The NRE Step I for foreign medical and dental graduates will be held on 14 December 2025 across major regional centres nationwide, with the exam conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences under PM&DC policy. A total of 7,076 candidates are registered to appear, including 6,989 medical graduates and 87 dental graduates.
Exam venues have been set in four cities: Islamabad/Rawalpindi will host 2,358 medical and 43 dental candidates, Karachi will accommodate 499 medical and 4 dental candidates, Lahore will have 3,562 medical and 30 dental candidates, and Peshawar will see 570 medical and 10 dental candidates. The National Registration Exam aims to assess the competence of foreign-qualified graduates seeking licensure in Pakistan.
As per PM&DC rules, no foreign graduate is eligible for provisional or permanent registration or independent practice until they pass the NRE Step I and subsequent steps where applicable. Candidates who successfully clear both steps of the National Registration Exam will be issued registration certificates in accordance with the relevant provisions of law.
All preparations for the examination have been completed. Candidates must report to their respective centres by 10:00 a.m. while the examination will commence at 12:00 p.m. Any candidate found violating prescribed Standard Operating Procedures will be barred from appearing in the examination.
PM&DC and NUMS have underscored the importance of a transparent, standardized, and internationally aligned examination system to protect patient safety and professional standards. PM&DC has also advised parents and students to enrol only in recognised, accredited, and PM&DC-approved medical and dental institutions abroad, warning that attendance at substandard colleges risks professional prospects, financial loss, and wasted years of training.
