Your confirmer is the person who signs off your NMC revalidation portfolio. Without them, you cannot complete the process. And yet, finding a confirmer and knowing exactly what they need to check is one of the most confusing parts of revalidation for many nurses.
This guide covers everything: who can be a confirmer, what they check, how to prepare, and a template email to help you book your confirmer conversation today.
What is a Revalidation Confirmer?
A confirmer is an NMC-registered colleague (or another registered healthcare professional) who reviews your revalidation portfolio and confirms that you have met all the requirements. Their role is to provide an independent check — not to judge your clinical competence, but to verify that your paperwork is complete and honest.
The confirmer conversation is the final step before you submit your revalidation application through your MyNMC portal.
Who Can Be a Confirmer?
Not just anyone can confirm your revalidation. The NMC sets clear rules:
- Must be a registered healthcare professional — on the NMC register, GMC register, or HCPC register
- Must have knowledge of your practice — they don't need to work with you daily, but they must be able to confirm you have been practising
- Cannot be a family member — no spouses, partners, or relatives
- Cannot be someone you manage — if you are their line manager, they cannot confirm you
- Should be someone senior or experienced — typically your line manager, clinical supervisor, consultant, or a senior nurse who knows your work
Quick check: Ask yourself — does this person know my practice and am I comfortable sharing my portfolio with them? If yes, they can probably be your confirmer.
Can a Nurse from Another Department Be My Confirmer?
Yes, as long as they have enough knowledge of your work and are NMC-registered. If you work in a large hospital and your manager is unavailable, another senior nurse who has supervised you or seen your clinical work can act as confirmer.
According to the NMC, the confirmer can also be another UK-regulated healthcare professional — for example, a doctor, pharmacist, or dentist registered with the GMC, GPhC, or GDC — as long as they work with you and have knowledge of your practice.
What If I Work Bank or Agency Shifts?
If you don't have a fixed line manager, you can ask a senior nurse at a trust you regularly work at. The key word is "regular" — if you've worked enough shifts at one trust for a senior colleague to know your standard of practice, that's sufficient. You can also contact the NMC directly for guidance if you're truly stuck.
What Does a Confirmer Actually Check?
Your confirmer reviews the following in your portfolio:
- 450 hours of registered practice (or 900 if on both parts of the register) — logged and verifiable
- 35 hours of CPD — with at least 20 hours participatory. They check the hours add up and the types are appropriate
- Written feedback — at least one piece of feedback from a colleague or patient, with evidence you reflected on it
- 5 written reflective accounts — covering the four themes of the NMC Code. Each one must answer what you learned, what changed, and how it relates to the Code
- Record of reflective discussion — a signed record of your reflective discussion with another NMC registrant
- Health and character declaration — confirming you are fit to practise
- Renewal fee paid — the £120 registration fee (or £174 if you're on both parts of the register)
Your confirmer is not expected to verify every single CPD certificate or call your referrers. They are performing a professional sign-off — reviewing that everything looks complete, consistent, and honest.
What confirmers actually look for
Most confirmers spend 15–30 minutes reviewing your portfolio. They look for date consistency (does your CPD log from 2025 align with your reflective account about a 2025 training day?), clear reflective thinking (not generic templates), and that you haven't missed any of the seven requirements above.
They are not looking for perfection. They are looking for completeness and honesty.
How to Prepare for the Confirmer Conversation
The confirmer conversation doesn't need to be formal. It's a structured discussion where your confirmer asks about your learning, your reflections, and how you've applied the Code in your practice. Here's how to prepare:
1. Send your portfolio in advance
Give your confirmer your portfolio at least a week before the conversation. This gives them time to review it and prepare questions rather than reading it in front of you.
Use Revalidation Copilot for this. The app keeps your practice hours, CPD log, reflective accounts, and feedback in one organised place. When you're ready, export your complete portfolio as a clean document — ready to share with your confirmer. No spreadsheets, no hunting through old emails.
2. Include a one-page summary
A short summary helps your confirmer see the big picture quickly:
- Your revalidation due date
- Your total practice hours logged
- Your CPD breakdown (participatory vs non-participatory)
- Who you had your reflective discussion with
- Any specific areas you found challenging or learned from
3. Book at least 2-3 months before your deadline
Confirmers get busy. Managers go on leave. Don't leave this to the last month. Book early so you have time for a follow-up conversation if needed.
4. Bring your portfolio to the conversation
Have it available — printed on a tablet or phone — so you can reference specific reflections or CPD entries if your confirmer asks.
Confirmer Conversation Template
Here's a simple template you can adapt to book your confirmer conversation:
Subject: Revalidation confirmer conversation — [Your Name]
Hi [Name],
My NMC revalidation is due on [date]. I need a confirmer to review my portfolio and have a short conversation with me about it.
Would you be available for a 30-minute conversation during [week of ____]? I've attached my portfolio and a one-page summary for your review.
Let me know what time works best for you.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
What Happens After the Confirmation?
Once your confirmer is satisfied, they sign your confirmation form (available on your MyNMC portal). The form asks them to confirm:
- Your practice hours are accurate
- Your CPD meets the requirements
- Your reflective accounts show genuine learning
- Your health and character declaration is complete
- You have met all revalidation requirements
After they sign, you submit everything through your MyNMC portal. That's it — your revalidation is complete for another three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my confirmer also be my reflective discussion partner?
Yes, the same person can do both. Many nurses have their manager act as both reflective discussion partner and confirmer. The NMC allows this, though some nurses prefer to keep them separate for a richer discussion.
What if my confirmer says no?
Ask someone else. Find another senior NMC-registered colleague who knows your practice. Don't panic — there is no shortage of potential confirmers in most clinical settings.
Can a GP be my confirmer?
Yes. The NMC accepts confirmers from other UK-regulated healthcare professions. A GP (GMC-registered), pharmacist (GPhC-registered), or dentist (GDC-registered) who works with you and knows your practice can act as your confirmer. The NMC recommends choosing someone who has effective registration and can objectively verify your portfolio.
What if I'm retired and revalidating?
You can still find a confirmer — ask a former colleague, supervisor, or contact the NMC for guidance. The NMC makes provisions for nurses who are not in active employment.
Do I need a confirmer if I'm only doing the CPD requirement?
No. If you are not revalidating (e.g., not in practice), you don't need a confirmer. But if you are going through the full revalidation process, a confirmer is mandatory.