Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions doctors and organisations ask most, grouped by topic.
Revalidation
Revalidation is how licensed doctors confirm they remain fit to practise. Every doctor with a UK licence must revalidate every five years.
Normally every five years for licensed doctors.
Responsible Officer
A senior, independent clinician who oversees the appraisal and revalidation of an organisation's connected doctors and makes revalidation recommendations to the GMC.
It gives you the benefit of an independent, experienced Responsible Officer who can support your organisation with the systems required, without the need to recruit and train one.
Designated Body
An organisation that takes responsibility for ensuring their connected doctors are fit to practise by supporting them with appraisal and revalidation.
The GMC seeks assurance about the doctor's fitness to practise directly from them, through appraisals, annual returns and a revalidation assessment.
Appraisal
Trained and compliant medical appraisers, appointed by the Responsible Officer. Connected doctors are not able to choose their own appraiser.
The outcome of the annual appraisal is important to inform the Responsible Officer's revalidation recommendation to the GMC.
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