Completing Your Revalidation
Clear, structured steps for writing a revalidation application.
Supporting Your Professional Journey with Oikos Health Care Solutions
At Oikos Health Care, we understand how important it is for healthcare professionals to stay compliant, confident, and competent in their roles. Revalidation is a key part of maintaining your registration and continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Revalidation can feel like a daunting process for UK nurses, but understanding what’s required—and preparing early—can make it far more manageable. The key is knowing the steps involved, gathering the right information, and staying organised throughout.
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What is Revalidation?
Revalidation is the process that allows healthcare professionals to maintain their registration with regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Medical Council (GMC). It ensures that practitioners continue to meet professional standards, remain up to date in their knowledge and skills, and are fit to practise.
Revalidation is a mandatory requirement designed to support safe, effective care and maintain public confidence in healthcare services. Nurses, midwives, and nursing associates must complete revalidation every three years to retain their registration.
Getting Started with the NMC
Preparing Your Evidence
Although the NMC has streamlined the revalidation process, keeping a well‑organised portfolio over the three years leading up to your renewal is highly recommended. This should include:
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Feedback from colleagues, patients, or service users
- Reflective accounts and discussions
- Records of practice hours and relevant activities
Maintaining this portfolio throughout the cycle makes completing your application smoother and helps speed up confirmation.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide
Revalidating with the Nursing and Midwifery Council is a requirement for all registered nurses, midwives, and nursing associates to maintain their registration. The process ensures that professionals continue to practise safely and effectively while upholding the standards of the profession.
This guide outlines the key steps to completing your revalidation application in a clear and structured manner.
1 Review NMC Requirements
Before starting your application, ensure you understand and meet all revalidation requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council:
- Minimum of 450 practice hours (900 for dual registration)
- 35 hours of CPD (at least 20 participatory hours)
- Five reflective accounts
- Five pieces of practice-related feedback
- Reflective discussion with another registrant
- Confirmation from a nominated confirmer
- Health and character declaration
- Professional indemnity arrangement
2 Gather Supporting Documentation
Collect and maintain evidence to support your application. This includes CPD certificates, reflective records, practice hours logs, feedback evidence, and signed confirmation forms. Ensure all documentation is accurate, up to date, and stored securely.
3 Organise Your Evidence
Structure your documentation in a logical and accessible way across practice hours, CPD activities, reflective accounts, feedback evidence, reflective discussion, and confirmation sections to make your application efficient.
4 Complete Reflective Accounts
Your reflective accounts should clearly demonstrate how you meet the NMC Code. Link your experiences to the Code (prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, promote professionalism and trust), explain what you learned, and describe how it improved your practice.
5 Undertake Reflective Discussion
Have a reflective discussion with another NMC-registered professional. Discuss your accounts and learning, record the discussion details (registrant's name and NMC PIN), and complete it before seeking confirmation.
6 Obtain Confirmation
Your application must be reviewed and confirmed by a confirmer (usually your line manager or another appropriate professional) who will verify your requirements and sign the confirmation form.
7 Complete Health and Character Declaration
Declare that you are fit to practise safely and effectively by disclosing any relevant health conditions or character issues with honesty and accurate information.
8 Submit Your Application & Maintain Records
Submit via the NMC online system before your renewal date after checking all sections are complete. Pay the revalidation fee, confirm indemnity cover, and retain records post-submission in case of verification.
Key Tips for Success
Need Help?
If you’re unsure about any part of your revalidation, our team is here to help. Contact Oikos Health Care Solutions today for personalised guidance.