Physiotherapy Licensure Guide for UK Graduates ( Dubai, UAE )

Regulatory Authority:

In Dubai, physiotherapists fall under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for professional licensure. The DHA’s Health Regulation Sector is responsible for licensing healthcare professionals, including those in allied health fields like physiotherapy. To legally practice as a physiotherapist in Dubai (outside of free zones), one must obtain a DHA license. The licensing process involves an initial registration (confirmation that the applicant meets qualification criteria) and then activation of the license under an employer. Successfully registered physiotherapists are listed in the Dubai Medical Registry, and their registration must be activated into a work license by a local healthcare facility before they can practice independently. (Dubai Healthcare City, a separate free zone, has its own authority with similar requirements, but the DHA license is the main pathway for most of Dubai.)

Recognition of UK Credentials:

The UAE’s Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) recognize the UK’s physiotherapy credentials as meeting the necessary educational standard. A British BSc (Hons) or pre-registration MSc in Physiotherapy is accepted as equivalent to the entry-level degree required in the UAE. All foreign credentials must go through a Primary Source Verification (PSV) process (handled by DHA’s authorized verification agency, DataFlow) to authenticate the degree and transcripts. In addition, the applicant must hold a current professional license in good standing.

An HCPC registration from the UK is viewed favorably: in fact, under the UAE’s unified PQR (2022), professionals licensed in certain countries (including the UK) are exempt from the usual experience requirement for licensure. Typically, the UAE had required a minimum of two years of clinical experience post-qualification to license an allied health professional. However, if the candidate’s license was issued in a country on the approved list, no prior work experience is required.

Exams or Additional Requirements:

Licensing Exam:

All physiotherapists who seek DHA licensure must pass the DHA’s Physiotherapist Licensing Exam. This is a computer-based test (CBT) administered by Prometric, and it is a comprehensive exam covering physiotherapy theory and clinical application. The exam consists of up to ~150 multiple-choice questions and is timed (approximately 2–3 hours total). The content spans musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and other areas of practice, aligned with the UAE’s scope of practice for physiotherapists. A passing score on this CBT is required before one can proceed to full licensure. DHA allows a limited number of retakes if unsuccessful, but conditions (such as waiting periods or additional training) may apply after multiple failures.

Oral Assessment:

After passing the CBT, some applicants may be required to attend an oral assessment (a short professional interview). The DHA will convene a panel (often by video or in person) to ask the candidate questions about their clinical knowledge or to clarify aspects of their experience. This tends to be a routine check for certain professions or cases – for example, if there are any uncertainties from the application, or simply as a final step in the licensing process. For many physiotherapy applicants, an oral exam may not be mandatory; however, DHA reserves the right to conduct one. If an oral assessment is requested, the candidate schedules it through the DHA system and typically speaks with senior practitioners or officials who evaluate readiness to practice.

Language Requirements:

Dubai is a multilingual environment, but English is the lingua franca in the healthcare sector. The DHA does not require a test of Arabic language for foreign healthcare professionals. However, English proficiency is essential, and the authorities mandate proof of English language ability for those who did not complete their education in English. UK-trained physiotherapists are exempt from this requirement – since their education and licensure were conducted in English, the DHA recognizes that they fulfill the language criterion automatically.