GMC revalidation is the process by which all licensed doctors in the UK demonstrate on a regular cycle that they are up to date, fit to practise, and meeting the professional standards expected in their specialty. For GPs in salaried or partnership roles, the process is largely managed through their employer. For locum GPs without a fixed employer, understanding and actively managing the process is an individual responsibility that — if neglected — can result in the loss of the licence to practise. This guide gives you everything you need to stay on track.
What Is Revalidation and Why Does It Exist?
Revalidation is a five-yearly cycle in which every licensed doctor must demonstrate to the GMC that they continue to meet the standards described in Good Medical Practice. The process relies on annual appraisals with a trained and approved appraiser, during which a portfolio of supporting information is reviewed and discussed. After five satisfactory annual appraisals, your responsible officer (RO) recommends revalidation to the GMC, who then grant a further five-year licence.
The revalidation system was introduced in 2012 following a series of high-profile failures in medical practice — most notably the Shipman inquiry — and replaced the previous, largely administrative licence renewal process with a more substantive ongoing demonstration of professional standards.
The Five-Year Revalidation Cycle
What Supporting Information Do You Need?
Each annual appraisal must include supporting information drawn from all aspects of your medical practice. Across the five-year revalidation cycle, the GMC specifies minimum inputs across four domains of Good Medical Practice:
The minimum inputs are per cycle, not per year — but you should be collecting and reflecting on supporting information throughout each year, not retrospectively. Attempting to assemble five years of evidence in the final year before your revalidation date rarely produces a satisfactory appraisal portfolio and creates unnecessary risk.
Designated Body: Critical for Locum GPs
Every licensed doctor must be connected to a designated body — an organisation responsible for overseeing their appraisals and making the revalidation recommendation to the GMC. For salaried GPs and partners, this is typically their employing practice, PCN, or ICB. For locum GPs, the arrangements are more complex.
If you are a locum GP without a fixed employer, your designated body options are:
- NHS England as prescribed body of connection — for GPs who cannot identify another suitable designated body. You must be on the NHS Performers List to connect in this way.
- A GP chamber — some local GP chambers act as designated bodies for their member locum GPs, providing both appraisal management and pastoral support.
- Your ICB — in some areas, ICBs act as designated bodies for locum GPs on their performers list.
You can check and update your designated body through GMC Online at any time. If you change your working arrangements significantly — moving from salaried to locum, for example, or returning from a career break — update your designated body promptly. Failure to be connected to a designated body will delay your revalidation and can result in a licence issue.
If you do not revalidate by your date, the GMC will withdraw your licence to practise. Working without a licence is a criminal offence. If you are approaching your revalidation date with incomplete appraisals or insufficient supporting information, contact the GMC proactively before your date. Deferral is possible in some circumstances — but must be agreed before the date, not after.
Grounds for Deferral
The GMC may grant a deferral of your revalidation date if you have been unable to complete your normal appraisal cycle due to:
- Extended sick leave or ill health
- Maternity, paternity, or adoption leave
- Career breaks of 12 months or more
- Exceptional personal circumstances that prevented engagement with appraisal
Deferral must be applied for through your responsible officer and agreed before your revalidation date passes. The GMC does not grant retroactive deferrals. Contact the GMC and your designated body as soon as you identify a risk — do not wait until the date has passed.
Practical Stay-on-Track Checklist
✅ Annual Revalidation Checklist
- Diarise your annual appraisal at the start of each year and book it by the end of Q1 — do not leave it to Q4
- Keep a running CPD log throughout the year — record learning events as they happen, not retrospectively six weeks before appraisal
- Complete at least one significant event analysis per year, including near misses and notable learning events — not just serious incidents
- Arrange and submit colleague MSF in Year 2 or 3 of your cycle — not in Year 5 when it is too late to act on feedback
- Arrange patient feedback in Year 3 or 4 — give yourself time to reflect on it before your revalidation year
- Plan and complete a clinical audit with a closed cycle before Year 4 — the common failure point is data collection without completing the "act" stage
- Confirm that your designated body has received your appraisal outcomes each year — ask your appraiser to confirm submission to your responsible officer
- Check your GMC Online profile annually — confirm your designated body is correct, your contact details are current, and your revalidation date is as expected
Looking for GP Locum or Salaried Roles?
SHR Group places GPs in locum, salaried, and portfolio roles across the UK. Our compliance team verifies and manages credentials before every placement — including GMC registration checks.