How many attempts are allowed for the PM&DC NRE?

The 2024 standard of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) places no bar on the number of times a candidate may attempt the complete National Registration Examination (NRE). The exam is held at least twice a year. These are the terms of the 2024 standard, which applies to candidates who have graduated from PM&DC-approved foreign medical colleges with an MBBS/MD or equivalent degree and a PM&DC provisional licence; check PM&DC's current notice for the sitting you will take.

See Licensing exams for the examination and registration steps across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

How the NRE attempt rules work

The 2024 standard (National Registration Examination (Medical): Standard, Structure and Syllabus 2024, Pakistan Medical & Dental Council) sets the following in Section II:

1. No limit on complete-NRE attempts. There is no bar on the number of times a candidate can attempt the complete NRE. (Section II — Number of Attempts)
2. Frequency. The NRE will be held at least twice a year. (Section II — Frequency)
3. Theory pass, CSE fail. A candidate who passes the theory component but fails the Clinical Skills Examination (CSE) re-appears in the CSE component only and re-registers for the CSE only. (Section II — Passing criteria)
4. Three consecutive CSE failures. If a candidate fails in three consecutive attempts of the CSE, they must appear in both the theory and CSE components on the fourth attempt; that is, after every three failed attempts at the CSE, candidates sit the entire NRE. (Section II — Passing criteria; Section II — Validity states the same)
5. Validity of a theory pass. A theory pass remains valid for five years from the date of passing the theory component; the CSE must be passed within five years of passing the theory component. (Section II — Validity)

The NRE has two components: a theory component (200 MCQs) and the CSE. A candidate must pass both components separately to be declared successful, and only candidates who qualify in the theory component are eligible for the CSE. (Section II — Structure; Section II — Passing criteria)

Sources

• National Registration Examination (Medical): Standard, Structure and Syllabus 2024 — Pakistan Medical & Dental Council

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or professional-licensing advice, is not published by the bodies named, promises no admission, examination or registration outcome, and the official text and the regulator's own instructions prevail if they differ.