PM&DC Announces NRE Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam Schedule for January 2026, Over 1,800 Candidates to Participate

PM&DC Announces NRE Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam Schedule for January 2026

In a significant development for medical licensure in Pakistan, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has officially released the detailed schedule for the National Registration Examination (NRE) Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) test . The high-stakes examination is slated to be held across two consecutive weekends in late January 2026 , under the administrative umbrella of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) .

Key Examination Dates

According to the official notification, the NRE Step 2 CS exam will be conducted on the following days:

• Weekend 1: 24th and 25th January 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)

• Weekend 2: 31st January and 1st February 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)

This bifurcated schedule is designed to accommodate the substantial number of candidates efficiently. The PM&DC has confirmed that a total of 1,849 medical graduates from across Pakistan are eligible and registered to participate in this crucial assessment. The examination will be a pivotal step for these candidates towards achieving full medical registration and practicing within the country.

Eligibility and Exam Structure: A Rigorous Assessment

The council has reiterated a strict eligibility criterion: only those candidates who have successfully cleared the NRE Step 1 examination are permitted to attempt the Step 2 Clinical Skills test. This sequential structure ensures a standardized assessment of both foundational knowledge and practical, hands-on clinical competency.

The NRE Step 2 CS exam itself is a comprehensive evaluation. Candidates will face a rigorous testing protocol with a total duration of three and a half hours . The exam is meticulously divided to assess both theoretical understanding and practical aptitude. Crucially, the PM&DC mandates a minimum passing score of 60% in both the theory and practical sections independently . This dual requirement underscores the exam's objective to certify only those graduates who demonstrate all-round proficiency.

Core Objective: Upholding Medical Standards and Public Trust

The PM&DC, in its release, emphasized the overarching goal of the NRE. The examination framework is not merely a procedural hurdle but a cornerstone initiative aimed at ensuring uniform quality, standardizing skills, and bolstering public trust in the nation's healthcare sector . By rigorously evaluating the competencies of foreign medical graduates, the council seeks to align all practicing doctors with nationally recognized benchmarks of medical excellence.

In a related directive, the PM&DC continues to advise all aspiring medical professionals to pursue their education only from institutions recognized and accredited by the council . This warning is part of a broader effort to curb the practice of acquiring qualifications from unregulated or sub-standard foreign medical schools, which ultimately fail to meet the criteria for the NRE.

The Role of NUMS and the Path Forward

The conduct of the examination under the auspices of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) highlights the collaborative institutional effort to ensure the process's integrity and smooth execution. NUMS is expected to oversee the logistical, administrative, and academic aspects of the exam across the designated test centers.

For the 1,849 eligible candidates, the release of the schedule marks the beginning of a critical preparation phase. The NRE Step 2 Clinical Skills exam specifically focuses on real-world clinical abilities, including patient interaction, physical examination techniques, procedural knowledge, clinical judgment, and communication skills all vital for safe and effective patient care.

A Milestone for Medical Regulation

The announcement of the NRE Step 2 schedule is a milestone in Pakistan's ongoing journey to strengthen its medical regulatory framework. It represents a transparent, structured pathway for foreign medical graduates to demonstrate their readiness to serve in the country's health system. As the January 2026 dates approach, candidates are urged to focus their preparation on comprehensive clinical skill development to meet the challenging dual-pass criteria and contribute to a more robust, trusted healthcare environment in Pakistan.