Sheikh Mohammed Issues New Law Regulating Engineering Consultancy in Dubai

DUBAI, UAE - October 6, 2025: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (14) of 2025, regulating the professional practice of engineering consultancy offices in the Emirate of Dubai.

The new law aims to enhance Dubai’s engineering consultancy sector, align practices with international standards, and classify service providers according to their technical, financial, and managerial competence. It also seeks to foster investment, remove administrative barriers, ensure timely project delivery, and attract global firms, cementing Dubai’s reputation as a leading international hub for engineering consultancy services.

Regulation of Practice and Licensing

The law prohibits any individual or entity from undertaking engineering consultancy activities without proper authorisation. These activities include all branches of engineering, architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, mining, petroleum, coastal, and geological engineering, among others.

Unlicensed individuals or offices are not permitted to present themselves as engineering consultancy firms or perform related services. Every office must hold a valid trade licence and be registered with Dubai Municipality, which maintains detailed records of each firm’s licensed scope, classification, and technical staff.

Additionally, offices are prohibited from operating beyond their licensed scope, employing unregistered engineers, or subcontracting unlicensed companies for consultancy work within the emirate.

Unified Electronic Registration System

To streamline operations, Dubai Municipality, in coordination with relevant authorities, will establish a unified electronic system integrated with the Invest in Dubai platform, created under Decree No. (13) of 2024.

This system will manage applications for office registration, determine classifications, issue competency certificates, and oversee all matters related to engineering consultancy in Dubai. The Municipality will operate and update the system to ensure seamless integration and efficient regulation.

A comprehensive registry of licensed engineering offices will be maintained, including details of classification, consultancy scope, and technical personnel. The Municipality will also continue approving classification systems for construction-related firms and issuing professional competency certificates to qualified engineers.

New Committee for Oversight and Development

The law mandates the establishment of a ‘Committee for the Regulation and Development of Engineering Consultancy Activities’, chaired by a representative from Dubai Municipality and composed of members from key government entities and industry stakeholders.

The committee, formed under Decree No. (1) of 2023, will oversee the sector’s governance, promote sustainable growth, and ensure compliance with Dubai’s broader development strategy.

Classification of Offices

The law defines several types of engineering consultancy offices eligible to operate in Dubai:

• Local companies founded within the emirate.
• Branches of UAE-based offices with at least three consecutive years of experience.
• Branches of foreign offices with a minimum of ten consecutive years of experience.

Joint ventures between local and foreign offices, where foreign partners have at least ten years of experience.

It also covers engineering advisory offices that provide expert opinions and consultancy services and engineering audit offices authorised to conduct third-party audits.

Fines, Violations, and Appeals

Violations of the new law may result in fines of up to AED 100,000 (USD 27,230), with increased penalties for repeat offences within the same year. Additional sanctions include temporary suspension of operations (up to one year), downgrading classification, deregistration, licence cancellation, or revocation of staff certificates.

Affected parties can file a written appeal within 30 days of notification, with the competent authority required to issue a final, binding decision within 30 days.

All existing engineering consultancy offices and staff must regularise their status within one year from the law’s effective date. Registrations expiring during this period may be renewed by committing to comply fully with the new provisions.

Legal Continuity and Implementation

The new law repeals Local Order No. (89) of 1994 and its amendments, which previously regulated the profession. However, any existing regulations or circulars under the old law will remain valid unless they conflict with the new provisions.

Law No. (14) of 2025 will be published in the Official Gazette and will take effect six months after its publication.