Nursing & Midwifery Revalidation
NURSING & MIDWIFERY REVALIDATION FAQS
What is revalidation?
How do I find out when I am due to revalidate?
How do I get ready for revalidation?
Do I have to keep a revalidation portfolio?
I am retiring soon do I not need to revalidate?
How will revalidation link to my appraisal?
How do I find out when I am due to revalidate?
How do I get ready for revalidation?
Do I have to keep a revalidation portfolio?
I am retiring soon do I not need to revalidate?
How will revalidation link to my appraisal?
What is revalidation?
Revalidation is the means by which a nurse or midwife renews the professional registration with the NMC. They are required to do this every 3 years. In order to revalidate the NMC requires you to fulfil a number of requirements in each three year registration period:
You will be required to submit an application to revalidate before you can renew your registration at the end of your current three-year registration period. The application must be submitted by the first day of the month in which your registration expires. You can find out more about the revalidation process in the NMC’s guidance
Revalidation is the means by which a nurse or midwife renews the professional registration with the NMC. They are required to do this every 3 years. In order to revalidate the NMC requires you to fulfil a number of requirements in each three year registration period:
- 450 practice hours over three years (or 900 hours if you have a dual registration as a midwife and a nurse)
- 35 hours CPD including 20 hours participatory learning
- A minimum of five pieces of practice-related feedback
- A minimum of five written reflective accounts on your CPD, and/or practice-related feedback, and/or an event or experience in your own professional practice and how this relates to the Code
- A reflective discussion with another NMC registrant covering your five written reflective accounts
- Health and character declaration
- Declaration that you have a profession indemnity arrangement
- A third-party confirmation that you have complied with the revalidation requirements
You will be required to submit an application to revalidate before you can renew your registration at the end of your current three-year registration period. The application must be submitted by the first day of the month in which your registration expires. You can find out more about the revalidation process in the NMC’s guidance
How do I find out when I am due to revalidate?
You can find your renewal date on your NMC Online account.
Please note that the NMC will notify you at least 60 days before your renewal date. Once you have received the notification you will need to go online and complete the application form. If you do not have an online NMC account click here for the set up guide:
For more information regarding the online application form watch the following video.
You can find your renewal date on your NMC Online account.
Please note that the NMC will notify you at least 60 days before your renewal date. Once you have received the notification you will need to go online and complete the application form. If you do not have an online NMC account click here for the set up guide:
For more information regarding the online application form watch the following video.
How do I get ready for revalidation?
The first stage is to check when you are due to revalidate. You can do this through your NMC Online account. This allows you to manage all your registration requirements online. You will already be collating evidence for your professional portfolio for your current notification to practice. Continue to collate this evidence to support you ready for your appraisal and in readiness for revalidation.
Visit the NMC Revalidation microsite to access guidance, forms/templates and information to help you become revalidation ready.
The first stage is to check when you are due to revalidate. You can do this through your NMC Online account. This allows you to manage all your registration requirements online. You will already be collating evidence for your professional portfolio for your current notification to practice. Continue to collate this evidence to support you ready for your appraisal and in readiness for revalidation.
Visit the NMC Revalidation microsite to access guidance, forms/templates and information to help you become revalidation ready.
Do I have to keep a revalidation portfolio?
The NMC strongly recommends that you use a portfolio to keep evidence that you have met your revalidation requirements; this does not necessarily have to be an e-portfolio. If you already have a professional portfolio you can use this to store your revalidation evidence. Your portfolio can be helpful in your discussion with your confirmer, and to store information you will need if the NMC selects you to verify the declarations on your application to revalidate.
The NMC strongly recommends that you use a portfolio to keep evidence that you have met your revalidation requirements; this does not necessarily have to be an e-portfolio. If you already have a professional portfolio you can use this to store your revalidation evidence. Your portfolio can be helpful in your discussion with your confirmer, and to store information you will need if the NMC selects you to verify the declarations on your application to revalidate.
How will the Learning Hub help me with my revalidation?
There is an E-Portfolio available via the Learning Hub where you can record your revalidation requirements i.e. practice hours, CPD, feedback, reflections and upload any evidence e.g. certificates. You can access your E-Portfolio via the Learning Hub.
You can access the E-Portfolio user guide on the Learning Hub and via the Nursing & Midwifery OLI page.
The third party confirmation the NMC needs you to have for revalidation needs to be undertaken by your manager/reviewer or a suitable person as deemed by the NMC. The discussion will be aligned to having a good appraisal. They need to confirm that they have discussed your revalidation portfolio with you and, in their judgment; you have met the revalidation requirements.
Here at ELHT the confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife, your supervision discussions. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement, this is why building it to your appraisal discussions is very important.
There is an E-Portfolio available via the Learning Hub where you can record your revalidation requirements i.e. practice hours, CPD, feedback, reflections and upload any evidence e.g. certificates. You can access your E-Portfolio via the Learning Hub.
You can access the E-Portfolio user guide on the Learning Hub and via the Nursing & Midwifery OLI page.
The third party confirmation the NMC needs you to have for revalidation needs to be undertaken by your manager/reviewer or a suitable person as deemed by the NMC. The discussion will be aligned to having a good appraisal. They need to confirm that they have discussed your revalidation portfolio with you and, in their judgment; you have met the revalidation requirements.
Here at ELHT the confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife, your supervision discussions. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement, this is why building it to your appraisal discussions is very important.
I am retiring soon do I not need to revalidate?
If you do not revalidate when requested to do so by the NMC you may find that your registration will lapse. If this happens, you will not be able to practice as a nurse or a midwife for any period of time until you have successfully re-applied. If you would like to retire and return you will need to revalidate and renew your registration.
If you do not revalidate when requested to do so by the NMC you may find that your registration will lapse. If this happens, you will not be able to practice as a nurse or a midwife for any period of time until you have successfully re-applied. If you would like to retire and return you will need to revalidate and renew your registration.
How will revalidation link to my appraisal?
The third party confirmation the NMC needs you to have for revalidation needs to be undertaken by your manager/reviewer or a suitable person as deemed by the NMC. The discussion will be aligned to having a good appraisal. They need to confirm that they have discussed your revalidation portfolio with you and, in their judgment; you have met the revalidation requirements. Here at ELHT the confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife, your supervision discussions. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement, this is why building it to your appraisal discussions is very important
The third party confirmation the NMC needs you to have for revalidation needs to be undertaken by your manager/reviewer or a suitable person as deemed by the NMC. The discussion will be aligned to having a good appraisal. They need to confirm that they have discussed your revalidation portfolio with you and, in their judgment; you have met the revalidation requirements. Here at ELHT the confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife, your supervision discussions. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement, this is why building it to your appraisal discussions is very important
Do I need to work in a clinical role to revalidate?
You can meet the revalidation requirements if you’re working in a non-clinical role or one where your employment contract does not expressly require you to be registered with the NMC. You could also be in nursing or midwifery management, commissioning, policy or education. Whatever the role, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are relying on your nursing or midwifery skills, knowledge and experience to revalidate. You will be able to use evidence of your role to still meet the revalidation requirements.
You can meet the revalidation requirements if you’re working in a non-clinical role or one where your employment contract does not expressly require you to be registered with the NMC. You could also be in nursing or midwifery management, commissioning, policy or education. Whatever the role, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are relying on your nursing or midwifery skills, knowledge and experience to revalidate. You will be able to use evidence of your role to still meet the revalidation requirements.
I am on the register as a Nurse or a Midwife with additional specialisms, how many practice hours should I complete?
Both of these qualifications are on part one of the register therefore a nurse in this situation will only be required to practice for 450 hours in any nursing role. They would not be required to practice in both roles in order to stay on the register. For further information click on the following link to access the guidance sheet on Practice Hours (Specialisms).
Both of these qualifications are on part one of the register therefore a nurse in this situation will only be required to practice for 450 hours in any nursing role. They would not be required to practice in both roles in order to stay on the register. For further information click on the following link to access the guidance sheet on Practice Hours (Specialisms).
I am on the register as a Nurse and a Midwife (dual registrant) how many practice hours should I complete?
In order to meet the practice hours requirement to maintain both of their registrations, dual registrants must have undertaken a minimum of 900 hours over the previous three year period this includes at least 450 hours for nursing and 450 hours for midwifery. This only affects your Practice hours the other requirements i.e. CPD, feedback and reflections are the same for all Nursing and Midwifery staff (see question 1). For further information click the following link to access the guidance sheet on Practice Hours (Multiple registrations):
In order to meet the practice hours requirement to maintain both of their registrations, dual registrants must have undertaken a minimum of 900 hours over the previous three year period this includes at least 450 hours for nursing and 450 hours for midwifery. This only affects your Practice hours the other requirements i.e. CPD, feedback and reflections are the same for all Nursing and Midwifery staff (see question 1). For further information click the following link to access the guidance sheet on Practice Hours (Multiple registrations):
What sort of activities count as continuing professional development (CPD)?
The NMC does not prescribe any particular activity to count towards your CPD requirement. However, it should be relevant to your current scope of practice as a nurse or midwife, so mandatory training that is not directly related to your practice (such as fire or health and safety training) should not be included. 20 hours minimum (inclusive of the total 35 hours needed) of your CPD need to be ‘participatory hours’, this means any learning activity which involves one or more people i.e. classroom session, course, study group etc. Read the NMC guidance which contains examples.
The NMC does not prescribe any particular activity to count towards your CPD requirement. However, it should be relevant to your current scope of practice as a nurse or midwife, so mandatory training that is not directly related to your practice (such as fire or health and safety training) should not be included. 20 hours minimum (inclusive of the total 35 hours needed) of your CPD need to be ‘participatory hours’, this means any learning activity which involves one or more people i.e. classroom session, course, study group etc. Read the NMC guidance which contains examples.
What is a Reflective Discussion?
You must have a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant, covering your five written reflective accounts on your CPD and/or practice-related feedback and/or an event or experience in your practice and how this relates to the Code. You must ensure that the NMC registrant with whom you had your reflective discussion signs the approved form recording their name, NMC Pin, email, professional address and postcode, as well as the date you had the discussion. The form is available via the NMC revalidation microsite. For further information read the following NMC guidance.
You must have a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant, covering your five written reflective accounts on your CPD and/or practice-related feedback and/or an event or experience in your practice and how this relates to the Code. You must ensure that the NMC registrant with whom you had your reflective discussion signs the approved form recording their name, NMC Pin, email, professional address and postcode, as well as the date you had the discussion. The form is available via the NMC revalidation microsite. For further information read the following NMC guidance.
What is the role of the Confirmer?
Confirmation by an appropriate person provides an additional degree of assurance that a nurse or midwife has met the revalidation requirements. Here at ELHT the role of a confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife your supervision discussions. They will also be a registered nurse or midwife. Confirmation from these adds credibility to revalidation. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement. This is why your appraisal discussion is so important. It also encourages those registrants who work in isolation from other colleagues to discuss their professional development and revalidation with a registered nurse or midwife. If you are a line manager or reviewer, it will encourage you to regularly consider and discuss how your nurses and midwives are engaging in professional development activities to maintain and develop their competence, and improve their practice. For further information read the NMC guidance.
Confirmation by an appropriate person provides an additional degree of assurance that a nurse or midwife has met the revalidation requirements. Here at ELHT the role of a confirmer will probably be the person who undertakes your appraisal and if you are a midwife your supervision discussions. They will also be a registered nurse or midwife. Confirmation from these adds credibility to revalidation. Confirmation increases professionalism by making you more accountable for your performance and improvement. This is why your appraisal discussion is so important. It also encourages those registrants who work in isolation from other colleagues to discuss their professional development and revalidation with a registered nurse or midwife. If you are a line manager or reviewer, it will encourage you to regularly consider and discuss how your nurses and midwives are engaging in professional development activities to maintain and develop their competence, and improve their practice. For further information read the NMC guidance.
What is the professional indemnity arrangement?
As a registered nurse or midwife, you are legally required to have a professional indemnity arrangement in place in order to practise. Most employers including ELHT provide the appropriate cover for their employees. You don’t need to provide evidence to prove you meet this requirement – you just need to confirm you have the appropriate cover when making your online application.
Further information
As a registered nurse or midwife, you are legally required to have a professional indemnity arrangement in place in order to practise. Most employers including ELHT provide the appropriate cover for their employees. You don’t need to provide evidence to prove you meet this requirement – you just need to confirm you have the appropriate cover when making your online application.
Further information
What happens if I do not revalidate?
If you do not submit when requested to do so all of your evidence to meet new revalidation requirements you may find that your registration with the NMC is lapsed. If this happens you would not be able to practice as a nurse or a midwife until such times as you have met the requirements and are re-entered onto the register. There is a charge for re-entry onto the register; it is therefore in your best interest should you wish to maintain your registration to do so within the time period set by the NMC.
If you do not submit when requested to do so all of your evidence to meet new revalidation requirements you may find that your registration with the NMC is lapsed. If this happens you would not be able to practice as a nurse or a midwife until such times as you have met the requirements and are re-entered onto the register. There is a charge for re-entry onto the register; it is therefore in your best interest should you wish to maintain your registration to do so within the time period set by the NMC.
How will the NMC verify revalidations?
Every year the NMC will select a sample of nurses and midwives to provide further information to verify that the declarations they made on their revalidation application. If you are selected this does not necessarily mean there are any concerns about your application, and you can continue to practise while the NMC reviews the information you provide.
Every year the NMC will select a sample of nurses and midwives to provide further information to verify that the declarations they made on their revalidation application. If you are selected this does not necessarily mean there are any concerns about your application, and you can continue to practise while the NMC reviews the information you provide.