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

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: A compact state, such as Delaware, allows a nurse to work in another compact state without having to apply for a Nursing license in that state. You must remain a resident of a compact state to utilize this privilege. For a complete list of compact states, see Participating States in the NLC.

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. A fee schedule is also provided with application packets.

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