Delaware Nursing License Requirements 2026
Delaware licenses both RNs and LPNs through the Delaware Board of Nursing, a division of the Department of Professional Regulation. All candidates must graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license issued here is valid for practice in other NLC member states.
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The Delaware Board of Nursing oversees initial licensure, endorsement from other states, and license renewal for RNs and LPNs. The application process differs depending on whether you’re a first-time exam candidate, an out-of-state nurse seeking endorsement, or an international graduate. This page covers requirements for each pathway, along with renewal requirements and compact license information. If you’re exploring CNA certification instead, see CNA requirements in Delaware.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, endorsement, renewal, and compact license information.
- LPN license requirements in Delaware
- RN license requirements in Delaware
- Out-of-state and endorsement candidates
- License renewal requirements
- Nurse Licensure Compact and multistate license
LPN License Requirements in Delaware
Education
Candidates must complete a board-approved practical nursing program that includes the required clinical practice hours. High school graduation or a GED is a prerequisite. The Delaware Board of Nursing maintains a list of approved programs on its website. Delaware does not allow candidates who have completed a registered nursing program to sit for the NCLEX-PN. For a list of approved programs, see LPN programs in Delaware.
Application and NCLEX-PN
Every first-time LPN candidate submits two separate applications: one to the Delaware Board of Nursing and one to Pearson VUE, the company that administers the NCLEX-PN. Graduates are expected to apply within one year of program completion. Applicants who wait longer may need to submit a petition to test or complete an NCLEX review course. Verify current timelines with the Delaware Board of Nursing, as these requirements are subject to change.
The application requires a criminal background check and an official transcript from the nursing program. The transcript doesn’t have to be submitted at the start — a candidate can receive a temporary permit while documentation is pending, provided the program confirms enrollment status. Verify current application and temporary permit fees through the Delaware Board of Nursing website. For more on the LPN path in Delaware, see LPN requirements in Delaware.
Temporary Practice Permit
A temporary permit allows a new graduate to work while awaiting NCLEX results. Verify current temporary permit terms with the Delaware Board of Nursing, including validity period and any practice restrictions. Candidates must receive their permit number before beginning work. If a candidate fails the NCLEX, the temporary permit becomes invalid, and the candidate must stop practicing until they pass the exam again.
Candidates who fail may retake the exam, but must wait 45 days between attempts. The five-year window for passing applies from the date of graduation.
RN License Requirements in Delaware
Education
A prospective RN must complete a board-approved professional nursing program that includes the required clinical experience hours. Both ADN and BSN programs qualify for initial licensure. For a list of approved programs in the state, see RN programs in Delaware.
Application and NCLEX-RN
As graduation approaches, candidates can obtain a licensing application from the program or directly from the Delaware Board of Nursing website. The completed application must be notarized and submitted with the required fee and a copy of the applicant’s driver’s license or government-issued ID. An official transcript must be sent to the board after the degrees are posted. Verify current application fees through the Delaware Board of Nursing website.
Candidates also register separately with Pearson VUE to schedule the NCLEX-RN. The exam can’t be scheduled until the board issues an authorization to test. Once the candidate passes, the board conducts a final review and issues the license. Verify current application and re-examination fees through the Delaware Board of Nursing website.
New graduates are eligible to work under temporary permits while the full licensure process is completed. Verify current temporary permit terms with the Delaware Board of Nursing.
Graduates are expected to pass the NCLEX within five years of graduation. Those who don’t apply within one year may need to submit a petition to test or complete an NCLEX review course. Verify current timelines with the Delaware Board of Nursing.
Out-of-State Candidates and Endorsement
RN Endorsement
RNs licensed in another state apply for licensure by endorsement. The application requires license verification from the state where the candidate was originally licensed, either via a written form or through Nursys, an online verification system used by most states. Candidates should check the Delaware Board of Nursing website to see which states use Nursys. A photocopy of the current license should be included with the application.
Some endorsement candidates may be required to submit employer references or documentation of recent work evaluations. Check the current Delaware endorsement procedures with the board to confirm documentation requirements.
Candidates must verify recent practice: at least 1,000 hours in the previous 5 years or 400 hours in the previous 2 years. Candidates who don’t meet these thresholds may be required to complete a refresher course before Delaware issues a license. Check current refresher course requirements with the Delaware Board of Nursing.
Endorsement processing times vary depending on application volume and completeness. Out-of-state RNs with a job offer in Delaware may be issued a temporary permit while the endorsement process is underway.
LPN Endorsement
LPNs who have been licensed in other jurisdictions can apply by examination or endorsement, depending on whether they’ve already passed the required exam. LPNs who haven’t practiced in the previous five years and haven’t completed a refresher course in the previous two years must complete one before Delaware will issue a license. Endorsement candidates may be granted temporary permits if they meet continuing competency and experience requirements.
International Candidates
Nurses educated outside the United States must obtain a certificate through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to have their credentials evaluated. If deficiencies are found, they must be remediated before the application proceeds. Required documents must be submitted in English. Translations are the applicant’s responsibility. International candidates generally apply under the examination pathway.
Canadian applicants should consult the current Delaware Board of Nursing endorsement requirements to determine examination eligibility. Requirements vary depending on the examinations the candidate took and their practice history.
License Renewal in Delaware
Delaware issues nursing licenses on a two-year renewal cycle. Renewal deadlines differ by license type.
LPN licenses expire on February 28 of even-numbered years. RN and APRN licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd-numbered years, depending on the individual license cycle.
Continuing Education Requirements
RNs and APRNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. LPNs must complete 24 hours. For both license types, at least three of those hours must be in substance abuse education.
The Delaware Board of Nursing uses the DelPros online system to conduct random audits of CE compliance. Nurses selected for audit must upload documentation of their completed hours.
Practice Hour Requirements
In addition to CE hours, renewal candidates must attest to meeting one of the following practice requirements: 1,000 hours of nursing practice in the previous five years, or 400 hours in the previous two years. Candidates who don’t meet either threshold may need to complete a refresher course before the board will renew their license.
Nurse Licensure Compact and Multistate License
Delaware is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who hold a multistate license from Delaware can practice in other NLC member states without obtaining a separate license in each state, as long as Delaware remains their primary state of residence.
Multistate licensure is tied to residency. A nurse who holds a Delaware multistate license but establishes primary residence in another NLC state must apply for licensure in that state. Nurses who practice in non-NLC states must obtain a separate license for each state, regardless of the state’s compact status.
To qualify for a multistate license, candidates must meet all 11 uniform licensure requirements set by the NLC. Candidates who don’t meet all requirements may still receive a Delaware license, but it will be issued as a single-state license valid only in Delaware. Nurses who already hold a single-state Delaware license and whose primary residence is Delaware can apply to convert it to a multistate license through the DelPros system. The NLC multistate compact does not cover APRNs. Delaware does not issue multistate APRN licenses. APRNs must hold a Delaware-issued APRN license to practice in the state, regardless of licenses held elsewhere. For APRN licensure requirements, see Delaware nurse practitioner requirements.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a nursing license in Delaware?
Processing times vary depending on the completeness of the application and the volume at the board. New graduates can work under a temporary permit while waiting for full licensure. Endorsement from another state may take several weeks. Verify current processing estimates with the Delaware Board of Nursing.
Does Delaware accept out-of-state nursing licenses?
Yes. Delaware accepts applications for licensure by endorsement from nurses licensed in other states. You’ll need to verify your license through Nursys or a written verification form, document recent practice hours, and pass a criminal background check. Nurses who meet experience requirements can receive a temporary permit while endorsement processes.
Is Delaware a compact nursing state?
Yes. Delaware is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses who hold a multistate Delaware license and maintain Delaware as their primary state of residence can practice in other NLC states without applying for a separate license in each one.
What are Delaware’s nursing license renewal requirements?
RNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education per two-year cycle. LPNs must complete 24 hours. Both must include at least three hours in substance abuse education. All nurses must also attest to 1,000 practice hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the past two years. Renewal is handled through Delaware’s DelPros online system.
How much does a Delaware nursing license cost?
Fee schedules change frequently. Verify current application, temporary permit, and renewal fees through the Delaware Board of Nursing website or the DelPros online system.
Key Takeaways
- Two license types, two NCLEX exams — LPNs take the NCLEX-PN after completing a board-approved practical nursing program. RNs take the NCLEX-RN after a board-approved professional nursing program. Delaware doesn’t allow RN program graduates to take the LPN exam.
- Temporary permits allow new graduates to work. Candidates can practice under a temporary permit while awaiting NCLEX results. The permit becomes invalid if the exam isn’t passed. There’s a 45-day wait between retakes.
- Renewal is biennial with CE and practice requirements — RNs need 30 CE hours, LPNs need 24. Both must document recent practice hours and complete at least three hours in substance abuse education each cycle.
- Delaware is a compact state — A multistate Delaware license allows practice in other NLC states, but only while Delaware remains your primary state of residence. The compact does not cover APRNs.
- Endorsement from other states is accepted — Out-of-state nurses apply by endorsement. Processing times vary. Those with a Delaware job offer may be eligible for a temporary permit while the endorsement process is underway.
Find approved RN and LPN programs in Delaware, along with application links and school contact information.