Become a Nurse in Delaware – Licensure & Requirements

Education: Master’s degree or post-basic program certificate in a clinical nurse specialty with certification from a national certifying body as recognized by the Board.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: National certification in an advanced practice specialty; if national certification is not available for a specific specialty, then individuals must provide proof of 1000 hours of clinical experience in the past two years.

Fees:

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a compact state is required for application.

Experience: Clinical experience of 1500 hours in the past five years or 600 hours of clinical experience in the past two years; required if you have graduated from a APRN program more than two years ago. Additional experience requirements may be needed for some certifications.

Renewal: APRN licenses expire the same date as your Delaware RN license. If you don’t have a Delaware RN license, your APRN license expires on September 30th of odd years. You must meet one of the following to renew:

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Education: Completion of an approved registered nurse program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

Additional Information: Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Delaware, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Delaware.

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $156 RN application fee and $25 upgrade to multistate license fee is required.

Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Delaware, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Delaware.

Renewal: RN licenses in Delaware expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd years. Expiration month depends on when the RN license was originally issued. However, all newly issued RN licenses expire on the September 30 od odd years.

Renewing RN’s must be able to provide proof of required continuing education and have practiced at least 1,000 hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the last two years.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Education: Completion of an approved registered nurse program.

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

Renewal: LPNs in Delaware licenses expire on February 28 of even years. To be able to renew, LPNs must provide proof of completed continuing education and have practiced at least 1,000 hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the last two years.

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a LPN in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $156 LPN application fee is required.

LPNs who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Delaware, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Delaware.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.