GMC Revalidation: A Complete Guide for UK Doctors

What is GMC revalidation?

GMC revalidation is the process by which all licensed doctors in the UK demonstrate to the General Medical Council (GMC) that they are up to date and fit to practise medicine. It happens every five years and is a legal requirement for maintaining your licence to practise.

Revalidation was introduced in 2012 following high-profile cases including Harold Shipman, and is now a core part of how the UK regulates its medical workforce.

How does the revalidation cycle work?

The revalidation cycle runs over five years:

• Each year, you complete an annual appraisal with a trained GMC-approved appraiser
• At the end of your five-year cycle, your Responsible Officer makes a recommendation to the GMC
• The GMC reviews the recommendation and either revalidates you or begins further investigation
• If revalidated, your five-year cycle resets

Who is your Responsible Officer?

Your Responsible Officer (RO) is the person responsible for making your revalidation recommendation to the GMC. For most NHS doctors, this is the Medical Director of your employing NHS trust. For locum and independent doctors, you need to be connected to a designated body which provides a Responsible Officer.

If you are a locum doctor without an employer-based RO, you must register with a designated body. Quiet Medical can help you identify the right designated body for your situation.

What evidence do you need?

Across your five-year cycle, you must gather Supporting Information in six areas:

1. CPD — at least 50 credits per year, covering your clinical work
2. Quality Improvement — at least one audit or quality improvement activity per cycle
3. Significant Events — documented reflections on cases that did not go as expected
4. Colleague Feedback — structured feedback from at least 15 colleagues, once per cycle
5. Patient Feedback — structured feedback from at least 34 patients, once per cycle
6. Complaints and Compliments — review of any formal complaints or compliments received

What happens at your appraisal?

Each year, you meet with your appraiser to review your Supporting Information and reflect on your practice. At the end of each appraisal, you agree a Personal Development Plan for the coming year. After five appraisals, your RO reviews all five summaries and makes your revalidation recommendation.

What happens if you miss revalidation?

If you miss your revalidation date without a valid deferral, the GMC may lapse your licence to practise. This means you cannot legally work as a doctor in the UK until the matter is resolved. If you are at risk of missing revalidation, contact your Responsible Officer and the GMC immediately.

How Quiet Medical helps with revalidation

Quiet Medical's compliance passport lets you store all your Supporting Information in one place throughout your revalidation cycle. Automatic expiry alerts ensure your documents never lapse. And when you need your annual appraisal, Quiet Medical can connect you with a GMC-approved appraiser from £299.