Delaware RN Continuing Education Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
30 contact hours
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Mandatory topics
3 hrs substance abuse; 1 hr abuse recognition
Issued by
Delaware Board of Nursing
Delaware asks for a solid block of hours and a couple of specific topics inside them: 30 contact hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period, with at least 3 of those hours in substance abuse and at least 1 hour on recognizing and responding to abuse of vulnerable persons.
The number is straightforward; the embedded topics are what trip nurses up, because they live inside the 30 rather than on top of it. You still have to make sure your course selections actually cover them. Here is the full picture, in plain English.
The base requirement: 30 hours every 2 years
The Delaware Board of Nursing requires active RNs to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each biennial renewal period. All hours must be earned through an approved method or from an approved provider - check a course's approval status before you pay for it.
Delaware splits its renewal population across three staggered windows, each ending in an odd-numbered year, so not every Delaware nurse renews on the same calendar. Your specific window is tied to your license.
The two mandatory topics inside the 30
- Substance abuse - at least 3 of your 30 contact hours must be in this area, every renewal period.
- Abuse of vulnerable persons - 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 (children, elders, or persons with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities), or on the related reporting obligations.
- Both of these count inside your 30 hours - they are not extra hours on top - but you must choose courses that specifically cover them.
- See Section 9 of the Board's Rules and Regulations for the precise topic definitions before you assume a general course qualifies.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
Delaware RN licenses renew every two years, with the renewal period ending in an odd-numbered year depending on which of the three staggered windows you fall into. Your exact expiration is in the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DELPROS) portal and on your license. The Board audits a portion of renewals, so keep every certificate.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Enter '30 hours by your deadline' once, then add the '3 hours substance abuse' and '1 hour abuse recognition' sub-requirements - the progress rings show exactly what is still owed in each bucket, not just the overall total.
- Snap a photo of each certificate as you finish a course; it is stored privately with the credit it proves and tagged to the topic it satisfies.
- Reminder emails at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your renewal-window deadline, with your remaining hours in the subject line.
- If the Board audits you, export a dated PDF packet of your whole cycle - summary plus every certificate - in one click. Hold licenses in more than one state? Each gets its own card and reminders on one dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Delaware RN need to renew?
Thirty contact hours every two-year renewal period, all from an approved provider or method, including the two mandatory topics within that total.
What mandatory topics does Delaware require for nurses?
At least 3 of the 30 contact hours must be in substance abuse, and at least 1 hour must cover recognizing and responding to abuse of vulnerable persons or the related reporting obligations.
Do the mandatory topics count toward the 30 hours in Delaware?
Yes. The 3 substance-abuse hours and the 1 abuse-recognition hour are part of the 30 total, not in addition to it - but you must pick courses that actually cover those topics.
Does the Delaware Board of Nursing audit CE?
Yes. The Board audits a portion of renewals and can ask you to produce proof of completion, so keep every certificate from your renewal period.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — free