Delaware Registered Nurse license renewal and CE requirements
Delaware registered nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Delaware Board of Nursing (Division of Professional Regulation).
Registered Nurse licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd-numbered years depending on the licensee's cycle; all newly issued RN licenses expire September 30 of odd years. Renew in DELPROS before the expiration date; a late renewal may be filed within two months after expiration with a late fee.
Summary
Delaware registered nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Delaware Board of Nursing (Division of Professional Regulation). Registered Nurse licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd-numbered years depending on the licensee's cycle; all newly issued RN licenses expire September 30 of odd years. Renew in DELPROS before the expiration date; a late renewal may be filed within two months after expiration with a late fee. Delaware also mandates specific subjects. Substance abuse: 3 contact hours every renewal cycle. Recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons, or the reporting obligations under Board rules: 1 contact hour every renewal cycle. The first renewal is exempt.
Delaware Registered Nurse renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Board-specific scheduleFirst renewal is prorated. |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 30 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Yes |
| Other accepted activities | Practice requirement alternative: refresher course within two years (in place of 1,000 hours in five years or 400 hours in two years) |
RNs must complete at least 30 contact hours of CE during the two-year renewal period, earned through an approved provider or approved method, including at least 3 hours in substance abuse and at least 1 hour on recognition of and response to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons. First renewal: licensed by examination less than two years, 0 hours; by endorsement or reinstatement less than one year, 0 hours; one to two years, 15 hours. Renewal is by attestation that the CE and the practice requirement were met; do not upload certificates to DELPROS unless selected for the random post-renewal audit. Licensees must also attest to practicing nursing at least 1,000 hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the past two years (or complete a refresher course within two years). Late renewal is allowed for two months after expiration with a late fee.
Required CE topics for Delaware registered nurses
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substance abuseAt least three of the required contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse; the board FAQ says topics may include chemical dependency, impaired colleagues, warning signs, or drug diversion. | 3 contact hours | Every renewal | All licensees | Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations Section 9.2.1.1.1 (as cited by the board) |
| Recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons, or the reporting obligations under Board rulesVulnerable persons include children, elders, and persons with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities. | 1 contact hour | Every renewal | All licensees | Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations Section 9.2.1.1.1 (as cited by the board) |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | Not stated |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Board-approved CE provider or an approved method; the Board approves providers (not individual courses) through DELPROS |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Delaware RN need to renew?
- Delaware registered nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Delaware Board of Nursing (Division of Professional Regulation). RNs must complete at least 30 contact hours of CE during the two-year renewal period, earned through an approved provider or approved method, including at least 3 hours in substance abuse and at least 1 hour on recognition of and response to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons. First renewal: licensed by examination less than two years, 0 hours; by endorsement or reinstatement less than one year, 0 hours; one to two years, 15 hours. Renewal is by attestation that the CE and the practice requirement were met; do not upload certificates to DELPROS unless selected for the random post-renewal audit. Licensees must also attest to practicing nursing at least 1,000 hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the past two years (or complete a refresher course within two years). Late renewal is allowed for two months after expiration with a late fee.
- How often does a Delaware RN license need to be renewed?
- Registered Nurse licenses in Delaware renew every two years. Registered Nurse licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd-numbered years depending on the licensee's cycle; all newly issued RN licenses expire September 30 of odd years. Renew in DELPROS before the expiration date; a late renewal may be filed within two months after expiration with a late fee.
- What specific CE topics are required for Delaware registered nurses?
- Substance abuse: 3 contact hours every renewal cycle. Recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons, or the reporting obligations under Board rules: 1 contact hour every renewal cycle. Citations: substance abuse (Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations Section 9.2.1.1.1 (as cited by the board)) and recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons, or the reporting obligations under Board rules (Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations Section 9.2.1.1.1 (as cited by the board)).
- Do Delaware registered nurses have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates and the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation. Board-approved CE provider or an approved method; the Board approves providers (not individual courses) through DELPROS
- Is the first Delaware RN renewal exempt from CE?
- Yes. Delaware does not require continuing education for a RN's first renewal.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- License Renewal, Delaware Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Continuing Education and Audit Information, Delaware Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions, Delaware Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
Hours, mandatory topics, cycle, first-renewal proration, practice requirement, and audit process confirmed on the board's renewal page, CE and audit page, and FAQ. The rule text (24 DE Admin Code 1900 section 9.0) could not be read: regulations.delaware.gov renders only through JavaScript and Cornell and Justia were unreachable, so the section citations are as the board page gives them. Retention period is not stated on the pages read. Custom topic keys substance_abuse and abuse_of_vulnerable_persons are used because no canonical key fits. No em dashes used. exempt_first_renewal is true for exam licensees under two years and endorsement licensees under one year; endorsement licensees at one to two years owe 15 hours.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Delaware Board of Nursing (Division of Professional Regulation) before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.