Responsible officers (ROs) make revalidation recommendations to the GMC. Decisions about doctors’ revalidation can only be made by the GMC.
When we make a decision about a doctor’s revalidation, we consider your recommendation and any other relevant information, including:
- previous recommendations to defer which you or another RO have made about the doctor in question
- previous recommendations of non-engagement which you or another RO have submitted about the doctor in question
- whether the doctor is currently in a GMC process such as fitness to practise
- any other information relating to the doctor’s registration with the GMC such as current applications for erasure from the medical register.
When we have made our decision we will tell:
- you, by updating the recommendation status in GMC Connect (see below)
- the doctor, by email or letter.
We aim to make most decisions in straightforward cases within five working days of your submission.
You can see the recommendation statuses, and what they mean, below:
Status - Approved
This means
The responsible officer's:
- recommendation to revalidate
- recommendation to defer
- recommendation of non-engagement
has been accepted and approved by the GMC. The doctor has been advised.
Status - Under review
This means
The responsible officer's:
- recommendation to revalidate
- recommendation to defer
- recommendation of non-engagement
has been submitted to the GMC and is awaiting a decision.
Status - Rejected
This means
The responsible officer's:
- recommendation to revalidate
- recommendation to defer
- recommendation of non-engagement
has been reviewed by the GMC and declined. The responsible officer has been advised of the reason. The doctor has been advised and remains licensed to practise.