Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is revalidation?

Revalidation will be our new way of regulating licensed doctors that will give further assurance to patients that they are up to date and fit to practise. Licensed doctors will have to revalidate, usually every five years, by having regular appraisals that are based on our core guidance for doctors, Good Medical Practice. Only doctors who have a licence to practise will need to revalidate.

When will I revalidate?

We are planning to introduce revalidation in late 2012. Later this year, we will begin to tell doctors when they will revalidate for the first time.

What is my designated body?

This is the organisation that will support you with your appraisal and revalidation. You only have one designated body, regardless of how many organisations you may be employed by or contract with. You can find your designated body by visiting our ‘My designated body’ page’. We have case studies and an online tool that can help you.

What is a responsible officer?

We will revalidate you based on a recommendation that we receive from your responsible officer. Your responsible officer is likely to be the medical director of the organisation that is supporting you with your appraisal and revalidation.

Will I need to revalidate?

If you hold a licence to practise, then you will need to revalidate.

I work wholly outside the UK. How will I revalidate?

If you continue to hold your licence to practise while practising abroad, you will need to revalidate. This means you will need to connect to a UK organisation that will support you with your appraisal and revalidation.

However, you may not need a licence to practise if you practise entirely outside of the UK. You may decide it is better to give it up. You can still maintain your registration without a licence, and this will indicate you are in good standing with us. You can apply to have your licence restored if you need it at some point in the future. More information about giving up and restoring your licence is available here.

I hold a licence but I don’t do any clinical practice. How will I revalidate?

If you want to continue to hold a licence to practise, then you will need to revalidate like every other doctor who is licensed.

However, you may not need a licence to practise if you don’t carry out any clinical practice. If this is the case, you have the option of giving up your licence but maintaining your registration with us. This will show you remain in good standing with us.

You can apply to have your licence restored if you need it at some point in the future because your circumstances change. Read our information about giving up and restoring your licence.

Please remember, though, that by giving up your licence you will not be able to exercise any of the privileges associated with it. These include writing prescriptions, and signing death or cremation certificates.

If you would like more information about the options available to you, please call us on 0161 923 6602.

Contact us

If you need further advice or help with revalidation, please contact us.