NMC Revalidation Checklist for Nurses
Use this practical checklist to organise the major NMC revalidation requirements, monitor your progress and identify anything that still needs attention before your application is due.
Start with the headline requirements
Revalidation normally takes place every three years. These headline figures are useful starting points, but your application also includes several other requirements covered in the checklist below.
Your NMC revalidation requirements
Work through each area and keep your evidence organised throughout your revalidation period.
1. Practice hours
Check that you have completed the practice-hours requirement relevant to your registration. For one registration, the standard requirement is 450 hours during the relevant three-year period.
Read the Practice Hours guide →2. Continuing professional development
Complete 35 hours of CPD relevant to your scope of practice and keep appropriate records and evidence.
Read the CPD guide →3. Participatory CPD
Make sure at least 20 of your 35 CPD hours include participatory learning involving interaction with one or more other professionals.
Read the Participatory CPD guide →4. Practice-related feedback
Collect five pieces of practice-related feedback and keep suitable records while protecting confidentiality.
Read the Practice-Related Feedback guide →5. Written reflective accounts
Complete five written reflective accounts relating to CPD, practice-related feedback or events and experiences in your professional practice, and connect your reflections with the Code.
Read the Written Reflective Accounts guide →6. Reflective discussion
Discuss your five written reflective accounts with another NMC-registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate and complete the required documentation.
Read the Reflective Discussion guide →7. Health and character
Complete the health and character declaration required as part of your revalidation application, following current NMC guidance.
8. Professional indemnity arrangement
Make the declaration required by the NMC concerning an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement.
9. Confirmation
Arrange confirmation with an appropriate confirmer and have your evidence organised for review.
Read the Confirmation guide →Check your CPD record carefully
Meeting the total number of hours is only part of the CPD requirement. Your records should contain the information required by the NMC.
Your CPD totals
- 35 hours of relevant CPD
- At least 20 participatory hours
- Learning relevant to your scope of practice
- Activities completed during the relevant revalidation period
Your CPD records
- Method of CPD
- Description of the topic and relevance to your practice
- Dates of the activity
- Total and participatory hours
- Relevant part of the Code
- Evidence that the activity was undertaken
Need help recording CPD?
NurseNet's CPD recording guide explains what information to keep and provides practical examples of how a CPD record can be organised.
How to Record CPD for NMC Revalidation →A simple four-step revalidation routine
Revalidation should not begin a few weeks before your deadline
A small amount of record keeping throughout the three-year period can make final preparation considerably easier and help you spot missing evidence while there is still time to address it.
Before your revalidation application
Use this final review as a practical prompt. It does not replace the official NMC application guidance.
- I know my revalidation and renewal dates.
- I have checked the practice-hours requirement that applies to my registration.
- My practice-hours records are organised.
- I have completed 35 hours of relevant CPD.
- At least 20 CPD hours meet the participatory-learning requirement.
- My CPD records contain the required information and evidence.
- I have five pieces of practice-related feedback.
- I have completed five written reflective accounts.
- I have completed my reflective discussion in line with NMC guidance.
- I have considered the health and character requirement.
- I have considered the professional indemnity arrangement requirement.
- I have completed or arranged confirmation with an appropriate confirmer.
- I have protected confidentiality throughout my evidence.
- I have checked the latest NMC revalidation guidance and documentation.
Build your revalidation evidence with NurseNet
If your checklist has identified areas that need organising, the NurseNet Revalidation Resource Library contains practical free resources to help you prepare.
Revalidation Documents & Templates Pack
Practical templates to help organise your revalidation documentation.
NurseNet CPD Guide
Practical support for understanding and recording continuing professional development.
Revalidation Ready Planner
A planning resource to help organise your preparation across the revalidation process.
Practice-Related Feedback Workbook
Support for recording and learning from feedback while preparing for revalidation.
Access the Free NMC Revalidation Resource Library
Bring the checklist and practical resources together so you can start organising your evidence in one place.
Access the Free Revalidation Resource Library →NMC revalidation checklist FAQs
How often do nurses revalidate?
NMC revalidation normally operates on a three-year cycle for registrants renewing their registration.
How many practice hours do I need?
For one registration, the standard requirement is 450 practice hours during the relevant three-year period. Different requirements apply when renewing more than one registration.
How much CPD do I need?
You need 35 hours of CPD relevant to your scope of practice, including at least 20 hours of participatory learning.
How many pieces of feedback are required?
Five pieces of practice-related feedback are required for revalidation.
How many reflective accounts do I need?
Five written reflective accounts are required, followed by a reflective discussion completed in line with NMC requirements.
Does this checklist replace the NMC guidance?
No. This checklist is an educational planning aid. Always use current NMC guidance and documentation when completing formal revalidation.
Complete your final checks against current NMC guidance
Requirements, forms and processes can change. Before submitting your application, check your preparation directly against the latest Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance.
NMC revalidation
Use the official NMC website as the authoritative source for current revalidation requirements and documentation.
Check current NMC revalidation guidance →Turn your checklist into a simple revalidation plan
Identify what is complete, what still needs attention and what evidence needs organising. Then use NurseNet's free resources and guides to work through your preparation one requirement at a time.
