How to Get Your LPN License in Delaware (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Delaware Delaware may be the second-smallest state by area, but it has a robust healthcare economy anchored by Christiana Care Health System, Bayhealth, and a thriving home health and long-term care sector. Its location in the heart of the mid-Atlantic corridor — bordering Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey — makes compact licensure especially valuable. Here's your complete guide to earning your Delaware LPN license in 2026. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program Delaware LPN programs must be approved by the **Delaware Board of Nursing**. Programs accredited by **ACEN** or holding Delaware Board approval qualify. Delaware Technical Community College is the primary in-state provider of LPN education, with campuses in Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown. A standard LPN program runs **12–18 months** and includes: - **Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology** — foundational coursework - **Pharmacology** — drug safety, dosage calculations, medication administration - **Clinical nursing skills** — wound care, IV therapy, catheter care, vital signs, basic assessment - **Long-term care and geriatric nursing** — important given Delaware's older coastal population - **Clinical rotations** — primarily at Christiana Care and Bayhealth facilities Delaware's proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore also means some students complete programs in Pennsylvania or Maryland and then apply by endorsement. ### Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam After graduating, the Delaware Board of Nursing reviews your application and Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test. The **NCLEX-PN**: - **Format:** Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) — 85 to 150 questions - **Exam fee:** ~$200 (NCSBN fee, paid to Pearson VUE) - **Time limit:** 6 hours - **National first-time pass rate:** ~83–85% - **Pearson VUE centers:** Wilmington is the primary Delaware testing site; Philadelphia, PA centers are a short drive away The exam covers safe and effective care environments, pharmacological therapies, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Delaware LPN License Submit your application to the **Delaware Board of Nursing** (under the Division of Professional Regulation): - **Application fee:** approximately **$75–$100** - **Criminal background check:** fingerprint-based, required for all initial applicants through Delaware State Police - **Official transcripts** from your nursing program - **NCLEX-PN passage** (transmitted by Pearson VUE) Out-of-state LPNs can apply for **licensure by endorsement**. Delaware background check and application fee still required. Delaware LPN licenses renew on a **2-year cycle**. Keep your address current with the Division of Professional Regulation. ### eNLC Compact Membership Delaware is a member of the **Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)**, covering both RNs and LPNs/LVNs. If Delaware is your primary state of residence, your Delaware LPN license grants multistate practice privileges in all eNLC compact states — 40+ states — without a separate license. This is particularly relevant for Delaware LPNs because: - Maryland (neighboring) is a compact member - Pennsylvania (neighboring) joined the eNLC - Many Delaware LPNs work across the tri-state border area and benefit from compact privileges Note: **New Jersey is not currently an eNLC member**, so compact privileges do not extend there. Declare Delaware as your **primary state of residence** to hold the compact multistate privilege. ### Continuing Education Requirements Delaware LPN licensees must complete **24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal period**. Delaware does not currently mandate specific CE topics for most renewal cycles, though the board recommends staying current with evidence-based practice guidelines. Approved CE includes: - ANCC-accredited online and live CE providers - Delaware Board-approved workshops - Employer-sponsored competency training that meets board criteria Keep CE documentation for at least 4 years. ### Delaware LPN Salary Ranges Delaware LPN salaries typically range from **$42,000 to $58,000 per year**, influenced by the state's high cost of living and proximity to Philadelphia: - **Wilmington / New Castle County:** highest market in the state, reflecting the Philadelphia metro area influence - **Dover / Kent County:** mid-range, competitive with state government and Bayhealth opportunities - **Sussex County (beach communities):** seasonal demand surges; some SNFs and home health agencies offer premium pay during summer - **SNFs / long-term care:** strong demand statewide, particularly in the Wilmington suburbs - **Home health:** persistent demand; mileage reimbursement and flexible scheduling common ### Top Employers for LPNs in Delaware - **Christiana Care Health System** — Delaware's flagship nonprofit health system; Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital - **Bayhealth** — multi-hospital system serving Kent and Sussex counties (Milford and Dover campuses) - **Nemours Children's Health** (Wilmington) — pediatric LPN opportunities - **Kindred / SavaSeniorCare** — SNF chains with Delaware facilities - **Genesis Healthcare** — headquartered in nearby Kennett Square, PA; large Delaware SNF operator - **Amedisys and Bayada Home Health** — major home health employers in Delaware - **Delaware Department of Corrections** — LPN openings at correctional facilities - **Beebe Healthcare** (Lewes) — Sussex County hospital serving the beach/coastal community