Originally posted 11 October. Updated 30 October.
GDC Annual Retention Fee (ARF) for 2024
Before 2021, dentists were required to make a single annual payment by 31 December each year. We pressed for change as this approach represented a major barrier for registrants, particularly those at the outset of their careers. Following this, the option to pay the ARF by instalments has been introduced to support dentists and DCPs who would prefer to spread the payments across the year. For DCPs this is four payments of £28.50 and for dentists it is four payments of £155.25. For dentists who hold specialist titles, an annual fee of £72 per title will also be collected in the first Direct Debit payment.
You can set up your quarterly Direct Debit on eGDC. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one first to manage your registration online. Once you are set up, you will not need to contact the GDC to make payments each time your ARF is due for renewal however it is strongly advised that you check that each payment has gone out at the correct time throughout the year.
If there is an issue which results in any of the instalment payments not being made, you will be required to pay the full remainder of the fee at that time. If you do not notice an issue with the payment, there is a risk that your GDC registration will be stopped at that point, resulting in an inability to continue working and a potential delay with returning to the GDC register.
It is important that you also continue to submit declarations of indemnity cover and Continuing Professional Development compliance at the relevant times. If you cancel your Direct Debit instalment arrangements please note that the remainder of the ARF will be due, as outlined in the terms and conditions.