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News 12 May 2026 · 6 min read

NMC Revalidation Changes 2026: What We Know So Far and What It Means for You

If you've been following NMC announcements this year, you'll know 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year for revalidation.

In her International Nurses Day address, Andrea Sutcliffe (NMC Chief Executive) confirmed what many have been anticipating: the NMC is modernising revalidation. The consultation is live, and changes are coming to practice learning, the Code, and the wider revalidation process.

Here's what's been announced so far, what's still being consulted on, and — most importantly — what it means for your next revalidation.

What's been confirmed

1. Practice learning is being strengthened

The NMC is consulting on proposals to strengthen practice learning for student nurses. The goal is to ensure the next generation of professionals enters the register with the knowledge, skills, and experience to meet future health and care needs.

This matters for revalidation because — better-prepared colleagues entering the register means safer workplaces for everyone. But it also signals a shift in how the NMC thinks about competence and ongoing development. If they're tightening standards at the entry point, expect the requirements for existing registrants to follow.

2. The Code and revalidation are under review

Sutcliffe explicitly stated the NMC is working to "modernise practice learning the Code and the revalidation process." The goal is to support registrants and students to uphold high standards in a rapidly changing landscape that includes:

This isn't just procedural tidying. The NMC is responding to real pressure from the profession.

3. Anti-racist principles are being published this month

At the end of May 2026, the NMC will publish anti-racist principles for nursing and midwifery education and practice. This has been "central to the ongoing reviews of the Code and Revalidation process."

This means — expect revalidation guidance to include or reference anti-racist practice standards. Your CPD and reflective accounts may need to engage with equity, diversity, and inclusion in a more explicit way going forward.

What's still under consultation

The practice learning consultation

If you're a practice supervisor, assessor, or educator — or if you just have strong feelings about how students are prepared for the register — now is the time to contribute. The NMC has asked registrants to share their views so that "the changes we make are informed by your lived experience and professional insight."

The consultation covers:

Deadline: Check the NMC website for the current consultation window.

The Code and revalidation modernisation

The scope of the Code review hasn't been fully detailed yet, but Sutcliffe's speech gives strong hints:

What this means for your next revalidation

Here's my read on the direction of travel:

What's changing Likely impact on you
Code updates More explicit guidance on AI, digital tools, and anti-racist practice
Revalidation modernisation Possible changes to CPD hour split, reflective account format, or submission frequency
Anti-racist principles Expect reflective accounts to need engagement with equity and inclusion
Practice learning changes Indirect — better-prepared colleagues, but no change to your revalidation requirements yet

The bottom line: The fundamentals of revalidation (450 practice hours, 35 hours CPD, five reflective accounts, reflective discussion, confirmation) aren't changing right now. But the NMC has signalled that change is coming, and the themes are clear: AI, equity, and flexibility.

How to prepare

1. Keep doing what works

The current revalidation process still applies. Don't let the prospect of future changes distract you from meeting your current deadlines.

2. Choose CPD that anticipates the new direction

If you're planning your CPD for the next cycle, topics that will only become more relevant include:

3. Use tools that adapt with the changes

This is where Revalidation Copilot comes in. As the NMC modernises revalidation, tools that help you organise CPD, write reflective accounts, and track your practice hours become more valuable — not less.

When the consultation closes and the new requirements are published, we'll update our guidance and templates to match.

4. Share your voice

The NMC consultation is open. If you've got views on what revalidation should look like in 2027 and beyond, now is the time to share them. The NMC is explicitly asking for "your lived experience and professional insight."

What we're watching

We'll update this post as more details emerge. Specifically, we're tracking:

Summary

The NMC is modernising revalidation. That's confirmed.

The exact shape of those changes is still being consulted on, but the themes are clear: AI and digital practice, anti-racist standards, and greater flexibility in how you demonstrate ongoing competence.

For now, the current process stands. But starting to align your CPD and reflective practice with the direction of travel will put you ahead of the curve.

Your next move: Contribute to the consultation if you can. Keep your revalidation up to date. And if you want a tool that evolves with the NMC's changing requirements, Revalidation Copilot has you covered.

Stay ahead of the changes

Revalidation Copilot helps you track CPD, write reflective accounts, and stay ready — whatever the NMC changes next.

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This article was written based on public announcements from the NMC, including Andrea Sutcliffe's International Nurses Day address (May 2026). We'll update it as more information becomes available.

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