Working in the healthcare sector in the UAE’s Northern Emirates, such as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)-governed emirates including Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain—offers excellent opportunities. But before you can practice, you must obtain the correct professional license. This guide breaks down the licensing process, highlights what to watch out for, and shows how to put your best foot forward.

What is the MOH license, and why do You Need It

In the Northern Emirates of the UAE (outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi), the regulating authority for healthcare professionals is MOHAP. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOH) license means you are legally authorised by MOHAP to work as a doctor, nurse or allied health professional within any facility in those emirates.
Why this matters:

• Without a valid license, you cannot legally practice in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility in those regions.
• Employers will only hire you if you either already hold the license (or eligibility for it) or are very far along in the process.

So, starting this process early and thoroughly increases your chances of a smooth placement and faster start.

The Steps: From Eligibility to license

The licensing process for MOHAP-regulated emirates can be divided into key stages. While each case may differ slightly, the following are the usual steps:

Eligibility & Document Verification

• You must first show that you meet the minimum qualifications and experience required by MOHAP.
• Your academic certificates, license or registration in your home country, good standing certificate and experience letters must be submitted and verified by a primary source verification service (often via Dataflow).
• If any document is missing or if experience dates are unclear, the eligibility phase will stall.

Example: A general practitioner may need two years of post-qualification experience, while specialists or consultants will need more experience, depending on the tier.

Examination (if required) & Final Registration

• Once your eligibility is confirmed, you may need to pass a licensing exam (depending on profession, speciality, or country of prior registration) to proceed to final registration.
• After passing the exam (or if exam exempt), you submit the final application, including the verified documents, employment contract (or job offer), and pay any relevant fees. The authority then issues your license.

License Issuance & Employment Activation

• After approval, you are issued your professional license, valid for a certain period (often up to five years in some cases) depending on the profession and category.
• Your employer must register you in their facility, and your license becomes active when you start working.

Why Licensing Timelines Can Vary

Every professional’s licensing journey is different and, in some cases, moves quickly, while others need more checks and clarifications. The overall processing time depends on factors such as:

• Document quality and clarity: If qualification or experience details are incomplete or unclear, the authority will pause the application for clarification.
• Primary Source Verification (PSV): Universities, hospitals, and licensing bodies across the world need to confirm your details — responsiveness varies by country.
• Exam scheduling and results: Some professionals need a licensing exam, which adds extra steps and coordination time.
• Employment confirmation: A license becomes active only when linked to an employer’s facility. If the job offer or facility registration takes time, the license waits.
• Special approvals: Unique qualifications, long career gaps, or speciality category updates may require deeper review.

In short, delays are usually procedural, not a sign that the professional isn’t qualified.

How to Present Yourself Right on the CV & Avoid Losing Opportunities

Many job seekers in the Middle East miss out because their CVs do not clearly highlight key licensing and experience details. Recruiters often scan each resume for only two to three minutes, and many employers use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that filter out resumes based on keywords and structure.

Key tips:

• Place your current designation, speciality, and total years of experience at the top of your CV.
  Clearly state your licensing status: e.g,. “MOHAP Eligibility obtained / Dataflow completed” or “license in progress”.
• List your clinical experience in reverse chronological order with: hospital/clinic name, country, role, start and end date. Don’t bury this at the bottom.
• Highlight your fellowship/training: institution name, year (start–end), specialty.
• Use standard headings (“Experience”, “Qualification”, “Licensing Status”) and avoid long paragraphs. Use bullet points under each role to highlight key responsibilities or achievements.
• Make sure your qualification years (MBBS, MS, Fellowship) are clear and followed by the institution name. If this is missing, your eligibility may be delayed.

A well-structured and clear CV drastically improves your chances of being shortlisted and moving faster through the licensing and hiring pipeline.

Why Choose Talent SPOC?

At Talent SPOC, we specialise in helping healthcare professionals like you navigate the licensing and recruitment process across the UAE and the Middle East. Here’s how we stand out:

• We offer end-to-end licensing support, from initial eligibility assessment to final license activation.
• We have deep experience in MOHAP licensing for the Northern Emirates, so we know exactly what the authorities look for.
  We guide you on CV optimisation so you don’t lose opportunities because your qualifications or experience are hidden or unclear.
• We help with job placements and work closely with approved hospitals and clinics, which means your license activation and onboarding go much more smoothly.

By choosing Talent SPOC, you’re not just getting a service; you’re partnering with a team that understands how to get you into a job and keep you in compliance.

Conclusion

Securing an MOH license in Sharjah, Ajman, and the Northern Emirates is a vital step if you want to practice healthcare in those regions. While the process may feel complex and delays are possible, the path is clear if you’re prepared: eligibility check, document verification, exam (if required), job offer, and license issuance. Preparing your documents accurately, presenting yourself clearly on your CV, and choosing the right partner will make all the difference.

If you are a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional ready to explore opportunities in the Northern Emirates, contact Talent SPOC today. We will assess your licensing eligibility, help you optimise your CV, and support you with job placement and license activation. Start your journey to a rewarding healthcare career in the UAE now. Share your resume to careerelevate@talentspoc.com for a complementary review.