Revalidation mythbusting

We are aware that there are some misconceptions about the revalidation process. Here we address some of the questions we’ve received.

You do not need to upload your evidence or submit your portfolio

The application process is very straightforward. Logging on to your NMC Online account, you will make a series of declarations that you have met each of the requirements. You will also provide us with some information about your practice, details of your confirmer and your reflective discussion partner.

You will need to show your revalidation evidence to your confirmer but you will not need to send it to us by post or email, or upload it.

You do not need to keep an e-portfolio (online portfolio)

We strongly recommend that you keep your evidence that you have met the revalidation requirements in a portfolio, but this does not need to be an e-portfolio.

You may keep a paper portfolio and all of our forms and templates can be downloaded, printed and filled in by hand. Or you can keep an e-portfolio; it is your choice.

You do not need to be working in a clinical role to revalidate

You can meet the revalidation requirements if you’re working in a non-clinical role or one where your employment contract does not expressly require you to be registered with the NMC. You could also be in nursing or midwifery management, commissioning, policy or education. Whatever the role, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are relying on your nursing or midwifery skills, knowledge and experience to revalidate.

Revalidation for nurses, midwives and nursing associates is different to revalidation for doctors

Revalidation for nurses, midwives and nursing associates is owned by the individual, rather than being employer-led. Individual nurses, midwives and nursing associates take responsibility for meeting the requirements and choosing a confirmer.

We recommend revalidation for nurses, midwives and nursing associates takes place as part of an appraisal, if possible, whereas appraisal is mandatory for doctors.

In medical revalidation, a ‘responsible officer’ makes a recommendation that a doctor is fit to practise and should be revalidated. With revalidation for nurses, midwives or nursing associate a confirmer will check that the nurse or midwife has met the requirements of revalidation, but they will not be asked to declare them fit to practise.

Revalidation is NOT about Fitness to Practise

Revalidation is not about whether a nurse, midwife or nursing associate is fit to practise. The role of the confirmer in the revalidation process is an important one as they will confirm that they have seen the evidence that a nurse, midwife or nursing associate has met all the requirements – but they are not making a judgment about whether they are fit to practise.