Nurses and lab staff among six healthcare roles granted faster access to the workforce.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has identified six categories within nursing and allied health professions that are exempt from the requirement of six months’ post-graduation experience to obtain a professional licence. The move aims to improve the efficiency of the healthcare licensing system and better align it with labour market needs.
The exempted categories include:
- Registered Nurse
- Assistant Nurse
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Laboratory Technologist
- Respiratory Care Technician
- Healthcare Assistant
The ministry said the decision is intended to speed up the entry of qualified professionals into the workforce while maintaining performance quality and professional standards.
Graduates inside and outside the UAE
MoHRE confirmed that the exemption applies to all graduates, whether they studied inside the UAE or abroad. It added that other allied health specialisations are currently under review by healthcare authorities, with the possibility of granting exemptions on a case-by-case basis, provided this does not affect healthcare quality or patient safety.
This decision aims to strengthen regulatory procedures and speed up the integration of nursing and allied health graduates into the workforce, making better use of human capital while maintaining high standards of performance.
Healthcare licensing system
Updating exemption and licensing mechanisms is part of a broader vision to strengthen the national healthcare licensing system and improve compliance with existing legislation and regulatory frameworks. This supports workforce sustainability and enables faster workforce entry for graduates without compromising quality standards.
Standardising procedures across the UAE also helps build trust in the healthcare system, enhances transparency and professional fairness, and creates a more efficient regulatory environment capable of meeting current demands while preparing for future needs.
Exceptional importance of the healthcare sector
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation highlighted its readiness to support government entities in improving operations, in line with its central role in regulating the labour market. It noted that advanced digital infrastructure enables seamless electronic integration between entities, speeds up updates, and supports government efforts to deliver service excellence and maintain national leadership.
The ministry also stressed the critical importance of the healthcare sector as a key pillar directly linked to quality of life, public health, and the efficient delivery of healthcare services.
Enabling academic staff to practice
In a related move, the ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced the authorisation of academic staff in universities and medical colleges — including physicians and other healthcare specialists — to practise within healthcare facilities.
This decision is designed to strengthen the link between education and practical application, improve governance, compliance, and unified licensing standards, and support the sustainability and readiness of the healthcare workforce to meet current and future challenges.
Professional licences may be issued to academic staff once they meet qualification, experience, and prior licensing requirements. Teaching hours may also count toward Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements in line with accredited medical education policies. This reflects stronger recognition of the academic role and encourages a culture of continuous learning across healthcare professions.
The decision represents an institutional approach that balances regulatory flexibility with strict governance standards. Allowing academic staff to practise professionally enriches the healthcare environment with advanced expertise and helps improve system efficiency, while maintaining unified licensing requirements that safeguard quality of care and patient safety. This ultimately supports the sustainability, flexibility, and effectiveness of the healthcare sector in achieving the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
