If you are a medical student or a practicing doctor in Pakistan, PMDC is the most important regulatory body you need to know about. Without PMDC registration, you cannot legally practice medicine or dentistry anywhere in Pakistan. This guide explains everything in simple, easy language. From what PMDC is, to how you register, to the latest 2026 updates.
What is PMDC?
PMDC stands for Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. It is a statutory regulatory authority. The government of Pakistan established it to control and regulate medical education and medical practice across the entire country.
PMDC ensures the highest standards in the registration, regulation, and licensing of medical and dental professionals across Pakistan. It also plays a key role in accrediting medical and dental institutions, administering examinations such as the MDCAT, and maintaining an up-to-date register of qualified practitioners.
In simple words, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is the gatekeeper of the medical profession in Pakistan. It decides who can practice medicine and who cannot.
A brief history of PMDC
Understanding the history of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council helps you understand why it matters so much today.
The Pakistan Medical Council was initially established in 1948 by adopting the British Indian Medical Council Act 1933. It was later reorganized under the Pakistan Medical Council Act 1951. In 1962, the Pakistan Medical Council Ordinance established the present-day Pakistan Medical and Dental Council as a statutory body.
So PMDC has been regulating Pakistan’s medical profession for over 60 years.
In October 2019, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council was dissolved and replaced by the Pakistan Medical Commission. However, in 2022, the Islamabad High Court restored PMDC and declared the formation of PMC illegal.
This means PMDC is now back as the official and legal regulatory authority. All doctors and dentists must deal with PMDC for their registration and licensing needs.
What does PMDC actually do?
PMDC performs many important functions. Here is a clear breakdown:
Registered Doctors and Dentists. Every MBBS and BDS graduate must register with PMDC before starting to practice. All medical and dental practitioners and students are required to register with the council to legally practice medicine and dentistry in Pakistan.
Accredits Medical Colleges PMDC checks whether medical and dental colleges meet the required standards. If a college is not recognized by PMDC, its graduates face serious problems during registration.
Conducts MDCAT PMDC oversees the Medical and Dental College Admission Test. This is the entry exam for all students who want to study MBBS or BDS in Pakistan.
Conducts NEB and NRE Exams PMDC runs through the National Examination Board and the National Registration Examination for graduates who studied abroad.
Takes Disciplinary Action PMDC has the right to take disciplinary action against any registered physician, dentist, or medical facility that disobeys its code of ethics. Penalties, registration cancellation, and suspension are examples of punitive measures.
Anyone can search for a doctor’s registration status on the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council portal. This protects patients from fake doctors.
Why every doctor in Pakistan needs PMDC registration
This is the most important point. PMDC registration is not optional. It is the law.
Without a valid PMDC license, you cannot work in any government or private hospital. You cannot open your own clinic. You cannot prescribe medicine legally or cannot apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia, UAE, or any other Gulf country or also you cannot get a Good Standing Certificate for international practice.
Your entire medical career depends on your Pakistan Medical and Dental Council registration being active and valid.
How to register with PMDC online in 2026
PMDC has made the registration process fully digital. The online portal allows doctors to handle all their regulatory requirements, so they can primarily focus on the healthcare of patients. All registrations, credentialing, verification, and licensing needs can be addressed in minutes through the digital platform.
Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal. Go to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council official website and create your account. Click on the signup option.
Step 2: Select Your Registration Type. Choose the appropriate category. Select Doctor for MBBS graduates or Dentist for BDS graduates. This selection determines the subsequent forms and requirements tailored to your professional track.
Step 3: Fill in Your Personal Details. Enter your full name, CNIC number, date of birth, address, and contact information. Make sure all details are accurate.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents Applicants must provide CNIC or passport, MBBS or BDS degree, a recent photo, and proof of house job completion where applicable.
Step 5: Pay the Registration Fee. Pay the required fee through the online payment options available on the portal.
Step 6: Wait for Verification. PMDC checks your information once you submit the necessary paperwork and payments. This process usually takes four to six weeks. Your registration certificate will arrive if your application is accepted.
PMDC registration for foreign medical graduates
If you studied medicine abroad, the process is slightly different but very important to understand.
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has introduced a mandatory online registration process for all students who enroll in foreign medical institutions. This is a critical step that establishes a direct link between a student’s foreign education and their goal of practicing medicine in Pakistan.
Upon successful completion of their medical education overseas, these graduates become eligible to sit for the National Registration Examination in Pakistan. Passing the NRE is the ultimate gateway for foreign medical graduates to obtain their license and legally practice as doctors in Pakistan.
So, if you are studying in China, Russia, Ukraine, or any other country, register with PMDC from day one. Do not wait until you graduate.
Also remember this important advice: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has issued a strong advisory to all students that it is their personal responsibility to verify the accreditation status of any foreign institution before seeking admission. This proactive step can save students from immense future complications regarding the recognition of their degrees in Pakistan.
PMDC new rules and updates 2026
PMDC made some important decisions in early 2026 that every doctor must know about.
In a meeting of its Postgraduate Medical Education Committee held on 7 January 2026, the Council resolved that postgraduate qualifications acquired from unrecognized training sites and not falling within the amnesty deadline of 31 December 2023 cannot be registered.
This means if you completed your MS, MD, FCPS, or any postgraduate degree from an unrecognized training site, and you missed the December 2023 amnesty deadline, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council will not register your qualification. This is a very serious matter for postgraduate doctors.
The Council clarified that the PMDC Act 2022 does not have a retrospective effect. Candidates enrolled or qualified before 16 January 2023 will be assessed under the previously applicable legal framework. However, candidates enrolled after that date must ensure that their qualification, degree-awarding institution, and training site are duly recognized by PMDC.
PMDC gets international recognition
This is very good news for Pakistani doctors. PMDC recently achieved a major international milestone.
PM&DC has achieved accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education. This recognition confirms that Pakistan’s medical education standards now meet international benchmarks. For Pakistani doctors who want to work abroad, this is excellent news. It means your PMDC registered degree carries more weight globally than before.
PMDC other services you should know about
PMDC provides many services beyond basic registration. These include Faculty Registration for professors teaching in medical colleges, Temporary License for doctors working in special circumstances, Duplicate License if your original certificate is lost, Attestation and Verification of License for doctors applying abroad, and Certificate of Good Standing for international job applications.
All these services are now available through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council online portal. You do not need to visit the office for most of these requests.
How to verify a doctor through PMDC
PMDC has a public search tool on its official website. Any patient or hospital can verify whether a doctor is registered, and their license is valid.
You can search by registration number, full name, or father’s name. This tool protects patients and ensures only qualified doctors are practicing in Pakistan. It also helps hospitals verify credentials before hiring.
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Tips for a smooth PMDC registration
Always double-check your documents before uploading. Make sure your CNIC details match your degree exactly. Keep your house job completion certificate ready.
Register your foreign institution with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council before starting your degree, not after. Renew your license before it expires to avoid penalties. Keep a copy of all submitted documents for your records.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What does PMDC stand for?
PMDC stands for Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. It is the official regulatory body for all doctors and dentists in Pakistan.
Q2. Is PMDC registration mandatory for all doctors?
Yes. Every MBBS and BDS graduate must register with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council before practicing medicine or dentistry legally in Pakistan.
Q3. How long does PMDC registration take?
The verification process usually takes four to six weeks after you submit your documents and fees online.
Q4. Can foreign medical graduates practice in Pakistan without NRE?
No. Foreign medical graduates must pass the National Registration Examination conducted by PMDC before they can get a license to practice in Pakistan.
Q5. How do I renew my PMDC license?
You can renew your PMDC license through the official PMDC online portal. Renewal is required every five years.
