ISLAMABAD: The National Registration Examination (NRE) for foreign medical and dental graduates will be conducted across major regional centres of the country on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The examination will be administered by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, in accordance with the policy of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC). According to official data, a total of 7,076 foreign-qualified medical and dental graduates registered with PM&DC will appear in the examination, including 6,989 medical graduates and 87 dental graduates.
As per the statement issued by PM&DC, the NRE will be held at four examination centres nationwide. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, 2,358 medical and 43 dental candidates will appear, while Karachi will host 499 medical and four dental candidates. Lahore will have the highest number of candidates, with 3,562 medical and 30 dental graduates, whereas 570 medical and 10 dental candidates will take the examination in Peshawar.
These candidates have obtained their medical and dental degrees from institutions abroad and are seeking licensure to practice in Pakistan. Under PM&DC regulations, no foreign-qualified medical or dental graduate is eligible for provisional or permanent registration, or independent practice, without successfully qualifying the NRE. PM&DC stated that the examination system has been designed to remain transparent, standardized, and aligned with international benchmarks to assess the professional competence of returning graduates.
Candidates who successfully clear both steps of the NRE will be issued registration certificates in accordance with the relevant legal provisions. PM&DC confirmed that all necessary arrangements for the examination have been completed. Candidates have been instructed to report to their respective examination centres by 10:00 a.m., while the examination will commence at 12:00 noon. Any violation of the prescribed standard operating procedures will result in disqualification from the examination.
PM&DC has also advised parents planning to send their children abroad for medical or dental education to ensure admission only in recognized, accredited, and PM&DC-approved institutions, strictly in line with council policies. The council warned that non-compliance with these requirements may have serious consequences for prospective candidates.
Emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making, PM&DC urged parents and students to exercise caution and avoid enrolling in substandard or unrecognized medical and dental colleges abroad. The council noted that such decisions not only jeopardize students’ professional futures but also lead to the loss of valuable time, effort, and financial resources, stressing that responsible educational choices are vital for safeguarding both the integrity of the medical profession and the future of aspiring healthcare professionals.
