FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
* MLD = Medical Licensing Department
* PLC = Permanent Licensing Committee
MLD FUNCTIONS
Q: Which medical professions are licensed by the MLD?
A: The MLD licenses physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and a range of allied health practitioners. Allied health practitioners include but are not limited to psychologists, opticians, chiropractors, audiologists, paramedics, podiatrists, speech therapists, midwives, physiotherapists, dieticians, dental hygenists, and medical technicians.
Q: Which medical facilities are licensed by the MLD?
A: The MLD licenses a range of health service facilities including but not limited to hospitals, primary healthcare clinics, dental and medical offices, pharmacies, dental and medical laboratories, optician retail stores, drug storage centers, physical therapy offices, and centers for children with special needs.
Q: Is it important for me and my family that we get services from licensed health practitioners and facilities?
A: Yes. A license indicates that a practitioner is judged to be competent and up-to-date or that a facility is safe. For your protection and the protection of your family, you should only get health services and advice from licensed practitioners and facilities.
Q: How do I know if a private health practitioner or facility is licensed?
A: If you would like to know if a private health practitioner or facility is licensed, visit the MLD offices.
Q: What should I do if I have a complaint about a health practitioner or facility?
A: You should refer any complaint to the Complaints and Compliance Department. More information can be found here.
Q: What is the legal basis for the regulation of health practitioners and health service facilities in Qatar ?
A: There are five laws in Qatar for the regulations of health practitioner and health service facilities:
· Law 11, 1983, Regulation of healthcare facilities
· Law 2, 1983, Regulation of medical and dental practice
· Law 3, 1983, Regulation of pharmaceutical professions and agents of pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution companies
· Law 1, 1986, Registration of pharmaceutical companies and their products
· Law 9, 1991, Regulation of the practices of allied health professionals
· Law 31, 2002, Concerning protection from radiation
Q: What are the consequences for employing or working as a health practitioner without a valid license?
A: It is illegal to work as a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or allied health practitioner without a license. It is also illegal to employ an unlicensed health practitioner, and both the owners and managers of health care organizations are liable. Offenders can be prosecuted through Qatar’s courts of law. The maximum punishment is as follows:
Three years imprisonment
Fine of QR 10,000
Q: What are the consequences having an unlicensed private medical facility?
A: Owners and managers of organizations with unlicensed medical facilities can be prosecuted through Qatar’s courts of law. The maximum punishment is as follows:
Three years imprisonment
Fine of QR 10,000
REGISTRATION/LICENSING GENERAL
Q: How do I find out about MLD policies?
A: Our website contains copies of important MLD policies and other important information which can be accessed here.
You should check the website regularly for updates.
Q: What universities are recognized by Qatar?
A: For physicians, the MLD recognizes primary medical degrees listed in the IMED FAIMER directory (International Medical Education Directory of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research) or the WHO / AVICENNA directory of medical schools (which is developed in a partnership between the University of Copenhagen and the World Health Organisation). Equivalent primary degrees have different names in different countries and universities. For example, the primary degree for physicians throughout the Middle East, UK, and Commonwealth is called a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, MBChB, or MBBCh). In North America, the equivalent is called a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
For dentists, MLD recognizes primary dental degrees if they appear in the WHO / AVICENNA directory.
Physician and dentist applicants who do not hold a recognized qualification will be referred to an expert panel for assessment.
For all other health professions, MLD assesses primary qualifications on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How can we reduce the time taken to process our license applications?
A: Submitting a complete application is the best way to ensure the shortest possible processing time. Make sure you fill out each section on each form and use the requirements checklists provided on our website to make sure that you have provided all documents that are required.
Q: If the main cause for delays is incomplete applications, why doesn’t the MLD have someone to check for completeness of application forms and documents before submitted them to avoid delay?
A: Applicants and employers must take responsibility for submitting complete applications and following up with MLD staff to ensure all requirements have been met. Our staff are available by telephone and email or to personal callers on specified open days (currently Monday and Wednesday 8.00am to 1.00pm).
Q: Can the evaluation and verification processes be done without the candidate physically present in Doha)?
A: Yes, a large part of the registration and licensing process can be done while the applicant remains in their home country. For example, the DataFlow verification application can be completed and submitted electronically and the evaluation application can be completed offshore and submitted by the employer locally. However, some evaluation requirements (for example an examination and/or assessment interview) will require the applicant to be physically present in Doha.
Q: Does the MLD set job descriptions for the different types of licenses (nurse, EMT etc)?
A: Each type of license has a defined scope of practice that describes what work the license-holder is authorized to do. Physicians and dentists have both general and specialist scopes of practice. You can find the scopes of practice definitions on our website at this link:
Job descriptions that give details of duties in the workplace are set by employers.
EVALUATION
Q: What is an experience certificate?
A: An experience certificate is an official letter from a previous employer stating the nature and time period of the person’s previous employment. The letter must include the applicant’s full name, specify the applicant’s clinical role and list the exact dates of employment. The letter must be on official company letterhead, and signed by an appropriate authority within the company, stating that person’s full name and position. Appropriate authorities may include a human resources officer, manager, departmental director or business owner. A letter from a colleague or direct supervisor will not be accepted. Please also ensure that the letter is dated and has the stamp of the facility.
Q: What are the requirements to license a doctor to work in a private company?
A: In addition to meeting the basic requirements for a physician, a company doctor must also have a postgraduate qualification (for example, a diploma, masters or equivalent) in either internal medicine, emergency medicine, occupational health medicine or family medicine. The applicant must have a minimum of 3 years experience after obtaining the postgraduate qualification. It is important to remember that a company doctor is licensed to treat only employees of the company.
Q: What are the requirements to license a nurse to work in a private company?
A: There are no special requirements for a nurse to work in a private company.
Q: I don’t have 5 years experience yet. Why can’t I be registered in Qatar?
A: The current laws of Qatar require a minimum of 5 years experience for physicians and 3 years experience for dentists, nurses and pharmacists.
Q: If the evaluation application is rejected can we apply for another evaluation?
A: Yes. You can apply for a re-evaluation of your background, training qualifications, and experience. Should you be unhappy with the outcome of your re-evaluation you may appeal the decision of the MLD to the PLC. A final appeal against the decision of the PLC can be made to the Minister.
Q: How many years experience are required to obtain a specialty scope license after completion of post-graduate degree?
A: This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Why don’t other GCC countries have evaluation certificates?
A: While other countries may not call their processes or certificates by the same name, all licensing authorities have a process to assess that an applicant’s background, training, qualifications and experience are suitable for them to practice safely in that country.
LICENSING
A: No. The purpose of verification is to confirm that a practitioner’s qualifications, experience and license history are genuine to ensure they are fit for registration and safe to practice in Qatar. MLD will not risk the safety of the public by allowing a person to practice before the results of the verification process are known.
Q: Why is the license only for 1 year? Can’t the department issue 2 or 3 year licenses?
A: The law in Qatar currently provides for only a 1 year renewable license.
Q: For Qatari CID (police clearance certificate) can this be processed with the visa to save time?
A: Yes. MLD can issue a "request for a police clearance certificate" to assist.
Q: How do I renew my license if it has expired?
A: The MLD currently allows a 1 month administrative grace period for renewal of license after expiry. After 2 months your license will be suspended and after 3 months your license will be cancelled. After your license has been cancelled you may apply for restoration of your license. Please see the Restoration to the Register policy available on our website at this link:
Q: Why do I need to get blood tests to get a license?
A: Blood tests are a requirement under current Qatari law to protect both patients and health practitioners from the transmission of infectious diseases. Blood tests are evidence that you do not have any disease or illness that you could pass on to your patients in the course of your clinical duties.
Q: Do technicians need to do blood tests because they are not in contact with patients?
A: Yes. Only pharmacy technicians are xempt.
Q: If someone has had a transmissible disease, for example hepatitis that has been treated can they get a license?
A: We will assess the consequences of blood test results on a case-by-case basis taking into account expert medical advice.
VERIFICATION
Q: What is verification?
A: Verification is the process of checking the background, training, qualifications and experience of all health practitioners applying for registration and licensing in the State of Qatar. Verification assures us and the public of Qatar that health practitioners have the necessary qualifications and experience to practice safely. Verification means that applicants who present false or misleading credentials are discovered early and prevented from practicing here. It also allows us to warn other registration authorities of fraudulent applicants.
MLD will not risk the safety of the public by allowing a person to practice before the results of the verification process are known.
Q: When exactly is verification required?
A: All health professionals applying for a license to practice in Qatar must complete verification as part of the evaluation process.
Q: Do I have to go through verification process again for license renewal?
A: No. Verification is a one-time process that will be conducted prior to a license being issued for the first time. However, MLD reserves the right to require re-verification at any time if it has reason to believe a currently registered practitioner has submitted false or misleading credentials.
Q: Verification through DataFlow takes too long. What are the exceptions?
A: There are no exceptions to the verification process. It is mandatory for all applicants. DataFlow routinely verifies applications within 30 working days (6 calendar weeks). Delays are caused as a result of difficulty in contacting information sources (such as previous employers) and where suspicions have been raised requiring more detailed investigations.
Q: Do I still need copies of certificates to be attested, or is DataFlow verification enough?
A: No, you do not need to have certificates attested if they have been verified by DataFlow. Some information that is not verified by DataFlow (for example, surgical logbooks submitted with an application for surgical privileges) will need to be attested by the appropriate authorities.
Q: A Certificate of good standing is hard to get. Why do I have to get one?
A: A CGS is the document used by one registration authority to indicate to another that a health practitioner is legally registered and permitted to practice without restriction. The intention of the CGS is to show there is no legal impediment to registration and that a health practitioner can reasonably be regarded as safe to practice, within the context of the licensing laws in the country of the issuing authority.
CGSs are not usually difficult to get. Most registration authority have well established processes to apply for a CGS.
Q: Will you accept copies of certificates of good standing?
A: No. Only original CGSs received directly by MLD from the registration authority abroad are accepted.
Q: Why do I have to go through verification by DataFlow as well as getting certificates of good standing?
A: Verification and CGSs are required for two separate and distinct purposes.
Verification is required to validate an applicant’s background, training, qualifications and experience. In other words, to ensure that all the information provided by the applicant is true and correct.
A CGS is sent by other registration authorities to inform the MLD that an applicant is legally registered and permitted to practice without restriction. It is an assurance to the MLD that the applicant can reasonably be regarded as safe to practice, within the context of the licensing laws in the country of the issuing authority
Q: Can I get a certificate of good standing from my previous employer?
A: No. CGSs are only accepted directly from recognised registration authorities
Q: If I have a current license from the Philippines do I still need to get a CGS?
A: Yes. The most up-to-date and reliable evidence of your entitlement to practice and your current good standing in your last place of practice is a CGS sent directly to MLD from the registration authority.
EXAMINATIONS
Q: Can the written examinations be conducted more frequently?
A: MLD is currently working on a project to outsource the administration of examinations in 2010 which will mean exams can be conducted more frequently. Once these examinations are available, an employer can ensure an applicant passes the verification process and the examination before being brought to Qatar.
MEDICAL RADIATION/X-RAY LICENSES
Q: I am a dentist. How do I obtain a license to operate a dental x-ray?
A: Submit an application for a medical radiation license. The application form and requirements can be downloaded from our website at the following link:
SURGICAL PRIVILEGES
Q: I am an ENT surgeon. Do I need to apply for surgical privileges for routine ENT procedures or only advanced procedures?
A: Yes, you need to apply for surgical privileges for any procedures you will perform in your practice.
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: What are the rules for taking vacations in the private sector?
A: Before you travel you must inform MLD of your date of departure, your date of return and if you intend to practise while you off-shore.
Q: I run a medical centre. What do I do if I a licensed nurse is not available for a particular period?
A: Under current licensing laws, a physician cannot work without a nurse in attendance.
Q: Is it the responsibility of MLD to follow up whether all practitioners and facilities have licenses?
A: Yes. The MLD has a dedicated Compliance & Investigations group that works to ensure compliance with the licensing laws for practitioners and facilities in Qatar. This group conducts routine inspections and acts on complaints. They work closely with the legal authorities to prosecute serious cases of non-compliance.
Medical Licensing 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)