Key points
- Your designated body connection typically begins when your <strong>employment contract starts</strong>—not when you have an offer letter.
- Your Responsible Officer (RO) and appraisal pathway depends on your designated body; keep it clean and documented.
- Between jobs or with unusual working patterns, revalidation risk rises—plan your connection deliberately.
Revalidation confusion is common for IMGs because your ‘clinical life’ can be stable while your ‘governance connection’ changes. The fix is to know your designated body, understand when the connection starts, and keep a minimal revalidation evidence loop running even during transitions.
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Step 1 — Confirm your designated body and when the connection starts
Use GMC guidance to understand connection timing and what counts as a prescribed connection. Don’t assume you are connected just because you have an offer.
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Step 2 — Learn who your RO is and what your appraisal pathway is
Your RO oversees revalidation recommendations. Know the pathway and keep a record of who you’ve been told to contact for appraisal support.
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Step 3 — Run a minimal evidence loop
Keep: CPD log, significant events/reflections, feedback, and any quality improvement evidence. It doesn’t need to be heavy—just consistent.
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Step 4 — If you’re between jobs, do not drift into silence
Have a plan for your connection and revalidation obligations. Unstructured gaps create avoidable stress later.
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Use GMC guidance to understand connection timing and what counts as a prescribed connection. Don’t assume you are connected just because you have an offer.
Return to this sectionYour RO oversees revalidation recommendations. Know the pathway and keep a record of who you’ve been told to contact for appraisal support.
Return to this sectionKeep: CPD log, significant events/reflections, feedback, and any quality improvement evidence. It doesn’t need to be heavy—just consistent.
Return to this sectionHave a plan for your connection and revalidation obligations. Unstructured gaps create avoidable stress later.
Return to this section
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