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How to get a Certified Nursing Assistant license in Delaware

Delaware licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Division of Health Care Quality.1 For the Certified Nursing Assistant license you need a passing score on the CNA competency test (written and clinical portions)1 and a criminal background check2. You renew every 2 years1 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education1.

Last checked · 5 official sources

Who issues it

Division of Health Care Quality

Training and experience

An approved education program; see the requirements

Exam

CNA competency test (written and clinical portions)1

Renewal

Every 2 years1, at least 24 hours of continuing education1

From another state

License by endorsement1 Details

On this page
  1. Delaware nursing assistant licenses
  2. Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant license
  3. Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant license
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Delaware with a license from another state
  7. Senior Certified Nursing Assistant
  8. City and county rules
  9. Check a license or report a problem
  10. Laws and rules
  11. Common questions
  12. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Delaware nursing assistant licenses

Delaware issues 2 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExam
Certified Nursing AssistantWorks under the supervision of a licensed nurse providing care that does not require a nurse's judgment and skills, e.g. bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, ambulating, transferring, feeding, and observing and reporting residents' well-being.3–Yes1
Senior Certified Nursing Assistant–Training 50 clock hours3
Experience 3 years3		Yes3

Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant license

Works under the supervision of a licensed nurse providing care that does not require a nurse's judgment and skills, e.g. bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, ambulating, transferring, feeding, and observing and reporting residents' well-being.3

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • A "nursing assistant" (trained, awaiting certification) may work only under visual observation and must be certified within 90 calendar days of completing training, or may not work as a nursing assistant.3
  • A student may not work in a facility as a CNA until the training program is complete and the competency test is passed.1

Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant license

Education or training
Graduate from a Department (DHSS) approved CNA training program with classroom and clinical training; certificate of completion must be dated within 24 months of the testing date.1
Who may teach it: Program must be approved by the Department before operating, taught by or under the general supervision of an RN, and meet 42 CFR 483.152.1
Alternative: Currently enrolled nursing students who completed a Fundamentals/Basic Nursing course and the required supervised clinical hours may take the competency test (letter from school + transcript).1
Alternative: US RN/LPN program graduates: within 24 months of graduating, eligible for certification without testing on submission of a sealed diploma; more than 24 months, eligible to take the competency test.1
Alternative: Foreign-trained nurses licensed where trained, with a CGFNS (or other Board of Nursing approved agency) certificate and official English translations, may sit for the competency test.1
Exam
CNA competency test (written and clinical portions)1
When you can take it: After the approved program issues a certificate of completion (dated within 24 months of testing).1
Written portion1
Clinical (skills) portion1
Retakes: May repeat the test two more times (three attempts); after three failures the CNA training program must be repeated.1
Time limit: Certificate of completion older than 24 months is no longer valid for testing.1
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Criminal history = FBI federal record plus Delaware SBI record; an employer may not employ someone with a conviction the Department's regulations deem disqualifying. Conviction of a care-related crime is also a ground for CNA discipline.2
Also required
Training students must meet immunization requirements and baseline TB testing before clinical training.1
Also required
New hires in a facility complete a facility orientation (hours set by Secretary's order); temporary-agency CNAs new to a facility need at least 2 hours of orientation before their first shift.1

How to apply

  1. Complete a DHSS-approved CNA training program (classroom and clinical) and get its certificate of completion.1
  2. Within 24 months of the certificate date, file the testing application and non-refundable fee with the Department-approved test vendor.1
  3. Pass both the written and clinical portions of the competency test (up to three attempts).1
  4. Receive certification (valid 2 years); if you trained in a facility program you must be certified within 90 days of finishing training to keep working.1
Temporary or provisional license
No temporary certificate; a trained "nursing assistant" may work under visual observation for up to 90 days after training while awaiting certification.3
Processing time
Renewal only: DHCQ says to allow up to 48 hours for a renewal to be processed after the online steps are finished. No processing time is published for initial certification or reciprocity.4

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years1
When it expires
Expires 2 years after the date of issue; apply at least 30 days before expiration.1
Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period1
Required topics
6 hours dementia training1
2 hours resident/patient abuse, neglect and mistreatment prevention1
Work requirement: at least 64 hours of paid nursing-related services under a nurse's supervision each 24-month period1
Approved courses
Continuing education must be Department approved.1
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $253 (up to 30 days after expiration)
If it expires
Late renewal allowed up to 30 days after expiration with the $25 late fee; after that the certification lapses and the CNA must pass the competency test again before working.1
A CNA who did not complete the CE and work requirements must retake and pass the competency test.1

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Delaware Certified Nursing Assistant license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Delaware with a license from another state

These are the routes the Division of Health Care Quality publishes for the Certified Nursing Assistant license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Reciprocity for CNAs certified elsewhere: current certificate in good standing, training meeting 42 CFR 483.152, and either 420 hours (3 months full-time) of paid CNA work in the last 24 months or a training/competency program at least as long as Delaware's; pay the reciprocity fee.1
Condition for Maryland
Maryland applicants must hold a current Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) certificate.1
Conditions
Out-of-state training must equal or exceed federal requirements (42 CFR 483.152).1
Must hold a current CNA certificate where currently practicing and be in good standing there.1
A Delaware-certified CNA may not use another state's certificate to obtain reciprocity and avoid Delaware CE.1

Military service members, veterans and spouses: A CNA on active military duty serving in a theater of hostilities when recertification is due is deemed current until 30 days after leaving active duty in a theater of hostilities.3

Senior Certified Nursing Assistant

Requirements

Education or training
At least 50 clock hours3
Additional instruction in an approved program with a Department-specified curriculum.3
Experience
At least 3 years3
Certified nursing assistant in good standing3
License you must hold first: Delaware Certified Nursing Assistant3
Exam
Competency test for senior CNA3

How to apply

  1. After at least 3 years as a CNA in good standing, complete 50 additional hours in an approved senior-CNA program and pass the Department's competency test.3

City and county rules

Certified Nursing AssistantNo local license: Delaware certifies CNAs statewide through the DHSS Division of Health Care Quality.5

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in Delaware, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Delaware is on the Delaware license lookup page.

Look up a license
registry.prometric.com5

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to Delaware?

The Division of Health Care Quality publishes this route for the Certified Nursing Assistant license: license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Nursing Assistant license in Delaware?

Every 2 years1. Continuing education: at least 24 hours1.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. 16 DE Admin. Code 3220 Training and Qualifications for Certified Nursing AssistantsDelaware Division of Research, Registrar of Regulations (Delaware Administrative Code)Dated August 11, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 16 Del. C. ch. 11 subch. IV (criminal background checks, LTC facilities)Delaware General Assembly, Legislative Council (Delaware Code Online)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. 16 Del. C. ch. 30A subch. IDelaware General Assembly, Legislative Council (Delaware Code Online)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. DELAWARE CNA RECERTIFICATION/RENEWAL PROCESSDelaware Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care QualityChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Business First Steps - State of DelawareDelaware Business First Steps (State of Delaware)Checked November 7, 2026