How to Get Licenced to Practice Physiotherapy in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Here’s a quick summary on how to get a physiotherapy practising licence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi:

A foreign trained physiotherapist should at least have a B.Sc in physiotherapy, with at least two years work experience.

The physiotherapist must be a graduate from a National and/ or International recognized college/University.

For graduates from the UAE universities, the program and university must be accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR).

Higher diploma certificates from The Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE will be equivalent to Bachelor degree as per MOHESR standard

A Master degree or PhD (in the area of specialty) will reduce one (1) year from the required experience for licensing provided that the Master’s/ PhD degree is not mandatory to obtain the selected title.

Qualifications acquired through honorary nature, correspondence or distance learning are not counted towards the PQR requirements.

All non-UAE national graduate physiotherapists from UAE universities are required to successfully complete Six (6) months internship post- graduation.

UAE National physiotherspists are exempt from the experience and internship requirements for the basic entry level.

Foreign trained physiotherapists must hold a valid License/ Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).

Assistant allied healthcare professionals cannot work independently and shall work under a licensed Allied Healthcare professional.

Physiotherapists, like other health professionals, are required to pass an assessment in order to obtain their practising licence in the UAE.

To work in Abu Dhabi as a physiotherapist, you have to be assessed by HAAD (Health Authority of Abu Dhabi)

You pay
AED 50 ($13.61) for the pre-registration with HAAD and

$73.57 collected by PearsonVue for HAAD Testing Center
OR
$94.59 for International Testing Centers

Click here to get to start an online application (eLicencing) for a practising licence in Abu Dhabi

After registration, you will need to look out for if you have an approval to book an exam with Pearson.

If your application is “Approved For Exam”, navigate to Exam Scheduling page. (e-Licensing > Examination > Exam Scheduling) to book your exam with HAAD

Please Note : You have to sit for an exam within 3 months after being “Approved For Exam”. Failure to do so may result in disapproving the application.

Only use a Visa/Master Credit Card. Make sure that the Credit Card is valid and has sufficient daily balance to process the payment.

Result for the HAAD Exams are declared within three business days.

You can also search and  apply for physiotherapy jobs in Abu Dhabi

To Work as a physiotherapist in Dubai, you need to be assessed by DHA (Dubai Health Authority)

You can apply online here

Fees:
Initial Fees AED 220 ($59.89)
Primary Source Verification : AED 935. ($254.55)
Extra Document AED 300.($81.67)
Assessment:
Oral – AED 270.($73.51)
Prometric: USD 170.
Issue License: AED 1020.($277.69)
Delivery fees: AED 20 ($5.44) payable cash upon delivery

Timeframe:
Initial application review: 2-4 weeks
Primary Source Verification (PSV): it will be proceed after 48 hr of payment.
Exam assessment:
Prometric Assessment (CBT): based on prometric exam schedule
Oral Assessment: based on DHA exam schedule
Upload labor card and Insurance: 5 working days after application submission
Issue license: 2 working days

104Comments

Add yours
  1. 4
    Unknown

    As a physiotherapist, Is there any chance to practice or work as a fresher (without 2 years experience) ? Money doesn't matter but I can't go back to my country to take 2 years experience and then come back. I want to stay in UAE only.

  2. 8
    Unknown

    Am a physiotherapist from Nigeria. i have 7 years working experience amd Msc in MSK (musculoskeletal physiotherapy). can i atleast get the job, relocate and then process my liscence over there.

  3. 16
    Psraju

    Hi im a physiotherapu final year student from india……after completing course can i apply for jobs in hospitals directly or should i qualify any exam please help

  4. 17
    Nancy

    Hi, you need to work for 2years after getting your B.Sc before you can think of writing their exams. And you must get a job offer before they will let you write the exams.

  5. 23
    Unknown

    Hi,
    I am a physical therapist educated in Poland however I usa citizen I am licensed to work in new york state and have bee working in usa for 5 years
    is it possible for me to work in Dubai as a physical therapist and what options do I have? how log does the process take ?
    thank you
    K.

  6. 24
    Nancy

    Hi Marvin, wow I would think someone would want to move from Dubai to the US instead…But you have your reasons?. You have a fantastic résumé for Dubai as they love western trained and experienced physiotherapists. The length of the process depends on how fast you get a job and write the exams. You can check the prometric.com website to see how soon you can write the exam.

  7. 27
    Oluwayomi Ajayi

    Hi Nancy, I'm a fresh physiotherapy graduate in nigeria, is it possible for me to do my internship program in use?

  8. 28
    Nancy

    Hi Oluwayomi, it would have been easier to do your internship in UAE if you had graduated in UAE, so I'm not sure how easy that would be. But it would be good to complete your internship in Nigeria, so you can get your full license rather than the provincial one.

  9. 30
    Unknown

    Hi Nancy,
    Hi,
    Im a foreigner, with a bachelor degree in physiotherapy from India looking forward to work in Dubai.
    Is it possible for me to get a job in Dubai, if i get a 1 year experience and then i start with a masters in physiotherapy degree?(is the experience of 1 year counted after the masters degree?)

    and is the 1 year of experience valid only for masters in physiotherapy for a job placement in physiotherapy ?(can i do a masters in philosophy or science with a 1 year experience and apply for dubai exams and jobs?)
    thank you

  10. 31
    Unknown

    Hello ma'am my question is if we apply on Masters basis thn it will make any difference in terms salary and position? Aur everything will be same for masters and bachelor's?

  11. 32
    Unknown

    Hello Nancy, am glad with the way you handle the questions. I appreciate.
    I have been in Abu Dhabi trying to still process my license. But the fee seems high because of low cash. can i get help in securing a job first, so as to get the money to do the license through the salary. I have * years working experience with M.Sc

  12. 33
    Anonymous

    Hello,
    I am a Physiotherapist from London with 2 years post grad experience in MSK outpatients. I concerned that as I have specialised in MSK I will not be able to complete other aspects of the exam. For example, the USA includes a large amount of cardiology and neurology in the examination
    my question is ;
    what key elements are covered in the HAAD? i.e Musculoskeletal , cardiopulmonary etc?
    thank you so much

  13. 34
    Unknown

    Hello. I have completed my master in physiotherapy from India and at presently working in BAHRAIN as physiotherapist.i have Physiotherapist license from NHRA BAHRAIN. so how can I get a license from DHA OR HAAD. should I write the exam for getting license from there.kindly help with it.

    Thank you

  14. 35
    Unknown

    Hello. I have completed my master in physiotherapy from India and at presently working in BAHRAIN as physiotherapist.i have Physiotherapist license from NHRA BAHRAIN. so how can I get a license from DHA OR HAAD. should I write the exam for getting license from there.kindly help with it.

    Thank you

  15. 37
    Anonymous

    Hi… if i apply from India for Dubai or abu dhabi, and after i verify all the documents then where should i suspect the computer based exam will be conducted? Will it be in India or abroad ?

  16. 39
    Anonymous

    Hi Nancy, thank you for your informative piece. I am getting a lot of mixed messages from people I've reached out to in Dubai. I have a BSc in sports rehab and an MSc in physiotherapy from London. With the MSc I have been told it is only 1 years experience needed even if the MSc gained your physio title. Can you shed any more light on this

    Thanks
    James

  17. 41
    Anonymous

    Hello, I completed my bachelors degree from India in 2017 and have been working since then after which I am planning on pursuing a graduate degree from India. will my work experience be considered enough for licencing or work for another year after completion of master's degree?

  18. 42
    Ali

    Hi Nancy,
    My wife has a bsc degree from India but she did not register to IAP (Indian Association Of Physiotherapist). She was working in India and has experience but got the IAP registration recently. Will she be eligible to work in UAE?
    Kindly Advice

  19. 44
    Mathew

    Hi, I did my Bachelors In Physiotherapy in 2001 and have 2 years experience. but since my husband was travelling around for business I had to as well and havent worked for a very long time. What are my options to work here in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

  20. 45
    Mathew

    Hi, I did my Bachelors In Physiotherapy in 2001 and have 2 years experience. but since my husband was travelling around for business I had to as well and havent worked for a very long time. What are my options to work here in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

  21. 46
    Anonymous

    Hi there, i am originally a physical therapist from Egypt but, i have been living in the U.S. for 8 years and i am currently licensed in New York state and an american citizen. dO I STILL HAVE TO PURSUE THE HAAD BEFORE PRACTICING PT IN U.A.E.?

  22. 47
    Unknown

    Hi there, i am originally a physical therapist from Egypt but, i have been living in the U.S. for 8 years and i am currently licensed in New York state and an american citizen. dO I STILL HAVE TO PURSUE THE HAAD BEFORE PRACTICING PT IN U.A.E.?

  23. 49
    Unknown

    Hi Ms. Nancy. Thank you for your brilliant responses. I have a sister which I’m planning to apply here in Dubai, but unluckily she has a 1 year experience yet she cannot take dha exam so far, considering she will be a fresher. At where will she apply for an internship program in some instances? Thank you so much.

  24. 50
    Unknown

    Hi dear I am a physiotherapist from India with more than 5 years of experience as a physiotherapist. I need to ask that if I have to give DHA exam first or I need to apply for the job first after coming to Dubai on 3 months visa from India. Thanks in advance. Your reply is highly appreciated.

  25. 53
    Anonymous

    I'm a dpt graduate with 10 months of work experience until now. Is one year work experience enough for a dpt graduate to apply for the exam in Dubai?

  26. 56
    Nancy

    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    Having a Masters is an advantage, so give it a try. Do you have up to 1 year experience?

  27. 57
    Nancy

    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    It's really tricky. But I'll advise you to do the exam if you have the money.

  28. 59
    Nancy

    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    I can't say much about your options since it really depends on the preference of the employer.
    But still give it a try. Just do the exam to prove you're still up to it.

  29. 63
    Nancy

    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.

    I'll research Kuwait and get back to you. Just make sure you subscribe to notifications.

  30. 65
    Nancy

    Hi Dei,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    Yes it is the same process, though you are likely to have an advantage.

  31. 68
    Nancy

    Hi,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    I thought I did a post on this?
    I believe you should prepare for the exam by having a well rounded knowledge of physiotherapy. If you're ready to read, it wouldn't hurt to.

  32. 69
    Nancy

    Hi Nweke,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    I believe we've addressed this issue?
    Always better to do your exam before landing UAE though. If you have other skills you can look for jobs in that area. Start with bayt.com

  33. 70
    Nancy

    Hello,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    That will have to be the prerogative of your employer, even though having a Masters is an advantage.

  34. 71
    Nancy

    Hi,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    To your first question; work experience refers to all your work experience before or after Masters.
    Masters in Physiotherapy definitely is preferred, don't know about others.

  35. 74
    Nancy

    Hi,
    Sorry for the late response, my host had not been notifying me of your comments.
    Yes you do, but don't take my word for it, still give it a try and let us know how it goes.

  36. 79
    FyLpa

    I have BSc hons and one year of experience in UK plus a MSc in physiotherapy (distance learning) do you think that it will be ok to apply with one year experience?

  37. 81
    Anonymous

    Hello and good day to you Ms. Nancy, may I just ask on how to schedule an exam for HAAD. I am a self-applicant, I'm a Physiotherapist based in the Philippines and wanted to take the exam here as well. I did email the Doh-HAAD about it but there instructions is hard to follow..My application says "Approved for Exam"..Do having a hard time to schedule it here in Philippines.
    Can you please help me? thanks!

  38. 85
    Unknown

    I am from india having a bachelor degree from recognised university . I want to work in Dubai and I don't hold DHA LICIENSE . I HAVE A 3 MONTH EXPERIENCE AFTER INTERNSHIP . HOW CAN I APPLY FOR DUBAI

  39. 87
    Unknown

    hi i am a physiotherapist from india. my husband works in dubai so i have to go to dubai.
    i am a fresher without work experience.
    i wanted to know how to proceed for the internship program in dubai. and after the internship program how can i get liscense

  40. 89
    Asghar Munir

    Thank you nancy for your all information. my wife is also fresh physiotherapist with no experience. We live in abu dhabi, can you please tell me the website or connections where she can apply for internship. even unpaid.

  41. 95
    Anonymous

    Hello Nancy, my name is Ovidiu and I am a physiotherapist from Romania ,master's degree and 10 years work experience. Do you know by chance if in case that I will get the licence for Dubai, is it hard for an eastern european to get hired? Are there preferred indian, philipino or uk nationals for a job as a physiotherapy in Dubai? What about a romanian pharmacist? Thank you very much . Happy New Year 2020 !

  42. 96
    Nancy

    Hi Ovidiu, I personally feel you're good to go. I don't think they discriminate against Eastern Europeans and you have more than the required qualification and experience. And Happy New Year too…

  43. 100
    Marie

    Hi! I'm in Bachelor's degree of PT right now, is UAE not requiring any master's or DPT credentials?
    Is it just the 2 yr experienced work?

+ Leave a Comment