Returning to Nursing in Delaware

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Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Delaware Board of Nursing · 2026-06-04

The Delaware RN reinstatement fee is $272, plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

Grace period: Late renewal applications may be filed within 2 months after expiration with a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee. This is not a grace period. Nurses may not practice until the license is renewed to active status.

What your lapse length means in Delaware

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Delaware: 50% of renewal fee). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Delaware: $272) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Delaware: $272) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Delaware.

Refresher course rules in Delaware

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Delaware triggers on practice hours rather than lapse length: a board-approved refresher (completed within the past 2 years) is required if you have NOT worked at least 1,000 nursing practice hours in the past 5 years or 400 in the past 2 years.
What it takes: The refresher plus 30 hours of CE submitted with the reinstatement application and fee. Meeting the practice-hour thresholds (including practice in another state) removes the refresher requirement.
Re-examination: Delaware publishes no routine re-examination requirement; the practice-hours-or-refresher rule governs.

Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, reinstatement, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Delaware

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Delaware Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Delaware reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Delaware?: The Delaware RN reinstatement fee is $272, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Delaware Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Delaware nursing license?: Delaware triggers on practice hours rather than lapse length: a board-approved refresher (completed within the past 2 years) is required if you have NOT worked at least 1,000 nursing practice hours in the past 5 years or 400 in the past 2 years. The refresher plus 30 hours of CE submitted with the reinstatement application and fee. Meeting the practice-hour thresholds (including practice in another state) removes the refresher requirement.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Delaware license back?: Delaware publishes no routine re-examination requirement; the practice-hours-or-refresher rule governs.
Is there a grace period after my Delaware license expires?: Delaware's published rule: Late renewal applications may be filed within 2 months after expiration with a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee. This is not a grace period. Nurses may not practice until the license is renewed to active status.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Delaware license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Delaware Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

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Returning to Nursing in Delaware

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Delaware Board of Nursing · 2026-06-04

What your lapse length means in Delaware

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Delaware: 50% of renewal fee). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Delaware: $272) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Delaware: $272) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Delaware.

Refresher course rules in Delaware

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Delaware triggers on practice hours rather than lapse length: a board-approved refresher (completed within the past 2 years) is required if you have NOT worked at least 1,000 nursing practice hours in the past 5 years or 400 in the past 2 years.
What it takes: The refresher plus 30 hours of CE submitted with the reinstatement application and fee. Meeting the practice-hour thresholds (including practice in another state) removes the refresher requirement.
Re-examination: Delaware publishes no routine re-examination requirement; the practice-hours-or-refresher rule governs.

Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, reinstatement, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Delaware

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Delaware reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Delaware?

The Delaware RN reinstatement fee is $272, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Delaware Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Delaware nursing license?

Delaware triggers on practice hours rather than lapse length: a board-approved refresher (completed within the past 2 years) is required if you have NOT worked at least 1,000 nursing practice hours in the past 5 years or 400 in the past 2 years. The refresher plus 30 hours of CE submitted with the reinstatement application and fee. Meeting the practice-hour thresholds (including practice in another state) removes the refresher requirement.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Delaware license back?

Delaware publishes no routine re-examination requirement; the practice-hours-or-refresher rule governs.

Is there a grace period after my Delaware license expires?

Delaware's published rule: Late renewal applications may be filed within 2 months after expiration with a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee. This is not a grace period. Nurses may not practice until the license is renewed to active status.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Delaware license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Delaware Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Delaware

What your lapse length means in Delaware

Refresher course rules in Delaware

Steps to reinstate in Delaware

Delaware reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Delaware nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Delaware

What your lapse length means in Delaware

Refresher course rules in Delaware

Steps to reinstate in Delaware

Delaware reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Delaware nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free