FAQs
Q: I’m an academic. How do I revalidate?
The process for academics is the same as for any doctor with a licence to practise. The key difference for academics is that appraisals may follow the Follett principles, where you can undergo a joint appraisal with your university and your designated body. Different arrangements are in place around the UK so you are advised to discuss with these two organisations how your appraisal will work.
Q: How will a short career break (for example maternity leave) affect my ability to revalidate?
Your ability to revalidate should not be affected if you take a short career break within a five-year revalidation cycle. Our understanding from the GMC is that you will be expected to revalidate at the usual point in your five-year cycle on the basis of the supporting information you have collected and appraisals that you have attended within this time period. If you have been unable to collect sufficient supporting information for your appraisal, your RO may recommend a deferment of your revalidation to the GMC, in order to allow you to collect additional information.
It is expected that doctors will want to take career breaks within their revalidation cycle, and there is flexibility in the process to manage this. If you do plan a break you should manage your appraisals around that break as far as possible, so that you do not miss an appraisal prior to going on leave. A 'return to work' appraisal may also be required by your employer. Some of the supporting information is required over the five-year cycle, not annually, so again this may be able to be managed around the career break. You should speak to your appraiser and RO to develop an agreed approach.
If you are planning a longer break you should consider relinquishing your licence to practice during this period.
Q: I have retired from the NHS but continue to work in an independent/or voluntary capacity. Do I need to revalidate?
Retired doctors often continue to work in many different capacities, and it depends upon whether you require a licence to practise to undertake any or all of the work that you do. You should speak to the organisation that you are working or volunteering for to ascertain whether that organisation requires you to hold a licence to practise. If you continue to treat patients you will require a licence. If you are in doubt you should seek advice from the GMC and Faculty Revalidation Team.
If you do require a licence, then you will have to revalidate in the same way as all doctors, linking to a designated body and RO, participating in annual appraisal and collating a portfolio of supporting information in relation to the work that you do.
Q: I have retired from active medical practice. If I continue to maintain CPD will that be sufficient for revalidation?
No. If you choose to hold a licence to practise, the GMC requires you to revalidate in the same way as every other doctor by participating in annual appraisal and maintaining a portfolio of supporting information.
If you are retired from active clinical practice, it may be that you would wish to relinquish your licence to practise but maintain your registration with the GMC. This means that you do not have to revalidate, and it will show that you remain in good standing with the GMC. This will depend on whether you undertake any activity post-retirement which requires a licence to practise (eg. if you work directly with patients).
Q: I am retiring in less than five years. Do I have to revalidate?
Yes. Maintaining a licence to practice is a continuous process. You must maintain it up until the point you retire and relinquish your licence to practise. It is particularly important that you continue to engage with the appraisal process. You may discuss the management of your appraisal and supporting information with your RO if you are retiring before a full five-year cycle.
If you choose to retain your licence to practise in order to undertake practice post-retirement, you will still need to revalidate according to that activity.
Q: How will a short career break (for example maternity leave) affect my ability to revalidate?
Your ability to revalidate should not be affected if you take a short career break within a five-year revalidation cycle. Our understanding from the GMC is that you will be expected to revalidate at the usual point in your five-year cycle on the basis of the supporting information you have collected and appraisals that you have attended within this time period. If you have been unable to collect sufficient supporting information for your appraisal, your RO may recommend a deferment of your revalidation to the GMC, in order to allow you to collect additional information.
It is expected that doctors will want to take career breaks within their revalidation cycle, and there is flexibility in the process to manage this. If you do plan a break you should manage your appraisals around that break as far as possible, so that you do not miss an appraisal prior to going on leave. A 'return to work' appraisal may also be required by your employer. Some of the supporting information is required over the five-year cycle, not annually, so again this may be able to be managed around the career break. You should speak to your appraiser and RO to develop an agreed approach.
If you are planning a longer break you should consider relinquishing your licence to practice during this period.
