Quick answer: NMC revalidation is how nurses, midwives and nursing associates renew their registration every three years. You need 450 practice hours (900 if dual registered), 35 hours of CPD including 20 hours of participatory learning, five pieces of practice- related feedback, five written reflective accounts, a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant, a health and character declaration, professional indemnity and confirmation from an appropriate confirmer.
Revalidation is not an exam, but missing your deadline can cost you your registration and your income. This guide walks through each requirement, the forms you need, how to collect CPD hours without stress, and how to write reflective accounts that work. It also shows how short, practical courses at Medax can count towards your participatory CPD.
What Is NMC Revalidation?
Revalidation is the process the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) uses to check that you continue to practise safely and effectively, in line with The Code. It applies to everyone on the NMC register: nurses, midwives and nursing associates in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You revalidate every three years. Separately, you must also pay your annual registration fee every year.
If you are an internationally educated nurse who joined the register through the CBT and OSCE, your first revalidation will be due three years after you joined. It is never too early to start your portfolio.
NMC Revalidation Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What you need over 3 years | Mandatory NMC form? |
|---|---|---|
| Practice hours | 450 hours (900 if dual registered as nurse and midwife) | Template available |
| CPD | 35 hours, at least 20 participatory | Template available |
| Practice-related feedback | 5 pieces | Template available |
| Written reflective accounts | 5 accounts | Yes |
| Reflective discussion | 1 discussion with another NMC registrant | Yes |
| Health and character | Declaration, including cautions or convictions | Completed online |
| Professional indemnity | Appropriate arrangement in place | Declared online |
| Confirmation | Confirmed by an appropriate confirmer | Yes |
1. Practice Hours: 450 Hours
You must have practised for at least 450 hours in the three years since you last renewed or joined the register. If you hold both nursing and midwifery registration, you need 900 hours.
Keep a simple log with dates, hours, your role, setting and scope of practice. Payslips and rotas are useful evidence. If you have not met the hours, you may need to complete an approved return to practice programme or pass a Test of Competence.
2. CPD: 35 Hours, Including 20 Participatory
You need 35 hours of continuing professional development relevant to your scope of practice. At least 20 of those hours must be participatory, meaning you learned with one or more other people, in person or online.
| Participatory learning (counts towards the 20) | Individual learning (counts towards the other 15) |
|---|---|
| Face-to-face or live online courses and workshops | Reading journal articles |
| Simulation and skills training | Self-directed e-learning |
| Clinical supervision and group reflection | Reviewing guidelines on your own |
| Conferences and study days | Writing up your own notes |
For each activity, record the date, topic, hours, type of learning, how it relates to your practice, and keep evidence such as a certificate.
Easy ways to earn participatory CPD with Medax
Practical, tutor-led courses are some of the simplest participatory CPD you can do, and they refresh skills you use every day:
| Medax course | Why it is useful for revalidation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | Adult and child CPR, AED, choking and team resuscitation | £30 |
| Moving and Handling | Practical people-handling and equipment use | £30 |
| Phlebotomy Training | 2-day CPD-accredited venepuncture course | £199.99 |
| Clinical Skills Training | Modules such as vital signs, cannulation, catheterisation, wound care, PEG care, tracheostomy care and syringe drivers | Quoted per module |
Prices are as currently listed; confirm on each product page before booking.
3. Five Pieces of Practice-Related Feedback
Feedback can be formal or informal, written or verbal, positive or constructive. It can come from patients, families, colleagues, students, managers or audits. A thank-you card, a supervision note or a comment from a peer review all count.
Record what the feedback was about and how you used it to improve your practice. Remove any information that could identify a patient or colleague.
4. Five Written Reflective Accounts
You must write five reflective accounts on the NMC reflective accounts form. Each account should reflect on a piece of CPD, practice-related feedback, or an event or experience in your practice, and explain how it relates to The Code.
The form asks four things:
1. What was the nature of the CPD activity, feedback or event?
2. What did you learn from it?
3. How did you change or improve your practice as a result?
4. How is this relevant to the Code? (Choose one or more themes: Prioritise people,
Practise effectively, Preserve safety, Promote professionalism and trust.)
Reflective account example (Basic Life Support update)
Nature of the activity: I attended a face-to-face Basic Life Support update covering the 2025 Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, including adult CPR, AED use and choking.
What I learned: The 2025 guidelines advise calling 999 for any unresponsive person, then assessing breathing while the call connects. I also practised compressions at 100–120 per minute and 5–6 cm depth, and learned that bystanders may need support afterwards.
How I changed my practice: I shared the update at our team huddle, checked our ward defibrillator and emergency trolley, and now lead a short monthly scenario with healthcare assistants.
Relevance to the Code: Preserve safety (recognising and responding to deterioration) and Practise effectively (keeping knowledge and skills up to date).
Keep each account specific and honest, and never include patient-identifiable information.
5. Reflective Discussion
You must discuss your five reflective accounts with another NMC registrant (a nurse, midwife or nursing associate). The discussion should take place face to face (in person or by video), focusing on what you learned and how it links to The Code. You both complete and sign the NMC reflective discussion form.
6. Health and Character Declaration
You declare whether anything affects your ability to practise safely, including any cautions or convictions, as part of your online application.
7. Professional Indemnity Arrangement
You must have an appropriate indemnity arrangement. For most employed staff this is provided by the employer, for example through NHS schemes. If you are self-employed or work independently, you will need your own cover.
8. Confirmation
An appropriate confirmer, ideally your line manager and preferably an NMC registrant, reviews your evidence and completes the NMC confirmation form.
How to Submit and Key Deadlines
1. Log in to your NMC Online (MyNMC) account to see your revalidation application
date. This is the first day of the month in which your registration expires.
2. Complete the online application, declarations and confirmation before that date.
3. Make sure your annual fee is paid, as the NMC cannot process revalidation without it.
4. Keep your portfolio safe in case you are selected for verification.
If you miss the deadline, your registration lapses automatically and you cannot practise until you are readmitted. Readmission can take several weeks, so set calendar reminders well in advance.
Revalidation Checklist
450 practice hours logged
35 CPD hours (20+ participatory) with evidence
5 pieces of practice-related feedback
5 reflective accounts on the NMC form
Reflective discussion form signed
Health and character declaration ready
Indemnity arrangement confirmed
Confirmation form completed
Annual fee paid
Short on participatory CPD? Book a practical session at Medax: Basic Life Support for £30 or explore clinical skills modules. Call 020 3929 2013 or WhatsApp +44 7865 235335.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do nurses revalidate with the NMC? Every three years, with an annual fee paid every year.
How many CPD hours do I need for NMC revalidation? 35 hours, including at least 20 hours of participatory learning.
Which NMC revalidation forms are mandatory? The reflective accounts form, the reflective discussion form and the confirmation form. Templates for practice hours, CPD and feedback are available but optional.
Does a BLS course count as participatory CPD? A face-to-face or live course where you learn with others counts as participatory, provided it is relevant to your scope of practice.
Do nursing associates need to revalidate? Yes. The requirements are the same for everyone on the NMC register.
What happens if I miss my revalidation date? Your registration lapses and you cannot practise as a registered professional until readmitted.
Sources
Resuscitation Council UK: 2025 Adult basic life support guidelines
