StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Delaware

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$381
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Delaware Board of Nursing, Division of Professional Regulation (DPR)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. No Delaware Board of Nursing source reviewed states a minimum age for LPN licensure, so left null. All applicants must submit a Delaware State Police and FBI criminal background check (CBC) obtained specifically for Board of Nursing licensure purposes — a background check completed for another purpose (e.g., employment or licensure in another state) does not satisfy this requirement. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Delaware requires graduation from a practical nursing program acceptable to the Board (Delaware Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations, Section 2.4.1), which specifies at least 200 hours of clinical experience for LPN students. No total (theory + clinical) program-hour minimum was found on the Board's own licensure-by-examination page, so total hours is left null; the 200-hour figure is the clinical-hours component only. Applicants also cannot have more than 5 years (60 months) elapsed since graduation to remain eligible for licensure by examination. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test (CAT) delivered at Pearson VUE test centers; every first-time candidate submits two separate applications — one to the Delaware Board of Nursing, one to Pearson VUE. National exam-registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from Delaware's own $181 application fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Delaware Board of Nursing, Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) with the $181 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Delaware Board of Nursing, Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Delaware.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $181
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] None specified
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Reinstatement [3] $272
Re-examination service request [3] $25
NCLEX-PN registration (Pearson VUE, national) [3] $200

Delaware's LPN application fee (by examination or endorsement) is $181, with no separate license-issuance fee. Delaware does not publish a fixed renewal fee on its fee schedule — the Board's own renewal page states 'You are notified of the amount of the renewal fee at the time of renewal,' so left null rather than guessed; a 50% late fee applies if renewal is submitted after expiration.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

LPN licenses expire February 28 of even-numbered years. Subsequent renewals (after the first) require at least 24 hours of continuing education within the 2-year renewal period; the CE requirement for a licensee's very first renewal varies based on the license issue date.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Delaware implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on Jan. 19, 2018, per the compact commission's official implementation-date table (NurseCompact.com / NCSBN NLC_Map.pdf). Delaware also offers a standard RN/LPN license-by-endorsement pathway for out-of-state LPNs.

Cost calculator

  • $181
  • $200
Total$381

Frequently asked questions

What license does Delaware issue to practical nurses?

Delaware issues the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license through the Delaware Board of Nursing, Division of Professional Regulation.

Is Delaware part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Delaware implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 19, 2018, so LPNs with a multistate compact license from another NLC state may practice in Delaware without a separate Delaware license.

How much clinical experience does a Delaware LPN program require?

At least 200 hours of clinical experience, per the Delaware Board of Nursing's Rules and Regulations Section 2.4.1.

How much does it cost to apply for an LPN license in Delaware?

The application fee (by examination or endorsement) is $181, plus the separate $200 national NCLEX-PN registration fee paid to Pearson VUE. Delaware does not publish a fixed renewal fee — applicants are notified of the amount at the time of renewal.

Does Delaware require a background check for LPN licensure?

Yes. All applicants must submit a Delaware State Police and FBI criminal background check obtained specifically for Board of Nursing licensure — a check done for another purpose will not be accepted.

Sources

  1. [1] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/exam/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/fees/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/renewal/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] nursecompact.com — accessed 2026-07-10