Practice Hours for NMC Revalidation
Understand the NMC practice-hours requirement, how the requirement changes for people with more than one registration, and how to keep a clear record of your practice throughout your revalidation period.
How many practice hours do you need?
The NMC requires registrants to demonstrate that they have completed the required number of practice hours during the three-year period since their registration was last renewed or since they joined the register.
What can count towards practice hours?
Nursing practice can take different forms. Practice is not necessarily limited to direct bedside care. What matters is whether the work is relevant to your registration and relies on your professional nursing, midwifery or nursing associate knowledge and skills.
Direct clinical practice
Practice involving direct care of patients or service users may contribute to your practice-hours requirement.
Leadership and management
Relevant professional roles involving nursing leadership, management or service delivery may potentially form part of your practice.
Education and teaching
Some educational roles may constitute practice where they rely on your professional registration, knowledge and skills.
Other professional roles
Research, policy, consultancy and other roles may potentially count where they constitute relevant professional practice.
Your job title alone does not tell the whole story
If you are unsure whether particular work counts as practice for revalidation, consider the nature of the work and check the current NMC guidance rather than relying only on the title of your role.
Keep a clear record of your practice
Recording your practice as you go can make revalidation preparation much easier than trying to reconstruct several years of work shortly before your application is due.
| Useful information | What to record |
|---|---|
| Dates | Record the period during which the practice took place. |
| Organisation or setting | Note where the practice was undertaken or the organisation connected with the work. |
| Role | Record your role and the nature of the professional practice. |
| Scope of practice | Keep enough information to demonstrate the professional nature and context of the work. |
| Hours | Maintain an accurate record of the practice hours completed. |
| Registration | If you hold more than one registration, ensure your records allow you to understand how your practice relates to them. |
Track your hours throughout the three-year period
Do not wait until your revalidation deadline
A simple ongoing record can help you identify potential gaps early and make your eventual revalidation preparation much more manageable.
What if you hold more than one registration?
Registrants who hold more than one type of registration need to pay particular attention to the NMC practice-hours requirements.
One registration
The standard practice-hours requirement is 450 hours during the relevant three-year revalidation period.
Two registrations
If you are renewing two registrations, the practice-hours requirement is 900 hours. Check current NMC guidance about how the hours must relate to your registrations.
Practice hours and CPD are different requirements
It is useful to keep these two parts of revalidation separate. Your practice-hours evidence demonstrates your professional practice, while CPD records your continuing professional learning.
Practice hours
Demonstrate that you have completed the required amount of relevant professional practice during your revalidation period.
Continuing professional development
Demonstrate the required CPD learning, including the required participatory-learning component.
Need help with CPD?
NurseNet's CPD hub explains the 35-hour CPD requirement, participatory learning, recording CPD and practical learning examples.
Explore CPD for NMC Revalidation →Practice-hours checklist
- Know your revalidation period and submission date
- Check which registration or registrations you are renewing
- Understand the practice-hours requirement that applies to you
- Keep a running record of your practice hours
- Record the dates and context of your professional practice
- Keep your practice records organised throughout the three years
- Review your total before your revalidation deadline approaches
- Check the current NMC guidance if your circumstances are unusual
- Have your records organised before your confirmation discussion
Practice-hours FAQs
How many practice hours do I need for NMC revalidation?
For one registration, the NMC requirement is 450 practice hours over the relevant three-year period. Different requirements apply when renewing more than one registration.
How many hours do I need for two registrations?
The NMC states a requirement of 900 practice hours when renewing two registrations. Check current NMC guidance for how this applies to the registrations you hold.
Does practice have to involve direct patient care?
Not necessarily. Professional practice can take different forms. Check NMC guidance when deciding whether a particular role or activity can count towards your practice-hours requirement.
Is CPD included in my practice hours?
Practice hours and CPD are separate NMC revalidation requirements. Keep clear records for each.
Should I keep evidence of my practice hours?
Keep an accurate record that allows you to demonstrate your practice during the relevant revalidation period and prepare for confirmation.
What if I do not have enough practice hours?
Do not assume that the normal revalidation route will apply. Check current NMC guidance as early as possible for the options and requirements relevant to your circumstances.
Check the current NMC practice-hours guidance
Your employment pattern, registration status and professional role can affect how the requirement applies. Always use current NMC guidance when preparing formal revalidation evidence.
NMC revalidation guidance
Check the Nursing and Midwifery Council website for the latest revalidation requirements, forms and practice-hours guidance.
Check current NMC revalidation guidance →Keep your practice evidence organised as you go
Recording practice hours throughout your three-year revalidation period can make it much easier to understand your progress and prepare your evidence when your renewal date approaches.
