Revalidation

Revalidation is a new process of regulation for all doctors who practice medicine in the UK. Revalidation was outlined initially in the White Paper: Trust, Assurance and Safety. Doctors must show that they are up to date and fit to practise.

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Revalidation begins 3 December 2012

Legislation bringing into effect revalidation goes live 3 December 2012.

It is expected that the majority of licensed doctors in the UK will have been revalidated by 2016. Revalidation aims to give patients and the public, as well as employers and other healthcare professionals, extra confidence that doctors are up to date and fit to practice. All licensed doctors will need to revalidate on a regular basis (usually every five years) in order to keep their licence to practise

Dr Alistair Thomson, Vice President (Education) and RCPCH Revalidation Lead said:

'The RCPCH welcomes the introduction of revalidation, which should give assurance to patients that their doctors are proficient and that their training is fully up to date. We’ve worked closely with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the GMC and other professional bodies to develop the standards and processes for revalidation, including a tool which assists parents, carers and children in giving feedback to paediatricians and child health doctors. Our members are prepared for the introduction of revalidation and we look forward to supporting them through the process.'

Revalidation guidance and information is available to support paediatricians through the process on this website.

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What is revalidation?

Revalidation is the process by which doctors will have to demonstrate to the General Medical Council (GMC) that they are up to date and fit to practise and that they are complying with the relevant professional standards.

Revalidation will now have one set of processes encompassing generic standards and specialty specific standards (this was formerly split into two elements of relicensing and recertification but is now one process following the GMC consultation on revalidation in early 2010). 

Who does revalidation affect?

All doctors with a licence to practise on the GMC register, including those in specialist training and those on the specialist register.

The GMC has produced targeted guidance for groups of doctors on their website.

• Licensed doctors
• Doctors in training
• Responsible Officers and employers

What should doctors do now?

1. Ensure you are familiar with the 'essential reading' documents and requirements (see below)

2. Ensure your contact details are up to date with the College and the GMC

3. Let the GMC know who your designated body is (if not already done)

Essential reading

The College's Supporting Information for paediatricians (PDF, 171KB, 19 pages)

The College's latest revalidation overview  (PDF, 3.9MB, 18 pages)

The GMC's Supporting Information for appraisal and revalidation

The GMC's Good Medical Practice (GMP) framework for appraisal and revalidation

The GMC's Meeting our requirements in the first cycle

An overview about preparing for revalidation can be found in the 'What can a doctor do to prepare?' section. A 'key facts' leaflet on revalidation is also available  - click on the image below to view in full screen:  

Time frames

•     The start of revalidation processes is expected to be from late 2012, following extensive piloting
• Revalidation recommendations will normally occur every five years (the first recommendations, following introduction of revalidation, are likely to be made within a shorter timeframe

What is the College doing?

The College has worked with other Colleges, Faculties and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to develop processes and guidance for revalidation. Specific College activities can be found in updates and RCPCH approach.

Information, feedback and questions

Further information is available in the rest of the Revalidation section. You can also email the revalidation team with enquiries.