Step-by-Step on NMC Revalidation: How to Renew Your UK Nursing License Fast (2025 update)
Renewing your UK nursing license can feel overwhelming, especially with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requiring revalidation every three years. If you are a nurse or midwife practicing in the UK, staying compliant with the latest NMC revalidation step by step 2025 process is essential to keep your license active and your career on track.
Many professionals worry about missing documents, meeting CPD hours, or understanding the new updates introduced this year—but the truth is, once you know the process clearly, revalidation becomes straightforward.
In this step-by-step guide on NMC revalidation and how to renew your UK nursing license in 2025, you’ll discover exactly what the NMC expects, the documents you must prepare, and how to submit your application on time. Whether you are renewing for the first time or you’ve been through revalidation before, this updated guide will help you avoid delays, reduce stress, and ensure you meet every requirement with confidence.
We’ll cover everything from reflective accounts and professional discussion to CPD requirements, health and character declarations, and how to use your NMC Online account effectively. By the end, you’ll not only understand the process but also gain practical tips to make your revalidation smoother and more efficient.
If you’re a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate asking yourself “How do I renew my UK nursing license in 2025?”—this guide was written for you. Let’s walk through each step together so you can focus less on paperwork and more on what matters most: delivering safe, effective care to your patients.
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What Is NMC Revalidation and Why Is It Important?
NMC revalidation is the process that every nurse, midwife, and nursing associate in the UK must complete every three years to maintain their license to practice. Introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2016, revalidation ensures that healthcare professionals continue to meet the highest standards of practice, ethics, and patient care.
The purpose of revalidation goes beyond simply renewing your license. It is designed to:
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Promote lifelong learning through Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
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Encourage reflection on your practice and patient feedback.
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Strengthen public confidence in nurses and midwives across the UK.
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Ensure patient safety by confirming that every professional remains fit to practice.
For 2025, the NMC has emphasized digital submission via your NMC Online account, making it more convenient for registrants to upload evidence and track their revalidation progress. However, the requirements remain strict—failure to complete your revalidation means you risk losing your registration and the legal ability to practice in the UK.
In short, NMC revalidation isn’t just a formality—it’s your professional responsibility. Understanding the process clearly will save you time, prevent last-minute stress, and secure your nursing future.
Step-by-Step NMC Revalidation Process (2025 Overview)
How to Renew Your UK Nursing License
Renewing your UK nursing license through NMC revalidation follows a structured process. While it may seem complex at first, breaking it down into simple steps makes it much easier to manage. Here’s an overview of the step-by-step NMC revalidation process for 2025:
1. Meet the NMC Revalidation Requirements
Before you start your application, ensure you’ve completed all the mandatory requirements within the three-year registration period. This includes practice hours, CPD, reflective accounts, and professional discussions.
2. Prepare Your Evidence
Gather supporting documents such as CPD certificates, feedback, reflective notes, and proof of practice hours. Organize these ahead of time so you’re not rushing near your renewal date.
3. Log in to Your NMC Online Account
Your revalidation application is submitted online through your NMC account. Here, you can update your details, upload evidence, and track your progress.
4. Complete the Health & Character Declaration
Confirm that you remain fit to practice, disclosing any health or character issues as required by the NMC.
5. Confirm Professional Indemnity
You must declare that you have appropriate professional indemnity insurance for your role.
6. Submit Your Application on Time
Your revalidation deadline is based on your renewal date. The NMC recommends starting your application at least 60 days before your license expiry to avoid complications.
7. Verification & Renewal
Once submitted, your application is reviewed. If everything is in order, your registration is renewed, and you can continue practicing legally in the UK.
Documents & Requirements Needed for NMC Revalidation (2025)
To successfully renew your UK nursing license, you must provide evidence that you’ve met all NMC requirements within your three-year revalidation cycle. Below is a complete checklist of what you’ll need to prepare:
1. Practice Hours
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Requirement: At least 450 practice hours for registered nurses and midwives, or 900 hours if you are registered as both.
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Evidence: Timesheets, employer confirmation, or job descriptions that demonstrate your practice hours.
2. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
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Requirement: Minimum of 35 hours of CPD, with at least 20 hours of participatory learning (e.g., workshops, training, seminars).
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Evidence: Certificates, attendance lists, online course records, or reflective notes.
3. Practice-Related Feedback
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Requirement: Collect at least 5 pieces of feedback (from patients, colleagues, appraisals, or audits).
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Evidence: Written feedback, performance review notes, or anonymized patient surveys.
4. Reflective Accounts
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Requirement: Write 5 reflective accounts that demonstrate how your CPD and feedback have improved your practice.
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Evidence: NMC’s official reflective account template.
5. Reflective Discussion
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Requirement: Discuss your reflective accounts with another NMC registrant.
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Evidence: A signed reflective discussion form from the NMC website.
6. Health & Character Declaration
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Requirement: Confirm you are fit to practice and disclose any relevant issues.
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Evidence: Completed declaration form via NMC Online.
7. Professional Indemnity Arrangement
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Requirement: Confirm you have appropriate indemnity insurance (employer-provided or self-arranged).
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Evidence: Policy documents or employer confirmation.
8. Confirmation by a Third Party
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Requirement: A professional confirmer (line manager or NMC registrant) must verify that you’ve met all requirements.
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Evidence: Signed confirmation form submitted through NMC Online.
Fees & Timeline for NMC Revalidation (2025)
NMC Revalidation Fees
Revalidation itself does not carry an additional fee, but you must pay the standard NMC registration renewal fee of £120 every year. Since revalidation happens every three years, you’ll still be required to keep up with your annual fee payments.
Failure to pay on time means your registration will lapse—even if you’ve completed all revalidation steps.
Key Timeline & Deadlines
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Renewal cycle: Every 3 years.
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Application window: You can begin your revalidation 60 days before your renewal date. The NMC sends an email reminder when your window opens.
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Submission deadline: Your revalidation must be completed and submitted before your registration expiry date. Late submissions are not accepted.
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Confirmation review: Once submitted, your confirmer and the NMC will review your documents. This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on verification needs.
Practical Tips for Meeting the Timeline
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Start early – Collect CPD certificates, feedback, and reflective notes throughout your 3-year cycle rather than waiting until the end.
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Set reminders – Use your phone or calendar to track your renewal date at least 3 months ahead.
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Pay fees on time – Keep your NMC renewal fee up-to-date annually, not just during revalidation.
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Use NMC Online – The digital portal is the fastest and most reliable way to submit your documents.
In summary: while the fee is simple (£120 per year), the timeline is strict. Missing your revalidation deadline could result in removal from the register, meaning you cannot legally work as a nurse in the UK until you reapply.
IELTS/OET Requirement for NMC Revalidation (2025)
One of the biggest concerns for overseas nurses renewing their UK nursing license is whether they need to retake IELTS or OET as part of revalidation. The good news is:
No Retaking of IELTS or OET for Revalidation
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Once you have already met the English language requirement (through IELTS, OET, or other NMC-approved evidence) at the time of your initial registration, you do not need to provide test results again during revalidation.
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Revalidation focuses on your practice, learning, and professional growth, not on reassessing your English skills.
When IELTS/OET Might Be Relevant
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If your original registration was based on temporary evidence and you did not submit a valid English test result at that time, the NMC may request updated proof.
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If you’ve had a long gap in practice and are seeking readmission rather than standard revalidation, the NMC could require fresh English language evidence.
What You Need Instead for Revalidation
Instead of retaking IELTS/OET, you must focus on:
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Meeting practice hours (minimum 450 for single registration).
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Completing 35 hours of CPD, including participatory learning.
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Submitting reflective accounts and conducting a professional discussion.
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Completing the health, character, and indemnity declarations.
For 2025, the NMC has not introduced any new English language testing rules specifically tied to revalidation. This means if you’re already registered, your focus should remain on meeting the revalidation requirements—not retaking language exams.
CBT & OSCE Overview in the Context of NMC Revalidation (2025)
A common question among international nurses is whether the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) are required again during NMC revalidation. The answer is simple:
No CBT or OSCE for Revalidation
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The CBT and OSCE are initial registration exams, not part of the revalidation process.
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Once you have passed them and gained NMC registration, you will not need to sit for these tests again when renewing your license.
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Revalidation is about demonstrating ongoing competence and safe practice, not re-assessment through entry exams.
When CBT/OSCE May Reappear
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If you let your NMC registration lapse and seek to rejoin after a long break, the NMC may require you to complete new competency assessments, which could include CBT/OSCE.
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For nurses who trained outside the UK and never fully completed the initial process, CBT/OSCE remain mandatory before first registration—not for revalidation.
What to Focus on Instead
During revalidation, the NMC expects you to maintain and prove your competence through:
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Sufficient practice hours (minimum 450).
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CPD learning (35 hours).
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Reflective practice and professional discussions.
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Annual fee payments and confirmation by a third party.
In short, if you are an already registered nurse or midwife in the UK, CBT and OSCE are not part of revalidation. Your focus should remain on professional development and meeting revalidation requirements.
Summary & Final Thoughts
Revalidation with the NMC may sound intimidating at first, but once you understand the process, it becomes a straightforward routine every three years.
By following the NMC revalidation step by step 2025 approach, you can renew your UK nursing license smoothly without last-minute stress.
Here’s a quick recap:
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Complete at least 450 practice hours (or 900 if registered as both nurse and midwife).
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Achieve 35 hours of CPD, including 20 participatory learning hours.
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Collect five pieces of feedback and write five reflective accounts.
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Participate in a reflective discussion with another NMC registrant.
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Submit your health and character declaration, confirm indemnity insurance, and pay your annual £120 fee.
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Ensure your confirmer verifies all requirements via your NMC Online account.
Remember, you do not need to retake IELTS, OET, CBT, or OSCE for revalidation. Once registered, the focus shifts to proving your continued professional growth and safe practice.
The most important tip is to start early. Keep track of your CPD, reflections, and feedback throughout your 3-year cycle instead of waiting until the final months. This proactive approach makes the process smoother and less stressful.
By keeping up with your requirements, logging evidence regularly, and using the NMC Online portal, you’ll stay compliant and secure your future as a practicing nurse or midwife in the UK.
At the end of the day, NMC revalidation isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about demonstrating your commitment to safe, effective, and high-quality care for patients across the UK.
External Resources for NMC Revalidation 2025
Here are some official and highly useful resources you can link to in your article:
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NMC Official Revalidation Guidance
http://NMC – Revalidation Guidance
The official Nursing and Midwifery Council guide covering requirements, timelines, and support. -
NMC Online – Registration & Renewal Portal
http://NMC Online
Where nurses, midwives, and nursing associates log in to complete revalidation and pay renewal fees. -
NMC Reflective Account Form & Templates
http://NMC Reflective Accounts Form
Download the official reflective account template and discussion forms. -
NMC Fees Information
http://NMC Registration Fees
Details on the £120 annual fee and related payment information. -
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – Revalidation Support
http://RCN Revalidation Guide
Extra guidance, tips, and resources for nurses preparing for revalidation. -
CPD Online Learning for Nurses
http://NHS Learning Hub
Free and accredited CPD opportunities to help meet your 35-hour CPD requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All nurses, midwives, and nursing associates must renew their NMC registration every three years through the revalidation process. This ensures you remain fit to practice and continue delivering safe and effective patient care in the UK.
Renewal refers to keeping your license active by paying the annual fee. Revalidation is the formal process every three years that requires you to meet specific requirements, such as completing 35 hours of CPD, gathering feedback, writing reflective accounts, and confirming with a line manager or another NMC registrant.
There is no separate revalidation fee. You only pay the standard annual retention fee of £120. This fee must be paid on time each year to avoid being removed from the NMC register.
Yes. All applications are completed via NMC Online, the secure portal where you can submit your revalidation documents, declarations, and renewal payment. It is recommended to log in regularly to track deadlines and keep your details updated.
If you do not submit your revalidation application and pay the fee by your deadline, the NMC will remove your name from the register. This means you cannot legally practice as a nurse in the UK until you reapply for registration, which is a longer and more complex process.
No. These exams are only required for initial registration. Once you are on the NMC register, you do not need to repeat them for revalidation, unless your registration has lapsed and you are applying again after several years.
You should keep records such as certificates, attendance lists, e-learning logs, or workshop confirmations. At least 20 of the 35 CPD hours must be participatory, meaning they involve interaction with other professionals.
Your line manager, clinical supervisor, or another NMC-registered nurse/midwife can act as your confirmer. They must review your evidence and verify that you have met all requirements before you submit your application.
Yes, as long as you have completed the minimum practice hours within the three-year cycle (450 hours for nurses and midwives, 900 hours for dual registrants). If you have not met the required hours, you may need to undertake supervised practice or reapply for registration.
