Stay registered without practising
A doctor may choose to stay on the medical register as non-practising, and will not be issued a practising certificate.
At the time of renewing your practising certificate, you may choose to stay on the register as non-practising. This may be for reasons to retain your status on the medical register.
You should read our policy for absence of practising for 3 or more years as it may affect you when you request a certificate to start practising again
Download Returning to practice after 3 years policy
Alternatively you may cancel your registration and apply for restoration to the register when you want to start practising again. This is a relatively simple process, unless you do not meet requirements to be fit for registration.