Licensing and revalidation
Over the next few years, the General Medical Council will be changing the way doctors within the UK are regulated to practise medicine.
The first change will come on 16 November 2009 when the GMC introduces the licence to practise. To practise medicine in the UK after licensing is introduced, all doctors will be required by law to hold both registration and a licence to practise.
This will apply whether they practise full time, part time, as a locum, privately or in the NHS, or whether they are employed or self-employed.
After licensing, a new system called revalidation will be introduced that will require doctors to renew their licence to practise periodically. The purpose of revalidation will be to give patients regular assurance that doctors registered with a licence are up to date and fit to practise.
If you have a question about licensing or revalidation, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
Tell me about
- The licence to practise
Licensing will be introduced on 16 November 2009. Learn more about this change in medical regulation and our campaign to support its introduction - Licensing: It's time to decide.
- Revalidation
Find information about the elements of revalidation including recertification, multi-source feedback, and our framework for appraisal and assessment.
- The UK Revalidation Programme Board
The Programme Board oversees the practical delivery of medical revalidation across the four countries of the UK.