DHA, DOH, MOH Explained: How to Check If Your UAE Aesthetic Clinic Is Licensed
Every legitimate UAE aesthetic clinic must hold an emirate-issued operating licence — and every doctor injecting you must hold an individual professional licence. Here's how to verify both in 2 minutes.
Two licences matter. Clinic AND practitioner
A licensed clinic with an unlicensed practitioner is still a risk. Both must check out: (1) the clinic's operating licence, displayed at reception, and (2) the individual treating practitioner's professional licence (issued to the doctor or nurse personally, not to the clinic).
Practitioner licences include the specialty: "General Practitioner" doesn't qualify someone to inject Botox. You want to see "Specialist Dermatologist", "Cosmetic Dermatologist", "Plastic Surgeon", or "Aesthetic Medicine Specialist".
How to verify a DHA licence in Dubai
Visit the DHA Sheryan portal (sheryan.dha.gov.ae). Enter the practitioner's name or licence number. The portal shows licence status (Active / Expired / Suspended), specialty, qualification, and which clinic they are authorised to practise at.
Cross-reference: the clinic name displayed on the licence should match where you're being treated. Practitioners moonlighting at a clinic where they aren't registered is a red flag.
How to verify a DOH licence in Abu Dhabi
Visit the DOH e-services portal. Search by practitioner name or licence number. Similar fields to DHA — status, specialty, registered clinic.
DOH licensing is generally stricter for cosmetic procedures than DHA. Abu Dhabi clinics tend to require more documentation for Botox and filler practitioners.
How to verify a MOH licence
Visit moh.gov.ae and use the licence verification service. MOH covers Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and UAQ. Same process: search by name, get status + specialty.
Red flags that suggest unlicensed practice
Treatment at a home address or non-medical premises (residential apartment, salon back room, hotel suite). Mobile aesthetic services require a specific mobile licence, most don't have it.
Cash-only with no receipt or VAT-compliant invoice.
No visible licence at reception.
Treatment offered by 'aesthetic technician', 'beauty therapist', or 'cosmetologist' for injectables (Botox/fillers must be administered by a licensed medical practitioner — doctor or nurse with specific training).
Pressure to book same-day to lock in a 'special price'.
Vials/products that are unbranded, missing batch numbers, or stored in a domestic-style fridge rather than medical-grade refrigeration.
What to do if you suspect unlicensed practice
DHA: file a complaint through sheryan.dha.gov.ae or call 800 342. DOH: complaints@doh.gov.ae or 800 2440. MOH: 80011111. All accept anonymous reports.
If you've been treated by an unlicensed practitioner and experienced adverse effects, get to a licensed clinic or hospital immediately, retain any product packaging or photos as evidence, and report.
How this guide was researched
Written by Dr. Rohan Pillai from the Spalist editorial team. Pricing, regulatory and operational data points are sourced from licensed UAE venues, government regulator portals (DHA Sheryan, DOH e-services, MOH licensing), and Spalist's own editor-verified spa database. We don’t accept payment to feature specific venues — see our editorial standards.
Read next
How Much Does Botox Cost in Dubai (2026)? Real Prices by Clinic Tier
AED 800 for 20 units at a mid-tier clinic. AED 2,500+ for premium DIFC clinics. Here's the full pricing breakdown, what affects cost, and how to avoid overpaying.
HydraFacial in the UAE: Where to Get the Best One
What HydraFacial really does, what it costs in 2026, and the most-reviewed providers across the UAE.