Revalidation for doctors: questions and answers

Do I need to revalidate? 

Every licensed doctor must revalidate to show they're up to date and fit to practise, in line with the legislation that supports revalidation.

Some doctors may find it difficult to fulfil our revalidation requirements because they continue to hold a licence to practise when they don't need to. If you don't hold a licence to practise and have registration only then you do not have to revalidate.

We can’t tell you whether you need a licence for the work you’ll be doing – however our licence to practise top tips can help you decide whether you need one.

If you’re not practising medicine in the UK you may wish to give up your licence to practise, or remove your name from the register entirely. Our guidance can help you decide whether giving up your licence or registration is right for you.

I am new to UK practice. What does revalidation mean for me?

As soon as you hold a licence to practise you must start to engage with revalidation, even if you're not yet working as a doctor in the UK.

You must keep your connection details up to date in your GMC Online account. Our connection tool can help you work out whether you have a connection to a designated body, if you could connect to a suitable person, or if you have no connection.

Only UK organisations are designated bodies. Normally, your connection to a designated body begins once your contract of employment has started.  Until then, you don’t have a connection to that organisation – even if you have a job offer and start date.

If you have a job offer from a designated body – but have not yet started work – then you should update your connection information in your GMC Online account to show that you don't currently have a connection to a designated body. You must then update this information once you start work and connect to the designated body or suitable person.

To understand what else you need to do to participate in revalidation, please read our:

• Revalidation guidance for doctors
• Guidance on supporting information for revalidation

You might also find it helpful to attend one of our Welcome to UK practice sessions. These free workshops are designed to support doctors new to the UK. If you gained your primary medical qualification outside of the UK and registered with a licence to practise within the last 12 months, then this workshop is for you.

All UK and international medical graduates granted full registration must work in an approved practice setting until their first revalidation, unless they also join the GP or Specialist Register at the same time. Read about what approved practice setting means for you.

I need to find out if I’ve got a revalidation connection or not. What do I need to do?

Our connection tool can help you check whether you have a connection to a designated body, if you could connect to a suitable person, or if you have no connection. 

As soon as you hold a licence to practise you must start to engage with revalidation, even if you are not yet working as a doctor in the UK. As part of this you must keep your connection details up to date in your GMC Online account.  

Normally, your connection to a designated body begins once your contract of employment has started.  Until then, you don’t have a connection to that organisation – even if you have a job offer and start date.

If you have a job offer from a designated body – but have not yet started work – then you should update your connection information in your GMC Online account to show that you don't currently have a connection to a designated body. You must then update this information once you start work and connect to the designated body or suitable person.

I have a working relationship with an organisation, but I am unsure if I have a connection. What should I do?

There are some relationships which may not be considered as contracts of employment. You should check the terms of any honorary contract you have with the organisation who gave you this, to find out if it means you are an employee of that organisation.

If you have a locum bank, zero hours or self-employed contract direct with any organisation, you should check with them as to whether this gives you a connection. If you’re unsure about your employment status, you should speak to the organisations you work with.

I want to work or am working overseas. Do I need a license to practise in the UK and do I need to take part in revalidation?

Every licensed doctor in the UK must revalidate to show they are up to date and fit to practise.

However, if you’re not working as a doctor in the UK, it is unlikely you need your licence to practise. The licence gives you rights and privileges in the UK that don't apply in any other country in the world. You may wish to give up your licence to practise, or to remove your name from the register entirely. Our guidance can help you decide whether giving up your licence or registration is right for you.

If you don't hold a licence to practise then you don't have to revalidate. 

If you continue to hold a contract with an employer or organisation in the UK while you are overseas you must speak to them before giving up your licence.

If you intend to practise overseas and continue to hold a licence to practise in the UK, then:

• you must continue to meet the requirements set out in our revalidation guidance for doctors
• you should inform your responsible officer or suitable person. Our guidance on supporting information for revalidation explains that we expect you to collect, reflect on and discuss supporting information from your whole UK practice. It will only be possible for doctors to maintain a licence to practise where supporting information is drawn wholly or significantly from overseas practice in exceptional circumstances. For example, a legislative requirement to hold a UK licence in a country outside of the UK, such as in Gibraltar.
• you must also comply with the regulatory requirements in the country where you will be working.

I am retiring or have retired. Do I need to take part in revalidation?

Every licensed doctor must revalidate to show they are up to date and fit to practise.

This applies regardless of:

• when your revalidation date falls
• any plans you may have for the future. For example, if you plan to retire or take a break from practice. 

If you want to continue to hold a licence to practise, then you must continue to meet the requirements set out in our revalidation guidance for doctors. If you have retired from your main clinical role, you may find that you no longer have a responsible officer and that the way you revalidate has changed. Use our connection tool to find out if your connection, and the way you revalidate, has changed.

Some doctors may find it difficult to fulfil our revalidation requirements because they continue to hold a licence to practise when they don't need to. If you’re not practising medicine in the UK you may wish to give up your licence to practise, or to remove your name from the register entirely. Our guidance can help you decide whether giving up your licence or registration is right for you.

If you don't hold a licence to practise then you don't have to revalidate.

We have developed some case studies to help doctors establish whether they need a licence.

Remaining registered without a licence to practise

If you are retiring from UK practice, you may want to continue to use the skills and experience you have developed during your career in a variety of ways – for example: 

• teaching
• medical management
• voluntary roles 
• providing first aid at sporting or community events

You may not need to hold a licence to carry out such activities. But you should always check first with those who instruct, contract or employ you, or other relevant bodies. You might also want to check with your medical defence organisation and your insurance and indemnity provider.

I am taking a break in practice. Are there any actions I need to complete as part of the revalidation process?

Many doctors take breaks in their medical practice. These might be:

• planned. For example, if they decide to work overseas, take parental leave, or work in non-medical or research posts
• unplanned. For example, due to ill health or caring responsibilities.

Planned breaks in practice

You should speak to your responsible officer or suitable person about your plans as early as possible. They’ll help you identify actions to take before your break, as well as any support you’ll need to help you return to medical work in the future. If you don’t have a connection, you can contact us for advice.

During your break, it will be important to keep up to date with changes and new developments in medical practice. You could do this as part of your continuing professional development.

If you plan to take a longer break from UK practice, you may wish to give up your licence to practise, or to remove your name from the register entirely. Our guidance can help you decide whether giving up your licence or registration is right for you. If you don't hold a licence to practise then you don't have to revalidate.

We usually advise doctors who are taking a career break for longer than twelve months to give up their licence. If you decide to do any work during your break, no matter how little, you must check whether a licence is needed for the work you want to undertake.

If you want to continue to hold a licence to practise, then you must continue to meet the requirements set out in our revalidation guidance for doctors. When you take a break, your connection details may change and you may no longer have access to the appraisal systems you have been using. Check your contract or employment details and use our connection tool to make sure.

Parental leave

If you’re going on parental leave you should normally keep your licence. Many employers require you to hold a licence to be able to receive your benefits.

You should speak to your responsible officer or suitable person about your revalidation during the period you’ll be off. And if you’re going to be taking over 12 months off, please speak to your employer.

If you don’t have a connection, you should contact us so we can give you advice.

Unplanned breaks in practice

We understand there may be a number of challenges in meeting the requirements of revalidation if you’re not able to work (for example, collecting supporting information and attending appraisals), particularly if you’re not sure how long you’ll be off work. 

We recommend you keep in contact with your responsible officer, suitable person, or with us if you don’t have a connection – to make sure you are supported in either meeting the requirements of revalidation, or in deciding to temporarily give up your licence.

Doctors in training

Our guide for doctors provides information on what to do when you take a break from training. You should always speak to your educational supervisor or responsible officer before taking a break to find out more about your specific situation. If you’re planning a long break in practice, you may wish to consider temporarily giving up your licence.

I work in multiple settings. Are there any specific actions I need to complete as part of the revalidation process?

If you work for a number of organisations, or carry out work for a number of locum agencies, then you will need to identify which (if any) of these organisations is your designated body. If you’re not sure, you can use our connection tool to find out.

You must keep your connection information up to date in your GMC Online account at all times. 

You must participate in annual appraisals that cover your whole practice, and collect supporting information covering all the places you have worked and the roles you have carried out as a medical professional since your last appraisal. This includes:

• clinical roles
• non-clinical roles such as educational, research, academic, managerial or leadership roles
• NHS, independent sector, voluntary and private work.

Our guidance for doctors and supporting information for revalidation guidance can help you understand what you need to do to revalidate. If you’re not sure how much information to collect from each role, discuss this with your responsible officer, suitable person, or us if you don’t have a connection.

Sharing information about your practice

You have a professional responsibility to share some information with your responsible officer or suitable person and appraiser. Our guidance for doctors sets out your responsibilities for sharing information.

We also have information sharing principles to help doctors understand their responsibilities for sharing information.

I am not carrying out medical practice. Do I need a licence to practise or take part in revalidation?

Every licensed doctor must revalidate to show they are up to date and fit to practise.

Some doctors may find it difficult to fulfil our revalidation requirements because they continue to hold a licence to practise when they don't need to. If you’re not practising medicine in the UK you may wish to give up your licence to practise, or to remove your name from the register entirely. Our guidance can help you decide whether giving up your licence or registration is right for you.

If you don't hold a licence to practise then you don't have to revalidate.

If you want to continue to hold a licence to practise, then you must continue to meet the requirements set out in our revalidation guidance for doctors. Use our connection tool to check whether you have a connection for revalidation. 

Remaining registered without a licence to practise

You may want to continue to use the skills and experience you have developed during your career in a variety of ways – for example: 

• teaching
• medical management
• voluntary roles 
• providing first aid at sporting or community events

You may not need to hold a licence to carry out such activities. But you should always check first with those who instruct, contract or employ you, or other relevant bodies. You might also want to check with your medical defence organisation and your insurance and indemnity provider.

I am leaving a UK training programme. What am I required to do for revalidation?

Read our guidance for doctors which sets out what to do when you:

• take a break from training
• complete your training

You should ensure that your responsible officer has made a revalidation recommendation to us when you become eligible for your certificate of completion of training and before updating your designated body connection in GMC Online.

It is important you don't update your designated body without speaking to someone in your local revalidation team.

You may also find it helpful to read our blog on revalidation after training.

I’ve been asked to book to sit the revalidation assessment. What does this mean?

If you don't have a connection to a responsible officer or suitable person, we require a degree of independent assurance about your fitness to practise that would normally be provided by the revalidation recommendation process. As part of gaining this assurance we may ask you to take an assessment.

Please read our guide to the revalidation assessment which explains what this involves and how we assess your performance. It also provides information on booking, changing or cancelling your revalidation assessment, and what to expect on your assessment day.

Information on when you will need to take the assessment, and what happens if you don’t book or pass your assessment is available in our guidance on Doctors’ requirements for revalidation.

I am involved in fitness to practice proceedings. What does this mean for my revalidation?

Fitness to practice proceedings

If you are involved in proceedings about your fitness to practise, you must continue to engage with revalidation as long as you are registered with a licence to practise. Our guidance for doctors explains how this might affect your revalidation and what you need to do.

If we decide to investigate your fitness to practise, we know it can be a difficult and stressful time. Read about the support available, our investigation processes and the actions we may take.

I’ve been told my licence is at risk of being withdrawn. What do I need to do and where can I get support?

Licence withdrawal proceedings

If we’ve told you that we’re considering withdrawing your licence, you should contact us for advice. 

Our guidance for doctors outlines:

• the revalidation requirements to maintain your licence to practise
• our decisions to withdraw a licence
• appealing a decision about your licence
• revalidation requirements when restoring your licence

If you don't meet our requirements for revalidation, we may take steps to withdraw your licence. Read about the reasons we might withdraw your licence, and the actions you can take to avoid this. 

Doctor Support Service

We understand that having your licence at risk of withdrawal can be a stressful experience. We’ve commissioned the British Medical Association (BMA) to provide a free, confidential service that offers emotional support to any doctor, whether or not you’re a BMA member.

You can find out more about the Doctor Support Service on the BMA webpage.