NMC extends deadline for CPD for revalidation due to COVID-19

on 24 March 2020

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced they are extending the deadline for midwives and nurses to complete their continuous personal development (CPD) hours for revalidation due to COVID-19.

From this month, midwives and nurses will be given an additional three months from their current revalidation deadline to complete their CPD hours required to continue their registration within the profession.

The NMC states on their website that this is the most flexible they can be under current legislation; however they are seeking further flexibility from the government.

UK registrations to join and re-join the register are continuing to be processed as normal and most registrants should not see any disruption to this service, but some minor delays may occur.

Overseas applications to join the register are also being processed as normal. The NMC is working with their OSCE test delivery partners to ensure test centres remain open and measures are put in place to keep staff and candidates safe.

The next report on the data from the NMC register which was due to be published in May has now been postponed until further notice.

Commenting on the extended deadline for CPD for revalidation, Head of MIDIRS Dr Cathy Ashwin said: “At this difficult and unprecedented time, experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety, we welcome the NMC decision to extend the revalidation period by three months, hopefully relieving a little of the pressure for many maternity professionals.”

The NMC has also opened a temporary register for retired midwives and nurses to rejoin the profession in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Since the temporary register opened, more than 7,000 nurses and midwives across the UK have registered to rejoin.  

Further information about the NMC’s regulation during this time can be found here.