The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE), has announced that faculty members at medical universities and colleges including physicians and other health professionals will now be enabled to practice within healthcare facilities. The move also removes the requirement for certain nursing and allied health graduates to complete six months of post-graduation experience before obtaining a professional license, as part of efforts to improve the efficiency of the licensing system and better align it with labor market needs.

A More Flexible Licensing System

The decisions are designed to modernize regulatory processes by striking a balance between enabling academic medical talent to contribute directly to the healthcare sector and accelerating the entry of nursing and allied health graduates into the workforce. Officials say the changes will help maximize the value of human capital while maintaining high standards of care. They also aim to strengthen the link between education and clinical practice, reinforce governance and compliance, and uphold unified licensing standards, supporting a more sustainable workforce and a health sector better prepared for current and future challenges.

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Legal and Regulatory Review

The decisions follow a series of coordination meetings between relevant authorities, alongside legal reviews of key legislation, including the laws governing the practice of human medicine and certain health professions, as well as Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2017 on unified medical licensing standards. The review found no legal barrier to faculty members practicing clinically, provided they meet qualification and clinical experience requirements and that their academic responsibilities do not conflict with professional practice.

Licensing Academic Faculty

The Higher Committee overseeing the unification of health licensing procedures confirmed that faculty members can be granted professional licenses once they meet the required qualifications, experience, and prior licensing conditions. Teaching hours will also count toward Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, in line with approved medical education policies recognizing the value of academic contributions and supporting a culture of continuous learning across the sector.

Nursing and Allied Health Professions

The exemption from the six-month experience requirement applies to specific roles, including registered nurses, assistant nurses, medical laboratory technicians and technologists, respiratory care technicians, and healthcare assistants. The decision applies to graduates from within the UAE and abroad. Authorities will also review additional allied health specializations on a case-by-case basis to assess potential exemptions, without compromising the quality of care or patient safety.

Strengthening the Health System

H.E. Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector at MOHAP, said the decisions reflect an institutional approach that balances regulatory flexibility with strong governance standards. He noted that enabling academic faculty to practice will enrich the healthcare environment with advanced expertise and contribute to improving overall system efficiency, while maintaining unified licensing requirements that safeguard quality and patient safety.

The changes, he added, support the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of the healthcare sector in line with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision. Al Amiri also emphasized that updating licensing and exemption mechanisms is part of a broader effort to modernize the national licensing system and strengthen compliance with existing regulations. Unifying procedures across the country, he said, will enhance trust in the healthcare system, reinforce transparency and professional fairness, and create a more efficient regulatory environment capable of meeting current demands and anticipating future needs.

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Integration of Health and Higher Education

Meanwhile, H.E. Ibrahim Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “These decisions are a testament to the high level of integration between the higher education and healthcare sectors, helping to better align academic outcomes with the evolving needs of the labour market and strengthen the readiness of national talent. Enabling faculty members to practise professionally will enrich both the academic and applied learning environments, support knowledge transfer and allow expertise to deliver tangible, real-world impact.”

Fikri added: “Facilitating the faster entry of faculty members from medical universities and colleges, as well as graduates of nursing and allied health disciplines, into the workforce supports the long-term sustainability of the healthcare sector while maintaining the highest standards of quality and governance. At the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, we are committed to advancing educational and regulatory policies that strengthen the link between academic learning and practical application, while supporting the development of a more efficient and future-ready healthcare system.”

Flexibility of Procedures and Legislation

For his part, H.E. Rashid Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Services at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, said: “Updating the health licensing policy demonstrates the high level of coordination and flexibility between government entities, and their shared commitment to continuously improving the labour market’s regulatory environment. It also helps streamline processes and strengthen governance through a more integrated approach that benefits all stakeholders and supports workforce needs in the healthcare sector.”

Alsaadi added that the Ministry is fully ready to support the efforts of other government entities as part of its central role in regulating the labour market. He noted that the UAE’s advanced digital infrastructure helps enable seamless integration between entities, while the legislative and administrative frameworks allow faster updates and support the government’s focus on service excellence and maintaining the country’s leadership across sectors.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the healthcare sector and the collective commitment of government entities to maintaining its leadership, reaffirming that it will remain one of the key sectors directly linked to quality of life, the health of the population, and the efficient and timely delivery of healthcare services.