His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Issues New Law Regulating Engineering Consultancies in Dubai

Dubai has enacted new regulations governing engineering consultancy offices across the emirate, mandating proper authorisation and registration with Dubai Municipality for all engineering disciplines.

 

Under the authority of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Law No. (14) of 2025 regulates engineering consultancy activities in Dubai.

 

Licensing Requirements

The law prohibits individuals or entities from practising engineering consultancy without an approved licence. It applies to all engineering branches, including architectural, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical, mining, petroleum, chemical, coastal, and geological engineering.

 

It also bans any person or office from presenting themselves as an engineering consultancy without a valid trade licence and registration with Dubai Municipality, which must specify their classification, licensed scope, and qualified staff.

 

Offices are barred from operating beyond their licensed scope, employing unregistered engineers, or contracting unlicensed entities for consultancy services.

 

Types of Consultancy Offices

The law categorises engineering consultancy offices as:

 

• Local companies established in Dubai.

• Branches of UAE-based offices with at least three consecutive years of experience.

• Branches of foreign offices with at least ten consecutive years of experience.

• Joint ventures between local and foreign firms with a minimum of ten years’ consultancy experience.

• Advisory offices owned by registered engineers with no less than ten years of professional experience.

• Engineering audit offices authorised for third-party audits in consultancy activities.

 

Registration and Classification

The law defines the criteria and procedures for registration, renewal, deregistration, classification, and staff registration. It also governs office obligations and the validity of registration periods.

 

Unified Digital System

Dubai Municipality, in coordination with relevant authorities, will implement a unified electronic system linked to the ‘Invest in Dubai’ platform to manage applications, classifications, and issuance of professional competency certificates.

 

The Municipality will maintain a detailed registry of licensed offices, their classifications, technical staff, and authorised activities. It will regularly update company classifications and issue competency certificates to qualified technical staff.

 

Regulatory Committee

A permanent ‘Committee for the Regulation and Development of Engineering Consultancy Activities’ will be formed, appointed by the Chairman of The Executive Council.

 

Penalties and Enforcement

Violators may face fines of up to Dh100,000, with higher penalties for repeat offences within the same year. Additional sanctions include:

 

• Suspension for up to one year

• Downgrading classification

• Removal from registry

• Licence cancellation

• Suspension or removal of staff or engineers

• Notification to the UAE Society of Engineers

 

Affected parties may file written appeals within 30 days of notification. The committee’s decision will be final and communicated within five working days.

 

Compliance Period

Engineering consultancy offices and their staff must regularise their status within one year from the law’s effective date. Registrations expiring during this time may be renewed upon committing to full compliance.

 

The law will be published in the Official Gazette and take effect six months from the date of publication.

 

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