Appraisals and annual returns for doctors without a responsible officer or suitable person

This guide supports licensed doctors who don't have a responsible officer or suitable person to take part in appraisals and annual returns for revalidation.

It includes information about:

  • finding an appraiser who complies with our criteria and requirements
  • taking part in annual appraisals (based on the values and principles in Good medical practice)
  • providing an annual return to show your engagement with revalidation and your fitness to practise.

Because you don't have a responsible officer or suitable person, there is nobody with the statutory responsibility to oversee systems which support revalidation, such as appraisal and clinical governance, or to make a revalidation recommendation about you. 

This means we must get assurance about your fitness to practise directly from you. You give us this through a process of appraisal, annual returns and assessment. 

You must fulfil the requirements outlined in this guide and in our step-by-step process for doctors without a connection to a responsible officer or suitable person.

If you fail to complete any activity within the timeframes we specify – without a reasonable excuse – we'll begin the process of withdrawing your licence to practise.

If you're not sure whether this guide applies to you, please use our connection tool.

The legal background to this guide

This guide includes extracts from Section 4 of our Guidance for doctors: requirements for revalidation and maintaining your licence (published under section 29G of the Medical Act 1983). It explains your responsibilities and our powers in the General Medical Council (Licence to Practise and Revalidation) Regulations 2012.

You can find all the relevant legal references in the full guidance. 

Who is this guide for?
This guide is for doctors who don't have a connection to a responsible office or suitable person, who hold registration with a licence to practise in the UK. It outlines our requirements for appraisals and annual returns for revalidation.
Why you need to read this guide
It's important that you fulfil the requirements outlined in this guide. If you don't, we'll begin the process of withdrawing your licence to practise.
  1. Summary
  2. Finding an appraiser
  1. Having an annual whole practice appraisal
  2. Completing and submitting your annual return
Next Finding an appraiser

Related content

Revalidation without a connection Revalidate as a doctor without a connection to a designated body or suitable person.
Guidance on supporting information for appraisal and revalidation Understand the supporting information you need to collect and reflect upon at your annual appraisal.
The revalidation assessment for doctors without a responsible officer or approved suitable person Learn more about the revalidation assessment and how we make decisions about your revalidation.