The CPD that counts most in an NMC case is learning that clearly relates to the specific concerns, that you have reflected on, and that you can show has changed your practice. Relevance matters far more than the number of certificates. The NMC suggests sending evidence of steps you have taken to address the concerns, such as courses or extra training, alongside your reflections. Include learning with other people, such as supervision or reassessment, not only online modules.
Key takeaways
- Relevance to the concern matters more than the number of certificates.
- Map each piece of learning to a specific concern, and write a short reflection on it.
- Include learning with other people: supervision, reassessment, shadowing, discussion.
- No online course on its own proves you are safe; it is one part of the evidence.
After a referral, many nurses, midwives and nursing associates sign up for every course they can find. It feels like doing something. But case examiners and panels are not counting certificates. They are asking whether the concern has been addressed, and whether the risk of it happening again has reduced.
This guide is about choosing learning wisely. It is general information, not legal advice, and your representative may have specific views about what your case needs.
What does the NMC look for in CPD during a case?
The NMC's guidance on responding to a case recommends sending evidence of steps you have taken to address the concerns, like completing courses or extra training, and any evidence of insight or reflections. The key words are address the concerns. Training is useful because it shows you have understood what went wrong and done something targeted about it.
The same idea runs through the NMC's outcomes. Undertakings agreed with case examiners usually include rehabilitative steps, and the NMC says these should focus on addressing the specific concerns about the person's practice. Conditions of practice orders are used when concerns are considered capable of being addressed through re-training or assessment. In both, learning is linked to a specific concern, not collected for its own sake.
Is more CPD better for an NMC hearing?
Not on its own. Ten unrelated certificates can suggest you have not understood what the concern is really about. Two or three well-chosen pieces of learning, each followed by a reflection explaining what you learned and how you now practise, usually say much more.
A certificate shows you attended. A reflection shows you learned. Changed practice shows it worked.
How do I map learning to the concerns?
- List each concern separately, in plain words, for example checking medicines before administration, or accurate record keeping.
- For each one, ask what knowledge, skill or behaviour was missing.
- Choose learning that targets that gap directly.
- After each piece of learning, write a short reflection: what you learned, how it relates to the concern, and what you now do differently.
- Keep evidence: certificates, supervision notes, competency sign-offs, dated reflections.
Our CPD and remediation evidence log gives you a simple table to plan and record this, and showing insight and strengthened practice explains how it fits with the rest of your evidence.
What is participatory learning and why does it help?
Participatory learning is learning that involves other people: a supervised practice session, a competency reassessment, a reflective discussion with a supervisor, shadowing, a face-to-face workshop or a peer group. It matters because it gives someone else the chance to see and comment on your practice. A supervisor or practice educator who has watched you can also write a testimonial, which strengthens your evidence.
If you are not working in a clinical role, look for what you can still do: reflective supervision, discussion with a mentor, or structured study with a qualified person. Our guide to strengthening practice without a nursing job has ideas.
Which Fit 2 Practise courses fit which concerns?
We want to be clear about what our courses are and are not. They are independent online CPD courses. They are not NMC-approved or accredited. They do not teach clinical skills such as medicines administration, so they cannot replace clinical training for a clinical concern. Here is an honest map.
| Type of concern | Learning to prioritise | Where our courses may help |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical practice (for example medicines, observations) | Employer or clinical training on the specific skill, supervised practice, competency reassessment | Alongside that: Reflection Writing and the NMC Code |
| Record keeping | Record-keeping training, audit of your notes with a supervisor | Reflection Writing; the NMC Code |
| Conduct or behaviour | Learning on the specific behaviour (for example communication, boundaries), supervision | The NMC Code; Reflection Writing |
| Dishonesty or integrity | Learning on honesty, candour and professional accountability, reflective supervision | Dishonesty in Nursing; Reflection Writing |
| Health | Treatment and support from health professionals; occupational health | Rebuilding Confidence for wellbeing, not as remediation |
| Any concern: understanding the process | Advice from your representative | Navigating NMC FtP; Attending a Hearing |
Understanding the process and the hearing day is useful for you, but it is not remediation of the concern itself, so it does not belong in your strengthened practice evidence in the same way.
What should I watch out for?
- Courses that promise to get your case closed or guarantee an outcome. Nobody can.
- Very short courses on a topic that needs supervised practice to show change.
- Doing everything at once just before a deadline, with no time to reflect or apply it.
- Learning unrelated to the concern, presented as if it addresses it.
Looking after yourself
Remediation can feel like proving yourself over and over. Pace it. Learning sticks better when you are not exhausted. The NMC's Careline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0800 587 7396, and it is independent of the NMC.
Get advice on what your case needs
Your union (RCN, RCM, Unison or Unite), indemnity provider or a regulatory solicitor can tell you what learning would be most relevant for your concerns and stage. If you are not sure where to start, our free course finder asks five quick questions and suggests courses, templates and articles that fit your situation.
Frequently asked questions
There is no set number of hours for a Fitness to Practise case. What matters is whether the learning is relevant to the concerns, whether you have reflected on it, and whether you can show it has changed your practice.
They can be part of it, especially for knowledge and understanding. For clinical concerns, they usually need to sit alongside supervised practice or reassessment that shows the change in action.
No. They are independent CPD courses and are not approved, accredited or endorsed by the NMC. They can support your reflection and understanding, but they do not replace clinical training for clinical concerns.
Starting relevant learning early is often sensible, because it gives you time to reflect on it and apply it in practice. Take advice from your representative first so that it targets the right concerns.
