Hijama Clinic License Cost in Dubai: DHA Fees & Requirements 2026

Hijama, also known as cupping therapy, is a regulated healthcare practice in Dubai. Investors planning to establish a Hijama clinic therefore need to consider not only commercial registration but also Dubai Health Authority (DHA) healthcare facility licensing and professional licensing requirements.

DHA officially includes Hijama within the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) facility category. Under DHA’s current licensing manual, a TCAM Centre is an outpatient healthcare facility that can provide one or more recognised specialties, including Hijama, Unani, Ayurveda, acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This guide explains the Hijama Clinic license cost in Dubai in 2026, DHA facility fees, Hijama Therapist requirements, clinic approval process, documents, inspection and other important considerations before starting the business.

How Much Does a Hijama Clinic License Cost in Dubai?

A healthcare facility providing Hijama as one TCAM specialty would generally fall within DHA’s:

TCAM Facility – 1 Specialty

DHA’s current published fee schedule lists the following facility charges:

Therefore, the principal DHA facility fees for a straightforward one-specialty centre taking a one-year licence can total approximately:

AED 8,000

That is:

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

These figures come from DHA’s published fee schedule for one-specialty TCAM facilities.

The AED 8,000 figure represents the core DHA facility charges, not the total cost of opening a Hijama clinic. Commercial licensing, rent, fit-out, professional licensing, equipment, EMR software, staffing, visas, insurance and other operational costs are separate.

DHA Hijama Clinic Licence Fees for 1, 2 and 3 Years

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

1-Year Licence: AED 5,000
2-Year Licence: AED 8,750
3-Year Licence: AED 12,500

DHA additionally lists an AED 2,000 inspection fee and AED 1,000 re-inspection fee for this category.

Investors should therefore distinguish between the DHA facility licence fee and the complete Hijama Clinic setup cost in Dubai.

Is Hijama Regulated by DHA in Dubai?

Yes.

DHA specifically lists Hijama as a recognised TCAM healthcare specialty. Its current facility licensing manual identifies Hijama alongside services such as Unani, Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

DHA’s professional qualification requirements also state explicitly that:

Hijama clinical practice must be conducted in a health facility.

This is important because a general spa, massage establishment or ordinary wellness business should not be assumed to permit regulated Hijama healthcare practice.

What Type of Facility Is Required for Hijama in Dubai?

The relevant DHA healthcare facility category is generally:

Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine – TCAM Centre

A centre offering only one approved TCAM specialty uses the one-specialty facility category, while centres combining multiple approved TCAM services may fall into the two-or-more-specialties category.

For SEO purposes, patients and investors may commonly search for a “Hijama Clinic”, but TCAM Centre is the important regulatory facility terminology.

Hijama Clinic With Two or More TCAM Specialties

A business might plan to provide Hijama together with services such as:

• Unani
• Naturopathy
• Ayurveda
• Acupuncture
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Chiropractic
• Osteopathy

For a TCAM Facility with two specialties or more, DHA’s published schedule currently lists:

 

This makes it important to determine your complete service portfolio before submitting the facility application and commencing fit-out.

DHA Requirements to Open a Hijama Clinic in Dubai

A Hijama facility generally needs to coordinate several separate requirements:

• DHA New Facility License
• Correct TCAM facility classification
• Suitable healthcare premises
• Engineering layout
• Facility proposal
• Commercial/trade licence
• Healthcare-compliant fit-out
• Appropriately licensed healthcare professionals
• Hijama professional title/privilege where applicable
• Medical Director
• Electronic Medical Record system
• NABIDH compliance
• DHA facility inspection
• Active healthcare facility licence

DHA’s formal facility journey is:

New Facility License → Activate Facility License → Pass Inspection

The New Facility License is initially inactive. The healthcare facility must later complete activation and inspection before it can operate.

Documents Required for a Hijama Clinic License

For DHA’s New Facility License service, the current required documents include:

• Owner/partner passport copies
• Emirates ID copies, where applicable
• Engineering layout from an engineering/design company
• Completed facility proposal
• Trade licence, if already available

DHA states that obtaining the trade licence before submitting the New Facility License application is optional.

A valid trade licence is, however, required when the facility reaches the activation stage.

Hijama Clinic Engineering Layout Requirements

A Hijama facility should be designed as a healthcare environment rather than as an ordinary spa or office.

The proposed clinic may need appropriate areas for:

• Patient reception and waiting
• Consultation
• Hijama treatment
• Clinical storage
• Hand hygiene
• Infection prevention and control
• Waste handling
• Staff facilities
• Patient privacy
• Medical records and administration

Because Hijama involves procedures where infection-prevention requirements are particularly important, facility planning should be completed before significant fit-out expenditure is committed.

DHA’s Hijama professional qualification requirements themselves specifically include infection prevention and control, biology and hematological diseases within recognised Hijama training pathways.

DHA License Requirements for a Hijama Therapist

Facility licensing and professional licensing are separate.

Opening or owning a TCAM Centre does not automatically allow the owner to personally perform Hijama.

DHA’s current Professional Qualification Requirements recognise the title:

Hijama Therapist

There are several education and professional pathways.

Hijama Therapist Qualification – Route 1

DHA’s current PQR identifies a pathway involving:

High school qualification + accredited Hijama certificate

The Hijama programme must have a minimum duration of two years and include areas such as:

• Infection prevention and control
• Biology
• Hematological diseases
• Practical Hijama training

The applicant must also provide evidence of completing 20 Hijama treatment cases as part of the training programme.

Applicants should also carefully review the PQR footnote regarding how the Hijama title is attached to an existing Authority licence, particularly for non-UAE nationals.

Hijama Therapist Qualification – Route 2

Another recognised pathway is:

Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field + Hijama qualification

The Hijama programme must have a minimum duration of one year, include the required healthcare subjects, and include proof of at least 20 Hijama treatment cases during training.

Hijama License for Existing Healthcare Professionals

DHA also provides a pathway for certain healthcare professionals who already hold a valid licence from an appropriate UAE health authority and have at least a bachelor’s-level professional qualification.

The PQR requires completion of an approved Hijama training programme of at least 25 CME hours, together with evidence of completing 20 Hijama treatment cases during the training programme.

This can make Hijama licensing particularly relevant for appropriately qualified existing healthcare professionals.

How Much Experience Is Required for a Hijama Therapist?

DHA’s current PQR lists:

2 years of post-qualification experience in the related field

for the Hijama Therapist category.

The exact eligibility of an applicant should still be checked against the latest PQR and through DHA’s professional eligibility process.

Important Rule for Hijama Professional Licensing

There is an important footnote in DHA’s current PQR:

The Hijama title is to be added to an obtained valid Authority licence, except for UAE nationals and Children of Emirati Women.

This means overseas applicants should not assume that completing a Hijama course alone automatically makes them eligible for a standalone DHA professional licence.

Their underlying healthcare qualification, current licence status, experience and Hijama training should be assessed before making employment or clinic investment decisions.

DHA provides a Review Registration Eligibility service for prospective healthcare professionals, including Traditional and Complementary Medicine applicants.

Can a Unani Practitioner Perform Hijama?

This is particularly important for investors considering a combined Unani + Hijama business model.

DHA’s current PQR states that:

Unani Practitioners may practise Hijama within the scope of their title.

Therefore, the professional staffing model for a Unani/Hijama centre can be materially different from a business relying solely on a separate Hijama Therapist title.

The facility activities and professional privileges should nevertheless be confirmed before licensing.

Does a Hijama Practitioner Need BLS?

Yes. DHA’s current TCIM professional requirements state that TCIM practitioners must hold a valid BLS certificate.

BLS and other professional documentation should therefore be considered early in the professional licensing process.

Professional Licensing Process for Hijama in Dubai

The DHA professional licensing journey can involve:

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

DHA states that a healthcare professional can practise once the professional licence is activated and issued.

The qualification pathway for Hijama is unusual enough that applicants should assess eligibility before signing employment agreements or investing heavily in a facility based on a particular practitioner.

Medical Director Requirement for a Hijama Clinic

To activate a healthcare facility licence, DHA currently requires:

• Professional licences to be added and activated under the facility
• Selection of a Medical Director
• A valid trade licence

DHA then coordinates the final facility inspection.

A facility that successfully passes the inspection receives its active licence and can commence approved healthcare operations.

EMR and NABIDH Requirements

Healthcare IT is another setup requirement.

DHA’s New Facility License service states that facilities need an Electronic Medical Record system compliant with the NABIDH Minimum Data Set and NABIDH standards.

The clinic’s budget should therefore account for items such as:

• EMR software
• Patient registration
• Clinical records
• Appointment management
• Computers
• User licences
• Data security
• Implementation and technical support

These costs are separate from the DHA facility fee.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Hijama Clinic License in Dubai

Step 1: Determine the Healthcare Services

Decide whether the clinic will provide Hijama only or combine it with another approved TCAM specialty.

Step 2: Confirm Practitioner Eligibility

Before building the clinic around a particular professional, check whether the proposed practitioner meets DHA’s Hijama licensing requirements.

This is especially important because DHA’s PQR includes specific requirements regarding the Hijama title and an existing Authority licence.

Step 3: Select Suitable Premises

Choose premises capable of meeting healthcare facility, privacy, infection-control and operational requirements.

Step 4: Prepare the Engineering Layout

Have an appropriate engineering/design consultant prepare the healthcare facility layout.

Step 5: Prepare the Facility Proposal

Clearly identify the proposed activities, treatment services and facility structure.

Step 6: Apply for DHA New Facility License

Submit the application through DHA’s Sheryan platform.

DHA currently lists an average processing time of approximately:

5 working days

for the New Facility License service.

Successful applicants receive an inactive healthcare facility licence.

Step 7: Obtain the Commercial Licence

Complete the applicable business registration and commercial licensing procedures.

Step 8: Complete the Healthcare Fit-Out

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

Step 9: Complete Professional Licensing

Complete the appropriate licensing or privilege process for the healthcare professionals who will provide Hijama.

Step 10: Implement the EMR System

Arrange a compliant Electronic Medical Record solution and applicable NABIDH requirements.

Step 11: Select the Medical Director

Complete the Medical Director requirement before facility activation.

Step 12: Apply to Activate the Facility Licence

DHA currently lists an average processing time of approximately:

1 working day

for the Activate Facility License service itself.

Step 13: Pass DHA Inspection

DHA coordinates the inspection with the healthcare facility.

If the facility passes, the active licence is issued. If it fails, another inspection must be scheduled and the applicable re-inspection fee paid.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Hijama Clinic License in Dubai?

DHA currently states:

New Facility License: approximately 5 working days
Activate Facility License: approximately 1 working day.

However, these are DHA service-processing times, not the complete time required to establish a functioning Hijama clinic.

The overall project must also account for premises selection, engineering design, commercial registration, fit-out, professional eligibility and licensing, EMR setup, staffing and inspection.

What Is the Total Cost to Open a Hijama Clinic in Dubai?

The DHA facility licence represents only part of the overall setup investment.

A complete budget should consider:

• DHA initial approval
• DHA facility licence
• DHA inspection
• Commercial/trade licence
• Clinic rent
• Security deposit
• Engineering/layout preparation
• Healthcare fit-out
• Hijama treatment equipment
• Infection-control supplies
• Furniture
• Clinical storage
• EMR/NABIDH system
• Professional licensing
• Employee visas
• Professional insurance
• Salaries
• Branding and marketing
• Working capital

For a one-specialty facility taking a one-year licence, the current principal DHA facility charges are approximately AED 8,000, before these other costs.

Hijama Clinic vs General Cupping Centre in Dubai

Investors should be careful with terminology.

Hijama is not simply another beauty or wellness treatment when it is provided as a regulated healthcare practice. DHA’s PQR expressly states that Hijama clinical practice must take place in a health facility.

Therefore, planning to operate a “cupping centre” without first identifying the correct healthcare activity could create licensing problems.

The exact treatment model should be assessed before commercial registration or fit-out.

Hijama + Unani Clinic Setup in Dubai

Combining Unani and Hijama can be commercially attractive because both are recognised within DHA’s TCAM framework.

There is also an important professional distinction: DHA’s PQR states that Unani Practitioners may practise Hijama within their professional scope.

Facility classification and approved services should nevertheless be confirmed because adding multiple specialties can affect the DHA facility licence category and fees.

FAQs – Hijama Clinic License Dubai

How much does a Hijama Clinic licence cost in Dubai?

For a one-specialty TCAM facility, DHA currently lists the active facility licence at:

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

What are the basic DHA fees for a Hijama Clinic?

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

Initial approval – AED 1,000
Inspection – AED 2,000
1-year active licence – AED 5,000

That gives principal DHA facility charges of approximately AED 8,000.

Does Hijama require DHA approval in Dubai?

Yes. DHA lists Hijama as a TCAM healthcare specialty and requires clinical Hijama practice to take place in a health facility.

Can anyone get a Hijama Therapist licence?

No. Applicants must satisfy one of DHA’s recognised qualification pathways and the applicable professional licensing rules. DHA also includes a specific rule relating the Hijama title to an existing Authority licence, except for UAE nationals and Children of Emirati Women.

How much experience is required for a Hijama Therapist?

DHA currently lists two years of post-qualification experience in the related field.

How many Hijama cases are required during training?

The recognised Hijama training pathways described in DHA’s PQR require evidence of 20 Hijama treatment cases as part of the relevant training programme.

Can a nurse get a Hijama licence in Dubai?

Potentially, depending on the applicant’s qualification, existing professional licence, Hijama training and satisfaction of DHA’s PQR. DHA provides a pathway for appropriately qualified existing healthcare professionals with valid Authority licences who complete approved Hijama training.

Can a Unani doctor perform Hijama?

DHA’s current PQR states that Unani Practitioners may practise Hijama within the scope of their title.

Does a Hijama clinic need a Medical Director?

DHA requires a Medical Director to be selected as part of the prerequisites for activating a healthcare facility licence.

Does a Hijama clinic need an EMR system?

Yes. DHA’s New Facility License guidance requires an Electronic Medical Record system compliant with applicable NABIDH standards.

How long does DHA facility approval take?

DHA currently lists approximately five working days for the New Facility License service. The overall clinic-opening process takes longer because commercial licensing, professional licensing, fit-out and inspection are separate stages.

Start Your Hijama Clinic Setup in Dubai

Establishing a Hijama Clinic in Dubai requires careful coordination between DHA TCAM facility licensing, practitioner eligibility, commercial registration, healthcare design, infection-control planning, professional licensing, EMR requirements and final inspection.

Practitioner eligibility deserves particular attention because Hijama has specific DHA qualification and professional-title rules that should be checked before investing in premises or committing to staffing.

If you are planning to establish a Hijama Clinic or multi-specialty TCAM Centre in Dubai, professional healthcare business setup support can help coordinate the process from initial activity selection through DHA approval and facility activation.