Revalidation is the process by which doctors will have to demonstrate to the GMC, normally every five years, that they are up to date and fit to practise and complying with the relevant professional standards.
Revalidation will have two elements: relicensing and recertification. The purpose of relicensing is to show that all doctors are practising in accordance with generic standards of practice set by the GMC the purpose of recertification is to show that doctors on the GP or Specialist Register continue to meet the particular standards that apply to their medical specialty or area of practice.
In autumn 2009 any doctor who wants to practise medicine in the UK will not only have to be registered with the GMC, but will also have to hold a licence to practise. All the professional activities that are currently restricted by law to doctors who are registered with the GMC will in future be restricted to doctors who hold a licence.
Sources of information:
- RCOG Working Party Report: Recertification in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- RCOG Updates
- Updates from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ Revalidation Steering Group
- GMC - Revalidation: Information for Doctors and Frequently Asked Questions
- Information from the DH
- RCOG Continuing Professional Development Guide January 2009