The revalidation process

Medical revalidation is based on a doctor’s actual performance in the workplace. In other words, doctors must revalidate against their current clinical and/or non-clinical practice, and both the generic and specialist components of their work.

We have developed a process map to show you the process of revalidation in Scotland at a glance. Process maps for revalidation in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are currently being developed. These process maps will highlight differences in the local appraisal systems applied while the revalidation process set out by the GMC is the same across the four nations:

• As a first step, the GMC, in November 2009, issued licences to practise.
• From when revalidation was introduced, the licence to practise is now subject to periodic renewal, normally every five years, by successfully revalidating.
• Doctors who are retired, overseas, or taking a long career break, are able to maintain registration with the GMC if they wish but have no legal right to practise in the UK unless they revalidate. Doctors returning to practice after an extended break may be required to revalidate within a shorter cycle than five years in the first instance. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties has developed guidance on return to practice to support doctors returning after a planned or unplanned break.
• Doctors in training are required to revalidate but this will be done on the basis of their existing assessment processes through the Deaneries.
• Revalidation is based on positive evidence that a doctor remains up-to-date and fit to practise against generic standards set by the GMC and specialist standards set by the Colleges and Faculties and the Specialist Societies.
• The process centres on a revised system of annual appraisal, to which a doctor will bring a range of supporting information relating to the relevant generic and specialist standards.  See supporting information for appraisal and revalidation for physicians for more information on standards and supporting information.
• Each revalidating doctor relates to a Responsible Officer (RO) in a “designated organisation” – usually the Medical Director of the main employing organisation. The RO will make a recommendation to the GMC, based on (usually five) annual appraisals and other relevant local clinical governance information. 
• The GMC makes the final decision on whether or not a doctor is revalidated and retains a licence to practice.

For general queries on revalidation, you may wish to refer to our process map on revalidation in Scotland and to our FAQs on revalidation.