The National Registration Examination Step 2 Clinical Skills Examination will be held on January 24 and 25, 2026 and again on January 31 and February 1, 2026, with the National University of Medical Sciences organising the sessions under Section 18 of the Council Act 2022.
Admit cards have been issued to all eligible candidates, who are advised to arrive at their examination venues well in time. As prescribed by law, the NRE is held twice yearly and is open only to candidates who have already passed NRE Step 1. A total of 1,849 graduates from across Pakistan have registered for this round of NRE Step 2.
The NRE Step 2 CSE assesses clinical skills and professional competencies of foreign medical graduates to ensure they meet the standards required for safe practice in Pakistan. The practical assessment follows an Objective Structured Clinical Examination format, testing patient interaction, clinical procedures and clinical decision making. Candidates must pass theory and the CSE components separately.
Spanning more than three and a half hours, the clinical exam comprises 20 stations that cover a range of medical disciplines, and a minimum pass mark of 60 percent is required in both theory and clinical components. Officials say the rigorous and transparent assessment safeguards public trust and helps maintain the quality of healthcare services nationwide.
Foreign medical graduates holding Pakistani nationality must pass NRE Step 2 to obtain registration with the Council. Prospective medical students have been advised to pursue admission only in international institutions recognised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, since recognised training improves the chances of success in licensing examinations and supports effective reintegration into Pakistan’s national healthcare system.
