1. How do I become a Certified Nursing Assistant?
2. Do I need a job offer to receive a temporary permit?
3. How long is a temporary permit good for?
4. Do the same rules apply for graduate nurses in regard to temporary permits?
5. What is a Compact State?
6. Is Delaware a walk-through state?
7. How many contact hours of continuing education do I need to renew my RN or LPN license?
8. I am applying to another state for RN/LPN licensure. They require verification of my DE license. What do I need to do?
9. I am a new graduate who has submitted my application to both Delaware and the testing company. When will I receive my approval to test (ATT)?
10. I was unsuccessful at taking the NCLEX. How often can I re-take the test?
11. What is the cost of a license?
12. I held a nursing license that has since lapsed. How do I reinstate it?
13. I am a new graduate from an advanced nursing program (nurse practitioner, clinical nursing specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist). Can I get a permit to practice before I am certified?
14. I was licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse. However, I do not meet the practice requirement of 600 hours in the past two years or 1500 hours in the past five years. How do I reinstate licensure?
15. Describe the collaborative agreement that APN's are required to have in order to practice.
16. Can an APN have prescriptive authority while practicing with a temporary permit?
17. How long is the temporary permit for APN's? How many permits can be issued?
18. Does an APN need an established collaborative agreement to apply for prescriptive authority?
19. Who offers refresher courses for nurses?
20. What happens if I can't take the NCLEX within 90 days of graduation?
21. Do I need to have a U.S. Social Security Number in order to obtain a professional license, permit or registration?
22. How do I place my Nursing license on inactive status?

Question: How do I become a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Answer: Contact the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection at (302) 577-6661 or visit the division’s website.

Question: Do I need a job offer to receive a temporary permit?

Answer: Yes. The Board office must verify position offered. The Temporary Permit Fee as well as the application processing fee must accompany your application.

Question: How long is a temporary permit good for?

Answer: A permit can be extended for a total of six months. The first period is 90 days, then 60, then 30. You can use the permit only at the facility indicated on your application. Your permit will be mailed; you cannot pick it up at the Board office.

Question: Do the same rules apply for graduate nurses in regard to temporary permits?

Answer: No. In addition to a job offer and temporary permit fee, proof of meeting the educational requirements for your degree is required. The permit is valid for up to 90 days from the date your degree was awarded. However, the permit expires if you are unsuccessful on the NCLEX.

Question: What is a Compact State?

Answer: For FAQ's about compact, or multi-state, licenses, click here.

Question: Is Delaware a walk-through state?

Answer: No.

Question: How many contact hours of continuing education do I need to renew my RN or LPN license?

Answer: The number of hours depends on how long you have been licensed and by which method you were licensed.

If you were licensed by examination and you’ve been licensed:

• less than two years – 0 contact hours for the first renewal only
• more than two years – 30 contact hours

If you were licensed by endorsement or by reinstatement and you’ve been licensed:

• the entire two years - 30 contact hours
• less than two years but more than one year - 15 contact hours
• less than a year – 0 contact hours

Question: I am applying to another state for RN/LPN licensure. They require verification of my DE license. What do I need to do?

Answer: RN’s or LPN's - Ask your state for the NURSYS form or go to NCSBN License Verification to complete the process online. Delaware does not complete verifications for RN’s and LPN’s.

Advanced Practice Nurses – See Request Written Verification.

Question: I am a new graduate who has submitted my application to both Delaware and the testing company. When will I receive my approval to test (ATT)?

Answer: If your application is in order, the Board office will make you eligible to test when the official transcripts from your school arrives.

Question: I was unsuccessful at taking the NCLEX. How often can I re-take the test?

Answer: You may re-apply to take the NCLEX as many times as you wish every 45 days for up to two years.

Question: What is the cost of a license?

Answer: See Fee Schedule.

Question: I held a nursing license that has since lapsed. How do I reinstate it?

Answer: Complete the Application for Reinstatement. The fees are based on your initial license number and are listed on the application. If you were an RN, you must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education along with the application form and fee. If you were an LPN, submit proof of 24 hours of continuing education.

Question: I am a new graduate from an advanced nursing program (nurse practitioner, clinical nursing specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist). Can I get a permit to practice before I am certified?

Answer: Yes. Submit the Application for Licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse, fees, official transcript and notice of eligibility to test letter from the national certification organization.

Question: I was licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse. However, I do not meet the practice requirement of 600 hours in the past two years or 1500 hours in the past five years. How do I reinstate licensure?

Answer: Submit the Application for Reinstatement, letter requesting a temporary permit, a letter from your potential supervising APN or physician and the job description for the Board to review at its next meeting.

Question: Describe the collaborative agreement that APN’s are required to have in order to practice.

Answer: A collaborative agreement describes the process for consultation and referral of clients. The three kinds of collaborative agreement are:

• job description
• clinical privileges
• written agreement with a Delaware-licensed physician, dentist, podiatrist or licensed health care facility.

Question: Can an APN have prescriptive authority while practicing with a temporary permit?

Answer: No. Applications for prescriptive authority cannot be processed before licensure.

Question: How long is the temporary permit for APN’s? How many permits can be issued?

Answer: Each permit is for ninety days. Permits can be issued for a period of two years.

Question: Does an APN need an established collaborative agreement to apply for prescriptive authority?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Who offers refresher courses for nurses?

Answer: RN’s - University of Delaware and Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton Campus

LPN’s - Delaware Technical and Community College, Owens Campus

Question: What happens if I can't take the NCLEX within 90 days of graduation?

Answer: You are required to sit for the NCLEX within 90 days of completing the requirements for graduation. If you are unable to schedule the examination during this time period, submit a written request for waiver of the 90-day requirement to the Board of Nursing. The request must state the reason(s) that you are unable to sit for the exam. The Board will review and decide on your request at its next scheduled meeting.

Question: Do I need to have a U.S. Social Security Number in order to obtain a professional license, permit or registration?

Answer: If you have been issued a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), you are required to record it on your application for a license, permit or registration. The professional license, permit or registration will not be issued until the SSN is provided.

Question: How do I place my Nursing license on inactive status?

Answer: If you are not active practicing Nursing, you may request to place your active nursing license on inactive status. Submit a written request to the Board of Nursing with the correct processing fee. When your request is processed you will receive a Notice of Inactive License Status. You will not receive a license certificate. For more information about inactive status, see License Renewal.