How to Transfer Your LPN License to Delaware (2026)

How Delaware handles out-of-state LPN licenses

If you are relocating to Delaware as a licensed practical nurse, your administrative path depends entirely on your primary state of residence and whether your current license carries multistate privileges. The Delaware Board of Nursing, operating under the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation through its online portal DELPROS, governs all LPN licensing statewide. Delaware is an active member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

If you currently hold an active, unencumbered multistate LPN license from another compact state, you can legally practice nursing in Delaware on day one under your existing license, provided your primary state of residence (PSOR) remains your former state. However, the moment you move your legal residence to Delaware, compact rules mandate that you apply for a Delaware LPN license by endorsement. Under NLC rules, you have 60 days from the date you establish Delaware residency to complete your endorsement application.

If you are moving from a non-compact state, or if you only hold a single-state LPN license, your existing license does not grant you immediate practice authority in Delaware. You must apply for a Delaware LPN license by endorsement and receive either a temporary permit or full license before taking a nursing shift in the state.

Requirements for LPN endorsement in Delaware

To qualify for an LPN endorsement through the Delaware Board of Nursing, you must demonstrate clinical competency, a clean disciplinary record, and official educational credentials. The Board requires specific documentation before issuing a license:

• Active out-of-state license: You must hold an active, valid LPN license in good standing in at least one US jurisdiction. If your license has lapsed or is subject to disciplinary action, you must resolve those issues in your home state before applying.
• Clinical practice hours: Delaware requires active practice to maintain endorsement eligibility. You must prove at least 400 hours of nursing practice within the preceding five years, or at least 200 hours within the preceding two years.
• Educational credentials: You must have graduated from a state-approved practical nursing education program. Official transcripts or state board verification of your nursing education must be submitted directly to DELPROS.
• State and federal background check: Delaware law requires a full fingerprint-based criminal history background check from both the Delaware State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Continuing education compliance: Delaware requires LPNs to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education (CE) during every two-year licensure period. When applying for endorsement, keep records of your recent CEUs ready for submission if requested.
• Proof of primary state of residence: If you are applying for a Delaware multistate license, you must supply legal proof that Delaware is your new primary residency. Accepted documents include a Delaware driver's license, Delaware voter registration card, state income tax return, or W-2 form reflecting a Delaware address.

Step-by-step Delaware LPN license transfer process

Completing your transfer efficiently requires following a structured sequence inside the state portal and working with third-party verification bodies.

• Create your DELPROS account: Access the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services (DELPROS) portal. Register for a user account, select "Apply for a New License," and choose "Licensed Practical Nurse by Endorsement."
• Submit official license verifications: Log onto Nursys.com and request an official license verification be sent to the Delaware Board of Nursing. Nursys covers most US states. If your original or current license is from a non-Nursys state, download the Verification of Licensure form from DELPROS and send it directly to that state board for manual processing.
• Schedule fingerprinting for background check: If you are already inside Delaware or nearby, schedule an electronic fingerprinting appointment through IdentoGO using the Delaware-specific agency code provided in DELPROS. If you are applying from outside Delaware, request a fingerprint card packet from the Delaware Board of Nursing, complete the FD-258 card at a local law enforcement agency, and mail it with the appropriate fee to the Delaware State Police State Identification Bureau.
• Submit practice hour documentation: Complete the Nursing Practice Affidavit form available in DELPROS. Have your recent clinical employer sign and verify your working hours over the past two to five years.
• Apply for a temporary permit: Within your DELPROS application, request a temporary nursing permit. A temporary permit allows you to practice in Delaware while waiting for your out-of-state background check or official transcript evaluation to finalize.
• Upload proof of residency: Upload a clear copy of your Delaware driver's license, utility bill, or home lease agreement if you are seeking a compact multistate license originating in Delaware.

Fees, timeline, and temporary permits

Understanding fees and processing timelines allows you to budget effectively and plan your start date with Delaware employers.

• Endorsement application fee: The Delaware Board of Nursing charges an application fee generally ranging from $141 to $170 for LPN endorsement. Always verify current fees directly on the DELPROS portal prior to payment.
• Nursys verification fee: Nursys charges $30 per state board verification. If you have been licensed in multiple states, you must pay $30 for each state board report requested.
• Criminal background check fee: Expect to pay between $65 and $85 for combined Delaware State Police and FBI fingerprint processing, paid directly to IdentoGO or submitted via money order to the Delaware State Police.
• Temporary permit fee: Requesting a temporary permit typically costs an additional $40 to $50 on top of the base application fee.
• Overall processing timeline: Full endorsement processing usually takes 4 to 8 weeks after all required forms, employer affidavits, and background check results reach the Board.
• Temporary permit duration and conditions: Temporary permits are valid for up to 90 days. To receive a temporary permit, your primary DELPROS application must be fully submitted, paid, and accompanied by proof of an active out-of-state license. A temporary permit cannot be renewed beyond its initial 90-day window without direct Board approval.

What people get wrong about moving as a Delaware LPN

Avoiding these common missteps will keep your transition smooth and prevent costly delays in your practice:

• Assuming compact status transfers automatically: Moving your permanent home to Delaware invalidates your former state's multistate status. You must submit a Delaware endorsement application within 60 days of changing your PSOR.
• Missing Delaware's hard renewal deadline: Delaware LPN licenses expire on February 28 of even-numbered years (such as February 28, 2026). If you receive your endorsement late in an odd-numbered year or early in an even-numbered year, your license will still expire on that set date regardless of when it was issued.
• Failing the active practice requirement: If you have been out of clinical practice for more than five years, you cannot obtain endorsement simply by paying fees. You must complete a Delaware Board approved LPN refresher program.
• Confusing nurse aide and nurse licensing bodies: If you plan to work in nurse aide or caregiver roles while waiting for your LPN permit, note that nurse aides are managed separately by the Delaware Division of Health Care Quality, Nurse Aide Registry.
• Expecting relocation grants: There are no statewide programs that pay people to move to Delaware, so plan your housing and transition costs independently.

Planning your move and finding Delaware LPN jobs

Moving to Delaware offers significant advantages, including close proximity to major Mid-Atlantic metropolitan areas and no state sales tax. However, you should account for Delaware's state income tax, which follows a progressive structure with a top rate of 6.6%.

Employment environments vary across the state. New Castle County in the north features major health systems, acute care facilities, and specialized outpatient clinics around Wilmington and Newark. Central Kent County (Dover) offers long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and state health services. Sussex County in the south has seen rapid growth in home health and senior care networks driven by expanding coastal communities.

If members of your household work in other licensed trades, keep in mind that electrician licensing is managed at the state level by the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners, which offers state licences for journeymen and masters through reciprocity for licence holders from states with an equivalent exam.

To start your job search and streamline your relocation, explore the Delaware page on Workmerica. You can access current state tax tables, local nurse registry details, and active job listings with regional healthcare providers. Creating a free Workmerica profile puts your credentials directly in front of Delaware employers looking to hire out-of-state LPNs before you make your move.