Revalidation: how to renew your NMC registration
Every nurse must revalidate their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration every three years, but registrants are advised to make it part of their ongoing practice rather than leave it to the last minute. Our guide to revalidation includes what is expected of you, advice from the NMC on common myths and misconceptions about revalidation, and how a portfolio can help you plan and organise your tasks, including reflective accounts, practice-related feedback and a confirmer discussion.
Nurses must revalidate every three years, but it is best to make it part of your ongoing practice. We explain what is expected of registrants and bust some common myths
Revalidating with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is something all nurses have to do every three years.
Here’s what it entails and what you need to do to prepare.
What are the revalidation requirements for nurses?
You need to show that you are keeping your skills and knowledge up do date and providing safe and effective practice.
There are a number of requirements you need to meet, as follows:
- A minimum of 450 practice hours in the three-year period since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register.
- 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) during the same period, including 20 hours of participatory learning, which includes activities such as coaching, mentoring and workshops.
- Five pieces of practice-related feedback.
- Five written reflective accounts.
- A reflective discussion with another NMC registrant.
- A health and character declaration.
- Professional indemnity arrangement.
- Confirmation (often from a line manager).
How do I submit my application?
The NMC has developed a step-by-step guide for the application process. Applications are submitted online, so you need to have an NMC Online account.
In the 12 months before your revalidation date, you will need to have a discussion with your confirmer and demonstrate that you have met the requirements. Your confirmer can be your line manager, even if they are not on the NMC register.
There is a confirmation form to record this discussion, although you are not required to submit it. A common time to do this part of the revalidation process is during your appraisal with your manager.
The online application opens 60 days before your revalidation date. At this point you will be notified by the NMC, either by email or letter, that your revalidation is due.
However, the NMC advises that revalidation should be a continuous process that you should work towards throughout the three years between submissions.
Do I need a revalidation portfolio?
The NMC strongly recommends it. Not only can it provide the basis for your conversation with your confirmer, but it provides an efficient way of keeping track of your progress and documenting and recording all the elements needed to revalidate.
The NMC provides forms for certain elements, such as the reflective discussion and confirmation, but many elements are done through self-declaration.
However, you may have to provide evidence of what you have declared, such as details of your CPD, for verification purposes. Every year the NMC carries out random checks on applications.
Revalidation with RCNi Portfolio
RCNi has developed an e-portfolio system that links in with the NMC mandatory forms. Free to access for RCNi Plus subscribers, the portfolio helps you to easily keep on track with your revalidation requirements.
You can use it to organise all your evidence and documents, calculate the hours spent on CPD and store your reflective accounts, with the progress bars showing you at a glance how close you are to having all the information you need to revalidate.
RCNi Portfolio: create your free revalidation portfolioRevalidation myth-buster: what the NMC says
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) assistant director for the national and regional outreach service Sam Donohue addresses common questions and assumptions about revalidation.
Does my registration automatically renew?
No. You’re required to renew annually, with revalidation required every three years to maintain your registration. It’s important to plan ahead and make revalidation an integral part of your professional life.
I’m retiring soon, so I don’t need to revalidate
If you want to remain on the register until your retirement or beyond, you’ll need to revalidate. However, if you plan to stop practising entirely, you can choose not to revalidate and your registration will lapse.
I work for an agency or bank – do I need to revalidate?
Yes. Revalidation applies to all nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the NMC register, regardless of your employment type. Revalidation is about reflecting on and evidencing how your practice aligns with the Code, standards, and your scope of practice. You can document experiences and continuing professional development (CPD) activities from your agency or bank work to meet the requirements.
I work in education and don’t deliver hands-on clinical care – do I still need to revalidate?
Yes. Revalidation is required for everyone on the register, regardless of your role. If your work involves education, leadership or other non-clinical activities, you can reflect on and document how these contribute to safe, effective and professional practice.
I haven’t had an appraisal. Can I still revalidate?
Yes. Revalidation doesn’t depend on you having an appraisal. You can still complete the reflective discussion by speaking with another professional on the NMC register who understands your practice. Your confirmer does not need to be on the register and while ideally it would be your line manager, it can be anyone who is familiar with your work. Planning ahead and reaching out to colleagues helps make the process smoother.
Is revalidation about fitness to practise?
Revalidation isn’t a test of fitness to practise. It’s a supportive process designed to help you demonstrate that you meet the standards required to stay on the register. Reflecting on your practice, engaging in CPD and accurately documenting your experiences are key elements that underpin lifelong learning and safe, effective care.
Can learning undertaken for my job, for example managing syringe drivers and wound care, contribute to my CPD?
Yes. Any learning that you can link to your work and the NMC code can be used as part of the 35 hours required for the CPD requirements. This excludes mandatory training that is not directly related to your practice, such as fire training or health and safety training.
What happens if I submit my revalidation application late?
A revalidation application that is not submitted on time may be rejected.
It is also worth noting that your revalidation application is due on the first day of the month in which your registration expires. For example, if your renewal date is 30 April, the due date for your revalidation application will be 1 April.
Listen now: Your revalidation questions answered
However, the NMC does offer extensions of up to eight weeks in certain circumstances, such as a sudden serious illness or recent bereavement. This can be applied for in advance via the online system and a decision should be made within five days.
Support using the online system can also be provided, as can paper documents if requested.
How will I know my revalidation has been successful? How long does it take?
Alongside your revalidation application you need to pay your annual fee to maintain your registration with the NMC.
Once you have paid the fee and completed the revalidation application, it is then sent for processing. You should receive an email within two days confirming renewal of your registration.
The NMC advises that you search its online register to double-check your status. You will be notified within 24 hours of submitting your application if you need to provide further information for the verification process.
Such a request does not necessarily mean there are any concerns about your application, and you can continue to practise while the NMC reviews the information you provide. You will have 21 days to provide the extra information.
