How to Become an LPN in Delaware 2026
To become an LPN in Delaware, you must complete a state-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply for licensure through the Delaware Board of Nursing. Delaware is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so LPNs licensed in other compact states can work in Delaware without a separate license.
Sponsored School(s)
Delaware licenses LPNs through the Delaware Board of Nursing, which sets the education and examination requirements that every applicant must meet. New graduates must complete a Board-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit a licensure application. Nurses who already hold a valid multistate license from another compact state don’t need a separate Delaware license to practice here.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, application steps, renewal rules, and salary data for Delaware LPNs.
- What LPNs do in Delaware
- Education requirements
- How to apply for your Delaware LPN license
- License renewal and continuing education
- Work settings for Delaware LPNs
- LPN salary and job outlook in Delaware
What LPNs Do in Delaware
LPNs in Delaware provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Their scope covers medication administration, wound care, IV therapy within defined limits, patient assessment, and documentation. Delaware regulations are specific about what LPNs can and cannot do independently, particularly for IV therapy, where the Board draws clear lines on allowable procedures.
LPNs can work with patients who have stable or predictable needs, as well as those with fluctuating or complex conditions when working under appropriate supervision. The key distinction from RN practice is that LPNs carry out care plans rather than develop them and perform assessments that support the RN’s clinical judgment rather than replace it. For a full picture of how RN and LPN licensing differ in this state, see Delaware nursing license requirements.
Delaware LPN Education Requirements
Delaware requires applicants to complete a practical nursing program approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing. Programs include at least 200 hours of clinical experience and cover core nursing content, including anatomy, pharmacology, patient care fundamentals, and basic medical-surgical nursing. See Board-approved practical nursing programs in Delaware for current in-state options.
Delaware does not fully approve online LPN programs. Clinical components must be completed in person. Some programs offer hybrid coursework for theory, but the hands-on training portion has no online substitute. Most programs run 11 to 18 months, with Delaware Technical Community College and Polytech Adult Education among the in-state options.
Graduates of out-of-state programs can apply by examination as long as their program meets the Board’s standards. The Board will evaluate transcripts and clinical hours as part of the application review.
How to Apply for Your Delaware LPN License
After completing an approved program, you apply to the Delaware Board of Nursing for permission to sit for the NCLEX-PN. The Board’s application requires official transcripts, proof of a completed criminal background check, and a completed application form. The initial application fee is $181, per the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation fee schedule.
Once approved, you register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. The exam tests clinical decision-making and nursing knowledge at the entry level for practical nurses. Passing scores are set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and apply nationwide.
Applying by Endorsement
Licensed LPNs from states outside the Nurse Licensure Compact apply to Delaware by endorsement. This process requires proof of an active license in good standing from the issuing state, official transcripts, proof of passing the NCLEX-PN, a copy of government-issued ID, and a criminal background check. The Board will evaluate the application and may issue a temporary permit while the review is completed, provided you have a job offer.
The Nurse Licensure Compact
Delaware participates in the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows LPNs licensed in any other compact member state to practice in Delaware on their home-state license. If you hold a compact license from another member state, you don’t need to apply for separate Delaware licensure. Check with the Delaware Board of Nursing or the NCSBN to confirm your home state’s current compact status before relying on this provision.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Delaware LPN licenses renew every two years on February 28th of the renewal year. To renew, LPNs must show they’ve either worked 1,000 hours in the past five years, worked 400 hours in the past two years, or met the continuing education requirement. LPNs who don’t meet the practice hour thresholds must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period.
The Board sets acceptable CE topics and formats. Verify current renewal requirements directly with the Delaware Board of Nursing before your renewal date, as requirements and fees are subject to change.
Work Settings for Delaware LPNs
Long-term care is the primary employer of LPNs in Delaware, as it is across most states. Skilled nursing facilities care for residents with complex, ongoing health needs, including post-acute patients working toward discharge and long-stay residents with chronic conditions. Delaware nursing homes are rated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on quality indicators, safety inspections, and staffing, which affect the working environment LPNs can expect.
Assisted living facilities offer a distinct setting from skilled nursing. They serve residents whose health needs are essentially stable. Delaware regulations place limits on the acuity level assisted living facilities can accommodate, which means LPNs working there generally care for less medically complex patients than those in skilled nursing.
Dementia care is a significant area of LPN practice in long-term settings. Delaware has invested in dementia training infrastructure at the state level, including support for programs that use personalized music therapy and coordinated efforts to reduce antipsychotic medication use in nursing homes. LPNs working in memory care units will encounter residents at different stages of cognitive decline and a range of behavioral and physical care needs.
Beyond long-term care, Delaware LPNs also work in home health, physician offices, walk-in clinics, and community health settings. Roles in those settings can range from direct patient care to care coordination and patient education, particularly for LPNs with several years of experience. Nurses entering the field through a shorter route may want to review CNA certification in Delaware as a first step before pursuing LPN training.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Delaware
Delaware LPNs earned a median annual wage of $68,710 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage was $69,500 across the state’s 2,240 employed LPNs. Wages vary by location: LPNs in the Dover metro area earned a median of $62,140, while those in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area, which includes northern Delaware, earned a median of $70,710.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware (statewide) | $68,710 | $69,500 |
| Dover, DE metro | $62,140 | $62,210 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA | $70,710 | $70,900 |
The job outlook for LPNs in Delaware is strong. Projections Central estimates 16.8% employment growth for LPNs in Delaware between 2022 and 2032, from 2,140 jobs to a projected 2,500. That works out to approximately 210 average annual openings, which includes both new positions and vacancies from workforce turnover. Long-term care demand is the main driver, with Delaware’s aging population putting sustained pressure on nursing home and home health staffing.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Delaware?
Most Delaware-approved LPN programs run 11 to 18 months of full-time study. Add a few weeks for the NCLEX-PN application and scheduling process, and most graduates are licensed within about a year to a year and a half of starting their program.
Does Delaware participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes, Delaware is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs who hold a multistate license from another compact member state can practice in Delaware without obtaining a separate Delaware license. If your home state isn’t part of the compact, you’ll apply by endorsement through the Delaware Board of Nursing.
What are the continuing education requirements to renew an LPN license in Delaware?
Delaware LPN licenses renew every two years. LPNs who meet the practice hour requirement, either 1,000 hours over five years or 400 hours in the past two years, are not required to complete continuing education for renewal. Those who don’t meet the hours threshold must complete 24 contact hours of CE during the renewal period.
Can LPNs perform IV therapy in Delaware?
Delaware regulations allow LPNs to perform certain IV-related duties, but with specific limitations. The Board’s scope of practice rules define what LPNs can do independently versus what requires RN or physician oversight. LPNs should review the Board’s current scope of practice guidance or confirm with their employer’s nursing leadership before performing any IV procedure.
What’s the difference between applying by examination and by endorsement in Delaware?
Applying by examination means you’re a new graduate who has never held an LPN license. You apply to the Board for authorization to take the NCLEX-PN. Applying by endorsement means you’re already licensed as an LPN in another state and want to transfer that license to Delaware. Endorsement applicants skip the NCLEX-PN but must provide proof of their existing license, transcripts, and a background check.
Key Takeaways
- Three steps to licensure — Complete a Board-approved LPN program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application to the Delaware Board of Nursing. All new Delaware graduates must complete this process regardless of compact membership.
- Delaware is an NLC member — LPNs holding a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Delaware without applying for a separate license.
- Renewal is biennial — Delaware LPN licenses renew every two years. Practice hour requirements or 24 CE hours apply depending on your work history during the renewal period.
- Salary is above the national median — Delaware LPNs earned a median of $68,710 as of May 2025, compared to the national LPN median of $64,400. The northern Delaware/Philadelphia metro area reaches $70,710.
- Job growth is strong — Projections Central forecasts 16.8% LPN employment growth in Delaware from 2022 to 2032, with about 210 openings per year.
Select your state below to find approved LPN programs, application requirements, and licensing information for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.