Working in Sharjah as a France-trained doctor now involves two possible regulators, not one. Since a Sharjah Executive Council decision of 15 July 2025, the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) licenses doctors in Sharjah’s local government and private facilities, while federal hospitals stay outside its scope. A MOHAP license still covers Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, along with federal facilities. Both follow the same unified licensing rules in the PQR, where a French DES or CES with full Ordre des Médecins registration is Tier 1 and exempts specialists and consultants from the licensing exam. Below you will find which license you need, what each route costs, and how far a salary goes in Sharjah compared with Dubai.
Key Takeaways
- Private or local hospital in Sharjah: SHA license. Federal hospital, or Ajman, UAQ, RAK or Fujairah: MOHAP route.
- MOHAP works in two steps: evaluation (AED 500), which you apply for, then a license your employer applies for.
- The MOHAP exam has a 60% pass mark and a maximum of three attempts.
- France is on the PQR exemption list for Tier 1 specialists and consultants; GPs from France sit the exam.
- Crowd-sourced data puts rent in Sharjah 56.5% below Dubai.
MOHAP or SHA: Which License Do You Need in Sharjah?
The answer depends on where your employer sits, not on where you live.
| Where you will work | Who licenses you |
|---|---|
| Private hospital or clinic in Sharjah, including free zones | Sharjah Health Authority |
| Sharjah local government facility, such as University Hospital Sharjah | Sharjah Health Authority |
| Federal hospital in Sharjah run by Emirates Health Services | Federal system (MOHAP) |
| Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah | MOHAP |
Many older guides still say MOHAP licenses every doctor in Sharjah. That changed in July 2025, so check which regulator applies before you start an application. The abu dhabi doctor license route has specific requirements that differ from other Emirates. Additionally, it’s important to gather all necessary documentation before initiating the process.
The MOHAP License Route, Step by Step
MOHAP separates the evaluation of your qualifications from the license itself.
Step 1: Professional evaluation (you apply)
- Log in with UAE PASS, apply and pay the evaluation fee of AED 500.
- MOHAP reviews the file within 5 working days.
- You pay the DataFlow verification fee through a link, and every document must return a positive report.
- You sit the test, or MOHAP applies your exemption under the PQR.
- You receive your evaluation certificate.
The details come from MOHAP’s health professional evaluation service page.
Step 2: License to practise (your employer applies)
Once you accept a work invitation, the facility applies for your doctor’s license. MOHAP needs a valid evaluation, verified documents and malpractice insurance. The fee is AED 100 plus AED 3,000 for private facilities, and the service time is 1 to 2 working days. Renewal is free in government facilities and needs 40 CME credits.
Already licensed in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
MOHAP accepts a transfer from DHA or DOH while that license is valid, with a six-month grace period after it expires. Beyond that, you sit the MOHAP exam.
The SHA Route for Private Hospitals in Sharjah
SHA also splits the process into an assessment and a license:
- Assessment: SHA charges AED 500 for physicians and states 8 working days. Your practice gap must not exceed three years, and the assessment certificate alone does not allow you to practise.
- License: the facility applies with your assessment certificate, offer letter and malpractice insurance. The fee is AED 3,000 for a full-time physician, AED 4,000 part-time and AED 2,000 for a visitor, with 8 working days stated.
Where an exam is needed, SHA exams are delivered by Prometric.
The MOHAP Exam and Your French Qualification
MOHAP issued the April 2025 PQR jointly with DHA, DOH and SHA, so your tier works the same way here. A CES, DES/DESC or DES in general medicine with full Ordre registration is Tier 1, and Tier 1 specialists and consultants from France are exempt from the licensure exam, provided the title on your certificate matches the title you apply for and your gap in practice is no more than three years. GPs are not: the PQR’s GP exemption list covers exams such as PLAB and the AMC, with no French equivalent.
If you sit the exam, MOHAP sets a minimum pass score of 60% and allows three attempts; a fourth is not allowed, though you may then try through DHA or DOH. Keep an eye on your career gap too. The PQR applies extra requirements after a gap of more than three years and stops non-UAE nationals applying after five, but some MOHAP pages still mention two years, so plan on the stricter figure. Saudi jobs license for France-trained doctors can provide unique opportunities in the healthcare sector. It is essential for these professionals to understand the requirements and expectations set by local authorities.
What a Sharjah Salary Is Worth in Euros After Rent
There is no reliable published salary survey for doctors in Sharjah or the Northern Emirates, so compare offers through what is left after housing. Numbeo’s crowd-sourced data (October 2026) puts a one-bedroom city-centre flat at AED 2,997 a month in Sharjah against AED 8,842 in Dubai.
| Monthly offer (AED) | In euros | Left after rent in Sharjah | Left after rent in Dubai |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 25,000 | about €6,084 | about €5,355 | about €3,932 |
| AED 30,000 | about €7,301 | about €6,572 | about €5,149 |
| AED 40,000 | about €9,735 | about €9,006 | about €7,583 |
The offers above are examples for comparison, not salary data. For early-career specialists, a useful French reference is the assistant spécialiste scale in the 2023 hospital pay decree: €33,643 to €41,387 gross a year, or about €2,804 to €3,449 a month before contributions and tax. UAE salaries carry no income tax, though your French tax residency depends on where your household and economic interests remain. France-trained doctor DHA guide provides further useful insights into salary expectations for medical professionals.
Exchange rate used: AED 4.1089 per euro, Central Bank of the UAE, 13 October 2026.
Hospitals Hiring in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
- Emirates Health Services (federal): Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, which EHS describes as the largest government hospital in the UAE, plus hospitals such as Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Fujairah Hospital and UAQ Hospital.
- University Hospital Sharjah: a not-for-profit hospital established by decree of the Ruler of Sharjah, with more than 227 beds.
- Private groups: NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, operating since 1981, and Burjeel Specialty Hospital Sharjah.
Living in Sharjah with a Family from France
Beyond rent, Numbeo’s comparison puts everyday costs, excluding rent, about 22.8% lower in Sharjah than in Dubai. For French schooling, the French International Private School in Sharjah’s Al Abar area operates under an AEFE agreement, according to Education Middle East. Remember that your license follows your employer, not your home: a job at a Dubai hospital still needs a DHA license.
Moving From France to Sharjah? Get the Right License From the Start
Since July 2025, the regulator you apply to in Sharjah depends on where you will work, so the first step is choosing the right one. Allocation Assist is a medical job consultancy that works with doctors trained in France. We confirm whether your role needs a MOHAP license or an SHA license, prepare your file and handle doctor job placement in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. If you are planning a move from France, reach out to us through our contact us page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a MOHAP or SHA license to work in Sharjah?
It depends on your employer. Private hospitals, clinics and Sharjah government facilities such as University Hospital Sharjah are licensed by the Sharjah Health Authority, while federal hospitals run by Emirates Health Services stay under the federal MOHAP system.
How do I get a MOHAP license as a France-trained doctor?
Apply for a professional evaluation with UAE PASS, pay AED 500, complete DataFlow verification and pass the exam or record your exemption. Once you accept a job offer, your employer applies for the license itself.
How much does the MOHAP license cost?
The evaluation costs AED 500, plus the DataFlow verification fee. For a private facility, the license costs AED 100 plus AED 3,000, and renewal is free in government facilities.
What is the MOHAP exam passing score?
The minimum passing score is 60%. You have three attempts, and a fourth is not allowed with MOHAP, though you may then try through DHA or DOH.
Who is exempt from the MOHAP exam?
Tier 1 specialists and consultants from PQR-listed countries, which include France, are exempt if their gap in practice is three years or less. Doctors transferring a valid DHA or DOH license for the same title are also exempt.
Is a MOHAP license valid in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
No. Dubai needs a DHA license and Abu Dhabi a DOH license. Because all three follow the same PQR, a valid MOHAP license for the same title makes you eligible for exam exemption when you apply to the others.
Is it cheaper to live in Sharjah than Dubai?
Crowd-sourced Numbeo data from October 2026 puts rent about 56.5% lower in Sharjah and other everyday costs about 22.8% lower. A one-bedroom city-centre flat averages about AED 2,997 a month in Sharjah against AED 8,842 in Dubai.
