Getting a UAE licence as an occupational therapist
Pick your authority first
Decide where you want to work before you start, because the licence is tied to the emirate and the applications are not transferable. Dubai is DHA. Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are DOH. Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain are MOHAP.
If you are open to more than one emirate, that flexibility is real but it means separate applications and separate fees. Most therapists pick one to start with.
The standard sequence
- Register on the authority portal and open an application in occupational therapy.
- Submit documents for DataFlow primary source verification: degree including internship, professional registration, good standing certificate, and experience letters.
- Sit the assessment, usually a computer-based test through Prometric, or an oral assessment where that route is open to you.
- Receive your eligibility letter, find a role, and have the licence activated against the employer.
DataFlow and the assessment can usually run in parallel, which is worth doing.
Documents worth preparing early
- Degree certificate and transcripts, including evidence of clinical placement or internship hours.
- Current professional registration from your home country. Indian OTs will usually need registration under the relevant council.
- A good standing certificate, which often has its own processing time.
- Experience letters on official letterhead, with dates, job title and scope of practice clearly stated.
- Passport copy and passport photographs to the specification the portal requests.
What it costs
DataFlow is the predictable cost: roughly AED 935 for the base four documents and about AED 300 for each additional one. Assessment and licence fees vary by authority, so check the current figures on the relevant portal rather than relying on any third-party summary, including this one.
Demand for OTs in the UAE
Demand for occupational therapy in the UAE has been growing, driven by expansion in early intervention services, the National Policy for People of Determination, and increased provision of therapy support within schools. Occupational therapy is also increasingly delivered as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside speech therapy and physician oversight rather than in isolation.
In practice that means employers often value candidates who can evidence experience working alongside SLTs, behaviour therapists and special educators.
Common questions
Which authority should an occupational therapist apply to?
It depends on where you will work. DHA for Dubai, DOH for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, MOHAP for Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. The licence is not transferable between emirates.
Is occupational therapy licensed as clinical or community work in the UAE?
Occupational therapy is a clinical profession and is licensed by the health authorities. Community bodies such as CDA and DCD licence counselling, psychotherapy and social care roles instead.
Do I need internship or placement hours documented?
Yes. Your education verification usually needs to include internship or clinical placement, so make sure that evidence is available from your university.
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