The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most economically developed and diversified markets in the Middle East, and it has a strong healthcare infrastructure. Building world-class healthcare services remains a priority for the UAE government, and the sector has expanded significantly in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE introduced precautionary public health measures quickly, and the experience reinforced the country’s focus on investing in healthcare capacity, digital health, and future pandemic preparedness.
With the growth of the UAE’s healthcare sector, nursing and midwifery remain important professions. The UAE National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery describes nurses and midwives as critical to essential healthcare services and to strengthening healthcare systems. Earlier research reported that Emirati nationals made up only a small share of the nursing workforce, and current Emiratization initiatives continue to encourage more UAE nationals to enter nursing. At the same time, the UAE continues to rely significantly on internationally educated nurses.
While the UAE is working to increase the number of locally trained nursing graduates, internationally educated nurses may also apply to work in the country if they meet the education, verification, assessment, and licensing requirements of the relevant health authority.
To learn more about the steps to become a nurse in the United Arab Emirates, please see the steps below.
How to Become a Nurse in the United Arab Emirates
Step 1. Obtain a Diploma in Nursing
A diploma in nursing can help you qualify for some nursing-related titles in the UAE, but it is not enough for the Registered Nurse title. Under the UAE Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), a Registered Nurse must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while an Assistant Nurse may qualify with a Diploma of Nursing of at least 18 months, subject to the other licensing requirements.
If you want to build a long-term nursing career in the UAE, a bachelor’s degree in nursing is usually the safer and more flexible option. Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in the UAE are commonly four-year programs. For example, Fatima College of Health Sciences lists its Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a 127-credit-hour program, and the University of Sharjah lists its nursing program as a four-year stream with 137 total credit hours.
Step 2. Prepare to Meet the Requirements of the Chosen University
Admission requirements vary by university, program, and applicant category. In general, applicants should expect to submit a recognized secondary school certificate, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, identification documents, and any required equivalency documents if they completed high school outside the UAE. Some universities may also require a medical fitness certificate, a personal interview, or placement tests.
For example, Fatima College of Health Sciences requires bachelor’s applicants to meet current high school, English, mathematics, and science requirements. Its current admission page lists Academic IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61 as accepted English proficiency options, and it requires mathematics plus one science subject, such as Chemistry, Biology, or Physics, for bachelor’s programs other than pharmacy. Because requirements change, students should always check the official admissions page of the university before applying.
Step 3. Meet the Required Proficiency Level
Since many nursing programs in the UAE are taught in English, applicants usually need to show English proficiency through an approved option such as IELTS, TOEFL, EmSAT English, or an approved school-level English score. The exact score differs by institution, so applicants should not assume that one score applies to all universities.
Some institutions accept the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT), while others use IELTS, TOEFL, internal placement rules, or equivalent English scores. For example, Fatima College of Health Sciences currently accepts Academic IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61 for bachelor’s admission. Students should confirm the current English, math, and science requirements directly with their chosen nursing school.
To learn more about the EmSAT, please visit the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education. As for the IELTS, please visit the IELTS website to learn more about the test and where you can take it.
Step 4. Meet the Professional Qualification Requirements
The Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) is the common licensing reference used by UAE health regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH), the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA). It sets the education, experience, licensure, verification, and assessment requirements for healthcare professionals who want to practice safely in the UAE.
Nursing graduates and internationally educated nurses applying for UAE licensure should be prepared to meet the requirements for the specific title they are applying for. Common requirements include:
- A nationally accredited or officially recognized nursing qualification
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing for the Registered Nurse title, or a Diploma of Nursing of at least 18 months for the Assistant Nurse title
- Proof of clinical education, practical training, or post-graduation training when required by the PQR and the relevant authority
- A valid professional license or registration from the home country or country of last employment, where applicable
- A Good Standing Certificate that is valid and not older than six months at the time of application, where applicable
- Academic transcripts for credentialing and title determination
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) of required documents, such as education, licensing, and experience documents
- A valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate or other certification required for the scope of practice
For the complete PQR issued by the UAE health authorities, please see the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements.
Step 5. For Registration of Foreign Nurses, Apply through Dataflow
Foreign and internationally educated nurses must complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) for the documents required by the health authority they are applying to. DataFlow is one of the accepted third-party verification providers used for this process. DataFlow verifies documents from the original issuing sources; it does not issue the UAE nursing license itself.
The licensing route depends on where you plan to work. Nurses applying for Dubai usually use the DHA Sheryan system, nurses applying for Abu Dhabi use DOH services through TAMM and the DOH process, and nurses applying under MOHAP must follow MOHAP’s evaluation and licensing process. To learn more about DataFlow verification, please visit the DataFlow website.
Step 6. Take the Nursing Licensure Examination
After your documents, qualifications, and eligibility are reviewed, you may need to take the licensing assessment required by the relevant UAE health authority. The exam format depends on the licensing authority and professional title and may include a computer-based test, oral assessment, OSCE, or another approved mode of assessment.
For Dubai, the DHA computer-based testing guideline lists the Registered Nurse assessment as a 150-question exam with a duration of three hours, a pass score of 50%, and a fee of USD 240. For Abu Dhabi, eligible candidates schedule the DOH exam through Pearson VUE after completing the DOH/TAMM steps and should follow the testing instructions provided in their eligibility notice. Applicants should not assume that every UAE nursing exam is delivered from home; they should follow the current instructions from the authority and testing provider handling their application.
Step 7. Get Ready to Work as a Professional Nurse
Passing the required assessment does not always mean that you can immediately begin practicing. In many cases, a successful assessment leads to eligibility, registration, or an evaluation result. The final professional license usually must be issued or activated through the relevant authority, often with the involvement of a licensed healthcare facility or employer.
For example, DHA registration is valid for one year and must be activated by a healthcare facility before the professional can start practicing in Dubai. MOHAP’s licensing and re-licensing service also requires a valid professional evaluation, verified documents, and an accepted work invitation for the licensing process. Once your license is issued or activated, you can work under the approved title, such as Registered Nurse, Assistant Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Specialty Nurse, Registered Midwife, or Assistant Midwife, depending on your qualifications and the authority’s decision.
The UAE nursing workforce is diverse, with professionals from different cultural, educational, clinical, and linguistic backgrounds. The country is continuing to develop local nursing education while also welcoming qualified international nurses who meet the UAE’s professional standards.
We hope you found this article on how to become a nurse in the United Arab Emirates informative and helpful. To learn more information on studying abroad, check out the articles on Study in the UAE and Available Programs for International Students pages.
