Before the renewal window
Record authority, licence number, category, term, expiry date and facility. Compare completed CPD with the applicable target and identify documents or coverage that will need updating.
Healthcare licence renewal guidance
UAE Healthcare License Renewal Guidance
Start with the licence you hold: its authority, category, facility and expiry date. Check accepted CPD, current documents and the submission owner before the renewal window becomes urgent.
- Profile-Based Guidance
- Authority-Aware Support
- Document Readiness Context
- Clear Next Steps
Who this service is for
Who Licence Renewal Support Is For
Healthcare professionals and facilities planning a renewal, reviewing licence status or preparing for renewal-related next steps.
Start with the record you hold
A renewal plan needs more than an expiry reminder
Identify whether you hold a registration, an active professional licence or an expired or cancelled record. The correct service depends on that status. Build the following preparation plan with the person responsible for submission.
When submission opens
Confirm the service and who can apply. Check the accepted CPD record, current identity details and outstanding requests. Keep the submission reference and a named person for follow-up.
After the decision
Download the issued licence and check dates, facility and conditions. If the application is returned, respond to the stated request; a payment or submission receipt does not confirm renewal.
DHA professional licence renewal: the live service opens 90 days before expiry and is submitted by a delegated facility representative. It lists malpractice insurance, CPD compliance and outstanding-fine checks. Use the separate registration service if that is the record you hold. DHA renewal requirements · checked 20 September 2026.
Evidence, submission and acceptance
Check the CPD record, not just the folder
Keep an activity register with the provider, completion date, supporting certificate, claimed credits and the authority’s recorded outcome. Flag items not yet submitted or accepted so they are not mistaken for a completed requirement.
DHA bases its target on full-time licence category and validity period. Its CPD service requires evidence for claimed activities; surplus points do not carry forward. The published DHA table below belongs to that system, not to every regulator.
MOHAP’s renewal checklist separately identifies specialty-relevant CME and medical-error insurance, with an EHS fitness report for doctors aged 60 or above. Confirm the category-specific checklist with the facility rather than reusing a DHA pack unchanged.
Official references checked 20 September 2026: DHA CPD service; MOHAP professional renewal.
What this service includes
What Renewal Guidance Covers
Renewal depends on the authority, professional category, licence status and individual case. Expired licence cases may need a separate review.
Licence status
Review the current status and authority renewal route.
Document readiness
Check current profile and document requirements.
Facility context
Facility or employer links may apply depending on the authority.
Professional requirements
CPD or CME may apply depending on authority and category.
What CPD actually requires
CPD Points by Category and Licence Term
DHA sets CPD as points against the licence term, not as annual hours. The figures circulating online are the one-year column, relabelled as hours.
| Licensing category | 1-year licence | 2-year licence | 3-year licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians and Dentists | 40 points | 80 points | 120 points |
| Nurses and all Pharmacists | 20 points | 40 points | 60 points |
| Allied Healthcare and TCAM | 10 points | 20 points | 30 points |
Overachieving carries nothing forward. Underachieving stops the renewal outright.
Sources: DHA Sheryan — Update CPD Points service description
Checked 30 August 2026. DHA reserves the right to change an assessment, its format or its pass score without updating its own guideline — confirm your own title in the lookup before you book.
This table is DHA-specific. Match the professional category and licence term; do not apply its point totals to a different authority or assume every course hour is an accepted point.
Where the 2023 catalogue is now wrong
What Changed Since DHA Last Published a Fee Schedule
Thirteen services were documented here from the Health Regulation Sector Service Catalogue dated 21 March 2023. A live re-check on 30 August 2026 found five of them changed. These are the differences, not a full fee list.
Part-time licence costs a third of what the Catalogue says
The Catalogue prints AED 4,000 for a part-time professional licence. The live Renew and Activate services both show AED 1,000 for nurses, allied health and TCAM and AED 3,000 for physicians and dentists.
Two- and three-year licence terms now exist
Full-time activation and renewal are priced per term on the live portal: AED 1,000 / 3,000 for one year, AED 1,500 / 5,000 for two, AED 2,500 / 7,500 for three. The Catalogue lists the one-year figure only.
A sick leave certificate costs less than the Catalogue states
The Catalogue prints AED 70. The live service shows AED 50.
The licence card service has been renamed and is now instant
“Licence Card Replacement”, one working day in the Catalogue, is now “Update Professional License Card Information” and completes instantly unless the information itself changed, in which case it takes one working day.
Good standing splits into two turnarounds
The Catalogue gives one working day. The live service gives one working day for the certificate itself and five working days where a License Details Verification is needed.
Sources: DHA — Health Regulation Sector Service Catalogue (update 21 March 2023)
Checked 30 August 2026. DHA reserves the right to change an assessment, its format or its pass score without updating its own guideline — confirm your own title in the lookup before you book.
Published windows and fees
Renewal Windows, Validity and Late Fees
Read each entry with its named authority, service and source date. Licence renewal and registration renewal are separate services.
Renewal and late-renewal fees
| Authority | What you pay for | Amount | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA — Dubai | Late full-time professional licence renewal — monthly penalty | AED 600 or AED 200 per month | Official | The current renewal service lists AED 600 per month for physicians/dentists and AED 200 for nurses, allied health and TCAM. Confirm the outstanding amount in Sheryan. This service page does not state a six-month cap on penalties. |
| SHA — Sharjah | Renewal, full-time — physicians, dentists, TCIM practitioners | AED 3,000 | Official | Identical to the first-issue fee. |
| SHA — Sharjah | Renewal, full-time — allied health, nursing, pharmacy, trainee, intern, resident, academic faculty | AED 1,000 | Official | Identical to the first-issue fee. |
Sources: DHA Sheryan — Renew Professional License · Sharjah Health Authority — Request for Renewal of Healthcare Professional License
Checked between 9 September and 24 September 2026. Authorities can change fees and requirements without notice — confirm current figures before you pay.
Renewal windows, validity and processing times
| Authority | Stage | How long | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA — Dubai | Registration validity | 1 year | Official | From the date of issuance. A certificate issued after a successful assessment is valid one year from the result date. |
| DHA — Dubai | Renewal window | 3 months | Official | The Sheryan service page states three months from expiry or from licence cancellation. DHA’s Licensing Manual v1.3 states 90 days before expiry and a one-year window after cancellation — the two DHA sources disagree, so check both before relying on either. |
| DHA — Dubai | Expired licence renewal | 6 months | Official | Licensing Manual v1.3: an expired DHA licence can be renewed within six months of expiry. |
| MOHAP — UAE | Licensing / re-licensing decision | 1 – 2 working days | Official | MOHAP's stated service duration once the facility submits a complete licence application. |
| SHA — Sharjah | Licence renewal | 8 working days | Official |
Sources: DHA Sheryan — Get Registered service description · DHA Sheryan — Renew Professional Registration service · DHA — Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals v1.3, effective 18/07/2025 · MOHAP — Licensing and Re-licensing of a Health Professional · Sharjah Health Authority — Request for Renewal of Healthcare Professional License
Checked between 22 August and 9 September 2026. Authorities can change fees and requirements without notice — confirm current figures before you pay.
The cited DHA late-renewal fee applies to its named licence service; do not generalise that charge or who pays it to every authority. Clarify responsibilities with the facility before expiry.
The rules that decide a renewal
What Each Authority Publishes About Renewal
The entries below retain their source context. If published instructions differ, ask the authority to confirm the route for your actual licence and status.
Registration is valid for one year and is not a licence
DHA — Dubai. DHA states registration is valid for one year, and that a healthcare facility must activate it into a licence before the professional can start practising. Registration alone does not permit practice.
A Good Standing Certificate has no expiry date of its own
DHA — Dubai. DHA states its certificate carries an issue date and no validity period — it is for the receiving authority to decide whether to accept it. That cuts both ways: a certificate submitted to DHA must not be older than six months on the date you apply.
An expired registration cannot be renewed at all
DHA — Dubai. Renewal is possible in two windows only: three months before expiry, or three months after a licence cancellation. Once the registration has actually expired the professional starts again from the Self Assessment Tool and completes every requirement afresh.
DHA's two documents give different renewal windows
DHA — Dubai. The Renew Professional Registration service page states registration can be renewed within three months of its expiry date, or within three months of the professional licence being cancelled. The Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals v1.3 instead states renewal may be applied for within 90 days before the expiry date, and that after a licence cancellation the registration stays active for one year. Both are DHA's own. Work to whichever is stricter for your case and confirm with DHA before relying on either.
Nothing carries forward, and a shortfall blocks renewal
DHA — Dubai. DHA's live CPD service states: “If the professional overachieves the set target, nothing will be carried forward to the next Professional License Renewal. However, if the professional underachieves the target, then the professional license cannot be renewed.” This reverses the 2023 Service Catalogue, which allowed 10 points to be carried into the next year. The live page is the one that governs.
Holding more than one position adds the targets together
DHA — Dubai. Where a professional is licensed in more than one category, the 2023 Service Catalogue states the target CPD points are combined — the sum of the requirement for each category, not the higher of the two. The live CPD service page does not repeat this rule, so confirm it applies before relying on it.
The circulating “40 hours” figure is 40 points, and only for a one-year licence
DHA — Dubai. DHA publishes CPD targets as points against the licence term, not as annual hours. Physicians and dentists need 40 points for a one-year licence, 80 for two years and 120 for three. Nurses and all pharmacists need 20/40/60. Allied healthcare and TCAM need 10/20/30. Sites quoting “40 hours for doctors, 20 for nurses, 10 for allied health” have the right numbers for the wrong unit and only for the shortest licence term.
An outstanding CPD action blocks an upgrade
DHA — Dubai. DHA lists among the limitations on Add/Upgrade Professional Registration that the professional must not have an uncompleted CPD action against their registration or licence. A CPD gap does not simply sit there — it stops the next application.
Renewing costs exactly what the first licence cost
SHA — Sharjah. SHA's renewal service publishes the same fee schedule as first issue — AED 3,000 full-time for physicians, dentists and TCIM practitioners, AED 1,000 for the allied health, nursing and pharmacy band. There is no reduced renewal rate.
Licence is valid for two years
CDA — Dubai. CDA states the licence is valid for two years, subject to renewal. Renewal also requires forty (40) hours of Continuing Professional Development across all categories.
Sources: DHA Sheryan — Get Registered service description · DHA — Health Regulation Sector Service Catalogue (update 21 March 2023) · DHA — Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals v1.3, effective 18/07/2025 · DHA Sheryan — Update CPD Points service description · Sharjah Health Authority — Request for Renewal of Healthcare Professional License · Community Development Authority Dubai — Issue Social Care Professional License
Checked between 22 August and 24 September 2026. Authorities can change fees and requirements without notice — confirm current figures before you pay.
Step-by-step support
Step-by-Step Renewal Support
- Review licence statusClarify renewal timing, current status and individual case route.
- Check authority requirementsReview profession, facility and renewal context.
- Prepare document readinessIdentify relevant current information for the renewal route.
- Plan next stepsFollow the relevant authority process and review outcome.
Profile details and document guidance
Renewal Profile Details / Documents Guidance
Renewal document needs vary by authority, licence status and professional category.
Important: Exact requirements depend on your authority, profession, title and individual case. This page does not collect document attachments.
Prepare carefully
Common Licence Renewal Mistakes
Leaving renewal until after expiry
Waiting until the current licence has already lapsed before starting the renewal route.
Assuming requirements match the original application
Treating renewal documentation as identical to what a first-time application needed.
Missing CPD or CME requirements
Overlooking continuing-education requirements some authorities expect at renewal.
Assuming facility linkage renews automatically
Not confirming whether the employer or facility needs to take a separate renewal step.
Underestimating an expired licence
Assuming an expired licence renews the same way as one still active.
Assuming a fixed renewal timeline
Treating renewal processing time as generic rather than case-dependent.
How UAEHealthPro helps
Plan Your Renewal Before You Apply
Ask for expert guidance when you are unsure which authority, professional title, document route or next step applies to your case.
Independent consultancy support.
UAEHealthPro provides profile-based guidance and preparation support. We do not control authority decisions, verification outcomes or assessment results.
Start a profile reviewRelated authorities
Explore Authority Pathways
Related services
Related Licensing Services
Case-based quote
Fees and Timeline Depend on Your Profile
Costs and timelines can vary based on authority, documents, verification, assessment requirements and application type. Share your profile to receive a case-based estimate and next-step guidance.
Healthcare License Renewal FAQs
Questions About Healthcare License Renewal
Is DHA registration renewal the same as licence renewal?
No. Identify the document and status you hold before selecting a service. Renew Professional Registration and Renew Professional License are separate Sheryan services; their windows and prerequisites should not be mixed.
When can a DHA professional licence be renewed?
The current Renew Professional License service allows renewal from 90 days before expiry. Coordinate preparation with the facility before that point; this window is specific to that DHA service.
Who submits the DHA licence renewal?
DHA lists delegated healthcare facility representatives as applicants. Agree with your facility who will submit and monitor the renewal, and supply the professional records needed for it.
How much CPD do I need for DHA renewal?
DHA’s CPD service sets the target by full-time licence category and validity period. Use the table below for that combination and check the accepted points in your account, not just certificates you have collected.
Can unused DHA CPD points carry into the next renewal?
DHA’s current CPD service states that surplus points do not carry forward, and that a shortfall prevents renewal. Keep your activity evidence organised by the licence period it supports.
What if my DHA full-time licence has already expired?
The renewal service says it cannot be renewed through that service once expired for more than six months. Ask DHA and the facility about the correct route for your case. A late-renewal window is not an extension of permission to practise.
What does MOHAP list for professional licence renewal?
MOHAP lists a facility-led application, specialty-relevant CME and medical-error insurance, with additional conditions including an EHS fitness report for doctors aged 60 or above. Follow the current service checklist for your category.
I changed employer. Should the old facility simply renew my licence?
Clarify the correct transfer, cancellation or new-facility process before submitting an ordinary renewal. Record the current facility link and intended employment arrangement; renewal alone does not establish the new workplace permission.
Should I buy a course because it promises enough renewal hours?
First check the authority, category, activity acceptance and period you need to cover. A course certificate and points accepted in your licensing account are different records; ask the authority if eligibility is unclear.
How do I know the renewal is finished?
Download the renewed licence and verify its new validity dates, title, facility and restrictions. Keep the submission reference for follow-up until the issued document confirms completion.
Start with your profile
Need Help Renewing Your UAE Healthcare Licence?
Start with a profile-based eligibility review before you spend money on the wrong application. Share your profile and UAEHealthPro will guide you with relevant next steps.
Disclaimer: UAEHealthPro is an independent consultancy. We are not a government authority and we do not guarantee approval, exam results or processing timelines. Final decisions are subject to relevant authority rules, eligibility criteria, verification and authority review.