not eligible for licensure in by DHA.
 • Ministry of Health (MOH) general practitioner licensing examination
• Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) general practitioner licensing
examination
• Pre Entry Examination (PEE) Dubai Residency Program provided by
Medical Education Department in Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
• PLAB (UK) Parts I and II
• Qualifying Exam Parts I and II Medical Council of Canada or MCCEE
• TRAS (Ireland -Temporary Registration Assessment Scheme) Parts I, II, and
III
• USMLE (US) Parts I and II and III

LICENSURE CONDITIONS

Evidence of malpractice insurance is required for all approved applications before

issuing the license.

General Physician license will be in to two levels (level 1 and 2) based on the applicant
practical experience:

(i) General Physician (Level 1)

Applicant is General physician with less than 4 years experience after internship;
he/she can work only an Approved Practice Setting

(ii) General Physician (Level 2)

Applicant is General physician with more than 4 years experience after internship; he/she
can only practice with General Hospitals (governmental or private), Primary Health
Centres (PHC) Day Surgical Centres, schools, industrial areas 2 in Dubai, construction
companies, labour Camps, hotels, rural areas and polyclinics with no less than 3
specialities (excluding Dental).

2
Industrial Areas are area designated by Dubai Municipality as industrial regions this includes but not
limited to Al Qusais Indestrial Area 1,2,3 and 4, Al Qouz Industrial Area 1,2,3 and 4
APPENDIX 1

Approved Practice Setting (APS)

Approved Practice Setting (APS): An organization that has systems for the effective
management of Physicians, systems for identifying and acting upon concerns about
Physicians’ fitness to practice, systems to support the provision of relevant training or
continuing professional development, and systems for providing regulatory assurance.

In determining approval for a licensed healthcare facility to be registered as an Approved

Practice Setting (APS), the facility must meet the following requirements

Facility Categories
Only the following health facility categories can apply for registration as APS in Dubai:

1.1.1 Governmental Hospital

1.1.2 Governmental Primary Health Centres (PHC)
1.1.3 Private General Hospitals (not less than 50 beds)

Certificate of enrolment in an approved internship program in the UAE