Fitness to practise declarations: when and how to make them

What this article is about
This article explains when you may need to declare fitness to practise issues and how these declarations are handled in training processes.

Who this is for
Doctors and dentists in training, applicants and new starters who need to declare a complaint, investigation, significant incident, conviction, caution, restriction, fitness to practise matter or other professional issue.

What you need to know

• Doctors and dentists in training must act honestly and declare relevant fitness to practise matters when required.
• You may need to declare issues during recruitment, registration, ARCP, revalidation, Form R, employer checks or other training processes.
• Declarations may need to be reviewed by the relevant programme, revalidation, case management or postgraduate deanery route.
• A declaration does not automatically mean you cannot continue training.
• Not declaring relevant information may create further concerns.
• You should also follow any requirements set by your professional regulator, employer and Responsible Officer.

What to do

1. Check the guidance for the process you are completing, such as recruitment, Form R, ARCP or revalidation.
2. Declare relevant information honestly and within the requested timeframe.
3. Provide clear details and supporting information if requested.
4. Tell your employer and professional regulator where required.
5. Keep copies of any submissions or correspondence.
6. Respond promptly if further information is requested.
7. Seek advice if you are unsure whether something should be declared.

If this does not work
If you realise you should have declared something but did not, raise this promptly through the relevant route. Do not wait until the next ARCP or revalidation point if the matter is current or significant.

Who to contact
Use the PGMDE Support Portal for training-related fitness to practise or revalidation queries. Contact your employer for employment matters. Contact your professional regulator for regulatory requirements.

What HET can and cannot help with
HET can help with

• Advising where training-related declarations should be submitted.
• Escalating relevant declarations through revalidation, case management or postgraduate deanery routes.
• Recording information where required for training and revalidation processes.
• Explaining what further information may be needed.

HET cannot help with

• Providing legal advice.
• Telling you whether to self-report to your professional regulator.
• Acting as your employer or regulator.
• Ignoring or removing relevant declarations from required training or revalidation processes.

Related articles

• Submitting your Form R for ARCP
• Understanding your ARCP outcome and what happens next
• Who to contact about special circumstances or reasonable adjustments

Last reviewed
 Last reviewed: 19 June 2026