What is PM&DC?
Complete Guide for Foreign MBBS Graduates
If you completed MBBS abroad and want to practise medicine in Pakistan, everything starts here — understanding what PMDC is, what it does, and why you cannot skip it.
What is PMDC — Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
PMDC stands for Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. It is the official regulatory body of Pakistan responsible for overseeing all doctors and dentists in the country.
Think of PMDC the way you would think of a licensing authority for any professional field. Just as an engineer needs to be licensed to practise engineering, a doctor in Pakistan must be registered with PMDC before they can legally see patients, prescribe medicine, or work in any hospital — public or private.
PMDC, PMC, or PM&DC — What is the Difference?
If you have seen all three names used and felt confused, you are not alone. Here is the short history:
| Name | Period | Status for You |
|---|---|---|
| PMDC — Pakistan Medical & Dental Council | Original name, used for decades | Still commonly used |
| PMC — Pakistan Medical Commission | Replaced PMDC in 2020 via PMC Act | Technically replaced |
| PM&DC — Pakistan Medical & Dental Council | Restored in 2022 via new ordinance | Current official name |
Why Does PMDC Matter for Foreign MBBS Graduates Specifically?
If you completed your MBBS in China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, or any other country — your degree is from a foreign institution. Pakistan does not automatically recognise foreign MBBS degrees for the purpose of clinical practice.
This is not a flaw in the system. It exists because medical training varies significantly between countries — in curriculum depth, clinical exposure, examination style, and language of instruction. The NRE exists to verify that every foreign graduate meets Pakistan’s minimum clinical competency standard before practising independently.
Who Needs PMDC Registration — and Who Needs the NRE?
Every doctor who wants to practise in Pakistan needs PMDC registration. But the path to registration differs depending on where you studied.
| Graduate Category | PMDC Registration Required | NRE Mandatory |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS from China 🇨🇳 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from Russia 🇷🇺 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from Tajikistan 🇹🇯 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from any other foreign country | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MBBS from a Pakistani medical college | ✅ Yes | ❌ No — different process |
What is the NRE and How Does it Connect to PMDC Registration?
The National Registration Examination (NRE) is the mandatory licensing exam that every foreign MBBS graduate must pass before PMDC grants full registration. You cannot skip it, substitute it, or bypass it with any certificate or experience letter.
It has two separate parts, both of which must be passed:
What Does Full PMDC Registration Give You?
Once you pass both NRE Step-1 and Step-2 and complete the PMDC registration process, you receive a permanent PMDC registration number — your doctor identity in Pakistan for the rest of your career.
Your Path from Foreign Graduate to PM&DC Registered Doctor
Here is the complete step-by-step journey from graduation to full PMDC registration — with realistic timeframes at each stage.
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Document verification with PMDC | 2–4 weeks |
| NRE Step-1 preparation | 3–6 months |
| NRE Step-1 exam and result | 4–6 weeks after exam |
| NRE Step-2 preparation | 4–6 weeks |
| NRE Step-2 exam and result | 4–6 weeks after exam |
| Final PMDC registration processing | 2–4 weeks |
| Total from graduation to registration | 6–12 months |
👉 See our 3-month and 6-month NRE Step-1 study plans →
Frequently Asked Questions About PMDC
Your First Steps After Reading This
Now that you understand what PMDC is and why registration matters, here is exactly what to do next — in order:
✅ Verify your university is on the PMDC recognised list
✅ Start gathering documents — degree, transcripts, internship certificate, CNIC, passport
✅ Do not wait for documents to be processed before starting NRE prep
✅ Identify your target NRE exam date and work backwards to build your study plan
✅ Start with free NRE Step-1 notes while your documents are being processed
Not Sure Where to Start?
Message us on WhatsApp with your graduation year, which country you studied in, and your target NRE date. We will tell you exactly which step to start, how long you need, and what your study plan should look like.