CPD and practice

Supporting effective practice through continuing professional development

Registration requirement

Nurses and midwives must maintain their registration by meeting the post-registration education and practice (Prep) standards set by the NMC.

Nurses and midwives who do not comply with the Prep requirements will cause their registration to lapse and can no longer work as a registered nurse or midwife. These requirements must be met every three years, and are declared when registration is renewed.

There are two separate Prep standards that affect registration: the Prep continuing professional development (CPD) standard and the Prep practice standard.

The Prep CPD standard

This standard is about the CPD of registered nurses and midwives. To meet it, they must:

  • undertake at least 35 hours of learning activity relevant to their practice every three years
  • maintain a personal professional profile of their learning activity
  • comply with any requests to audit how they have met these requirements.

Given the variety of nursing and midwifery practice, we make no requirements regarding mandatory courses, and we do not accredit courses. Mandatory training you prescribe for your staff may count towards their CPD requirements.

The Prep practice standard

In order to meet the practice standard your nurses and midwives must have undertaken a set amount of registered practice in their capacity as a nurse or midwife. This can happen at any point over the three years leading up to renewing their registration. This allows for absence for work (for example maternity leave).

The hours of relevant practice required depend on the type of registration held with us.

Registration type Hours required
Nursing 450
Midwifery 450
Nursing and midwifery 900
Nursing and specialist community public health nursing 450
Midwifery and specialist community public health nursing 900
Nursing, midwifery and specialist community public health nursing 900

 

Supporting Prep

For more information about our prep standards and how you can support your nurses and midwives in achieving them, contact us or see our Employers and Prep advice sheet.

You can also view the Prep handbook which, although designed for nurses and midwives, will give you further insight as to what is expected of them.

Created date :
05/03/2010
Modified date :
05/03/2010