Revalidation is how you keep your NMC registration active every three years. It isn’t a test of how “good” you are; it’s a structured way to show you’re staying current, practising safely, and living the Code in daily work. You submit it via NMC Online, and a small sample of nurses are checked more closely each year — so keep good evidence.
Quick view — what you need every 3 years
• Practice hours: 450 hours (or 900 if renewing two registrations, e.g., nurse + midwife)
• CPD: 35 hours total, 20 hours participatory
• Feedback: 5 pieces (from patients, carers, colleagues, audits, complaints/compliments)
• Reflections: 5 written reflective accounts linked to the Code + 1 reflective discussion with an NMC registrant
• Declarations: health & character + professional indemnity
• Confirmation: 1 confirmer (ideally your line manager)
• Apply: through NMC Online in your 60-day window before your renewal date
Keep everything in a simple portfolio (paper or digital)
What counts (in plain English)
Practice hours
You need 450 hours in the previous three years (or 900 for dual registration). Hours can be clinical, leadership, education or policy roles — as long as they’re within your scope of practice and you can evidence them (dates, setting, role).
CPD (continuing professional development)
Complete 35 hours; at least 20 hours must be “participatory” (learning with others — study days, journal clubs, webinars with Q&A, case reviews). Keep a log for each activity: date, topic, method, hours, and how it links to the Code.
Feedback
Collect five practice-related feedback items (formal or informal). These can be compliments, patient survey snippets, peer feedback, audit outcomes — anonymised.
Reflections + reflective discussion
Write five short reflective accounts (use the NMC template) showing what happened, what you learned, and how it relates to the Code. Then have one reflective discussion with an NMC-registered nurse/midwife/NA and record it on the NMC form. Keep all identifiable details out.
Confirmation
Get a confirmer (ideally your line manager; they don’t have to be NMC-registered). If you don’t have a manager, the NMC recommends another NMC registrant; if that’s not possible, another UK-regulated healthcare professional can confirm (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, physio). Use the NMC confirmation form and keep it.
Declarations & payment
On NMC Online you’ll declare health & character, professional indemnity, and submit your revalidation with the annual fee collected separately on your usual schedule (annual or quarterly direct debit/card).
Your revalidation timeline (so nothing sneaks up on you)
12 months out
- Check your renewal date on NMC Online.
- Start/refresh your portfolio (folders: Hours, CPD, Feedback, Reflections, Discussion, Confirmation).
- Book CPD you need to reach 35/20.
6 months out
- Aim to finish CPD and draft your 5 reflections.
- Start lining up your reflective discussion and confirmer (best combined with appraisal).
3 months out
- Hold your reflective discussion; complete and file the NMC template.
- Meet your confirmer; they review your portfolio and complete the confirmation form.
60 days before renewal
- Submit your revalidation application via NMC Online (this is the official window). Keep your confirmation and evidence safe in case you’re selected for verification.
Step-by-step: completing each requirement
- Log practice hours
- Record date range, employer/setting, scope (ED/ward/community/education), and a short line on duties.
- Build your CPD record (35/20)
- Mix formal courses, e-learning, in-service teaching, journal clubs, conferences. Note hours and which part of the Code it supports.
- Gather five feedback items
- Screenshot a compliment, paste audit results, summarise patient survey comments — keep it anonymous and practice-related.
- Write five reflections
- Use the NMC reflective template; keep patients and colleagues unidentifiable; explicitly connect to Code themes (Prioritise people, Practise effectively, Preserve safety, Promote professionalism & trust).
- Reflective discussion
- Book with an NMC registrant; talk through your five reflections and how they changed your practice; both of you sign the NMC discussion form.
- Confirmation meeting
- Preferably with your line manager; otherwise another registrant or UK-regulated professional. They check you’ve met the requirements (not your “fitness to practise”), then complete the confirmation form.
- Submit & keep evidence
- Apply in NMC Online within 60 days of your renewal date, make the declarations, and retain your portfolio in case you’re one of the nurses sampled for verification.
What if something’s changed since last time?
The NMC announced a review of the Code and revalidation to reflect modern practice (EDI, social media, AI, etc.). As of October 2025, updates are being developed — always check the NMC site for the latest before you submit.
Common pitfalls (and easy fixes)
- Leaving it to the last month → Block two 30-minute “portfolio” sessions a month for the last year.
- Counting the wrong CPD → Only log CPD relevant to your scope; generic fire safety alone won’t count.
- Naming patients in reflections → Keep everything non-identifiable; no dates of birth, initials, rare conditions.
- No confirmer available → Use another NMC registrant or a UK-regulated professional (e.g., GP, pharmacist, physio).
Handy resources (bookmark these)
- NMC: What is revalidation? — overview of all requirements.
- NMC: CPD requirements — what counts and how to record it.
- NMC: Confirmation (who can confirm) — rules + downloadable form.
- NMC: Resources & templates — all forms and the “How to revalidate” booklet.
- NMC: Paying your annual fee — payment options and timings.
Final Thoughts
Revalidation isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about celebrating your growth and professionalism as a nurse. It’s a reminder of everything you’ve learned, the care you’ve provided, and the progress you’ve made since your last renewal.
It can feel like a big task at first, but when you break it down into small steps and keep your evidence organised throughout the year, it becomes a smooth, even empowering process. Every reflection, every CPD hour, every piece of feedback tells the story of your development and dedication to safe, compassionate care.
💙 Think of revalidation as a chance to pause, reflect, and recognise the impact you make every day — from the smallest interactions to the most challenging shifts.
So take it one section at a time, stay honest, stay organised, and remember: you’ve already done the hard part — you’ve lived the Code. Revalidation just helps you show it.