Preparing for Revalidation
Revalidation has now started, and all licensed doctors are expected to revalidate for the first time by 2016. If you hold a license to practice, you should complete the steps below to ensure that you are ready for revalidation:
1. Confirm your responsible officer
If you have not already done so, confirm your contact details with the GMC by setting up a GMC online account. This will allow you to confirm your designated body and responsible officer, and check that your details are correct.
2. Confirm your revalidation date
Your first revalidation will normally be sometime between April 2013 and March 2016. You should have received your date from the GMC. If you have not, please contact the GMC.
3. Identify your local appraisal process
Identify your appraiser, familiarise yourself with the local appraisal systems and processes in your employing organisation, and schedule an appraisal.
4. Gather your supporting information
Begin gathering supporting information from the full spectrum of your professional activity (including, for example, independent practice).There are six types of supporting information you will need to collect. Familiarise yourself with the necessary supporting information for surgery, and ensure that relevant supporting information is collected and stored in your files.
Some of this information can be provided by the organisation(s) where you work; for example, through the compilation of clinical data about your surgical activity or the administration of patient and colleague feedback questionnaires.
For your first revalidation, you may find it useful to read the GMC guidance How doctors can meet the GMC’s requirements for revalidation in the first cycle.
5. Participate in appraisal each year
Annual appraisal is at the core of revalidation. You may find it useful to read our advice on how to conduct an appraisal or to take a look at our example appraisal portfolios.
6. Receive your revalidation confirmation from the GMC
If you have undertaken steps 1-5, and there are no unaddressed concerns about your practice, your responsible officer will make a positive recommendation about you to the GMC.
Once the GMC has received a recommendation, it will notify you whether or not your licence has been renewed.