Updated: August 2026

Healthcare professionals frequently move between different emirates in the UAE for better employment opportunities. A nurse, doctor, pharmacist or allied healthcare professional who is currently licensed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) may therefore want to move to a healthcare facility regulated by the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA).

The good news is that having a valid DOH license can significantly simplify the SHA assessment process.

However, healthcare professionals should understand the difference between a license transfer and obtaining an SHA license based on an existing DOH license.

Is Direct DOH to SHA License Transfer Possible?

Technically, not through SHA’s “Transfer Healthcare Professional License” service.

SHA describes that transfer service as allowing a healthcare professional’s license to move between healthcare facilities that are both licensed by SHA while preserving the existing SHA license validity.

Therefore:

SHA → another SHA facility: License Transfer Service

DOH → SHA: SHA Professional Assessment followed by SHA licensing

The applicant’s existing DOH license becomes valuable supporting evidence during the SHA assessment.

Major Advantage for DOH License Holders – Possible Exam Exemption

This is one of the biggest benefits of applying to SHA when you already have an active UAE health-authority license.

According to SHA’s official FAQ, healthcare professionals normally undergo assessment examinations where applicable, but applicants holding a valid evaluation certificate or professional license from another UAE health authority may be exempted from the examination.

Therefore, a professional with a valid DOH license may generally be able to obtain the SHA assessment without sitting another licensing exam, provided that:

• the professional meets the current Unified PQR requirements;
• the qualification and professional title are acceptable to SHA;
• submitted documents are satisfactory;
• the DOH license/evaluation is valid;
• SHA accepts the applicant for the relevant professional title; and
• there are no other issues requiring further assessment.

The final decision always remains with SHA.

Who Can Apply?

Healthcare professionals listed under the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) may apply for SHA professional assessment. SHA, DOH, DHA and MOHAP currently use the unified UAE PQR as the common qualification framework.

The process may therefore apply to professions such as:

• Registered Nurses
• Assistant Nurses
• Physicians
• General Practitioners
• Specialist Doctors
• Consultants
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Medical Laboratory Technologists
• Radiographers
• Radiology Technologists
• Sonographers
• Respiratory Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Therapists
• Dietitians
• Medical Laboratory Technicians
• Anaesthesia Technologists
• Operation Theatre Technicians
• Other eligible allied healthcare professionals

Eligibility and professional title are assessed according to the applicant’s qualification and experience under the applicable PQR.

DOH to SHA Process at a Glance

Stage	Process
1	Check DOH license validity and professional title
2	Collect academic, licensing and experience documents
3	Obtain/prepare the existing DOH DataFlow PSV report
4	Obtain Good Standing/Current Professional Status evidence if required
5	Create/login to SHA professional portal
6	Apply for Healthcare Professional Assessment
7	Upload DOH license and available exam-exemption evidence
8	Upload previous DataFlow report or complete any additional verification requested
9	Pay SHA assessment fee
10	SHA reviews qualification, experience, license and PQR compliance
11	Exam exemption is considered based on the valid UAE authority license
12	Receive SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate
13	Obtain an offer from an SHA-licensed healthcare facility
14	Facility applies for SHA professional license
15	Submit malpractice insurance and licensing documents
16	Pay professional license fee
17	SHA issues professional license and professional card

SHA states an 8-working-day review period for the professional assessment service and also lists 8 working days for the professional-license service, although this does not include time needed for missing documents, DataFlow verification, examination if applicable, or other external requirements.

Step 1 – Check the DOH License

Before starting, verify:

DOH professional title: For example Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Specialist Physician, etc.

License status: Preferably active and valid.

Name: Passport, DOH license, DataFlow and qualifications should have consistent names.

Professional title: The SHA title requested should be supported by the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Do not assume that every DOH professional title will automatically be reproduced exactly by SHA. SHA carries out its own assessment under the Unified PQR.

Step 2 – Prepare the Required Documents

For the SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment, the official SHA service currently lists the following documents.

Core Documents

1. Valid Passport

Upload a clear copy of the valid passport.

2. Emirates ID

A valid Emirates ID copy should be submitted where applicable.

3. Academic Qualification

Examples:

• Diploma
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Postgraduate qualification
• Specialty qualification

Submit the qualification relevant to the professional title being requested.

4. Academic Transcript / Marksheet

SHA lists the transcript or marksheet where required.

5. Current DOH License

This is particularly important for this process because the applicant is relying on the existing DOH authorization as part of the SHA assessment and potential examination exemption.

6. Recent Experience Certificate

Provide current/recent professional experience certificates where applicable.

Experience certificates should preferably clearly mention:

• applicant’s full name;
• professional designation;
• department;
• employment start date;
• employment end date or “currently working”;
• full-time/part-time status where relevant;
• employer name;
• authorized signature/stamp.

7. Good Standing Certificate

SHA lists a Good Standing Certificate issued by the current licensing health authority, if applicable, among assessment documents.

For a healthcare professional currently licensed by DOH, this may mean providing the appropriate current professional status/good-standing evidence if requested during SHA assessment.

8. Existing DataFlow / PSV Report

SHA specifically allows applicants to provide recent PSV reports, if available.

Therefore, if you already completed DataFlow for DOH, do not automatically begin every verification again from the beginning.

Keep ready:

• DOH DataFlow report;
• DataFlow case number;
• UIN/reference details;
• verified education;
• verified license;
• verified experience;
• verified Good Standing, where applicable.

DataFlow also provides a general report-transfer mechanism between regulatory entities. Transfer charges and additional verification charges may apply, particularly if SHA requires components that were not verified in the earlier DOH case.

9. Recent Passport Photograph

SHA’s FAQ lists a recent personal photograph with a white background among professional assessment requirements.

10. BLS/CPR

SHA’s professional FAQ also identifies BLS/CPR among the relevant professional documents.

Keep a valid certificate available where applicable to the profession.

Additional Documents Depending on Profession

Some applicants may also require:

Internship Completion Certificate
SHA specifically identifies this for GP, General Dentist and relevant TCIM categories in the assessment-service requirements.

Residency Completion / Specialty Training Documents
Applicable to specialist and consultant applications.

Surgical Logbook
SHA requires a certified surgical logbook for surgical specialties, covering the relevant recent period.

Professional Registration from Home Country
May be relevant depending on profession/PQR requirements.

Name-change supporting document
If qualification, passport or license names differ.

Certified translation
SHA requires documents to be in Arabic or English. Documents in other languages must be legally translated.

Step 3 – DOH DataFlow to SHA DataFlow

One of the most common questions is:

“I already completed DataFlow for DOH. Do I have to do DataFlow again for SHA?”

Not necessarily from scratch.

SHA’s assessment service specifically says applicants may upload recent PSV reports, if available.

DataFlow also supports transferring existing PSV reports between licensing entities.

Typical approach

Existing DOH DataFlow → provide/transfer report to SHA → SHA/DataFlow reviews verified components → additional verification only if required.

For example, SHA may require another document if:

• it was never verified under DOH;
• a newer experience certificate is required;
• the existing report does not contain a required qualification;
• an additional professional license needs verification;
• information has changed;
• SHA requests updated verification.

Important

DataFlow transfer does not mean professional-license transfer.

It only relates to transferring the Primary Source Verification report/evidence from one regulatory entity to another.

The SHA professional assessment still has to be completed.

Step 4 – Apply for SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment

The applicant should apply through the Sharjah Health Authority electronic portal for:

Request for Healthcare Professional Assessment

The purpose of the service is to assess the applicant’s professional qualification, experience and competencies and issue an SHA Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate.

During the application:

1. Log in to the SHA portal.
2. Enter personal information.
3. Select the appropriate professional category/title.
4. Upload required documents.
5. Upload recent DataFlow/PSV reports where available.
6. Upload evidence supporting examination exemption where applicable.
7. Declare previous UAE authority examination attempts if the application requires an examination.
8. Pay the assessment fee.
9. Submit for SHA review.

SHA states that the application is reviewed against professional requirements before the assessment certificate is issued.

Step 5 – Examination Exemption for DOH License Holder

This stage is extremely important.

SHA’s FAQ states that applicants who have a valid evaluation certificate or license from another health authority in the UAE, or who otherwise qualify under an exemption category, can be exempted from the assessment test.

Therefore:

Active DOH License + Eligible SHA Title

Potential outcome: SHA assessment without another Prometric/licensing exam.

Expired/invalid DOH license

Do not automatically assume the same exemption.

SHA will review the case, qualification, previous assessment/license and current PQR requirements.

Different professional title

If the applicant wants a different or upgraded title from the one held under DOH, additional requirements or an examination may apply.

Step 6 – Receive SHA Assessment Certificate

If SHA confirms that the applicant meets the professional qualification requirements, and any required examination/verification requirement has been satisfied, SHA issues a:

Healthcare Professional Assessment Certificate

Importantly, this is not yet permission to work.

SHA clearly states that an assessment certificate alone does not authorize the professional to begin clinical practice. The professional must obtain the actual SHA professional license.

Step 7 – Find an SHA-Licensed Healthcare Facility

To activate/issue the professional license, the healthcare professional normally needs an offer from a facility licensed by SHA.

The facility’s authorized representative then initiates the professional-license application.

SHA states that a healthcare facility must itself hold a valid and active facility license before the professional license can be issued.

Step 8 – Apply for the SHA Professional License

Once the SHA assessment certificate and employment are ready, the facility applies for:

Request for Healthcare Professional License

SHA states that this service is submitted by the Healthcare Facility Representative Officer and results in the professional license being issued under the healthcare facility.

Documents currently listed for licensing include:

• Offer Letter
• Medical Malpractice Insurance
• NOC from full-time facility for a part-time application
• Additional pledge documents for temporary/visiting licenses where applicable
• Physical and mental health report for professionals over 60 years old.

A valid SHA professional assessment certificate is a licensing condition.

SHA License Validity

SHA currently states:

Full-time professional license: 1 year

Part-time professional license: 1 year

Visiting license: 2 months

Temporary license: 3 months.

DOH to SHA License Transfer Fees 2026

The following fees are currently published by SHA.

1. SHA Professional Assessment Fee

Professional Category	SHA Assessment Fee
Physician / Dentist / TCIM Practitioner	AED 500
Nursing & Midwifery	AED 300
Allied Healthcare Professionals	AED 300
Pharmacists	AED 300
TCIM Therapists	AED 300

These are the currently published SHA assessment fees.

2. SHA Professional License Fee

Full-Time License

Professional Category	Fee
Physician / Dentist / TCIM Practitioner	AED 3,000
Nursing	AED 1,000
Allied Healthcare Professional	AED 1,000
Pharmacist	AED 1,000
TCIM Therapist	AED 1,000
Other listed eligible categories	AED 1,000

Part-Time License

AED 4,000 for all healthcare-professional categories.

3. Data Flow Fee

The amount is not a single fixed SHA fee in the SHA service card.

Charges depend on whether:

• an existing DOH DataFlow report can be transferred;
• additional components must be verified;
• new education/experience/license documents need PSV.

DataFlow confirms that report transfer is subject to transfer charges and that extra verification components can incur additional fees.

Therefore, the actual DataFlow payment should be confirmed from the applicant’s DataFlow transaction before payment.

4. Examination Fee

For a professional holding a valid DOH license, an examination may not be required where SHA grants the UAE-authority license exemption.

If SHA determines that an examination is required, its assessment service states that exam fees, if any, must be paid during the process. The current SHA service page does not publish one universal examination price because it can depend on the professional assessment route.

Estimated Government Fee Example

Registered Nurse with valid DOH license

If an RN qualifies for exam exemption:

SHA Assessment: AED 300+ Vat charges
SHA Full-Time License: AED 1,000

Core published SHA government fees:

AED 1,300

Plus, where applicable:

• DataFlow report-transfer/additional verification charges
• Good Standing/Current Professional Status charges
• medical malpractice insurance
• other document/administrative charges

Therefore, do not advertise AED 1,300 as the complete final cost. It is the currently published core SHA assessment + full-time licensing amount for nursing/allied/pharmacy categories.

Important: What Is the AED 500 “SHA License Transfer Fee”?

SHA also publishes a AED 500 Healthcare Professional License Transfer fee.

However, this does not mean DOH → SHA costs AED 500.

That AED 500 service is for:

Transferring an already existing SHA professional license from one SHA-licensed healthcare facility to another SHA-licensed healthcare facility.

The official service specifically requires an active SHA professional license and applies between facilities regulated by SHA.

This distinction is important because the term “DOH to SHA license transfer” is commonly used informally, even though the actual regulatory process is a new SHA assessment and SHA license using the DOH license as prior UAE licensing evidence.

Documents Checklist – DOH to SHA

SHA may request additional documents depending on the profession and individual application.

Important Eligibility Conditions

Practice Gap

SHA’s current professional licensing service states that there should not be a practice gap exceeding three years for normal licensing, and where a longer gap exists, an accredited training pathway under PQR requirements may be necessary.

Therefore, healthcare professionals with a significant practice gap should check their eligibility before starting the application.

Qualification Recognition

The academic qualification must be recognized/accredited and meet the applicable Unified PQR requirements.

Document Language

Documents should be in English or Arabic. Documents in another language require legal translation.

DOH to SHA License Transfer Without Exam – Is It Possible?

Yes, potentially.

SHA’s official FAQ says applicants holding a valid professional license or evaluation from another UAE health authority can be exempted from the assessment examination.

A valid DOH license is therefore important evidence for an exam-exemption request.

However, exam exemption should not be advertised as automatic or guaranteed because SHA still evaluates the applicant’s:

• professional title;
• qualification;
• experience;
• license validity;
• PQR eligibility;
• documentation; and
• overall assessment status.

Can a DOH Eligibility Letter Be Transferred to SHA?

A DOH license and a DOH eligibility/assessment status should not automatically be treated as identical.

SHA’s official FAQ refers broadly to valid evaluation certificates or licenses from UAE health authorities for examination exemption, while SHA itself still requires applicants to obtain an SHA professional assessment certificate before licensing.

Therefore, each eligibility-only case should be checked individually before telling a candidate that an exam exemption is guaranteed.

Do I Need to Cancel My DOH License Before Applying for SHA?

The SHA assessment-service information reviewed here does not state that a DOH license must first be cancelled before applying for the SHA assessment.

In fact, holding a valid UAE authority license can help support examination exemption.

Therefore, do not cancel an active DOH license simply because you want to start an SHA assessment unless there is a separate regulatory or employment reason requiring cancellation.

Is an Employer Required to Start the SHA Assessment?

The professional assessment is an SHA assessment process for healthcare professionals.

However, actual professional licensing is facility-linked: the SHA professional-license service is submitted by the healthcare facility representative and requires the facility to be valid and active.

So the practical pathway is:

Candidate → SHA Assessment

followed by:

SHA-licensed Employer/Facility → Professional License

Can I Work With Only the SHA Assessment Certificate?

No.

SHA explicitly states that the assessment certificate does not authorize clinical practice. A professional may practise only after the official SHA professional license has been issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I transfer my DOH license directly to SHA?

Not through SHA’s ordinary license-transfer service. That service applies to moving an existing SHA license between SHA-licensed facilities. A DOH license holder normally applies for an SHA professional assessment and then an SHA professional license.

2. Do I need to write the SHA exam if I have a valid DOH license?

SHA’s FAQ states that professionals holding a valid evaluation certificate or license from another UAE health authority may receive examination exemption. Final approval remains subject to SHA assessment.

3. Can I use my old DOH DataFlow report?

SHA accepts recent PSV reports where available. Existing DataFlow reports can also be transferred between participating regulatory entities, although additional verification may be requested.

4. Do I need a new DataFlow?

Not necessarily. First check whether the previous DOH DataFlow can be provided/transferred and whether SHA requires additional verification.

5. How much is the SHA assessment fee for a nurse?

The currently published SHA assessment fee for Nursing & Midwifery is AED 300.

6. How much is the full-time SHA nursing license?

The currently published full-time professional-license fee for nursing is AED 1,000.

7. How much does a doctor pay?

The SHA assessment fee for physicians/dentists is currently AED 500, while the published full-time professional-license fee is AED 3,000.

8. What is the AED 500 SHA transfer fee?

It applies to transferring an existing SHA license between SHA-regulated healthcare facilities, not to converting a DOH license to SHA.

9. Do I need a job offer?

A job offer/facility is required for the professional licensing stage. SHA’s licensing service lists an Offer Letter among the required documents and is initiated by the healthcare facility representative.

10. Is medical malpractice insurance mandatory?

Yes. SHA lists valid medical-malpractice insurance as part of professional licensing and states that it is required for license activation.

11. Can I work immediately after receiving SHA assessment?

No. The actual SHA professional license must first be issued.

12. What happens if I have more than a three-year practice gap?

SHA states that applicants with a practice gap exceeding three years may need to complete the required accredited training programme under PQR standards before licensing.

13. Can doctors, nurses and allied health professionals all use this route?

Yes, provided the profession/title is recognized under the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements and the applicant meets the applicable requirements.

14. How long does SHA assessment take?

SHA currently lists 8 working days as its assessment review duration. This does not necessarily include external verification, missing-document resolution or examination time.

15. How long does SHA license issuance take?

SHA currently lists 8 working days for the professional-license service, subject to complete requirements and approval.

Common Reasons for Delay

Applications can be delayed when there are:

• expired DOH licenses;
• incomplete DataFlow reports;
• additional qualifications requiring PSV;
• name mismatches between passport and qualifications;
• unclear experience certificates;
• practice gaps;
• missing Good Standing evidence;
• missing transcript;
• professional-title mismatch;
• incomplete employment documents;
• missing malpractice insurance at licensing stage;
• untranslated documents;
• additional PQR requirements.

Checking these issues before submission can reduce unnecessary delays.

DOH to SHA Transfer – Simple Example

A Registered Nurse currently holds:

DOH Registered Nurse License – Active

She receives an employment opportunity at an SHA-regulated medical facility in Sharjah.

Her likely pathway would be:

Final Summary

A DOH license cannot simply be “changed” into an SHA license through the AED 500 SHA facility-transfer service. That service is reserved for transfers between SHA-regulated facilities.

For a healthcare professional moving from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah, the correct concept is:

DOH License → SHA Assessment → SHA Professional License

The major advantage is that a healthcare professional with a valid DOH license may qualify for an SHA examination exemption, while the existing DOH DataFlow report can potentially be reused/transferred subject to SHA/DataFlow requirements.

The applicant should therefore check the professional title, DOH-license validity, DataFlow status, Good Standing, qualification, experience and practice gap before starting the SHA assessment.

Need Help With DOH to SHA License Processing?

Nursing Manthra provides professional assistance for healthcare licensing and document processing, including:

DOH to SHA assessment support, SHA professional licensing, DataFlow/PSV report transfer, document verification, eligibility checking, exam-exemption guidance and licensing support for nurses, doctors and allied healthcare professionals.

Dubai / UAE WhatsApp: +971 50 251 5717
India: +91 6828756689
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/971502515717

Author: Shincy George | Nursing Manthra