About this guide
This guide helps US-trained Syrian physicians get their specialty recognized by the Syrian Board (الهيئة السورية للاختصاصات الطبية) and licensed to practice in Syria. It is written by volunteers. It is not an official government site.
Who it covers
- Covered: physicians who graduated from a Syrian medical school, or who were registered with the Syrian Physicians Syndicate (نقابة الأطباء) before, and who have US residency, fellowship or board certification.
- Not covered yet: graduates of medical schools outside Syria. The Board asks for an equivalency decision from the Ministry of Higher Education, and we don't know yet how to get it from the US.
How this information is gathered
Everything here comes from two sources: official documents (the Syrian Board's administrative order and application form, the embassy's notices, and US government letters and pages), and the shared experience of a group of physicians going through the process. Nothing is copied from unofficial websites.
When reports disagree, newer information wins.
What the labels mean
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Official | From a posted official document. |
| Reported by doctors | Reported by doctors who went through it, but not in an official document. |
| Still unclear | Reports disagree, or we don't know yet. Check before relying on it. |
Your privacy
This site has no accounts, no tracking and no ads. Your checklist progress and your answers to "What applies to me?" are saved only in your own browser. Clearing your browser data erases them.
Key offices and terms
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Syrian Board of Medical Specialties | الهيئة السورية للاختصاصات الطبية |
| Exams Department, Equivalency Section | دائرة الاختبارات – شعبة التعادل |
| Certificate review form | استمارة تمحيص الشهادات |
| Administrative order | أمر إداري |
| Specialty equivalency | تعديل الاختصاص / معادلة الاختصاص |
| Syrian Physicians Syndicate | نقابة الأطباء |
| Ministry of Health | وزارة الصحة |
| Ministry of Higher Education | وزارة التعليم العالي |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | وزارة الخارجية |
| Sworn translator | ترجمان محلف |
| Specialty practice license | مزاولة الاختصاص |
| Equivalency decision | قرار المعادلة |
Rules change often
Each step shows the date it was last checked. If an office tells you something different from this guide, follow the office.