10 things you need to do for revalidation

Still concerned about revalidation? Our top tips will help ensure you have everything in place to renew your registration with the NMC, as Alison Moore explains.

Abstract

1 Know when you will need to revalidate and start preparing in plenty of time. You can check your revalidation date by logging on to your account at the Nursing and Midwifery Council website, which has a microsite covering all aspects of revalidation.

The NMC will send a notice 60 days before your revalidation date to the email address you have registered with it – so make sure that address is current. In the subsequent 60-day period you can submit your application through NMC online. However, you may want to allow more time to put together evidence and ensure you meet all the requirements rather than wait for the NMC email.

Some employers have electronic staff records that identify and alert those needing to revalidate. This can be helpful, but will not happen in every organisation.

The NMC microsite provides a rundown of the evidence you will need – from getting a confirmer to ‘sign off’ your revalidation to how many practice hours you need. The majority of nurses will read this list and breathe a sigh of relief but there will be some who have not completed the required continuing professional development (CPD) or need more practice hours. Advance knowledge of this shortfall will allow time to address the problem – for example, by doing more courses. If you have been off work sick, on maternity leave or taking an agreed career break you may be able to apply for special arrangement giving you extra time to submit your application (but only up to six weeks).

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This article was first published in print in Nursing Standard: volume 30, issue 31