Changing your status on the register

If you're not practising medicine or are in other work that doesn’t require registration or a licence to practise you can apply to give up your whole registration or just your licence. You can apply to restore it again when you're ready. 

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Need more help?

You can choose to give up your registration or just your licence. Which is best for you will depend on your circumstances. Read our guide to help you decide. It will also tell you how to get your registration and licence back.
Giving up and restoring your licence or registration

A doctor with patient in hospital

Give up your licence to practise

If you give up your licence only, you will still be able to prove your good standing with us to other organisations, but you will pay a reduced annual retention fee. You will not be able to practise medicine in the UK.

Give up your licence

A doctor in a clinic

Give up your registration

If you give up your registration, you will not have to pay an annual retention fee. You will not be able to practise medicine in the UK.

Give up your registration

Give up licence to practice image

Restoring your licence to practise or registration 

You can only restore to the type of registration you last held. You may choose to do this with or without a licence. If you already hold registration without a licence, you can apply for your first licence or to restore your licence if you have previously given it up.

Restore your registration

Quick links:

Apply for your first licence to practise

If you already hold registration and need to apply for your first licence to practise.