How to Apply for FCPS Part 1
Applying for FCPS Part 1 is done online through the CPSP portal. The process itself is straightforward, but candidates lose time (and sometimes a whole exam cycle) over avoidable things — an unregistered PMDC number, a missing house job certificate, or a fee paid after the deadline. Here is the whole process end to end.
Eligibility
Before you start the form, make sure you meet all of the following:
- An MBBS or BDS degree recognised and registered with the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council.
- A one-year house job at a PMDC-recognised institution, completed at least one month before the date of the examination. (This was relaxed from the earlier rule that the house job had to be finished before you could apply — you can now apply while completing it.)
- Valid PMDC/PMC registration — or the renewal receipt if your registration is being renewed.
- A valid CNIC (or passport for overseas candidates).
- A recent passport-size photograph on a white background.
- Foreign graduates: your medical degree must be recognised and registered with your own country's medical council, and equated by PMDC.
The application process, step by step
Everything is done through the CPSP portal at cpsp.edu.pk.
- 1Open the CPSP portalGo to cpsp.edu.pk and find the examination / online forms section. This is the only official route — do not apply through third parties.
- 2Choose your registration type and fill the formSelect whether you are a fresh candidate or a repeater, then complete the form using your PMDC number (or enrolment number if you already have one). Verify your email address — every later notification goes there.
- 3Receive your Form number and challanCPSP emails you a PDF containing your Form number along with the fee challan. Keep this — the Form number identifies your application for the rest of the process.
- 4Pay the examination feePay using one of the accepted methods (bank challan, a CPSP regional office, bank draft, or online card payment). Keep the paid receipt; you will need it as proof.
- 5Upload documents and submitUpload the required documents and complete the final submission against your Form number. Check every upload is legible before you submit — unreadable scans are a common cause of rejection.
- 6Download your roll number slipOnce your application is approved and your fee is verified, your roll number slip becomes available to download. It carries your exam centre, date and reporting time.
Documents you will need
Have clean scans of these ready before you start:
- MBBS/BDS degree, or the provisional certificate from your medical college.
- Valid PMDC registration certificate — or, for foreign graduates, the equivalent registration equated by PMDC.
- One-year house job certificate from a PMDC-recognised institution.
- CNIC (original or attested photocopy, as specified on the form).
- Recent passport-size photograph, white background.
Fee and exam centres
The FCPS Part 1 examination fee is Rs. 25,050. You can pay it by depositing the challan at a bank, in person at a CPSP regional office, by bank draft, or online with a debit or credit card. Keep the paid receipt — you will need it as proof of payment.
CPSP holds the exam at centres across Pakistan, and also runs overseas centres in Saudi Arabia and Nepal. Your allocated centre is printed on your roll number slip, so check it as soon as the slip is issued and plan travel early if you are assigned somewhere other than your home city.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving it late. Portals get slow near the deadline and banks do not clear payments instantly — apply early rather than on the final day.
- Assuming your PMDC registration is current. If it has lapsed, renew it (or get the renewal receipt) before you start the form.
- Uploading unreadable scans. A blurred CNIC or certificate is a routine reason for applications being held up.
- Paying but not completing the submission. Payment alone is not an application — you must finish the submission against your Form number.
- Not checking your email. Your Form number, challan and approval notifications all arrive there.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for FCPS Part 1?+
Only through the official CPSP portal at cpsp.edu.pk, in the examination/online forms section.
Do I need to finish my house job before applying?+
Not before applying. Your one-year house job at a PMDC-recognised institution needs to be completed at least one month before the date of the examination — the rule was relaxed from requiring completion up front, so you can apply while you are still finishing it.
How much is the exam fee and how do I pay it?+
The fee is Rs. 25,050. Pay by bank challan, at a CPSP regional office, by bank draft, or by debit/credit card online — and keep the receipt as proof of payment.
When do I get my roll number slip?+
After your application is approved and your fee has been verified. It is downloaded from the portal and shows your centre, date and reporting time.
Can I sit the exam outside Pakistan?+
CPSP has run overseas centres including Saudi Arabia and Nepal. Availability varies by cycle, so check the current notification when you apply.
More FCPS Part 1 guidance
Know the rules. Now practise.
Understanding the exam is step one. Drill past-paper style MCQs with detailed explanations and track your accuracy by subject.
Start preparing nowGuidance is provided for candidates' convenience and is not an official CPSP publication. Always confirm current rules and criteria at cpsp.edu.pk.