Certificates, and how to get them
Each requirement, what we accept for it, what the document has to show, and where you actually go to obtain it.
Read this first
This is guidance, not legal advice. Requirements differ by emirate, by the sport you coach, and by whether you work for yourself or for an academy — and the authorities change their rules. Confirm your own position with the relevant authority before you pay for anything.
We quote no fees on this page. Published figures for the same permit varied by a factor of three while this was written, and they move. A wrong number here is worse than none, because somebody budgets against it.
On this page
Required of every coach
Trade licence or freelance permit
What we accept
A trade licence in your own name covering sports instruction or coaching
A freelance permit whose activity list includes coaching or instruction
Your employer's licence, if you coach for an academy, club or gym — with a letter from them saying you coach under it
What the document has to show
- Your name, or your employer's name plus a letter naming you
- An activity that actually covers coaching. Sports instruction is activity code 8541.01
- A validity date that has not passed
How to obtain it
Through a mainland DED licence, or a free zone. Which free zones cover sports instruction changes — confirm your exact activity is on their list before you pay for anything.
Freelance permits are issued by several authorities and the rules move. TECOM's GoFreelance covers media, technology and education activities, which may not include sports coaching, and it suspended visa issuance in 2026 — so check the activity list and the visa position before choosing a route.
If you coach for an academy on their licence, you need nothing of your own — ask them for a letter.
Renewal
Annual, in almost every case. We ask for the expiry and stop listing you when it passes.
Where to go
Professional indemnity cover
What we accept
Professional indemnity cover, in your name or naming you under an employer’s policy
Public liability cover where your policy combines the two
What the document has to show
- The insurer, the policy number, who is covered, and the period of cover
How to obtain it
Any UAE insurer writing professional indemnity. Several package it specifically for fitness and sports professionals.
REPs UAE will ask for it as part of registering you, so it is worth arranging before you apply there rather than after.
If you coach for an academy, ask whether their policy names you. Often it does — and often it only covers sessions run under their roof.
Renewal
Annual. This is the one people forget, and it is the one that matters on the day it matters.
REPs UAE registration
What we accept
Current registration with REPs UAE — the UAE Register of Exercise Professionals
Level 3 is the level at which a personal trainer registers
What the document has to show
- Your name, your registration number, your level, and the expiry
How to obtain it
Apply on the REPs UAE site with your international certification, your current CPR or first aid certificate, and your professional indemnity insurance — the three things they will not process an application without.
Applications are typically processed in a few working days, longer if your qualification is from outside the UAE and an independent panel has to assess it.
Your employer can apply on your behalf and cover the cost. Many gyms and academies do.
Registration is maintained with CPD — continuing professional development logged as points, roughly an hour of learning per point.
Renewal
Registration lapses if it is not renewed and the CPD is not kept up. We track the expiry and stop listing you the day it passes.
Where to go
Coaching qualification
What we accept
Internationally recognised fitness certification: ACE, NASM, NSCA, ISSA, ACSM, or a UK Level 3 from Active IQ or CIMSPA
A sport federation qualification for a team sport: UEFA licences for football, ICC for cricket, FIBA for basketball, or the equivalent body for your sport
A national federation coaching award recognised by its international body
What the document has to show
- The awarding body, the level, your name, and the date awarded
How to obtain it
Fitness certifications are taken through the awarding body or an approved training provider — several teach them in the UAE, and most can be taken remotely.
Federation qualifications go through the sport's governing body, usually starting at an introductory level and progressing.
A qualification earned abroad is fine. If REPs UAE needs it assessed by a panel, that is normal and adds a few days.
Renewal
Most do not expire, though some require renewal. We record an expiry only where your certificate carries one.
First aid and CPR
What we accept
A current first aid and CPR certificate from a recognised awarding body — AHA, ASHI, Highfield (HABC) or Medic First Aid
In Dubai, a course from a provider approved by DCAS, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services
What the document has to show
- The awarding body, the course, your name, and the expiry
How to obtain it
Book a one or two day course with a DCAS-approved provider. There are many in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and several run sessions aimed specifically at coaches.
Take it before you apply to REPs UAE — they will not register you without a current one.
Renewal
Usually two years. Renew before it lapses; we stop listing you on the day it does.
Required if you coach under-18s
Child protection certificate
What we accept
A child protection or safeguarding certificate from a recognised provider
A sport federation's own safeguarding module, where your federation runs one
An academy's safeguarding training, if it is certificated and names you
What the document has to show
- The provider, your name, and the date — and, where the course sets one, an expiry
How to obtain it
Many international federations include a safeguarding module in their coaching pathway. If yours does, that is the simplest route.
Otherwise, a recognised child-protection course. It must be a course you completed and hold a certificate for — not a policy you have read.
This is separate from the duty to report, which is the law and applies to you whether or not you have taken any course.
Renewal
Where the course sets one, usually two or three years.
Police clearance certificate
What we accept
A UAE police clearance certificate — also called a good conduct certificate
From Dubai Police for Dubai, or from the Ministry of Interior for a federal certificate covering every emirate
What the document has to show
- Your name, the issuing authority, and the date of issue
How to obtain it
Apply through the Dubai Police website or app, signing in with UAE Pass — you give your Emirates ID details, the reason for the request, and your preferred language, then pay and submit.
For a federal certificate, use the Ministry of Interior portal's criminal record certificate service: complete the form, pay, and download it from your account.
Certificates are short-lived by design — a Dubai Police one runs a few months, the federal one shorter — so apply when you are ready to send us your profile, not months ahead.
Renewal
Short. We record the issue date, and we may ask for a fresh one.
Where to go
Recorded when you have it — never demanded
Dubai Sports Council approval
What we accept
Dubai Sports Council approval for a sports academy or coaching centre
A facility's DSC approval, where you coach inside a government-affiliated or public sports facility
What the document has to show
- The approved entity, and the period of approval
How to obtain it
Applied for alongside the trade licence, not instead of it. DSC will want the licence, passport and visa copies of the owners, facility details, and safety, insurance and operational plans.
If you coach as an individual on private pitches, you very likely do not need this — and we do not ask for it.
If you coach inside a government or public facility, ask that facility. Their approval usually covers the coaching that happens there.
Renewal
Set by the approval itself.
Where to go
The order that saves you the most time
These have dependencies. Done in the wrong order you wait twice for the same thing, and one of them expires while you wait.
Qualification first
It takes the longest and everything else refers to it. If you already hold one, skip to the next step.
First aid, then insurance
Both are quick, and REPs UAE will not process you without either. Doing them before you apply there saves a rejected application.
Then REPs UAE
With the qualification, the first aid and the insurance in hand it is a few working days — longer if your qualification is from outside the UAE and a panel has to assess it.
Your licence or permit alongside
Independent of the rest, so run it in parallel. Confirm the activity list covers coaching before paying.
Police clearance last
Only if you coach under-18s — and last on purpose, because it is short-lived. Applying early means applying twice.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Tell us what you coach, to whom, and where. We will tell you exactly what we need from you rather than leaving you to work it out.