PMDC Extends NRE Step-I Registration Deadline to Sep 15

PMDC Extends NRE Step-I Registration Deadline to September 15, 2026

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has extended the registration deadline for the National Registration Examination (NRE) Step-I to September 15, 2026. Candidates who have not yet completed their applications can now do so by submitting the prescribed fee before the revised closing date.

According to the council's public notice issued on September 9, the examination itself will still be held as originally planned, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and will be conducted through the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi.

Background of the Extension

This latest notice follows PMDC's earlier announcement dated August 21, 2026, which had opened the NRE Step-I online registration portal on August 27 and set the original closing date at September 10, 2026. With the new extension, candidates now have a few additional days to complete the registration process without affecting the confirmed exam date of October 11.

PMDC has not published a detailed explanation for the extension in its public notice, but such extensions are typically issued to accommodate candidates facing portal traffic, payment delays, or last-minute documentation issues during the closing days of registration. The council has reiterated that the exam date itself remains unchanged, meaning the extension applies strictly to the registration window and not to the test schedule.

What Is NRE Step-I

The National Registration Examination (NRE) is the mandatory licensing test administered by PMDC for Pakistani nationals who have completed their MBBS or BDS degrees from foreign medical and dental institutions. Clearing NRE Step-I is a required step before a foreign-qualified graduate can proceed toward full registration as a general practitioner in Pakistan.

The exam is designed to assess whether foreign-qualified graduates meet the same competency standards expected of doctors and dentists trained within Pakistan, ensuring a uniform benchmark across the healthcare system regardless of where a candidate obtained their degree. NRE Step-I is generally followed by NRE Step-II, which evaluates clinical skills, making Step-I the first formal checkpoint in the licensing pathway for overseas graduates.

PMDC typically conducts NRE-I in two sessions each year. For 2026, the first session was held in May, while the second session — the one affected by this deadline extension — is scheduled for October 11.

Who Should Register

The NRE Step-I exam is intended for foreign-qualified Pakistani nationals holding MBBS or BDS degrees who wish to pursue registration as general practitioners in Pakistan. Candidates who graduated from institutions outside Pakistan and intend to practice within the country must clear this exam as part of the mandatory licensing process outlined under the PMDC Act.

Given the recurring nature of these exam cycles, candidates who miss a particular session's registration window typically must wait for the next scheduled cycle, which is one reason PMDC's registration extensions tend to draw significant attention from prospective applicants each year.

How to Register for NRE Step-I

Candidates who still need to complete their registration can do so through PMDC's official online NRE portal. The process generally involves the following steps:

Access the official PMDC portal — Candidates should only use PMDC's verified website to begin registration and avoid third-party or unofficial platforms for submitting personal or payment details.
Select the relevant exam session and city — Applicants choose their preferred exam city for the October 11 session, as available seats may vary by location.
Fill out the application form carefully — All personal, academic, and degree-related information should be entered accurately, as incomplete or incorrect submissions can lead to rejection or delays.
Upload required documents — Candidates are usually required to submit scanned copies of their academic credentials, degree verification documents, and identification as specified by PMDC.
Pay the prescribed registration fee — Payment must be completed within the extended deadline of September 15, 2026, to finalize the registration.
Download the admit card closer to the exam date — PMDC typically issues admit cards a couple of weeks before the scheduled exam via email, so candidates are advised to monitor their inbox, including spam folders, during that period.

Why Candidates Should Register Early

Even with the extended deadline, PMDC has consistently advised applicants against waiting until the final days to register. Heavy traffic on the online portal close to a deadline can lead to technical delays, failed payment confirmations, or last-minute submission errors that may not be resolved in time. Registering well ahead of the September 15 cutoff reduces the risk of being locked out of the October exam session due to a technical issue outside the candidate's control.

Applicants are also encouraged to double-check that their documents meet PMDC's specifications before uploading, since incomplete applications may be cancelled rather than flagged for correction, potentially forcing a candidate to wait for the next NRE cycle.

Key Details at a Glance

Revised registration deadline: September 15, 2026
Original registration deadline: September 10, 2026
Exam date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Exam conducted by: National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi
Notice issued on: September 9, 2026
Eligible candidates: Foreign-qualified Pakistani MBBS/BDS graduates seeking national registration

Staying Updated

PMDC has advised all applicants to regularly check its official website for further updates, as the council may issue additional notices regarding the registration process, admit card release, or exam-day instructions closer to October 11. Candidates are also encouraged to rely only on PMDC's official communication channels to avoid misinformation that sometimes circulates during high-traffic registration periods.

As the October 11 session approaches, this extended window gives remaining candidates a final opportunity to complete their registration and confirm their place in the upcoming NRE Step-I examination.