Egypt
Egypt offers two main pathways. EMLE is the national licensing exam for medical practice. The Egyptian Board and the Arab Board are postgraduate specialty training routes. Both are open to Egyptian and international doctors.
For international medical graduates the Egyptian Board application is separate from the Egyptian applicants route, with its own steps, fees and timelines — and the fee difference is large. Where an Egyptian candidate pays EGP 400 for a final certificate, a non-Egyptian pays EGP 10,000.
Your pathway
- Check eligibility
- Pass the licensing exam
- Register with the authority
- Specialty or board exam
Exams and products
EMLE — Egyptian Medical Licensing Exam
Egyptian Board — Internal Medicine
Egyptian Board — General Surgery
Egyptian Board — Pediatrics
Egyptian Board — Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Egyptian Board — Family Medicine
Egyptian Board — Hepatology & Gastroenterology
Egyptian Board — Pediatric Surgery
Egyptian Board — Application Support
Arab Board
Language requirements
Most authorities ask for an English test. Germany asks for German.
All Egyptian Board fees on these pages are in Egyptian pounds (EGP).
Registration with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate
Separate from the licensing exam and the Board routes, doctors practising in Egypt register with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (نقابة الأطباء) — more than 230,000 members — which works alongside the Ministry of Health and maintains the specialist and consultant registers.
For holders of certificates from abroad, the Syndicate publishes three requirements:
- Official equivalency of the foreign medical certificate from the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities
- Submit the original authenticated certificate to the Syndicate
- For a British Fellowship or American Board, the certificate must be authenticated by the British Council or the US Embassy and by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication office, then copies submitted with the original for inspection
Specialist (أخصائي) registration:
| Qualification | Assistant Specialist | Specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Master's · Egyptian Fellowship · Arab or Military Board · British Fellowship · Fach Arzt · French DIS/DES | — | Immediately |
| Diploma · MRCS | Immediately | 3 years |
Consultant (استشاري) registration:
| Qualification | Consultant | Senior Consultant |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate · American Board | Immediately | 5 years |
| Egyptian Fellowship · Arab or Military Board · British Fellowship | 4 years | 9 years |
| Master's · Fach Arzt · French DIS/DES | 7 years | 12 years |
| Royal College Membership | 10 years | 15 years |
| Practitioner Diploma | 10 years | — |
Complementary qualifications shorten the Specialist-to-Consultant wait: an additional Egyptian or British Fellowship by 3 years; a Master's, Royal College Membership, Fach Arzt or French DIS/DES by 2 years; an additional Diploma or MRCS by 1 year. The additional degree must be in the same general specialty or a directly related subspecialty, and a doctor may register in only one subspecialty in current practice.
Syndicate card (كارنيه): 75 EGP in Arabic, 150 EGP in English. The general membership fee and annual subscription are not published.
Contact: 02-27943166 · info@ems.org.eg · 42 Kasr Al-Ainy Street, Cairo.
The Foreign Medical Expert Route
For a foreign doctor visiting Egypt in an expert capacity (استقدام خبير طبي أجنبي):
- An official request to the Secretary-General of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, specifying the visit period, the expert's name and specialty, with a CV and passport copy attached
- The Syndicate asks the relevant Egyptian medical association for technical endorsement
- After approval, fees are paid at the treasury
- The Syndicate issues a final approval letter addressed to the Ministry of Health