FAQs - The timetable for and roll-out of revalidation
Last updated: 1 March 2010
Questions on this page
- 1. I was granted my licence to practise in November 2009. When will it expire?
- 2. What are the timescales for introducing revalidation?
- 3. If the first revalidations are going to begin around 2011, does this mean they will not initially be based on five years' evidence of practice?
- 4. Once revalidation has been fully rolled-out, how soon will a doctor need to revalidate after their initial registration?
- 5. What notice will I be given that my revalidation is due?
- 6. I thought that the GMC was going to decide everyone's revalidation date based on their GMC reference number. Is that still the case? If not, why not?
More information can be found on our revalidation page.
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1. I was granted my licence to practise in November 2009. When will it expire?
Your licence does not have a set expiry date. However, if you have a licence to practise you will be required to participate in revalidation once implemented. How soon you will be called for revalidation will depend upon the way in which the GMC implements the roll out of revalidation (see questions and answers below).
2. What are the timescales for introducing revalidation?
We have said that we will take a phased approach to introducing revalidation. This will mean starting where the local systems needed to support revalidation are ready and fit for purpose. The health departments in each of the four countries are taking responsibility for ensuring that local processes are ready to support revalidation across all sectors. They are leading on testing and piloting the various elements involved in the process and in assessing whether organisations in their areas have systems in place to support doctors through the process.
The first revalidations will not happen before 2011 and these are likely to be through a series of whole system pilots which will include volunteers. From there the roll-out of revalidation will be incremental so that we can build on the early learning.
3. If the first revalidations are going to begin around 2011, does this mean they will not initially be based on five years' evidence of practice?
That is correct. Some of the very first revalidations may be based upon just one or two cycles of strengthened annual appraisals incorporating the relevant standards.
4. Once revalidation has been fully rolled-out, how soon will a doctor need to revalidate after their initial registration?
Most new registrants will be doctors in training. Their first revalidation will normally be confirmed with the award of their CCT, or five years from the date they are granted full registration, whichever is the sooner.
5. What notice will I be given that my revalidation is due?
You will receive ample notice that your revalidation is due. However, it is important to remember that revalidation is a five year process, not a fifth year process. So it is important that you are collecting supporting information about your practice and participating in appraisal throughout this period. Don't wait until the last minute.
6. I thought that the GMC was going to decide everyone's revalidation date based on their GMC reference number. Is that still the case? If not, why not?
This was our original proposal. However, this approach relies on local systems of clinical governance and appraisal to be in place and functioning effectively across the UK. Proceeding with this approach would risk some doctors struggling to meet the requirements of revalidation, not because there were problems with their fitness to practise, but because the systems within which they were working were not sufficiently support their revalidation. This would be unfair.
We are therefore proposing to take a phased and incremental approach, starting revalidation where systems are strong and able to support doctors in affirming that they are meeting the required standards.