Registration Exam Compulsory for Foreign Medical Graduates, Says PM&DC

Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has clarified that all foreign medical graduates (FMGs) must pass the National Registration Examination (NRE) before being granted a full licence to practice, stressing that patient safety remains its foremost priority.

According to the PM&DC, there are currently three categories of Pakistani nationals who pursued medical education abroad, mainly in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and other Central Asian states. Many of them began their studies under the now-defunct PMDC Ordinance 1962 and the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) Act 2020. With the promulgation of the PM&DC Act 2022 and the reconstitution of the Council in April 2023, a series of reforms have been introduced to improve standards of medical education and practice.

Under the new framework, only graduates from foreign institutions recognized by the PM&DC are eligible for provisional registration. However, they must clear the NRE before receiving a full licence. Graduates from institutions not recognized under the new law will only be registered after qualifying the NRE. The Council has also restricted NRE eligibility to institutions included in the ECFMG-accredited list, in line with global practices.

The PM&DC revealed that concerns had been raised by medical universities in Punjab regarding the quality of education in some foreign institutions. It further dismissed claims circulating on social media that 4,000–7,000 cases were pending, clarifying that the backlog stood at around 700. Many graduates have already requested their fees be adjusted against the upcoming NRE, which is scheduled for November 2025.

The Council stressed that licensing exams are an international standard, citing the USMLE in the United States, PLAB in the United Kingdom, and MCCQE in Canada as examples. “Every graduate stepping into professional life carries the responsibility of human care, and only those meeting required standards can be allowed to practice,” the PM&DC stated.

It maintained that its actions are fully in line with the law, aimed at ensuring transparency, safeguarding public interest, and upholding healthcare standards across Pakistan.