Become a CDA Licensed to impact lives through social work in the UAE

The Community Development Authority (CDA) was founded in July 2008 in UAE. CDA is responsible for establishing and evolving an outline for social development, and its sole purpose is to achieve the goals outlined in the Dubai strategic plans.

CDA is responsible for implementing policies, restraints and standards for social service providers. Furthermore, the CDA aims to strengthen Dubai society members and residents, enabling them to participate positively in social development and providing them with a variety of social services, this includes UAE nationals and residents, government authorities, business partners and volunteers.

Different types of services for CDA licensing for Social Professionals

New License for Professionals

As of January 1st, 2021 all professionals working in the private sector who wish to provide community-based care services in the Emirates of Dubai must apply for a two year renewable license issued by the Community Development Authority.

Renew License for Professionals

At least 60 days before the end of their license, all professionals in the social sector must apply for renewal of their CDA license.

Modify License for Professionals

I would like to request an amendment to my social profession license that includes the name of my establishment and a personal picture

Cancel License for Professionals

When an employee leaves their job permanently and vacates the facility they worked in, they must apply to have their license revoked. 

We will assist you with the documents attestation and Equivalency certificate

What are the criteria if applying for CDA licensing for Social Worker?

A Bachelor degree in social work from within the UAE or if studied abroad, a foreign Bachelor degree in social work from outside of UAE, which has a certificate of equivalency from the Ministry of Education in the UAE. Attestation of degree from the country of origin (if studied outside UAE) Bachelor’s Degree / Masters in Psychology, SPED, Education , Social Worker. Have at least 1 year of relevant experience . Must be excellent in English language.

Any professional who wishes to provide social care services within the emirate of Dubai has to apply for the CDA license. Professionals inlcude:

  • Social worker
  • Social therapist
  • Behavior Analyst
  • Behavioral analyst assistant
  • Psychologist
  • Assistant Psychologist
  • Social guide
  • Special Education
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Learning Support Assistant

*The license issued is valid for 2 years and is renewable.

What documentation is required for the CDA Licensing?

  • Certificate of equivalency of the highest scientific certificate, whether Bachelor, Master or Doctorate from the Ministry of Education in UAE is a must.
  • Secondly an electronic copy of verification of academic qualifications and practical experience from the employer through verification procedures or otherwise called Dataflow.
  • Duly completed copy of Community Development Authority application form with signature of authorization letter.
  • Valid Passport copy of the candidate.
  • Last academic degree.
  • License to practice the profession (if any)
  • Experience certificates for the last three years.
  • Community Development Authority social profession license application form.
  • High quality personal image.
  • Marksheet / Transcript.
  • Equivalency report issued by UAE Ministry of Education for the highest academic degree.
  • Certificate of Good Conduct issued by Dubai Police (if the residence is in Dubai) or from the police department in the concerned Emirate or from the country of residence (if he resides in Dubai for less than 6 months)
  • Dataflow documents verification report

What are the criteria if applying for CDA licensing of a Social Therapist?

There are 4 categories under Social Therapist:

  1. Psychologist or Psychotherapist: Master’s degree in the various fields of Psychology
  2. Assistant Psychologist: Bachelor degree in Psychology (can work only under supervision of a licensed Psychologist)
  3. Behavioural  Analyst: Master’s degree in Psychology or education with Behavioural analysis specialization
  4. Assistant Behavioural  Analyst: Bachelors degree in Psychology or Education or Nursing with applied behaviour analysis program.

However, to ensure that your process of obtaining a CDA license is hassel-free and time saving, it is better to hire a consultant to complete the process. Besides, if you have any doubts in the process and not sure of what to do in a certain scenario, the consultant will also provide the required updated information and clear all your doubts.

While you have ways to get CDA license yourself, there are always higher chances of making mistakes as you don’t deal with such process in your daily routine and making mistakes can lead to unnecessary delays and complications. So, it usually best to prefer the services of professional consultant.

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FAQs

The CDA license allows an opportunity for educationalist working with children from birth to age 5 to demonstrate and strengthen their knowledge, understanding and practices when teaching in early education. CDA license also helps advance your career, meet job requirements, reiterate your commitment to early childhood education, provide parents with peace of mind, understand developmentally appropriate practice and lastly not forgetting to increase your confidence.

Social Worker, Social Therapist, Behavioural Analyst Assistant, Psychologist, Assistant Psychologist, Social Guide, Special Education, Special Education Teacher, Learning Support Assistant

Psychologist, such as Psychotherapists or Behavioural Psychologist, should seek a license from the CDA under the category of Social Therapist.

All expats applying to be licensed Psychologist in UAE for a professional license must sit for an examination. The exam is held every three months. you will be contacted by a CDA licensing representative to inform you of the exam date and preparation material.

As a minimum you should have a Master’s degree in counselling or psychology. You should also hold a license from CDA ( Community Development Authority) DHCC or DHA

A master degree in Special Education or a bachelor degree in special education with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the related field.

A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or Bachelor’s degree in Education or Behavioural Science.

A Master degree in Counselling or Psychology or education with specialization in counselling

If you studied in the UAE then a Master degree in education, Psychology or relevant discipline from outside of UAE, which has a certificate of equivalency from the Ministry of Education in the UAE.

Equivalency certification is the process by which the Ministry of Education in UAE endorse the educational qualification and confirm the education to be equal to UAE standard. It involves a few steps of certificate attestation at government departments in the country of origin of the document as will as in UAE.

Candidates looking to secure an equivalency certificate must follow a stringent procedure to get the final attestation done on their degree to apply for Equivalency certificate. With the assistance of our expert advice will help immensely along with the timely attestation of your documents for submission to Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR)

A candidate who has completed their studies from school or colleges and universities outside the UAE must present a certificate of equivalency for certain jobs categories like Doctors, Professors, Banking staff etc and to enroll for higher studies in the UAE.

Obtaining an equivalency certificate is a multi step process and requires careful attention to details, getting a document attested demands expertise and a full understanding of the procedures involved. Our team is well versed with the processes and will provide you the attested documents in a timely manner to ensure your equivalency certificate application is lodged quickly.

 

Prior to the submission of your documents for Equivalency and attestation, you should ensure having the original documents.

Applicants who finished their tertiary education abroad in the United Arab Emirates must receive an equivalency certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education

  • Make sure all the required attestation of the documents are finished.
  • If your university is not listed in MOE they will reject your documents.
  • Submit all your supporting documents like Genuity letter, Entry & exit status report, etc.
  • MOE wont accept any distance studies or online educational documents.
  • Make sure your details in the passport should be the same as your educational documents.

Foreign educational documents must be attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE which is the last step in the process. Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE will demand a UAE embassy stamp from the country of origin. Once the attestation process is completed the document must be submitted in the Ministry of Education along with other set of documents for approval.

MOFA UAE is the final government authority who stamp  a non-UAE certificates intended to be used in UAE. It is a mandated step for Equivalency certificate.

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