Delaware Board of Nursing · RN

Delaware CE Requirements for Registered Nurses

30 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Updated April 2026Sourced from DBN

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 3, 2026

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 30 hours is the total CE requirement. Delaware also names specific topics that must be covered, and each one is listed below.

Opioid/Substance Use[1]
3 hrs
Biennial
At least 3 of the 30 biennial contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse. These count toward the 30-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“During each biennium, each Registered Nurse must earn 30 contact hours and each Licensed Practical Nurse must earn 24 hours, to be credited to that biennium. At least 3 of these contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse”
24 DE Admin. C. § 1900 § 9.2.1.1 (direct RN rule: 3 of the 30 biennial hours)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting & Mandatory Reporter[1]
1 hr
Biennial
At least 1 contact hour on the recognition of and response to suspected or known sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or domestic violence of vulnerable persons. Required for all nursing professionals renewing on or after October 1, 2025. Counts toward the 30-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“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”
24 DE Admin. C. § 1900 § 9.2.1.1; statute layer: 24 Del. C. § 1906(a)(18)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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Accepted credit

Delaware Board of Nursing accepts ANCC Contact Hour toward the CE requirement for RNs, along with other credit it approves.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
CE must be earned through board-approved methods or approved providers. ANCC-accredited CE qualifies.Sourcehttps://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/continuing-education-and-audit-information/[1]
Board-approved credit
All CE must be earned through methods or providers approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing. See 24 Del. Admin. Code 1900 for the list of approved methods.Sourcehttps://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/continuing-education-and-audit-information/[1]
Documentation & audit

RNs are responsible for retaining CE documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

For initial RN renewal: nurses licensed on or after October 1 of odd years but before June 1 of odd years are required to complete 0 contact hours for their first renewal cycle.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Delaware registered nurses need?
Delaware RNs must complete 30 contact hours during each biennial renewal period, including at least 3 hours in substance abuse and at least 1 hour on recognition and response to abuse/exploitation/trafficking/domestic violence of vulnerable persons. The abuse/trafficking requirement applies to renewals on or after October 1, 2025.
Is Delaware a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Delaware is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Delaware-licensed nurses hold a multistate license that allows practice in other compact states.
What are the practice hour requirements for Delaware RN renewal?
Delaware RNs must also attest to practice hours at renewal: either 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the past five years, or 400 hours within the past two years. This is a separate requirement from the CE obligation.
When do Delaware RN licenses expire?
Delaware RN licenses expire on February 28, May 31, or September 30 of odd-numbered years, depending on when the license was originally issued. All subsequent renewals follow the same biennial window. Nurses can verify their specific expiration date through the DELPROS portal.

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Other roles in Delaware

CE requirements for Registered Nurses in other states

Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. Delaware Board of Nursing — Continuing Education and Audit Information
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Active Registered Nurse (RN) – you must complete 30 contact hours during your renewal period. At least 3 of these contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse. 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.”DEBON CE Page
    “During each biennium, each Registered Nurse must earn 30 contact hours and each Licensed Practical Nurse must earn 24 hours, to be credited to that biennium. At least 3 of these contact hours must be in the area of substance abuse”24 DE Admin. C. § 1900 § 9.2.1.1 (direct RN rule: 3 of the 30 biennial hours)
    “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”24 DE Admin. C. § 1900 § 9.2.1.1; statute layer: 24 Del. C. § 1906(a)(18) · Effective 2025-10-01

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Delaware Board of Nursing, or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Registered nurses are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state licensing board before relying on any information presented here.

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