DHA License for Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Dubai: Cost, Requirements & Process 2026

Dubai’s growing healthcare and wellness market is creating opportunities for investors and qualified professionals interested in establishing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics.

However, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a regulated healthcare activity in Dubai. A TCM clinic cannot operate solely under a general wellness or commercial licence. Both the healthcare facility and the professionals treating patients must satisfy the applicable Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requirements.

DHA classifies Traditional Chinese Medicine under Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM). Its healthcare facility manual specifically lists Traditional Chinese Medicine as one of the services that can be provided by a TCAM Centre.

This guide explains how to obtain a DHA license for a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in Dubai, including facility fees, TCM practitioner qualifications, documents, licensing steps and inspection requirements.

What Type of DHA License Does a TCM Clinic Need in Dubai?

A clinic providing Traditional Chinese Medicine would generally operate as a:

Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Centre

DHA defines a TCAM Centre as an outpatient healthcare facility providing one or more approved complementary and traditional medicine specialties.

Recognised specialties include:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Ayurveda
• Chiropractic
• Osteopathy
• Naturopathy
• Homeopathy
• Traditional Korean Medicine
• Herbal/Oriental Medicine
• Unani
• Hijama

If your clinic provides only TCM, it would generally fall under the TCAM Facility – 1 Specialty category.

If the clinic combines TCM with another specialty such as acupuncture, it may fall under TCAM Facilities – 2 Specialties or More, depending on the approved activities.

How Much Does a DHA License for a TCM Clinic Cost?

DHA’s current published facility fee schedule lists the following charges for a TCAM Facility with one specialty:

For a straightforward one-specialty TCM clinic taking a one-year facility licence, the main DHA facility charges can therefore total approximately:

AED 8,000

This consists of:

AED 1,000 initial approval + AED 2,000 inspection + AED 5,000 one-year facility licence.

This figure covers the core DHA facility charges only. It does not include the commercial licence, professional licensing, rent, fit-out, engineering design, equipment, visas, insurance, EMR software or staffing.

TCM Clinic License Cost for Two or More Specialties

Many Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics may also plan to provide acupuncture or other TCAM services.

For a TCAM Facility with two specialties or more, DHA currently lists:

This makes it important to decide your complete healthcare service portfolio before applying.

For example:

Traditional Chinese Medicine only → 1 Specialty

TCM + Acupuncture → potentially 2 Specialties

The exact classification should always be confirmed during the DHA application process.

DHA Requirements for a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Dubai

A TCM clinic typically needs to complete several regulatory stages.

Important requirements include:

• DHA New Facility License
• Correct TCAM facility category
• Suitable healthcare premises
• Engineering layout
• Facility proposal
• Commercial/trade licence
• Healthcare-compliant clinic fit-out
• DHA-licensed TCM Practitioner
• Medical Director
• Electronic Medical Record system
• NABIDH compliance
• DHA inspection
• Active healthcare facility licence

DHA’s current licensing process is:

New Facility License → Activate Facility License → Pass Inspection

The initial licence is inactive and must be activated before the facility can start operating.

Documents Required for DHA TCM Clinic Approval

DHA currently lists the following documents for a New Facility License application:

• Valid passport copies of owners or partners
• Emirates ID copies, where applicable
• Engineering layout from an engineering/design company
• Facility proposal
• Trade licence, if already available

DHA states that obtaining the commercial trade licence before applying for the New Facility License is optional.

However, a valid trade licence is required before the facility licence can be activated.

Engineering Layout Requirements for a TCM Clinic

An engineering layout is required as part of the DHA facility application.

DHA describes the layout as a schematic design drawing showing the facility rooms and areas with their measurements in square metres and labels according to the proposed services.

Depending on the clinic’s approved services, the premises may need areas such as:

• Reception and waiting area
• Consultation rooms
• TCM treatment rooms
• Acupuncture treatment rooms, if applicable
• Clinical storage
• Staff areas
• Administrative space
• Patient facilities
• Hand-hygiene facilities
• Appropriate circulation and accessibility

It is advisable to assess the premises against healthcare requirements before signing a long-term lease or beginning the fit-out.

DHA License Requirements for a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner

The facility licence and the practitioner’s professional licence are separate requirements.

A TCM clinic cannot simply employ an unlicensed practitioner and begin offering treatment.

DHA’s current Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) recognise the professional title:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner

There are several qualification pathways.

Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine – DHA Eligibility

One recognised route is:

B.TCIM – Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The qualification must be from a recognised university and involve a minimum of:

• 5 years full-time study
• Including 1 year of internship

For this pathway, DHA currently requires:

2 years of post-qualification experience in the related field

This is one of the clearest qualification pathways for professionals planning to work as TCM Practitioners in Dubai.

Alternative TCM Education Pathway

DHA also recognises an accredited Traditional Chinese Medicine education programme of:

• 3 to 4 years full-time, or
• An equivalent minimum total of 2,400 hours

The programme must include approximately:

• 1,500 hours of theory and laboratory/clinical practice
• 900 hours of clinical practicum

For this pathway, DHA currently requires:

4 years of post-qualification experience

Can a Physician Practise Traditional Chinese Medicine in Dubai?

DHA’s PQR also provides a pathway for physicians who have completed recognised TCM training.

The training programme should be approximately:

• 2–3 years full-time, or
• Equivalent to at least 1,300 hours

This includes theoretical and clinical practice plus supervised clinical training.

The current PQR requires two years of related post-qualification experience for this pathway.

Applicants should have their individual qualification and work history assessed before making business or employment commitments.

Chinese Massage Therapist Requirements in a TCM Clinic

DHA’s current PQR also recognises the professional title:

Chinese Massage Therapist

Qualification pathways include relevant Traditional Chinese Medicine education or a qualifying Chinese Massage programme together with supervised clinical training.

DHA currently requires two years of post-qualification experience for the recognised Chinese Massage Therapist pathways.

Importantly, DHA specifies that a Chinese Massage Therapist may only practise under the supervision of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

This is an important staffing consideration for TCM clinics planning to offer Chinese therapeutic massage.

How Does a TCM Practitioner Get a DHA Professional License?

DHA’s professional licensing process generally begins with the Self Assessment Tool.

The process can include:

1. Self Assessment
2. Primary Source Verification through DataFlow
3. CBT assessment where required
4. Review Registration Eligibility where applicable
5. Professional registration
6. Professional licence activation by the hiring healthcare facility

DHA’s Self Assessment service specifically covers Traditional and Complementary & Alternative Medicine professionals.

It is advisable to check practitioner eligibility before committing to staffing arrangements.

Medical Director Requirement for a TCM Clinic

Before a healthcare facility licence can be activated, DHA currently requires the facility to:

• Add and activate the licences of healthcare professionals under the facility
• Select a Medical Director
• Hold a valid trade licence

After the activation application is submitted, DHA coordinates the inspection.

Facilities that pass the final inspection are issued an active facility licence.

EMR and NABIDH Requirements

TCM clinics must also consider Dubai’s healthcare information requirements.

DHA states that a new healthcare facility should obtain an Electronic Medical Record system that complies with the NABIDH Minimum Data Set and NABIDH standards.

Investors should therefore budget for:

• EMR software
• Patient registration system
• Appointment management
• Clinical documentation
• Data integration
• IT hardware
• Implementation and support

These costs are separate from the DHA facility licensing fees.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a DHA License for a TCM Clinic

Step 1: Define Your TCM Services

Determine whether your clinic will provide Traditional Chinese Medicine alone or additional services such as acupuncture.

Step 2: Confirm the Facility Classification

A TCM-only clinic would generally fall within the TCAM 1-Specialty facility category.

Step 3: Select Suitable Premises

Choose a commercial unit that can accommodate the required healthcare layout.

Step 4: Prepare the Engineering Layout

Engage a suitable engineering/design company to prepare the healthcare facility layout.

Step 5: Prepare the Facility Proposal

Define the healthcare services, proposed staffing and facility concept.

Step 6: Apply for DHA New Facility License

Applications are submitted through Sheryan.

DHA’s current service page lists an average processing time of approximately 5 working days for the New Facility License service.

Step 7: Obtain the Commercial Licence

Complete the relevant commercial and business licensing requirements.

Step 8: Complete TCM Clinic Fit-Out

Construct and prepare the facility according to the approved layout and applicable healthcare standards.

Step 9: License the TCM Practitioners

Complete the DHA professional registration and licensing process for all regulated healthcare professionals.

Step 10: Install the EMR System

Implement an appropriate system that satisfies the applicable NABIDH requirements.

Step 11: Select the Medical Director

Assign the required Medical Director through the healthcare facility account.

Step 12: Apply to Activate the Facility License

DHA’s Activate Facility License service currently lists an average processing time of approximately 1 working day, excluding the practical time needed to coordinate inspection.

Step 13: Pass the DHA Inspection

DHA coordinates the inspection after the activation request.

If the facility passes, DHA issues the active facility licence. If it fails, a new inspection must be scheduled and the applicable re-inspection fee paid.

How Long Does It Take to Get a DHA TCM Clinic License?

DHA currently lists:

New Facility License: approximately 5 working days

Activate Facility License: approximately 1 working day

These are service-processing times and do not represent the complete TCM clinic setup timeline.

The overall project may also involve:

• Premises selection
• Lease negotiations
• Engineering design
• Commercial licensing
• Fit-out
• Practitioner licensing
• Recruitment
• EMR setup
• Facility inspection
• Rectification if required

A full clinic setup will therefore normally take longer than the DHA processing period itself.

TCM Clinic vs Acupuncture Clinic in Dubai

Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are closely related, but they should not automatically be treated as the same licensing activity.

DHA recognises Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture as individual TCAM specialties.

Therefore:

TCM only → potentially 1-Specialty TCAM Facility

TCM + Acupuncture → potentially Multi-Specialty TCAM Facility

This distinction can affect licensing fees.

A one-specialty TCAM facility currently carries a AED 5,000 one-year active licence fee, while a TCAM facility with two or more specialties currently carries a AED 10,000 one-year fee.

Can a Foreigner Open a TCM Clinic in Dubai?

Foreign investors can establish healthcare businesses in Dubai subject to the applicable commercial, ownership and DHA healthcare licensing requirements.

However, facility ownership and professional healthcare practice are separate matters.

Owning a TCM clinic does not automatically permit the owner to practise Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Anyone treating patients must hold the appropriate professional licence.

How Much Is the Total Investment for a TCM Clinic?

The DHA facility licence is only one part of the complete project cost.

Your TCM clinic investment may include:

• DHA initial approval
• DHA facility licence
• Inspection
• Trade licence
• Clinic rent
• Security deposit
• Engineering/design fees
• Healthcare fit-out
• TCM treatment furniture
• Acupuncture equipment, if applicable
• Clinical supplies
• EMR/NABIDH system
• Professional licences
• Staff visas
• Professional insurance
• Salaries
• Marketing
• Working capital

For a one-specialty clinic, the principal DHA facility licensing charges can be around AED 8,000 for a one-year licence, before all other setup expenses.

FAQs – DHA License for Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic Dubai

Does a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic need DHA approval?

Yes. DHA specifically identifies Traditional Chinese Medicine as a regulated TCAM healthcare specialty.

How much is a TCM clinic licence in Dubai?

For a one-specialty TCAM facility, DHA currently lists:

1 year – AED 5,000
2 years – AED 8,750
3 years – AED 12,500

The initial approval and inspection fees are separate.

What are the basic DHA fees for a TCM clinic?

For a one-specialty facility with a one-year licence:

Initial approval – AED 1,000
Inspection – AED 2,000
Facility licence – AED 5,000

The principal fees total approximately AED 8,000.

Does a TCM practitioner need a DHA licence?

Yes. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners are regulated healthcare professionals and must meet DHA professional licensing requirements.

How much experience does a TCM practitioner need?

A practitioner with a recognised five-year B.TCIM qualification including a one-year internship currently requires two years of related post-qualification experience. Other education pathways may require four years of experience.

Can TCM and acupuncture be offered in the same clinic?

Potentially yes, subject to DHA approval and appropriately licensed professionals. Because DHA lists them as separate TCAM specialties, the clinic may fall into the multi-specialty TCAM category.

Does a Chinese Massage Therapist need supervision?

Yes. DHA’s current PQR states that a Chinese Massage Therapist should practise under the supervision of a TCM Practitioner.

Does a TCM clinic need a Medical Director?

DHA currently requires the facility to select a Medical Director before facility activation.

Does a TCM clinic need an EMR system?

Yes. DHA’s New Facility License requirements specify an EMR system compliant with applicable NABIDH requirements.

How long does DHA approval take?

DHA currently lists approximately 5 working days for the New Facility License service and 1 working day for the activation service. The complete clinic setup takes longer because design, commercial licensing, fit-out, professional licensing and inspection are separate stages.

Start Your Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic Setup in Dubai

Opening a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in Dubai requires careful coordination between DHA facility licensing, TCAM classification, commercial registration, clinic design, professional licensing, EMR implementation and final inspection.

Defining your services correctly from the beginning is especially important if you plan to combine TCM with acupuncture or Chinese massage, as this can affect facility classification, staffing and licensing requirements.

Professional healthcare business setup support can help coordinate the process from initial facility planning through DHA licensing and final activation