NZREX Exam 2026: Dates, Fees in India, Pattern, Syllabus, Pass Rate

NZREX Exam Highlights 2026

International medical students can review the brief overview below for the NZDREX exam, NZREX exam cost, types, duration, etc.

Overview for NZREX

Key Features of NZREX Exam

• Single Exam: Unlike some other countries, New Zealand only requires one practical exam for registration, that is NZREX.
• High Standards: The NZREX exam demonstrates the high standards of the New Zealand healthcare system.
• Pass Rate: 60% is the average pass rate for this exam.

What is the Purpose of Taking the NZREX Exam?

These are the main reasons why candidates take the NZREX exam:

• Licensure for IMGs: The New Zealand Registration Exam is the main pathway for international medical graduates to get a medical license to practice in New Zealand.
• Healthcare Workforce: The exam addresses the demand for doctors in New Zealand.

NZREX Exam Eligibility Criteria

If you are interested in appearing for this NZREX 2026 test, you are required to meet the eligibility criteria mentioned below.

• Obtain a primary medical degree qualification from a recognised medical school listed in the WDOMS ( World Directory of Medical Schools).

• Qualified for any one of the acceptable medical licensing exams within the last 5 years. The acceptable medical licensing exams are PLAB part 1, MCCQE part 1, MCQ, USMLE - Steps 1 & 2.

• Meet the English language proficiency requirements of a minimum 7.0 band in IELTS and a minimum 350 score in OET.

• Should not hold the New Zealand Registration for the special purpose of practice.

NZREX Exam Registration 2026

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the NZREX Clinical. The NZREX 2026 application form can be sent through mail, along with essential documents to the Medical Council of New Zealand.

How to Apply for NZREX?

The exam registration process can be done by following the steps below.

• On meeting the eligibility, apply for the primary source verification through the EPIC account at www.ecfmgepic.org/index.

• Submit your documents for verification.

• Once verified, apply for the NZREX exam registration.

• Visit the Medical Council of New Zealand website and download the required application form for your circumstances.

• Fill out the application form available on the official website.

• Attach the necessary documents.

• Submit the application form and documents to the Medical Council email address at examinations@mcnz.org.nz.

• After submission, wait for the email notification for the NZREX clinical exam fee payment and pay the fee.

The application processing takes 20 working days. Once processing is done, further steps regarding the exam and exam fee payment will be informed to you through email.

Documents Required for NZREX Exam 2026

The following documents are required during the application submission.

• Recent passport-size photograph.

• Resume

• Passport

• Medical degree certificate

• Medical Licensing examination results

• English language test results of IELTS/OET.

NZREX Exam Dates 2026

The NZREX Clinical exam 2026 will be held in March, and the rest has not been released yet. Generally, the registration for NZREX exam date 2026 has already started. Students planning to appear in the NZREX must check the application dates and exam dates carefully and apply on time.

NZREX 2026 Dates

• March: Yet to be announced

Official Notice: The specific date for the March 2026 NZREX Clinical exam will be announced later in 2025.

NREZ Exam Fee for IMGs

Check the application and examination fee in the table below:

NZREX Exam Fee for Indian Students

To appear for the New Zealand medical licensing exam for doctors, the candidate has to pay the application fee and examination fee. All the NZREX exam fee for India details are mentioned below.

Refund of NZREX Exam Fees in India

Applicants who wish to withdraw from their exam can seek a fee refund based on days of cancellation before the exam date. Here are the refund details given below.

• Cancelling the exam before 6 weeks: Full refund with deduction of administration charges.
• Cancelling the exam before 20 working days: 20% refund of the exam fee
• Cancelling the exam before 19 working days: 0% refund

NZREX Exam Format

• The NZREX exam is in an OSCE format, offering a series of simulated stations or scenarios.
• It focuses on the practical application of clinical knowledge, professionalism, and communication skills, rather than testing purely theoretical knowledge.
• You will be tested on how well you are able to manage common clinical conditions at the level of a recent New Zealand graduate.

NZREX Exam Pattern 2026

• The NZREX 2026 exam uses an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format.
• The NZREX exam is 3 hours in duration
• It consists of 12 Stand-alone or active stations.
• Each station is 12 minutes in duration.
• Candidates will be randomly allotted and are rotated through all the stations. Most of the stations use a simulated patient with an examiner. In each station of NZREX 2026.
• You will be primarily tested on one topic or one area with multiple tasks.

NZREX Exam Syllabus 2026

The NRZEX Clinical exam tests both the clinical skills and medical knowledge of the candidates. The following are the seven domains assessed in the exam. The NZREX exam questions are based on these domains.

• Communication

• Professionalism

• Cultural safety

• History taking

• Physical examination

• Investigations/clinical reasoning

• Management

These domains are assessed in every station, and a few in each case. For physical examination, you need to conduct a physical and mental examination on the simulated patient.

NZREX Centre

The NZREX Clinical is held in Auckland, New Zealand. If there are insufficient candidates, then the council may postpone the exam to the next available date. Candidates can also reschedule their exam to a later date by filling out the application form available on the official website.

NZREX Results 2026

The passing score for the NZREX 2026 exam is 60%. The exam scoring is done electronically. The NZREX results will be released within 10 working days from the examination date. The results will be sent to you via email.

For all who do not qualify for the exam, the council will provide written feedback to understand their result. As this is a summative examination, the feedback can not include the areas where the candidate's performance is to be improved.

How to Recheck My NZREX Exam Score?

If you find the exam result is inaccurate for their performance, you can apply for a recount. The recounting is done only to check whether the candidate's score is completely transcribed or not, but it does not include reviewing the examiner's opinions on the examination day. To request for recount, place your request within 10 working days after receiving your written feedback.

How to Become a Doctor in New Zealand?

By qualifying for the New Zealand medical license exam, that is the NZREX exam you can become a doctor in New Zealand. To apply for the medical license through this doctor's exam in New Zealand follow the sequence of steps mentioned below.

• Scoring at least 60% marks in the NZREX Clinical is considered a pass score in the examination.

• After passing the NZREX exam you need to seek a job offer as a postgraduate year 1 at any accredited training provider.

• Then, participate in the intern training programme for 2 years.

• After completion of the internship, apply for Vocational or General registration with the Medical Council of NZ.

• Once registered, you are eligible to apply for jobs as a doctor in New Zealand.

NZREX Exam Pass Rate

What is the NZREX pass rate? In the past 5 years, a total of 169 candidates have appeared in the NZREX Clinical; among them, 141 have registered for the general practice. The NZREX Clinical exam pass rate of the last 5 years is 64.8 per cent, while the registration rate stands at 83.4 per cent.