How to Get a Nurse (RN/LPN) License in Delaware (2026)

Delaware Board of Nursing

Delaware Board of Nursing

The Delaware Board of Nursing revised its regulations

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/renewal/

License Renewal

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/exam/

RN/LPN License by Examination

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$181

181

Licensed Practical Nurse | $181 Registered Nurse | $181

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

2 years

2

For each subsequent renewal you are required to complete the following CE within the two-year licensure period

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal practice pathway: 1,000 nursing-practice hours in five years or 400 in two years; an alternative is a nursing refresher course completed within two years.

Renewal practice pathway: 1,000 nursing-practice hours in five years or 400 in two years; an alternative is a nursing refresher course completed within two years.

1000 hours of nursing practice within the past five years before the renewal 400 hours of nursing practice within the past two years before the renewal 2. Nursing refresher course completed within the past two years:

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Current active RN/LPN licensees in another state, U.S. territory or DC who have never held the same Delaware license type apply by reciprocity.

Current active RN/LPN licensees in another state, U.S. territory or DC who have never held the same Delaware license type apply by reciprocity.

If you hold a current, active RN or LPN license in another state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia and you have never held a Delaware Nursing license of the same type, apply by reciprocity.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Full-cycle CE: RNs 30 contact hours, LPNs 24. Include at least three hours on substance abuse and one on abuse, exploitation, trafficking or domestic violence involving vulnerable persons, or required reporting.

Full-cycle CE: RNs 30 contact hours, LPNs 24. Include at least three hours on substance abuse and one on abuse, exploitation, trafficking or domestic violence involving vulnerable persons, or required reporting.

Active Registered Nurse (RN) – you must complete 30 contact hours during your renewal period. Active Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)– you must complete 24 contact hours At least 3 of these contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse. Also, at least one hour on the recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons including, but not limited to, children, elders, or persons with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities, or on the reporting obligations under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Nursing, reporting of known or suspected child abuse or neglect.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

LPN licenses expire February 28 in even-numbered years.

LPN licenses expire February 28 in even-numbered years.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses expire on February 28 of even years (e.g., 2020, 2022).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

First-renewal CE hours depend on the initial issue date and whether licensure was by examination, endorsement or reinstatement; consult the Board's first-renewal table.

First-renewal CE hours depend on the initial issue date and whether licensure was by examination, endorsement or reinstatement; consult the Board's first-renewal table.

How many hours of CE are required for your first renewal depends on when your license was initially issued.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The Board supplies the renewal fee amount at renewal.

The Board supplies the renewal fee amount at renewal.

Renewal Fee – You are notified of the amount of the renewal fee at the time of renewal.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Register and maintain a free Nursys e-Notify account and complete the workforce data before renewal.

Register and maintain a free Nursys e-Notify account and complete the workforce data before renewal.

You will need to register and maintain an account with the free Nursys e-Notify service as a renewal requirement. If you do not complete this workforce data in e-Notify prior to renewal, your license will be placed on hold until it is completed and has been verified.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

LPNs expire February 28 in even years. RNs expire February 28, May 31 or September 30 in odd years, depending on original issue; newly issued RN licenses use September 30.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses expire on February 28 of even years (e.g., 2020, 2022). Registered Nurse (RN) licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd years (2019, 2021). The expiration month depends on when your license was originally issued. All newly issued RN licenses expire on September 30 of odd years. Applies to: Delaware RN and LPN licenses.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses expire on February 28 of even years (e.g., 2020, 2022). Registered Nurse (RN) licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd years (2019, 2021). The expiration month depends on when your license was originally issued. All newly issued RN licenses expire on September 30 of odd years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026