What Is NMC Revalidation?
NMC revalidation is more than a bureaucratic renewal. It is a structured process designed to promote lifelong learning, encourage reflection on your practice, and strengthen public confidence in nurses, midwives, and nursing associates across the UK. Every three years, you must demonstrate to the NMC that you continue to be fit to practise by meeting a set of specific requirements linked to the NMC Code.
Your revalidation submission is due on the first day of the month when your annual registration fee is normally due. You can submit your application up to 60 days before this date. Each year, the NMC selects a random sample of registrants for additional verification — if selected, you will be asked to provide supporting evidence within 21 days.
The NMC has announced plans to modernise the Code and review the revalidation requirements, with consultations planned for 2026 and updated requirements expected to come into effect in October 2027. The current requirements outlined in this guide remain in place until any changes are formally approved.
The Complete NMC Revalidation Requirements
There are eight requirements you must meet to successfully revalidate. Each one is linked to demonstrating that you practise safely, effectively, and in line with the NMC Code.
You must have completed at least 450 hours of registered practice in the three years since your registration was last renewed. If you hold dual registration (for example, as both a nurse and a midwife), you need 900 hours. For triple registration, the requirement is 1,350 hours. Practice hours can include direct patient care, management, education, research, or any role where you use your nursing or midwifery knowledge and skills. You must keep evidence such as timesheets, payslips, or a letter from your employer confirming the hours worked.
You need 35 hours of CPD relevant to your scope of practice across the three-year revalidation period. Of these, at least 20 hours must be participatory learning — that is, learning that involves interaction with one or more other professionals. This includes attending conferences, workshops, training courses, live webinars, or group discussions. The remaining 15 hours can be self-directed learning such as online courses, reading journal articles, or completing e-learning modules.
The NMC does not prescribe specific types of CPD. It is your responsibility to choose activities that genuinely develop your practice and are relevant to the areas you work in. For each CPD activity, you must record the date, a description of the activity, the number of hours, whether it was participatory, and how it relates to your practice.
Our CPD-certified courses in ethics, professionalism, and probity for nurses and midwives count towards your 35-hour NMC revalidation CPD requirement. Each course provides an instant, verifiable certificate on completion that you can include in your revalidation portfolio. They also provide excellent material for your reflective accounts.
You must collect at least five pieces of feedback related to your practice over the three-year period. Feedback can come from patients, service users, colleagues, managers, or anyone who is in a position to comment on your practice. It can be positive or negative, formal or informal. Examples include patient satisfaction surveys, peer reviews, appraisal comments, team feedback, or written notes from a supervisor. The key is that each piece of feedback should help you reflect on your practice and identify areas for improvement.
You must prepare five written reflective accounts using the NMC's approved template. Each account must refer to your CPD, practice-related feedback, or a specific event or experience from your professional practice, and explain how it relates to the NMC Code. A good reflective account describes what happened, what you learned, how it changed or improved your practice, and which themes of the Code it connects to.
The four themes of the Code that your reflective accounts should reference are: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust. If you need guidance on writing effective reflective accounts, our detailed guide on how to write a reflective statement covers the key principles and reflective models you can use.
You must have a reflective discussion with another person on the NMC register. This discussion should cover your five written reflective accounts and how your CPD, feedback, and practice experiences relate to the Code. The discussion can take place face to face or by video conference. Your discussion partner must sign the NMC's approved reflective discussion form, including their name, NMC PIN, email address, and the date of the discussion. Many registrants find this to be one of the most rewarding parts of the revalidation process.
You need a suitable person to confirm that you have met all of the NMC revalidation requirements. If you work for an employer, your confirmer should ideally be your line manager or someone in a position to verify your practice. If you are self-employed or work as an agency nurse, your confirmer can be another NMC registrant who is familiar with your practice. The confirmer must complete and sign the NMC confirmation form.
You must make an honest declaration about your health and character as part of your revalidation application. This includes declaring any criminal convictions, cautions, investigations by the NMC or other regulators, and any health conditions that may affect your ability to practise safely.
You must confirm that you have, or will have, appropriate professional indemnity cover in place. Most nurses working in the NHS are covered through their employer's indemnity arrangements. If you work in the independent sector, as an agency nurse, or are self-employed, you must ensure you have your own professional indemnity insurance.
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare for NMC Revalidation
The key to a stress-free NMC revalidation is preparation throughout the three-year period, not a last-minute rush. Here is a practical step-by-step approach.
- Check your revalidation date — log in to your NMC Online account to confirm when your revalidation is due. Set a reminder at least six months before your submission deadline
- Plan your CPD early — do not leave your 35 hours to the final months. Spread your learning across the three-year period and choose a mix of participatory and self-directed activities. Our NMC-aligned CPD courses provide certificates that meet the NMC's evidence requirements
- Collect feedback as you go — gather your five pieces of practice-related feedback throughout the period. Ask for written feedback after key events, appraisals, or training sessions
- Write reflective accounts regularly — aim to write one reflective account every six to eight months rather than all five at the end. Use the NMC template and link each reflection to the Code
- Keep a portfolio — store all your evidence in one place, whether digital or physical. This should include CPD certificates, feedback records, reflective accounts, practice hour evidence, and any other supporting documents
- Arrange your reflective discussion — contact your discussion partner at least four weeks before your submission deadline. Share your five reflective accounts in advance so the discussion is productive
- Secure your confirmer — speak to your line manager or chosen confirmer early. Explain the process and agree a date for confirmation well before your deadline
- Submit on time — your NMC revalidation application opens 60 days before your deadline. Submit as soon as you have completed all requirements. Applications can take up to two days to be confirmed
The nurses who find NMC revalidation straightforward are those who treat it as an ongoing process rather than a one-off task. If you build CPD, feedback, and reflection into your normal practice, revalidation becomes a natural part of your professional life rather than a stressful deadline.
Using CPD Courses for NMC Revalidation
Choosing the right CPD courses for your NMC revalidation portfolio is about more than just ticking boxes. The most effective CPD is relevant to your scope of practice, develops your knowledge in areas that matter to your daily work, and provides material you can genuinely reflect on in your reflective accounts.
Our courses are designed specifically for healthcare professionals facing regulatory challenges, but they are equally valuable for any nurse, midwife, or nursing associate who wants to strengthen their understanding of ethics, professionalism, duty of candour, probity, and professional boundaries. Each course is CPD-certified by the CPD Certification Service and provides an instant certificate on completion. The content is directly linked to the NMC Code, making it straightforward to write reflective accounts based on what you learn.
If you are also currently under NMC investigation, our courses serve a dual purpose: they count towards your revalidation CPD hours while simultaneously building the remediation evidence that demonstrates insight and remediation to the NMC.
CPD Courses for NMC Revalidation
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What Happens If You Do Not Revalidate
If you do not complete your NMC revalidation by your submission deadline, your registration will lapse. Once your registration has lapsed, you cannot practise as a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate. Practising while lapsed is treated as a serious matter by the NMC and may lead to fitness to practise proceedings.
To return to the register after lapsing, you must apply for readmission. This process can take up to six weeks and requires you to demonstrate that you have met all of the revalidation requirements. You will also need to pay your registration fee before the NMC will process your application. The simplest way to avoid this situation is to start preparing early and submit your application as soon as it opens.
NMC Revalidation During a Fitness to Practise Investigation
If you are currently under NMC investigation, you can and should continue to revalidate as normal, provided your registration is not subject to an interim or substantive suspension order. If you are suspended, your registration will lapse at the end of your case (assuming a striking-off order is not imposed), and you will need to apply for readmission once the case concludes.
For nurses under investigation, revalidation is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are actively maintaining your professional standards despite the challenges you are facing. Completing CPD courses in ethics, probity, and professionalism during this period serves a dual purpose: it meets your revalidation requirements while simultaneously building the remediation evidence that may influence the outcome of your case.
Certified by CPD UK — all courses provide a verifiable certificate accepted as CPD evidence for NMC revalidation and as remediation evidence across all UK healthcare regulators.
Need CPD Hours for Your NMC Revalidation?
Our CPD-certified courses provide instant certificates that count towards your 35-hour requirement. Complete them at your own pace, from anywhere, and use the learning for your reflective accounts.
See NMC Courses →Frequently Asked Questions
What is NMC revalidation?
NMC revalidation is the process every nurse, midwife, and nursing associate in the UK must complete every three years to renew their registration. It requires you to demonstrate that you continue to meet the standards of the NMC Code through CPD, reflective accounts, practice hours, and confirmation from a suitable person.
How many CPD hours do I need for NMC revalidation?
You need 35 hours of continuing professional development in the three-year period before your revalidation is due. At least 20 of those hours must be participatory learning. The remaining 15 hours can be self-directed learning such as online courses or reading.
What are the NMC revalidation requirements?
The requirements are: 450 practice hours (900 if dual registered), 35 hours of CPD (20 participatory), 5 pieces of practice-related feedback, 5 written reflective accounts linked to the Code, a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant, confirmation from a suitable person, a health and character declaration, and professional indemnity cover.
What happens if I fail to revalidate with the NMC?
If you do not revalidate by your submission deadline, your registration will lapse. You cannot practise while lapsed. Readmission to the register can take up to six weeks and requires you to demonstrate that you have met all revalidation requirements and paid your registration fee.
Do online CPD courses count towards NMC revalidation?
Yes. Online CPD courses count towards your 35 hours. If the course involves interaction with others, it counts as participatory learning. Self-paced online courses count towards the 15 hours of non-participatory CPD. You must keep certificates or evidence of completion for your portfolio.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional regulatory advice. For specific questions about your NMC revalidation, contact the NMC directly or seek advice from your professional body such as the RCN or your trade union.