Revalidation Processes: Nurses, Midwives and Doctors

Revalidation for nurses and midwives working abroad

Revalidation is the process that all nurses and midwives in the UK and nursing associates in England need to follow to maintain their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

It should be possible to continue to be registered to work in the UK even if nurses and midwives are working overseas, and this is strongly recommended. Any midwife or nurse returning to the UK who has not kept up their UK registration would have to go through training and revalidation before being able to take up a position again.

Licencing and revalidation for doctors working abroad

In order to work in the UK all doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practice. Retaining the licence to practise depends on revalidation every five years through a process of annual appraisals.

Understanding your licence to practice and the process of revalidation will help you make decisions as you go and smooth your return to working in the UK after a period abroad.