Zulkarnain was born in Batubara, North Sumatra, on 12 March 1969 and holds a master's in health financing and insurance policy from UGM. He worked for BRR Aceh-Nias and, as an Aceh government civil servant, headed the Subulussalam city health office, later becoming a lecturer at the Medan health training centre. His wife, Dr. Nanda Earlia, is a specialist at Zainoel Abidin hospital and lecturer at USK's medical faculty. In 2024 he explored a run for regent of Batubara.