Getting a Delaware nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published.

Delaware endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Delaware licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement through DELPROS; you must hold an active RN license elsewhere and never have held a Delaware RN license.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a temporary permit to endorsement applicants, but only after a Delaware application is submitted and a job-offer letter from a Delaware employer is on file. It expires 90 days after issue; do not begin work until a temporary permit number is assigned.
Requirements: Nursys verification (or a paper form for non-Nursys states), a Delaware and FBI background check (checks done for other purposes do not count), and a credential evaluation for foreign-educated applicants. No state jurisprudence exam and no transcript requirement stated.
Fees: $181 RN application, plus $40 for the temporary permit and $35 for license verification.
Compact rules: Delaware is a compact state. A nurse whose primary residence is another compact state and who holds a multistate license may practice in Delaware without a Delaware license. Move your primary residence to Delaware and the multistate license no longer applies; you must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency.
Military spouse: A military spouse may apply for a provisional license to practice in Delaware for up to six months while the full application is pending, and may use SCRA military registration and request credit for military training.

Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Delaware

1Check whether you even need Delaware endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Delaware Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Delaware Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Delaware endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Delaware nursing license by endorsement?: Not published.
Can I work in Delaware while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. The board issues a temporary permit to endorsement applicants, but only after a Delaware application is submitted and a job-offer letter from a Delaware employer is on file. It expires 90 days after issue; do not begin work until a temporary permit number is assigned.
Do I need a Delaware license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Delaware is a compact state. A nurse whose primary residence is another compact state and who holds a multistate license may practice in Delaware without a Delaware license. Move your primary residence to Delaware and the multistate license no longer applies; you must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency.
How much does Delaware endorsement cost?: $181 RN application, plus $40 for the temporary permit and $35 for license verification.

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Delaware endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Delaware licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement through DELPROS; you must hold an active RN license elsewhere and never have held a Delaware RN license.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a temporary permit to endorsement applicants, but only after a Delaware application is submitted and a job-offer letter from a Delaware employer is on file. It expires 90 days after issue; do not begin work until a temporary permit number is assigned.
Requirements: Nursys verification (or a paper form for non-Nursys states), a Delaware and FBI background check (checks done for other purposes do not count), and a credential evaluation for foreign-educated applicants. No state jurisprudence exam and no transcript requirement stated.
Fees: $181 RN application, plus $40 for the temporary permit and $35 for license verification.
Compact rules: Delaware is a compact state. A nurse whose primary residence is another compact state and who holds a multistate license may practice in Delaware without a Delaware license. Move your primary residence to Delaware and the multistate license no longer applies; you must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency.
Military spouse: A military spouse may apply for a provisional license to practice in Delaware for up to six months while the full application is pending, and may use SCRA military registration and request credit for military training.

Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Delaware

1Check whether you even need Delaware endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Delaware Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Delaware endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Delaware nursing license by endorsement?

Not published.

Can I work in Delaware while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. The board issues a temporary permit to endorsement applicants, but only after a Delaware application is submitted and a job-offer letter from a Delaware employer is on file. It expires 90 days after issue; do not begin work until a temporary permit number is assigned.

Do I need a Delaware license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Delaware is a compact state. A nurse whose primary residence is another compact state and who holds a multistate license may practice in Delaware without a Delaware license. Move your primary residence to Delaware and the multistate license no longer applies; you must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency.

How much does Delaware endorsement cost?

$181 RN application, plus $40 for the temporary permit and $35 for license verification.