PMDC announces NRE Step-II dates for foreign medical graduates
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced the dates for NRE Step-II, following the successful completion of NRE Step-I on December 14, 2025. The National Registration Examination (NRE) serves as a key component in the registration process for foreign-trained medical and dental professionals aspiring to practice in Pakistan.
PM&DC has scheduled NRE Step-II to take place on January 24 & 25, 2026, and again on January 31 & February 1, 2026. The online registration portal will be open for candidates from January 2, 2026, to January 12, 2026, allowing prospective candidates to submit their applications.
NRE Step-I results and insights
The NRE Step-I exam, held on December 14, 2025, was conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, in accordance with PM&DC policy. The results for the Step-I exam were announced on December 24, 2025, with 7,076 candidates registering for the exam, including 6,993 medical and 83 dental candidates. Of those, 7,012 candidates appeared for the exam, with 1,473 passing, resulting in a medical pass percentage of 21.17% and a dental pass percentage of 7.23%.
The passing of NRE Step-I is a crucial step for foreign medical graduates to continue their journey towards practicing medicine or dentistry in Pakistan, and Step-II serves as the next phase of this process.
Details on NRE Step-II and key insights
NRE Step-II is the clinical examination designed to assess the practical and clinical knowledge of candidates, focusing on their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. As per the PMDC policy, two NRE exams for foreign medical graduates are held annually, with this being the second opportunity in 2025 for candidates who may not have successfully passed in previous attempts.
The exam results for NRE Step-II will determine whether the candidates are eligible for provisional registration by PMDC, which allows them to undertake house jobs within the country or abroad. Once candidates successfully pass both Step-I and Step-II, they will receive PM&DC's provisional registration certificate.
Amnesty for candidates who exhausted three attempts
Additionally, PMDC announced a one-time amnesty for candidates who have exhausted their three attempts in the NRE examinations and failed to meet the 70% passing requirement. These candidates will now be allowed one additional attempt as part of the council's decision to provide a fair opportunity for professionals.
Encouraging international standards and education choices
As PMDC continues to advocate for high standards in the medical and dental professions, they remind parents and students about the importance of choosing quality international educational institutions for medical and dental studies. By selecting accredited schools, graduates will ensure a smooth transition to professional careers in Pakistan and beyond.
PMDC's advisory also extends to the ongoing emphasis on health professionals choosing institutions that are recognized internationally, so their years of hard work do not go to waste. This initiative is a part of PMDC's commitment to ensure that Pakistan's healthcare system is supported by well-trained, ethical, and skilled professionals.
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