If you thought you could pick anyone as your revalidation confirmer, the NMC is changing that. Under proposed rules announced on 21 July 2026, your line manager becomes the default confirmer. If you want someone else, you will need to justify it.
The change was reported by Nursing Times, which quoted directly from the NMC Council papers: "We will set out more clearly that confirmers should usually be line managers by asking registrants proposing a different confirmer to tick a box from a menu of authorised departures."
The current rules are relatively flexible. Your confirmer must be on the same part of the register as you, or a registered healthcare professional who has been on a register for at least three years. They must also hold a letter of good standing or equivalent. They do not need to be your line manager.
The new proposals shift this. The NMC wants confirmers to usually be line managers because they have direct oversight of your practice. This makes sense: your line manager sees your day-to-day work, knows your development areas, and can genuinely confirm that you have met the standards.
If you want a different confirmer — for example, a colleague who moved to a different organisation but knows your work well — you will select from a menu of authorised departures. This replaces the current informal approach.
The NMC has not yet published the full list of authorised departure reasons. That will come during the public consultation from September to December 2026. Based on the Council papers, likely categories include:
Source: Nursing Times report on NMC Council papers
The changes are expected from April 2028, so you have time. But there are things you can start doing now:
Know who your confirmer will be. If you plan to use your line manager, have the conversation early. Make sure they understand the confirmer role and what it involves.
If you need a different confirmer, document why. Start thinking about which authorised departure category applies to you. The NMC will likely expect a clear rationale, so have your reasons ready.
Build your reflective summary. Regardless of who confirms you, the reflective discussion and confirmation rely on a clear, well-documented portfolio. Your reflective accounts, CPD log, and practice hours need to be organised.
Revalidation Copilot stores confirmer details, reminds you to arrange the discussion early, and generates your reflective summary.
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NMC-validated content. This article is based on official NMC publications published July 2026. All factual claims are sourced directly from NMC publications or independently verified. Sources listed above.
Revalidation Copilot is produced by Beemal Innovation Ltd. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.