How to Record CPD for NMC Revalidation
Completing CPD is only part of the process. You also need to keep a clear record of your learning. This practical guide explains what to record, how to evidence your CPD and how to keep track of your participatory hours.
Your CPD record should tell the story of your learning
A useful CPD record does more than list courses. It shows what learning you completed, when you completed it, how long it took, whether it was participatory, how it relates to your scope of practice and which part of the Code is relevant.
What should you record for each CPD activity?
The NMC sets out information that should be included in your CPD record. Keeping this information together as you complete each activity can make preparing for revalidation much easier.
- The CPD method — for example, a workshop, conference, webinar, study session or other learning activity.
- A description of the topic and how the learning relates to your practice and scope of practice.
- The date or dates on which you completed the activity.
- The number of CPD hours completed.
- The number of participatory hours included in the activity, where applicable.
- The relevant part of the Code connected to your learning.
- Evidence that demonstrates you undertook the activity.
Record CPD as you complete it
Waiting until revalidation is approaching can make it harder to remember the details of learning completed months or years earlier. A simple record-as-you-go approach can reduce that problem.
Keep participatory CPD hours visible
At least 20 of the required 35 CPD hours must include participatory learning. Your records therefore need to make it easy to distinguish participatory hours from your other CPD.
Participatory CPD
Record the number of hours involving interaction with one or more other professionals. Participatory learning may take place physically or virtually.
Other CPD
The remainder of your required CPD may include appropriate non-participatory learning, provided the learning is relevant to your scope of practice.
Need help understanding participatory learning?
Read NurseNet's guide to participatory CPD, including practical examples and the difference between participatory and independent learning.
Read the Participatory CPD guide →What might a CPD record look like?
Your own record should accurately describe the learning you actually completed. The example below simply demonstrates the type of information that can be captured.
Recognising and responding to patient deterioration workshop
- CPD method
- Interactive professional development workshop.
- Topic and relevance to practice
- Learning focused on recognising deterioration, structured patient assessment and communicating concerns. Relevant to clinical practice involving assessment and escalation of deteriorating patients.
- Date
- Record the actual date the activity was completed.
- Total CPD hours
- Record the actual number of learning hours completed.
- Participatory hours
- Record the hours that involved interaction with other professionals, where applicable.
- Relevant part of the Code
- Record the part or parts of the NMC Code that are relevant to the learning undertaken.
- Evidence
- Keep appropriate evidence showing that the learning activity was undertaken.
Keep evidence alongside your CPD record
Your record should include evidence that demonstrates you undertook the CPD activity. The appropriate evidence will depend on the learning you completed.
Course documentation
Where available, retain suitable documentation associated with training or professional learning.
Learning records
Keep appropriate records associated with the activity so that your CPD entry and supporting evidence can be connected.
Organised portfolio
Store your CPD record and evidence in a way that allows you to locate them easily when preparing for revalidation.
Connect your CPD to the Code
Your CPD record should identify the part of the Code relevant to the learning activity. This helps connect professional development with the standards that underpin nursing and midwifery practice.
Prioritise people
Consider whether your learning relates to person-centred care, dignity, listening, responding to needs or other relevant standards.
Practise effectively
Learning may connect with communication, evidence-informed practice, teamwork, record keeping or maintaining professional knowledge.
Preserve safety
CPD concerning risk, deterioration, medicines, escalation or patient safety may connect particularly strongly with this area.
Promote professionalism and trust
Professional behaviour, leadership, integrity and maintaining public confidence may provide relevant connections.
Choose the connection that genuinely fits your learning
Do not add a section of the Code simply to complete a box. Consider what you learned and identify the part of the Code that is genuinely relevant to that activity.
Common CPD recording problems
Recording only the course title
Include enough information to show the topic and how the learning relates to your practice and scope of practice.
Not separating participatory hours
Keep a clear running record so you know how many of your hours meet the participatory learning requirement.
Losing evidence
Keep evidence organised alongside your CPD records rather than trying to reconstruct everything when revalidation approaches.
Forgetting the Code
Record the relevant part of the Code while the learning activity is still fresh in your mind.
Learning becomes more useful when you consider its impact
Recording what you completed is important, but professional development becomes more meaningful when you also consider what changed in your knowledge, thinking or practice.
CPD recording FAQs
How many hours of CPD do I need for NMC revalidation?
You need 35 hours of CPD relevant to your scope of practice during the three-year period since your registration was last renewed or since you joined the register.
How many participatory CPD hours do I need?
At least 20 of the 35 CPD hours must include participatory learning.
Do I need evidence of my CPD?
Your CPD record should include evidence that demonstrates you undertook the activity.
Do I need to link CPD to the NMC Code?
Your CPD record should identify the part of the Code that is most relevant to the learning activity.
Should I wait until revalidation to organise my CPD?
Keeping your record updated as you complete learning can make it much easier to track hours, evidence and participatory learning across the three-year period.
Build an organised CPD record
Explore NurseNet's CPD and revalidation guides, then use the free revalidation resources to help organise your professional development and supporting records.
