Revalidation lets nurses and midwives show that they are practising safely and effectively. It is also a chance to develop as a professional.
Revalidation is built around your three-year registration renewal date. It adds requirements that you meet at the point of renewal. These are:
- up-to-date practice and professional development;
- reflection on the standards of practice and behaviour set out in the Code;
- discussion of your practice with other registered nurses or midwives.
Revalidation is an ongoing process; it is not a one-off task. It is a learning process that promotes good practice. It is not designed to assess your fitness to practise or to address concerns about practice.
The three steps to revalidation
Step one: build your portfolio. Over the three years before your renewal date, gather evidence that shows you have:
- practised a minimum number of hours (450 hours as a nurse, 450 hours as a midwife, or 900 hours if you hold both roles);
- completed 35 hours of CPD, including at least 20 participatory hours;
- written five reflective accounts that link to the Code, your CPD or your feedback;
- obtained five pieces of practice-related feedback and used it in your reflection;
- had a reflective discussion about your accounts with another NMC registrant;
- provided a health and character declaration;
- arranged appropriate professional indemnity cover.
Step two: obtain confirmation. You show a confirmer that you have met the requirements. This is usually your line manager; they do not need to be on the NMC register.
Step three: apply to the NMC. You declare to the NMC that you have met the revalidation requirements, and you pay your registration fee.