NRE Step-I 2026 New Date: PMDC Moves Exam to 8 November

The PM&DC National Registration Examination (NRE) Step-I has moved from Sunday 11 October 2026 to Sunday 8 November 2026. The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) confirmed the change in a public notice dated 5 October 2026, citing "unavoidable circumstances". Registration is not reopening: the portal closed on 15 September 2026, so this sitting is only for candidates who had already registered.

Here is what the new date means if you hold a foreign MBBS/BDS and want to work as a doctor or dentist in Pakistan.

NRE Step-I 2026: key facts at a glance

New exam date: Sunday 8 November 2026 (it was Sunday 11 October 2026).
Notice: PM&DC public notice No. Exam-97/2026, dated 5 October 2026, issued by the Examinations Department.
Conducted by: National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, on behalf of PM&DC.
Registration: the portal opened on 27 August 2026 and, after an extension, closed on 15 September 2026.
Who it is for: Pakistani nationals with a primary medical or dental qualification from a recognised foreign institution.
Official updates: pmdc.pk only.

Why the NRE matters for your medical career

Under Section 18 of the PM&DC Act 2022, foreign medical graduates have to pass the NRE before they can get a full licence to practise in Pakistan as a general practitioner. In practice, the NRE stands between a foreign degree and a job in a Pakistani hospital, clinic or public-sector health post. Candidates have to pass both parts, the theory (Step-I) and the clinical skills examination (Step-II).

Who is eligible

In a notice dated 31 July 2026, PM&DC repeated that only Pakistani nationals whose primary medical or dental qualification comes from an institution recognised by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) can sit the NRE, provided they meet the other requirements. The same notice says medical and dental institutions in Afghanistan are not currently ECFMG-recognised, so their graduates cannot take the NRE or register with PM&DC to practise. PM&DC also says it will not consider requests for exemptions or relaxations.

NRE structure and passing criteria

PM&DC's published NRE (Medical) Standard, Structure and Syllabus sets out the format:

Step-I (theory): 200 MCQs, mostly computer-based. 70% (140 MCQs) come from clinical sciences and 30% (60 MCQs) from basic sciences.
Step-II (Clinical Skills Examination, CSE): an OSCE-style exam with 20 stations, 8 minutes per station plus 2 minutes to change over. It lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes including the briefing.
Pass mark: at least 60% in each component, passed separately. The CSE has three mandatory stations, and failing any one of them means failing the CSE even if your overall score is 60% or more.
No negative marking in either component.
Only Step-I passers can go on to the CSE.
Validity: a theory pass lasts five years, and the CSE must be passed within that time.
Attempts: there is no limit on attempts at the full NRE. If you fail the CSE three times in a row, you have to sit both components again.

What about NRE Step-II dates?

PM&DC's 2026 calendar (notice dated 1 April 2026) lists the second-session Step-II dates as 28–29 November 2026 and 5–6 December 2026. The 5 October notice only moves Step-I. As of 25 October 2026, PM&DC's news page shows no revised Step-II schedule. Because Step-I now falls much closer to those dates, check pmdc.pk regularly before you make travel or leave plans.

How to prepare for 8 November: a practical checklist

Don't reuse an old admit card. PM&DC had not given a new admittance-card date when this article was updated. Keep an eye on your registered email and pmdc.pk, and print whatever is issued for 8 November.
Prepare your ID. PM&DC's standing exam-day alert says you will not be let in without your admittance card and your original CNIC, NICOP or passport.
Arrive early. The alert gives a reporting time of 7:30 AM, and entry closes after 9:00 AM.
Bring only what is allowed: a transparent clipboard and blue or black ballpoint pens. Electronic gadgets, food and weapons are banned, and PM&DC advises leaving valuables at home.
Use the extra four weeks well. Clinical sciences make up 70% of the paper, so focus your revision there and take timed 200-MCQ mock tests.
Plan your job search now. Get your CV and documents ready so you can apply for house jobs or medical officer posts as soon as you are licensed.

Beware of fake "NRE" offers

PM&DC handles NRE notices, registration and results only through its own website and NRE portal. Ignore WhatsApp messages or agents who promise "guaranteed" passes, leaked papers, late registration for a fee, or exemptions. PM&DC has said in writing that it will not grant exemptions or special dispensations. If you are unsure about a message, compare it with the notices on pmdc.pk.

Find your next role after the NRE

Once you are licensed, browse doctor jobs and healthcare jobs, or see all jobs in Pakistan. Punjab candidates may also want to read our guide to Punjab Healthcare Commission jobs, and our CV format guide for Pakistan will help you get your application ready.

Frequently asked questions

What is the new date of NRE Step-I 2026?

Sunday 8 November 2026. PM&DC moved it from Sunday 11 October 2026 in a public notice dated 5 October 2026.

Can I still register for the 8 November NRE?

No new registration window has been announced. The extended deadline was 15 September 2026, and the rescheduling notice does not reopen the portal.

Who conducts the NRE?

The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, conducts the exam on behalf of PM&DC.

What is the passing mark for the NRE?

At least 60% in the theory (MCQs) component and 60% in the Clinical Skills Examination, passed separately. You also have to clear all three mandatory CSE stations. There is no negative marking.

Can graduates of Afghan medical colleges sit the NRE?

No. PM&DC's notice of 31 July 2026 says institutions in Afghanistan are not currently ECFMG-recognised, so their graduates are not eligible.

Sources

By the Jobsiz Editorial Team · Updated 25 October 2026. Exam dates can change, so always confirm on pmdc.pk before travelling.