GDC Registration for Dental Professionals: Fees, CPD and How to Stay Registered
If you work as a dental nurse, hygienist, therapist, technician or dentist in the UK, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). Registration is a legal requirement, not a formality. Without it, you cannot treat patients, even for a single shift.
This guide covers who needs to register, how to apply after qualifying, what the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) costs in 2026, the CPD hours you need for your role, and what to do if your registration lapses.
What is the GDC?
The General Dental Council is the statutory regulator for dental professionals across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It keeps the official register, sets the standards registrants must meet, and investigates fitness-to-practise concerns.
Its role is to protect patients and maintain public confidence in dentistry. Patients, employers and agencies can check anyone’s status on the GDC online register in seconds.
Who needs GDC registration?
Everyone in a registered dental role must be on the register before they practise. That includes:
- dentists
- dental nurses
- dental hygienists
- dental therapists
- orthodontic therapists
- dental technicians
- clinical dental technicians
Every role except dentist sits on the dental care professional (DCP) register. Trainee dental nurses on a recognised course can work while studying, but must register once they qualify.
How to register with the GDC after qualifying
- Complete a GDC-recognised qualification for your role.
- Apply online through eGDC, the GDC’s registration portal.
- Upload proof of your qualification, identity and any supporting documents requested.
- Make your indemnity declaration, confirming you will have appropriate cover in place.
- Pay the one-off registration application fee. Check the current amount on the GDC website.
- Wait for confirmation that your name is on the register before you start work.
Overseas-qualified applicants usually need an individual assessment or an exam such as the ORE, which takes longer and costs more.
GDC Annual Retention Fee (ARF) 2025 and 2026
To stay registered, you pay the ARF every year. For 2026 the GDC set it at £108 for DCPs and £698 for dentists, roughly 12.5% higher than 2025.
| Register | 2025 ARF | 2026 ARF | Renewal deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental care professionals | £96 | £108 | 31 July |
| Dentists | £621 | £698 | 31 December |
DCP renewal opens in June each year. When you renew, you also confirm your indemnity cover and declare the CPD you have completed.
Fees may rise again. The GDC has said the ARF could be adjusted for 2027 and 2028, normally in line with CPI inflation, with its council due to review the business plan on 30 October 2026.
GDC CPD requirements by role
Under the GDC’s Enhanced CPD scheme, you complete a minimum number of verifiable CPD hours in each five-year cycle. The 50-hour figure often quoted applies only to dental nurses and dental technicians; other roles need more.
| Role | Minimum verifiable CPD per 5-year cycle |
|---|---|
| Dentists | 100 hours |
| Dental hygienists, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists, clinical dental technicians | 75 hours |
| Dental nurses, dental technicians | 50 hours |
Two further rules catch people out:
- Spread it out. You must complete at least 10 hours in every two-year period, including across the end of one cycle and the start of the next. Cramming everything into year five is non-compliant.
- Cover the recommended topics. The GDC highly recommends medical emergencies (10 hours per cycle, ideally 2 a year), disinfection and decontamination (5 hours) and radiography and radiation protection (5 hours, if you take X-rays).
Keep a Personal Development Plan (PDP), your CPD log and certificates. You may be asked for them at any time.
What happens if your GDC registration lapses?
If you miss the ARF deadline, fall short on CPD or fail to declare indemnity, you can be removed from the register. You must stop treating patients straight away, and the GDC shares removal lists with health boards and indemnity providers.
To return, you apply for restoration through eGDC and pay a restoration fee. If you have been off the register for 12 months or more, or were removed for CPD non-compliance, you must also send CPD evidence, including certificates, an activity log and your PDP. The GDC aims to process applications within 15 working days.
Practices are at risk too. Employing an unregistered dental professional can lead to fitness-to-practise action against the registrant who manages them, so check status before someone starts and again before renewal.
GDC registration FAQs
How much is the GDC fee for dental nurses in 2026?
£108. Dental nurses pay the DCP Annual Retention Fee, due by 31 July 2026.
How many CPD hours does a dental nurse need?
At least 50 verifiable hours every five years, with a minimum of 10 hours in any two-year period.
Can I work as a locum while my GDC registration is being processed?
No. You can only work in a registered role once your name appears on the GDC register.
When is the GDC renewal deadline?
31 July for dental care professionals and 31 December for dentists.
How do I check if someone is GDC registered?
Search their name or registration number on the GDC online register. It is free and public.
Find your next dental role with DRN
Staying GDC registered keeps you ready to work. Dental Recruit Network places GDC-registered dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and associates into locum and permanent roles with practices across the UK. Every candidate’s registration is checked before placement.
