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UAE Healthcare / Pharma LawFederal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession

UAE Federal Law·Federal Law No. (10) of 2002

قانون اتحادي في شأن مزاولة مهنة الطب البيطري

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
September 28, 2002
Effective from
November 11, 2002
Articles
40
Last synced
Jul 20, 2026
Download PDFOfficial source

Plain-language summary

  • Sets rules for veterinarians to practice animal medicine legally in the UAE.
  • Veterinarians must get a license and meet professional standards before working.
  • Applies to all vets treating animals in the UAE, whether in clinics or farms.
  • Establishes what vets can and cannot do, and penalties for breaking rules.
  • Protects animal health and public safety through regulated veterinary care.

Regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in the UAE, establishing licensing requirements, professional standards, and conditions for veterinarians to opera…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

40 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: State : United Arab Emirates. The Ministry : Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Minister : Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Competent Department : The department concerned in the Ministry Concerned Authority : The local authority in each Emirate concerned with the application of the Law. Veterinary Medicine Profession : Any of the activities of veterinary medical practices practised by the Veterinarian.

    -- 1 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 2 Veterinary Medical Practices : Providing medical advice; practising scientific, research and extension activities or examinations; dealing with animals, whether through examination, treatment, prevention, surgeries, births, artificial insemination; prescribing or dealing with veterinary preparations; examining products, waste or animal feed; and issuing veterinary health certificates. Veterinarian : The person who holds a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Veterinary Medicine from a recognised university, and a licence to practise the Veterinary Profession from the Ministry. Allied Veterinary Medical Professions : Professions specialised in providing auxiliary work to the Veterinary Medicine Profession, as determined by the Executive Regulation of this Law. Veterinary Facility : Every non-governmental facility designated as a veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic, veterinary laboratory, veterinary drug warehouse, veterinary pharmacy, veterinary scientific advisory office, commercial productive farms, or artificial insemination centre. Veterinary Hospital : The place designated and licensed to deal with animals, whether through examination or any therapeutic, preventive, or diagnostic practices, surgeries, births or artificial insemination, and which contains a place equipped for the accommodation of animals for a specified period under veterinary supervision. Veterinary Clinic : A fixed or mobile place, designated and licensed to deal with animals, whether through examination, or any therapeutic or preventive practices, surgeries, births or artificial insemination. Veterinary Laboratory : The place designated and licensed to conduct veterinary analyses and diagnostic tests for all animal species, products, waste and feed. Veterinary : The place designated and licensed for the import, storage and

    -- 2 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 3 Drug Warehouse wholesale distribution of veterinary products. Veterinary Pharmacy : The place designated and licensed for the retail sale of veterinary products. Veterinary Scientific Advisory Office : The facility licensed to provide scientific consultations in all fields of veterinary sciences. Commercial Productive Farms : Facilities designated and licensed to keep domesticated productive animals for commercial purposes, and they include farms of cows, sheep, goats, camels, poultry and any other types specified by the Executive Regulation of this Law. Artificial Insemination Centre : The facility licensed to use appropriate technologies to facilitate artificial fertilisation without the need for natural insemination. Animal : All types of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and crustaceans. Animal Samples : Samples taken from animals for diagnostic and laboratory examination purposes. Chapter One Licensing and registration of veterinarians

  2. 2

    Chapter One Licensing and registration of veterinarians: Licensing and registration of veterinarians

    Article 2

    Article (2) 1. No person may practice the profession of veterinary medicine or veterinary assistant professions in any veterinary facility, unless such person is licensed by and registered with the Ministry to practice the same according to the provisions hereof. 2. A temporary license may be granted to practice the veterinary medicine profession or veterinary assistant professions in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated by the executive regulations hereof.

    -- 3 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 4

  3. 3

    Chapter One Licensing and registration of veterinarians: Licensing and registration of veterinarians

    Article 3

    Article (3) 1. The applicant for a licence to practise the veterinary medicine profession must hold a bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine or its equivalent from a recognised university in the State. 2. A resolution issued by the Minister, in coordination with the Concerned Authority, shall specify the requirements and other conditions necessary for issuing a licence to practise the veterinary medicine profession.

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) Applications for license shall be submitted to the Ministry and shall be attached with the necessary documents as determined by the Minister.

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) The Ministry shall have the authority to decide upon the applications for license to practice the veterinary medicine profession and veterinary assistant professions. The license application shall be decided upon the Ministry within thirty days from the date of submission thereof. The decision involving rejection of either the license or its renewal shall be reasoned.

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Whoever has his application refused may complain about the decision and refer his grievance to the Minister within thirty days as from the date of refusal and the decision of the Minister in this concern shall be conclusive.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) A general register shall be established at the Ministry to record veterinarians and allied veterinary medical professionals whom the Ministry has decided to license to practise the profession. This register shall be divided into the following sub-registers: 1. A register of veterinarians working in veterinary hospitals and clinics.

    -- 4 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 5 2. A register of veterinarians working in veterinary laboratories. 3. A register of veterinarians working in veterinary pharmacies and veterinary drug warehouses. 4. A register of veterinarians working in veterinary scientific advisory offices. 5. A register of veterinarians working in productive commercial farms. 6. A register of veterinarians working in artificial insemination centres. 7. A register of veterinarians working in the federal and local authorities. 8. A register of allied veterinary medical professionals. Entry in the Register shall be made after paying the prescribed fees. National veterinarians and allied veterinary medical professionals, and employees of federal and local authorities, shall be excluded from the payment of fees. The Minister shall issue a resolution organising the register and specifying the data to be included therein.

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) The decision of licensing for practicing the profession shall be handed over to the registered veterinarians and the Ministry shall periodically publish a list of their names and the amendments occurring thereto.

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) If the veterinarian has been infected with a disease or handicap that hinder him completely or partially to practice the profession, he may continue to practice the profession upon the approval of the Minister in view of the report of the competent medical committee. Chapter Two Licensing for Establishments

  10. 10

    Chapter Two Licensing for Establishments: Licensing for Establishments

    Article 10

    Article (10) 1. The initial approval for licensing the facility shall be issued by a decision of the Minister. The final license shall be obtained from the entity concerned in accordance with its laws and regulations.

    -- 5 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 6 2. The Executive Regulations hereof shall set the conditions and controls for granting veterinary facilities licenses.

  11. 11

    Chapter Two Licensing for Establishments: Licensing for Establishments

    Article 11

    Article (11) Health and technical specifications of establishments shall be determined through a ministerial decree and the Ministry shall coordinate with the competent authority in the Emirate to close the establishment if found after inspection not complying with the health and technical specifications. The provisions herein shall be applied in case that the establishment changed its location.

  12. 12

    Article 12

    Article (12) Each licensed veterinarian desired to join work with veterinary establishment shall inform the Ministry about the address of the establishment before starting the work and this obligation shall be applied to the new owner of the establishment. If the veterinarian is absent or left the work in the establishment for any reason, the owner of the establishment has to close it and inform the ministry and the concerned authority in the Emirate unless he has already informed them that an alterative licensed veterinarian is available to replace him. The Ministry and the competent authority in the Emirate shall decide within thirty days as from the date of receiving the notification from the owner of the establishment and it shall not be permissible for the veterinarian to join the work with other establishments at the same time.

  13. 13

    Article 13

    Article (13) The Minister shall issue the general rules related to the measures on establishments and shall instruct to ascertain that the performance of work is not valuating the provisions of this law and the decisions issued in execution thereof.

  14. 13

    Article 13

    Article (13) BIS The Executive Regulations hereof shall determine the classification and conditions of

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    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 7 practicing veterinary assistant professions. Chapter Three Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian

  15. 14

    Chapter Three Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian: Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian

    Article 14

    Article (14) BIS (2) The veterinary physician may conduct experiments or research on animals only after obtaining the approval of the Ministry.

  16. 14

    Chapter Three Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian: Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian

    Article 14

    Article (14) BIS (1) Sick animals may not be admitted in the veterinary hospital or clinic unless they are equipped and licensed to do so according to the conditions set out in the Executive Regulations hereof.

  17. 14

    Chapter Three Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian: Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian

    Article 14

    Article (14) Each licensed veterinarian shall be honest, sincere and shall keep to the behaviors and the principles of the profession. He has to cooperate with other health and veterinarian establishments in the country in order to maintain the health of man and animals against the Zoonotic diseases.

  18. 15

    Chapter Three Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian: Duties and Responsibilities of the veterinarian

    Article 15

    Article (15) If the veterinarian suspected the infection of an animal with epidemic or contagious disease he shall have the right to retain it and inform the competent department or the concerned authority in the Emirate immediately to take the necessary precautionary measures within 24 hours and he has to investigate the correct address of the owner of the animal.

  19. 15

    Article 15

    Article (15) BIS The veterinary physician shall explain to the owner of the animal the expected medical results of the veterinary medical practices to be carried out by him. The animal owner shall have the option either to accept or decline treatment unless the animal has an infectious or

    -- 7 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 8 epidemic disease. In case of surgery, the veterinary physician shall be required to obtain a written declaration from the animal owner indicating his consent that the animal undergoes such surgery.

  20. 16

    Article 16

    Article (16) The veterinarian shall be considered responsible if he committed a mistake due to lack of experience, knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of disease which was the cause of injury to the animal.

  21. 17

    Article 17

    Article (17) It is impermissible to prepare, prescribe or change veterinary prescriptions except by specialized veterinarian and the concerned establishment shall keep the prescriptions for one year as from the date of its issuance and shall be registered in its official records to be subject to the medicinal control.

  22. 17

    Article 17

    Article 17 BIS (1) The veterinary facility in which the animal is treated shall maintain a register containing the names and addresses of the owner of the animal, type of the animal, its medical history as well as identification numbers, if any, its medical condition, all veterinary practices, their respective dates, and final results of every case.

  23. 17

    Article 17

    Article (17) BIS (2) Animal samples may not be sent outside the State without a prior permission from the Ministry.

  24. 18

    Article 18

    Article (18) The veterinarian and the establishment shall abide by the decisions issued by competent authorities for pricing the veterinary medications.

    -- 8 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 9 Chapter Four Penalties

  25. 19

    Chapter Four Penalties: Penalties

    Article 19

    Article (19) Without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided for in any other law, a penalty of not less than one year of imprisonment and/or a fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (200,000) two hundred thousand dirhams shall be imposed on: 1. Those who practice the veterinary medicine profession or veterinary assistant professions without a license. 2. Those who submit incorrect documents or data, or used illegal methods to obtain the license to practice veterinary medicine professions or veterinary assistant professions. 3. Those who used newsletters, signage, banners, or any other promotional materials to induce others to wrongfully believe that they have the right to practice the veterinary medicine profession or veterinary assistant professions. The Court may order that the veterinary facility be closed and that its equipment and supplies related to the practice of the veterinary medicine profession be confiscated. The license issued for the veterinary physician or those who practice veterinary assistant professions shall be deemed to have expired, and his name shall be removed from the general register for veterinary physicians and veterinary assistant professions as of the date on which the judgment becomes final.

  26. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (1) A penalty of one year of imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED (10,000) AED ten thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (200,000) two hundred thousand dirhams shall be imposed on every veterinary physician violates the provisions of Article 16 hereof.

  27. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (2) A fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (100,000) one hundred thousand dirhams shall be imposed against every veterinary

    -- 9 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 10 physician who examined an animal, found out symptoms of one of diseases that should be reported, and failed to report the same to the Ministry or the entity concerned.

  28. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (3) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED (50,000) fifty thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (500,000) five hundred thousand dirhams, shall be imposed against every veterinary physician who conducts experiments or research on animals without obtaining the approval of the Ministry.

  29. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (4) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED (50,000) fifty thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (100,000,000) one million dirhams, shall be imposed against whoever sends Animal samples outside the State without prior permission from the Ministry.

  30. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (5) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED (20,000) twenty thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (200,000) two hundred thousand dirhams, shall be imposed against those who establish a veterinary facility without license.

  31. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (6) Without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided for in any other law, the facility's owner shall pay a fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (200,000) two hundred thousand dirhams in the following cases: 1. If the owner employs a veterinary physician or any occupier of a veterinary assistant profession without obtaining the required license. 2. If the facility's owner of the establishment has knowledge that the license obtained by the veterinary physician or the worker of veterinary assistant professions has been granted on fraudulent grounds or deception on the part of the licensee.

    -- 10 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 11

  32. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) BIS (7) A fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams and not exceeding AED (150,000) one hundred fifty thousand dirhams shall be imposed against those who admit sick animals in the veterinary hospital or clinic if the same is not equipped and licensed to do so.

  33. 20

    Article 20

    Article (20) Whoever is legally authorized to practice the profession and practiced it prior obtaining the license shall be levied a fine not less than Dh. 1000 and shall not exceeding DH 5000 and the court shall adjudge to close the establishment until he obtains the license.

  34. 21

    Article 21

    Article (21) 1. Criminal proceedings shall be initiated against the crimes stipulated in this Law, which are penalized by fine only, only by a written request issued by the Ministry or the entity concerned. 2. The crimes referred to in the preceding Item of this Article may be subject to conciliation before the lawsuit is referred to the competent court, subject to the payment of an amount not exceeding half of the maximum fine prescribed for each relevant crime. 3. A decision shall be issued by the Cabinet determining the rules of the conciliation and the compensation for each crime referred to in Item No. 1 of this Article. 4. The Minister, the head of the entity concerned, or whomsoever assigned by any of them shall be entitled to impose any of the following disciplinary penalties against the veterinary physician or whoever provides veterinary assistant professions in case any of the provisions of this Law or its executive regulation have been violated: a. Notice b. Warning c. Suspension from practicing the profession of veterinary medicine or veterinary assistant professions for not more than one year. d. Withdrawal of the license and removing the name from the register of veterinary physicians or from the register of veterinary assistant professions.

    -- 11 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 12 5. The Minister, the head of the Entity concerned, or whomsoever assigned by any of them may impose any of the following administrative penalties against the facility in case any of the provisions of this Law or its executive regulation have been violated: a. Notice b. Closing the facility for not more than six months. c. Closing the facility permanently. d. Revoking the license. Chapter Five General provisions

  35. 22

    Chapter Five General provisions: General provisions

    Article 22

    Article (22) The Employees designated under a decision by the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Minister or the head of the Entity concerned, shall have the Law Enforcement Officers capacity for detecting the violations of the provisions of this law and decisions issued in implementation thereof.

  36. 23

    Chapter Five General provisions: General provisions

    Article 23

    Article (23) The Cabinet shall issue a resolution on the due fees according to the provisions of this Law and its executive regulation.

  37. 24

    Chapter Five General provisions: General provisions

    Article 24

    Article (24) All the existing establishments in the country shall adapt their situation with the provisions of this law within six months as from the date of its issuance. Veterinary clinics which were existed before the issuance of this law shall be exempted from the condition stipulated in item (1) of article (10) of this law.

  38. 25

    Article 25

    Article (25) The Minister shall issue the executive by-law of this law.

    -- 12 of 13 --

    Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession 13

  39. 26

    Article 26

    Article (26) All other laws or regulations may contradict the provisions of this law shall be considered cancelled.

  40. 27

    Article 27

    Article (27) This Law shall be published in the official Gazette and shall come into effect 30 days after its publishing. Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates Issued at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi on: September 29, 2002 AD. On 21st of Rajab 1423 H. Corresponding to Rajab 21 st, 1423 H.

    -- 13 of 13 --

Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

Articles in this law(40)
  1. 1Article (1) In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following word
  2. 2Article (2) 1. No person may practice the profession of veterinary medicine or v
  3. 3Article (3) 1. The applicant for a licence to practise the veterinary medicine p
  4. 4Article (4) Applications for license shall be submitted to the Ministry and shal
  5. 5Article (5) The Ministry shall have the authority to decide upon the application
  6. 6Article (6) Whoever has his application refused may complain about the decision
  7. 7Article (7) A general register shall be established at the Ministry to record ve
  8. 8Article (8) The decision of licensing for practicing the profession shall be han
  9. 9Article (9) If the veterinarian has been infected with a disease or handicap tha
  10. 10Article (10) 1. The initial approval for licensing the facility shall be issued
  11. 11Article (11) Health and technical specifications of establishments shall be dete
  12. 12Article (12) Each licensed veterinarian desired to join work with veterinary est
  13. 13Article (13) The Minister shall issue the general rules related to the measures
  14. 13Article (13) BIS The Executive Regulations hereof shall determine the classifica
  15. 14Article (14) BIS (2) The veterinary physician may conduct experiments or researc
  16. 14Article (14) BIS (1) Sick animals may not be admitted in the veterinary hospital
  17. 14Article (14) Each licensed veterinarian shall be honest, sincere and shall keep
  18. 15Article (15) If the veterinarian suspected the infection of an animal with epide
  19. 15Article (15) BIS The veterinary physician shall explain to the owner of the anim
  20. 16Article (16) The veterinarian shall be considered responsible if he committed a
  21. 17Article (17) It is impermissible to prepare, prescribe or change veterinary pres
  22. 17Article 17 BIS (1) The veterinary facility in which the animal is treated shall
  23. 17Article (17) BIS (2) Animal samples may not be sent outside the State without a
  24. 18Article (18) The veterinarian and the establishment shall abide by the decisions
  25. 19Article (19) Without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided for in any ot
  26. 19Article (19) BIS (1) A penalty of one year of imprisonment and a fine of not les
  27. 19Article (19) BIS (2) A fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams a
  28. 19Article (19) BIS (3) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED
  29. 19Article (19) BIS (4) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED
  30. 19Article (19) BIS (5) Imprisonment sentence and / or a fine of not less than AED
  31. 19Article (19) BIS (6) Without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided for i
  32. 19Article (19) BIS (7) A fine of not less than AED (10,000) ten thousand dirhams a
  33. 20Article (20) Whoever is legally authorized to practice the profession and practi
  34. 21Article (21) 1. Criminal proceedings shall be initiated against the crimes stipu
  35. 22Article (22) The Employees designated under a decision by the Minister of Justic
  36. 23Article (23) The Cabinet shall issue a resolution on the due fees according to t
  37. 24Article (24) All the existing establishments in the country shall adapt their si
  38. 25Article (25) The Minister shall issue the executive by-law of this law. -- 12 of
  39. 26Article (26) All other laws or regulations may contradict the provisions of this
  40. 27Article (27) This Law shall be published in the official Gazette and shall come
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