The National Registration Examination Step 2 clinical skills assessment will be held on January 24 and 25 and again on January 31 and February 1, 2026, organized by the National University of Medical Sciences under Section 18 of the Council Act 2022. The NRE Step 2 examination follows established legal requirements and is being administered to ensure consistent standards for medical practice in Pakistan.
Admit cards have been issued to all eligible candidates who are advised to reach their examination venues well in time. As mandated by law, the NRE is conducted twice a year and is open only to those who have passed NRE Step 1. A total of 1,849 graduates from across the country have registered for this sitting of NRE Step 2.
The NRE Step 2 CSE evaluates the clinical skills and professional competencies of foreign medical graduates to confirm they meet the standards required for practice in Pakistan. The examination is mandatory for foreign graduates holding Pakistani nationality who seek registration with the Council, ensuring patients across the country receive care from qualified practitioners.
The assessment comprises practical tasks such as patient interaction, clinical procedures and clinical decision-making, and is structured on the pattern of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. Candidates must pass both the theory paper and the clinical skills examination separately to clear NRE Step 2.
Spanning more than three and a half hours, the clinical skills exam includes 20 stations covering a range of medical disciplines. A minimum pass mark of 60 percent is required in both the theory and clinical components. Officials say the rigorous and transparent assessment process is designed to admit only competent professionals into the medical workforce and to preserve public trust and the quality of healthcare services.
Aspiring medical students have been advised to pursue studies only at international medical institutions recognised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to ensure quality education, improve chances of passing licensing examinations and facilitate effective integration into Pakistan’s national healthcare system upon return.
