Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
1900 - Board of Nursing
Section 1900-6.0 - Requirements and Procedures for Licensure

6.3.4.1 The candidate's employer shall be notified that the temporary permit is not valid.

6.4.1.1 A completed, signed, online application;

6.4.1.2 The required non-refundable fee;

6.4.1.3 A CES Report with English language proficiency (ELP) issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or other Board approved agency to verify the program from which applicant is a graduate meets the approved standards adopted by the Board (24 Del.C. §§ 1910, 1914) and subsection 2.4. (If the program does not include the areas specified in the above curricula, the deficiencies must be made up before the applicant is eligible to take NCLEX); and

6.4.1.4 Official English translations of all required credentials;

6.4.7.1 Applicants must take the NCLEX within one year of either graduation or the date last employed as a nurse in any territory or country. Applicants who fail to do so must petition the Board for specific authorization to take the examination. Such petitions will be granted by the Board upon a showing of good cause;

6.4.7.2 Applicants who take but fail to pass the examination within one year must petition the Board for specific authorization to retest. Such petitions will be granted by the Board upon a showing of good cause;

6.4.7.3 Applicants may retake NCLEX at 45 day intervals within a one year period from graduation and not thereafter without petitioning the Board for specific authorization to retest after the one year period for a total of five years;

6.4.7.4 Applicants who do not take or pass the examination within five years of graduation or the date last employed as a nurse in any territory or country will not be granted permission to take or retake the examination.

6.5.1.1 Submit a completed, signed, online application.

6.5.1.2 Remit the required non-refundable fee.

6.5.1.3 Attach to the application a photocopy of a current active or inactive license indicating date of expiration.

6.5.1.4 Provide official verification of original licensure in another jurisdiction on a form acceptable to the Board.

6.5.1.5 Applicants who have not graduated from nursing school within 2 years of applying must attest that they have satisfied the active practice requirement of a minimum of 1000 practice hours in the past 5 years or 400 nursing practice hours in the past 2 years.

6.5.1.6 If the applicant has not been employed in nursing a minimum of 1000 hours in the past five years or a minimum of 400 hours of nursing practice within the previous two years, the applicant must give evidence of satisfactory completion of an approved refresher program within a two-year period before licensure by endorsement will be granted.

6.5.1.7 List all continuing education requirements for the two years immediately preceding application, unless submitting a refresher course completion certificate.

6.5.6.1 The Board may issue a license to practice professional nursing as a Registered Nurse by endorsement, without a written examination, to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a Registered Nurse under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the Board, the applicant meets the qualifications for licensure in this state.

6.5.6.2 As of 1950 and thereafter, the State Board Test Pool Examination for professional nursing is the licensing examination authorized for use by all boards of nursing in jurisdictions in the United States. (In July 1982, the examination was re-titled National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN). Prior to this date, examinations constructed by state boards of nursing are acceptable, providing such examinations include all of the required clinical areas: medicine, surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry). Until 1953, the passing score required for each of the tests was 70%.

6.5.6.3 Those applicants graduating as of 1953 and thereafter are required to show evidence of clinical experience in medical nursing, surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing, nursing of children, and obstetrical nursing.

6.5.6.4 An applicant for licensure by endorsement must be a graduate of a board approved nursing program and have passed the NCLEX-RN.

6.5.6.5 An applicant for licensure by endorsement must have completed satisfactorily and met all requirements from a RN program in another state, territory, or country determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the RN education programs in Delaware.

6.5.7.1 Effective October 1, 1963, waiver or equivalency licensure is not acceptable in Delaware. The Board may issue a license to practice nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse, without a written examination, to an applicant who has been licensed as a Practical Nurse or a person entitled to perform similar services under a different title under the laws of any state, territory or foreign country if, in the opinion of the Board, the applicant has the qualifications and demonstrates convincing evidence that the applicant's education, training, experience and conduct have been sufficient as required for the licensing of practical nurses.

6.5.7.2 Candidates for licensure are required to have theory and clinical experience in medical nursing, surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing, obstetrical nursing, and nursing of children.

6.5.7.3 A licensed practical nurse applicant for licensure by endorsement must be a graduate of a board approved nursing program and have passed the NCLEX-PN.

6.5.7.4 An applicant for licensure by endorsement must have completed satisfactorily and met all requirements from a PN program in another state, territory, or country determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the PN education programs in Delaware.

6.6.1.1 In order to practice nursing in Delaware with or without financial compensation, Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses who are duly licensed under any provision of 24 Del.C. Ch. 19 shall renew their licenses biennially, on dates established by the Division of Professional Regulation and must:

6.6.1.2 The applicant shall indicate nursing employment within the past five years before the renewal application will be processed. A minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing practice within the past five years or a minimum of four hundred hours of nursing practice within the past two years is required for licensure by renewal or reinstatement. Verification of completion of the practice hours will occur for a minimum of 3% of the total number of licensees with notice of the audit within six months following the renewal of licensure. See Section 9.0, for Mandatory Continuing Education requirements.

6.6.1.3 A notice for license renewal will be sent at least 12 weeks prior to the expiration date of current licensure.

6.6.1.4 Failure to receive the renewal notice shall not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing their license by the expiration date.

6.6.1.5 A license may be renewed up to sixty-days past the license's expiration date, by submitting the penalty fee and proof of completion of continuing education requirements. The license is considered lapsed and the nurse is not permitted to work until the license is renewed. Licensees who fail to renew during the renewal period or during the 60-day late renewal period must apply for reinstatement.

6.6.1.6 Licenses that have lapsed may be reinstated by the Board upon satisfactory explanation by the licensee of failure to renew and after payment of a penalty fee.

6.6.1.7 Registered Nurses - the license shall be valid for no more than two calendar years expiring each odd-numbered year on dates established by the Department of State.

6.6.1.8 Licensed Practical Nurses - the license shall be valid for no more than two calendar years expiring each even-numbered year on the dates established by the Department of State.

6.6.2.1 Reinstatement of a lapsed license is required after the expiration of the late renewal period. All applicants shall have a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing practice within the previous five years or a minimum of four hundred hours of nursing practice within the past two years before licensure by reinstatement will be granted. The practice of nursing can be with or without financial compensation. In the event the applicant has not been actively employed in nursing as described above, the applicant will be required to give evidence of satisfactory completion of a refresher program with an approved agency within two years prior to reinstatement. In the event no refresher course is available, the Board may consider alternate methods of evaluating current knowledge in professional or practical nursing defined in Section 4.0.

6.6.2.2 The applicant shall file an online application for reinstatement of licensure. The application shall be accompanied by a list of continuing education documents, information related to the nurse's practice and demographics for the purpose of collecting nursing workforce data, a renewal fee and penalty fee.

6.7.4.1 Prior to employment starting date, submit an online application for endorsement or examination, completing the portion for a temporary permit, and indicating employer.

6.7.4.2 Have been employed in nursing a minimum of 1000 hours in the past five years or a minimum of four hundred hours in the past two years, if applying for reinstatement or endorsement, with current evidence of licensure from another state.

6.7.4.3 Have been accepted as a nurse employee in Delaware. The Board of Nursing will verify employment with the employer and verified documentation will be noted on the application.

6.7.4.4 Have graduated from a State Board of Nursing approved program.

6.7.4.5 Pay a licensure fee which is not refundable.

6.7.6.1 Keep a register of permits.

6.7.6.2 Refrain from issuing a temporary permit in any doubtful situation until further evidence is obtained or until the Board has given approval.