Delaware Registered Nurse (RN) Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
The Delaware Board of Nursing requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. Two mandatory topics must be included: at least 3 hours on substance abuse and at least 1 hour on recognizing and responding to abuse (including child abuse, elder abuse, trafficking, and domestic violence). The remaining 26 hours are flexible.
In addition to CE, active RNs must demonstrate nursing practice: 1,000 hours within the past five years, 400 hours within the past two years, or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past two years.
CE is tracked through DELPROS (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Service). Do not upload certificates unless you are selected for a random audit. RN license expiration dates vary — February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd years depending on when your license was originally issued.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse | 3 | Every renewal | At least 3 of the total contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse. |
| Abuse Recognition and Reporting | 1 | Every renewal | At least one hour on the recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons including children, elders, or persons with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities, or on reporting obligations under the Board's rules and regulations, reporting of known or suspected child abuse or neglect. |
Exemptions
- First Renewal (Short Period) — If the first licensure renewal period is less than a full two-year period, CE requirements may be prorated or waived per Board rules.Check Section 9.2.1.1.1 of the Board's Rules and Regulations for details.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
All contact hours must be earned through an approved method or by approved provider. CE course providers may request approval by the Board of Nursing through the DELPROS online portal. The Board does not approve individual CE courses, only providers. See Section 9.2.1.1.1 of the Board's Rules and Regulations for complete information.
Tips for Delaware RNs
- Complete your 3 hours of substance abuse and 1 hour of abuse recognition early in the cycle — these mandatory topics are non-negotiable and easy to forget.
- Check your specific license expiration date in DELPROS. Delaware RN licenses don't all expire on the same date — it depends on when you were originally licensed.
- Don't upload CE certificates proactively. Delaware only wants documentation if you're selected for a random audit.
- Track both your CE hours and practice hours together. Meeting CE alone isn't enough — the 1,000-hour or 400-hour practice requirement is separate and equally important.