Ministerial Resolution No. 62 of 2025 on Regulating the Licensing to Practice the Veterinary Profession

1 Ministerial Resolution No. (62) of 2025 On Regulating the Licensing to Practice the Veterinary Profession The Minister of Climate Change and Environment, After reviewing Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 regarding the Competencies of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers and its amendments, and Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 regarding the Practice of the Veterinary Profession and its amendments and its Executive Regulations, and Based on the public interest, has decided: Article (1) Objectives This resolution aims to define the requirements and conditions necessary for licensing veterinarians to practice the veterinary profession. Article (2) Requirements and Conditions necessary for licensing veterinarians working in veterinary facilities Veterinarians working in veterinary facilities shall be licensed in accordance with the following: 1. Licensing Requirements: a. A license shall be granted to veterinarians to practice the veterinary profession based on the academic qualifications and experience listed in Appendix No. (1) attached to this resolution. b. The license shall specify the veterinarian's classification, the approved veterinary medical practices, and the activity of the veterinary facility in which the veterinarian is authorized to work. c. The applicant must complete the necessary documents for licensing in accordance with the requirements specified in Appendix No. (3) attached to this resolution. 2. Licensing Conditions: a. The license is granted by the Ministry to the veterinarian for a period of one year after fulfilling the requirements specified in Appendix No. (1) attached to this resolution and the documents set forth in Appendix No. (3) attached to this resolution, and paying the prescribed fees. The license is renewed annually upon the veterinarian's request and with the approval of the Ministry. b. The veterinarian may apply for a renewal of the license for another facility for the same previously licensed activity within a period not exceeding two years from the date of cancellation of the first license. c. In the event of applying for license renewal after a discontinuing from practicing the profession for two consecutive years or more, the veterinarian must pass the prescribed test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical abilities in the case of working in the field of treatment, surgery, 2 laboratory diagnosis, artificial insemination, or providing veterinary scientific consultations. This excludes veterinarians working in pharmacies and veterinary warehouses. d. If a veterinarian's employment with a veterinary facility ends, the facility must notify the Ministry within a period not exceeding one month from the date of termination of employment to update the veterinarian's information and register him in the general registry of veterinarians. Article (3) Licensing of Veterinarians Working for Federal and Local Authorities Veterinarians working for federal and local authorities shall be licensed and registered in the General Register of Veterinarians upon the request of the government agency for which they work, in accordance with the following: 1. Licensing Requirements: a. Licensing shall be granted to veterinarians working for federal and local authorities based on the academic qualifications and experience specified in Appendix No. (2) attached to this resolution. b. Completion of the necessary documents for licensing, in accordance with what is specified in Appendix No. (3) attached to this resolution. c. Licensing shall be granted to veterinarians working for federal and local authorities. The license shall specify the authorized practices in the event of work in the field of treatment, surgery, laboratory diagnosis, artificial insemination, providing veterinary scientific consultations, or working in any other veterinary medical practice performed by a veterinarian as stipulated in the referred to Federal Law No. (10) of 2002. 2. Licensing Conditions: a. The Ministry grants a license to a veterinarian working for federal or local entities for a period of one year, subject to fulfilling the requirements set forth in Appendix No. (2) attached to this resolution and the documents set forth in Appendix No. (3) attached to this resolution. The license is renewed annually at the request of the government entity. b. If a veterinarian's employment with a federal or local entity ends, the entity must notify the Ministry within a period not exceeding one month from the date of termination of employment, in order to update their data and register them in the general register of veterinarians. Article (4) Obligations Subject to the duties and responsibilities stipulated in relevant legislation, licensed veterinarians must adhere to the following: 1. A junior veterinarian must work in a therapeutic or diagnostic veterinary facility under the supervision of a practicing veterinarian, specialist, or consultant. 2. Notify the Ministry by registered letter of the name and address of the facility before commencing work in a veterinary facility, and notify the Ministry upon termination of employment, attaching proof thereof. 3. Commit to working in the therapeutic field by treating any animal within the facility and not refraining from doing so unless the reasons are explained to the animal's owner. Emergency cases requiring treatment outside the facility are excluded. 3 4. Abstain from working in more than one veterinary facility at a time. 5. Obtain the Ministry's approval temporarily transfer to work in another veterinary facility, provided to adhere to the following: a. Both veterinary facilities must be licensed to practice the same type of activity they are authorized to practice. b. Both veterinary facilities must be owned by the same owner, or proof of approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization must be provided if they do not have the same owner. c. The veterinary facility from which to be transferred from must have the minimum number of veterinarians required for its licensing and continued operation, in accordance with the ministerial resolution regulating veterinary facility licensing. Article (5) Repeal Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this resolution shall be repealed. Article (6) Publication This resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall take effect three months after the date of its publication. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi Minister of Climate Change and Environment Issued on: 4 Ramadan 1446 AH Corresponding to: 4 March 2025 AD 4 Appendix No. (1) Academic Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Licensing Veterinarians Working in Veterinary Facilities The requirements for academic qualifications, experience, and competency assessment are determined as follows: 1. Junior Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications: Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country. b. Experience: No experience is required, provided the veterinarian passes the prescribed test conducted by the Ministry to assess academic and practical capabilities. UAE nationals and graduates of recognized universities in the country are exempt from the test requirement. 2. Practicing Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications: Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country. b. Experience: − At least five years of experience, both inside and outside the country, if the licensing purpose is to work in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, or veterinary scientific consultation fields, and not less than two years of experience if the applicant is a UAE national or a graduate of a recognized university in the country. − At least one year of experience if the purpose of the license is to work in the field of selling or trading veterinary products. UAE nationals and graduates of recognized universities in the country are exempt from the experience requirement. c. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the required test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical capabilities if working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, or veterinary scientific consultation fields. 3. Specialist Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications and Experience: To obtain a specialist degree, a veterinarian must meet any of the following: i. Specialist Category(One): Must meet one of the following requirements: − Must hold a Master's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least three years of experience after obtaining the Master's degree in the desired field of work, except for UAE nationals, who must have at least one year of experience. − Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a diploma after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least three years of experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the desired field of work or after obtaining the diploma. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. ii. Specialist Category (Two): Must meet one of the following requirements: − Must hold a diploma after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least three years of experience after obtaining the diploma in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. − Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university 5 in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. iii. Specialist Category (Three): Must meet the following requirements: − Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least ten years of experience in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least five years of experience. b. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the Ministry's prescribed examination to assess scientific and practical capabilities if working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, or providing veterinary scientific consultations. 4. Consultant Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications and Experience: To obtain the consultant rank, a veterinarian must meet any of the following requirements: i. Consultant Category (One): Must meet the following requirements: − Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least eight years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the required field of work. Must also have obtained a certificate of good performance (professional discipline) within the five years prior to licensing, and must have published scientific research in the field of specialization. ii. Consultant Category (Two): Must meet the following requirements: − Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least five years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the required field of work. iii. Consultant Category (Three): Must meet one of the following requirements: – Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the desired field of work. – Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a master's degree after obtaining a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the desired field of work. Must also have published scientific research in the field of specialization. b. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the required test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical capabilities if working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, or scientific consultation fields. 6 Appendix No. (2) Academic Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Licensing Veterinarians Working in Federal and Local Entities The requirements for academic qualifications, experience, and competency assessment are determined as follows: 1. Junior Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications: Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country. b. Experience: No experience is required, provided the veterinarian passes the required test conducted by the Ministry to assess academic and practical abilities, or submits a document from the government agency in which he works stating that the veterinarian has the necessary experience to perform his duties and has passed the necessary tests to verify his academic and practical abilities. UAE nationals and graduates of recognized universities in the country are exempt from the test requirement. 2. Practicing Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications: Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country. b. Experience: The applicant must have at least three years of experience if the purpose of the license is to work in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, or veterinary scientific consultation field. UAE nationals or graduates of a recognized university in the country must have at least one year of experience. c. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the required test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical capabilities if working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, veterinary scientific consultation field, or in any other veterinary medical practice activities provided for by the veterinarian as stipulated in Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 regarding the practice of the veterinary profession and its amendments. Must also submit a document from the government agency in which he or she works stating that the veterinarian has the necessary experience to perform his or her duties and that he or she has passed the necessary tests to verify his or her scientific and practical capabilities. 3. Specialist Veterinarian: a. Academic Qualifications and Experience: To obtain a specialist degree, a veterinarian must meet any of the following: i. Specialist Category (One): Must meet one of the following requirements: – Must hold a Master's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the Master's degree in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. – Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a diploma after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of additional experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the required field of work or after obtaining the diploma certificate. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. ii. Specialist Category (Two): Must meet one of the following requirements: 7 – Must hold a diploma after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the diploma in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. – Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of additional experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least one year of experience. iii. Specialist Category (Three): Must meet the following requirements: – Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least eight years of experience in the required field of work. UAE nationals must have at least three years of experience. b. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the prescribed test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical capabilities in the event of working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, providing veterinary scientific consultations, or working in any of the other veterinary medical practice mentioned in Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 regarding the practice of the veterinary profession and its amendments, or submit a document from the government agency in which he works stating that the veterinarian has the necessary experience to carry out his duties and that he has passed the necessary tests to verify his scientific and practical capabilities. 4. Consultant Veterinarian: A. Academic Qualifications and Experience: To obtain the consultant rank, a veterinarian must meet any of the following requirements: i. Consultant Category (One): Must meet the following requirements: – Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least eight years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the required field of work. Must also have obtained a certificate of good performance (professional discipline) within the five years prior to licensing, and must have published scientific research in the field of specialization. ii. Consultant Category (Two): Must meet the following requirements: – Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least four years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the required field of work, and must have published scientific research in the field of specialization. iii. Consultant Category (Three): Must meet one of the following requirements: – Must hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least two years of experience after obtaining the PhD in the required field of work, and must have published at least four scientific research papers. – Must hold a fellowship certificate from an accredited veterinary council and a master's degree after obtaining a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the country, with at least one year of experience after obtaining the fellowship certificate in the required field of work, and must have published at least four scientific research papers. 8 B. Competency Assessment: The veterinarian must pass the prescribed test conducted by the Ministry to assess scientific and practical capabilities in the event of working in the therapeutic, surgical, laboratory diagnostic, artificial insemination, providing veterinary scientific consultations, or working in any of the other veterinary medical practice mentioned in Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 regarding the practice of the veterinary profession and its amendments, or submit a document from the government agency in which he works stating that the veterinarian has the necessary experience to carry out his duties and that he has passed the necessary tests to verify his scientific and practical capabilities. Appendix No. (3) Documents required for licensing veterinarians working in veterinary facilities and federal and local entities 1. A copy of a valid passport, or Emirates ID for UAE nationals. 2. A personal photo. 3. A copy of academic qualifications. 4. A copy of the equivalency of academic degrees or a qualification recognition report issued by the UAE Ministry of Education for those studying outside the UAE. 5. A copy of practical experience certificates consistent with the practices required to be performed, certified by the UAE embassy if the experience is from outside the UAE, or a document from the government entity in which the veterinarian works stating that the veterinarian has the necessary experience to perform his duties and has passed the necessary tests to verify his academic and practical capabilities. 6. In the event of renewal, the veterinarian must have a valid residency permit in the UAE if he is not a GCC country citizen.