Revalidation for doctors with no connection

Step 1: Check your connection

If you have used our connection tool and do not have a connection to a designated body or suitable person, update your connection information in GMC Online to show that you do not currently have a connection.

You can only have a connection to designated body (or suitable person) once you have started work. If you have not yet started work, then you do not have a connection yet, and you should update your connection information in your GMC Online account to show this.

It is quick and easy to update this information in the future if you get a connection. If you gain a connection, we will no longer require you to meet the additional requirements for doctors without a connection.

Remember that it is your responsibility to keep your connection information up-to-date and correct in GMC Online.

If you are still unsure whether you have a connection to a designated body that you work with, you should speak with them to confirm this.

Tools for finding your connection

Connection tool
A-Z of designated bodies
List of suitable persons

Step 2: Know your requirements

View the list below for an overview of your requirements. For more detailed guidance on each of these requirements, please view Guidance for doctors: requirements for revalidation.

Your requirements

If you don't have a responsible officer or suitable person overseeing your revalidation, you need to ensure you:

• Keep your contact information updated in GMC Online.
• Understand your requirements for revalidation.
• Collect and reflect on your supporting information.
• Discuss this at an annual whole practice appraisal based on Good medical practice.
• Provide additional information upon request.
• Provide an annual return with necessary evidence.
• Meet the required standards in the revalidation assessment, if requested.

You need to complete these actions within the specified timescales in order to maintain your licence to practise. The organisations that that you work in will also need to have systems in place to support you with revalidation.

Step 3: Submit an annual return

You will be asked to submit an annual return once a year, through your GMC Online account. We will give you at least three months notice when your annual return is due. Once you have received this notice, you can complete and submit your annual return any time before, or on, the due date.

Please read our guidance on submitting an annual return before starting your application as it will take time to gather the evidence you need.

Your annual return must include:

• Your employment or practice history
• Evidence of you good standing (for example, a certificate of good standing (CGS) if you work overseas, a statement of good standing from any previous employer)
• Fitness to practise and health declarations
• Details of your annual appraisals, to show your continuing engagement with revalidation.

Additional links

• Appraiser report form
• Medical Services Statement
• CGS directory

Step 4: Revalidate

You will usually revalidate once every five years. As a doctor without a connection to a responsible officer or suitable person, we need independent assurance regarding your fitness to practise, typically obtained through the revalidation recommendation process.

To achieve this assurance, you will need to sit the revalidation assessment. Our guide to the revalidation assessment sets out what this entails, and how to book and take your assessment.

Once we have received your annual returns and revalidation assessment, we will make a decision about your revalidation.

Revalidation assessment overview

• Multiple choice test consisting of 120 questions
• Assessments will usually be taken in the year you are due to revalidate
• You must book and pay for the assessment within the timeframe we set
• Your must meet the required standard to pass the assessment 

Additional guidance

We have detailed guidance on:

• our decision on your revalidation
• appealing a decision about your revalidation
• guidance for decision makers - understand the factors we take into account when making decisions about your revalidation