Your pathway through the General Surgery residency
- 1Selection exam (OMRSE)
150 single-best-answer MCQs in 2 hours 45 minutes, delivered by Pearson VUE. Required for entry to OMSB residency.
Practise for the OMRSE → - 2Application & interview
Apply through the OMSB e-portal (typically November–December), then interview with the General Surgery Education Committee (January–February). Matching follows in April and results in May.
- 3Residency training
Training starts on 1 September and lasts 5 years, with end-of-year written exams (pass mark 50% in R1–R2 and 60% from R3) and workplace assessments.
- 4OMSB Part I
Written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes, usually taken in R2. It must be passed to progress from R3 to R4; a maximum of three attempts applies.
- 5OMSB Part II
Final written exam (5 hours) followed by a clinical exam for those who pass the written part — first sitting in the last six months of training.
- 6Specialty certificate
“Oman Medical Specialty Board in General Surgery”.
General Surgery Part I blueprint
- 1Surgical anatomy15%
- 2Surgical physiology15%
- 3Surgical pathology12%
- 4Trauma8%
- 5Surgical critical care6%
- 6Haemostasis and transfusion6%
- 7Surgical infection and surgical complications6%
- 8Surgical oncology6%
- 9Priniciples of perioperative management6%
- 10Fluid and electrolyte4%
- 11Burn4%
- 12Principles of transplant4%
- 13Principles of anaesthesia and pain management4%
- 14Research, ethics, professionalism and patient safety4%
- Accepted difference: +/-10% overall
General Surgery Part II blueprint
- 1Lower gastrointestinal tract (appendix, colon ,rectum and anus)10%
- 2Hepatobiliary (liver ,gb pancreas and spleen)9%
- 3Acute surgery (including gi bleed and perforation)9%
- 4Surgical oncology ,abdominal wall and soft tissue tumors (management)8%
- 5Other speciality (vascular ,paediatric ,plastic and thoracic –lungs and mediastinum))8%
- 6Upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus ,stomach and small intestine7%
- 7Breast surgery6%
- 8Endocrine surgery6%
- 9Transplant principles and management5%
- 10Trauma ,systemic response to injury4%
- 11Surgical complications4%
- 12Hernia surgery4%
- 13Bariatric surgery and management4%
- 14Surgical critical care ( haemodynamics ,oxygen transport and shock)3%
- 15Principles of preoperative /postoperative evaluation and management3%
- 16Surgical infection2%
- 17Haemostasis and use of blood products2%
- 18Principles of anaesthesia and pain management2%
- 19Biostatistics,epidemiology,critical appraisal and evidence based)2%
- 20Medical ethics ,professionalism and legal responsibility2%
Admission requirements
Eligibility
- MBBS/MD or equivalent from an accredited college
- Completed internship year
- Medically fit for the chosen specialty
- Pass the OMRSE selection exam and the interview
- Three consultant recommendation letters and sponsor release approval
- Non-Omanis: financial sponsorship for the full training period
Documents
- Employer approval form and OMSB-format CV
- National ID / passport and 2×2 photo
- MD certificate and transcripts (foreign degrees attested and equated)
- Internship certificate
- Valid BLS and ACLS
- Health assessment with serology results
- Non-Omanis: good standing, non-conviction and Dataflow-verified certificates
Frequently asked questions
How do I get into the OMSB General Surgery residency?
Applicants need an MBBS/MD or equivalent, a completed internship and medical fitness. They then sit the Oman Medical Residency Selection Examination (OMRSE), apply through the OMSB e-portal and attend an interview with the programme’s Education Committee. Non-Omani applicants need financial sponsorship for the full training period.
How long is the OMSB General Surgery residency?
According to OMSB, the General Surgery programme lasts 5 years. OMSB bylaws allow up to two extra years for residents who do not complete training in the expected time.
What is in the OMSB General Surgery Part I exam?
The Part I written exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and covers 14 blueprint categories. The published blueprint allows an overall difference of ±10% from the stated weights.
What is in the OMSB General Surgery Part II exam?
The Part II written exam lasts 5 hours and covers 20 blueprint categories. Candidates who pass the written part go on to the clinical part.
How many attempts are allowed for OMSB Part I and Part II?
OMSB’s Part I & II examination rules allow a maximum of three Part I attempts, with re-sits within one year of the first attempt. For Part II, candidates who fail may have further attempts within three years of the first attempt, after which additional training is required. Rules can change, so always check the current OMSB policy.
What certificate do I receive?
Residents who complete training and pass Part II receive the OMSB Specialty Certificate, titled “Oman Medical Specialty Board in General Surgery”.
Blueprints are taken from the official OMSB Written Examination Section documents. Programme details come from omsb.gov.om. This is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Oman Medical Specialty Board — always confirm current rules with OMSB.