ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has issued another clarification regarding the registration process for foreign medical graduates (FMGs), seeking to end confusion circulating on social media about who is eligible for provisional registration and who must pass the National Registration Examination (NRE) before obtaining a license to practice.
The clarification comes at a time when hundreds of FMGs are anxiously seeking guidance on their status under the current law.
Legal framework and context
PMDC’s statement explains that Pakistan’s regulatory environment for medical education has evolved over the years — from the PMDC Ordinance of 1962 to the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) Act of 2020, and now the PMDC Act of 2022, under which the present Council was reconstituted in April 2023.
Related story: Pakistan eases pathway for foreign medical graduates in landmark policy shift
The Council claims its reforms are aimed at improving medical education standards within Pakistan while also protecting patients by ensuring that foreign-trained Pakistani doctors meet minimum competency requirements before they are allowed to practice.
Who gets provisional registration
Under the PMDC Act 2022, only graduates of foreign medical institutions duly recognized by PM&DC are eligible for provisional registration. This provisional registration allows them to undergo house jobs or clinical training before appearing in the NRE.
Who must pass NRE first
Graduates from unrecognized foreign institutions — including those who began their studies under the previous PMDC or PMC laws — must first pass the NRE before they can obtain provisional registration or a full license to practice.
This rule applies across the board, regardless of when or where the student enrolled, ensuring that only doctors trained at acceptable standards are permitted to enter the healthcare system.
Eligibility to appear in NRE
PM&DC further clarified that only graduates of foreign institutions listed in internationally recognized directories, such as those used by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) are eligible to sit for the NRE.
This, the Council notes, is consistent with global practice — for instance, the US requires foreign doctors to pass the USMLE, the UK requires PLAB (or GMC-approved alternatives), and Canada requires the MCCQE before granting licenses to practice.
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Clarification on pending applications
Addressing rumors that 4,000–7,000 FMGs are waiting for registration, PMDC said these claims are factually incorrect. The Council confirmed that it currently has a backlog of just over 700 applications, several of which are in process. Some candidates have requested that their registration fees be adjusted against their upcoming NRE examination fee.
Next steps: NRE in November 2025
PMDC announced that the next NRE is scheduled for November 2025, with a detailed timetable to be published soon. The Council urged all FMGs to prepare for the exam and use official PM&DC channels for information and updates rather than relying on unverified social media claims.
Why this matters — Patient safety first
The Council emphasized that its policies are not meant to penalize graduates but to ensure that only competent, qualified doctors are allowed to treat patients independently.
“Every graduate stepping into professional life carries the responsibility of human care,” PMDC said. “The Council is duty-bound to ensure that only those who meet the required standards are allowed to practice.”
PMDC reiterated that licensing exams are not a new phenomenon — they have been part of Pakistan’s medical regulation since the early 1990s — and are a global standard for ensuring that foreign-trained doctors meet local expectations of knowledge, skills, and patient care.
Bottom line for FMGs
- If your medical school is PMDC-recognized: You may apply for provisional registration but still must pass the NRE for a full license.
- If your medical school is not recognized: You must clear the NRE first before you can receive provisional registration.
- All FMGs: Check PMDC’s recognition list, register for the NRE, and follow official communications to avoid misinformation.
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