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Licensing in Delaware
In Delaware, professional licenses are issued by the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) through state boards: the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Board of Massage and Bodywork, Board of Nursing and Board of Electrical Examiners. Business licenses, including for contractors, are issued by the Division of Revenue.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | School | Apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | 3,000 hours |
| Barber, Master Barber | 1,500 hours | 3,000 hours |
| Aesthetician | 600 hours | 1,200 hours |
| Nail Technician | 300 hours | 600 hours |
| Electrologist | 300 hours | 600 hours |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. No CE is required to renew. Since 2021, eyelash extensions require a cosmetologist or aesthetician license.
- Licenses renew every 2 years, in even years: cosmetologists by October 31, other professionals by March 31.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage TherapistLMT | 625 hours | MBLEx or NCBTMB | By August 31 of even years | 24 per 2 years |
- Since July 1, 2024, the minimum rose from 500 to 625 hours. In-person CPR certification and state and FBI background checks are required. There is also a Certified Massage Technician (CMT).
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Delaware Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Delaware Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | Delaware DHSS | State exam |
- Delaware is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: multistate licenses are issued.
- To renew, RNs need 30 CE hours and LPNs 24, including 3 on substance abuse.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Business License | Division of Revenue | Required for all contractors |
| Master, Journeyperson, Residential Electrician | Board of Electrical Examiners | State licenses |
| Master Plumber, Master HVACR | Board of Plumbing, HVACR Examiners | State licenses |
- Electricians also have limited and special licenses (Limited, Special), for example for elevators or HVAC.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Business License | Division of Revenue | Required; generally $75 a year per business activity |
| LLC | Delaware Division of Corporations | Annual tax $400 by June 1; no annual report |
- Counties and towns may require additional local licenses.
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Delaware specifics
- Apprenticeship — twice as long as school. For example, 3,000 hours instead of 1,500 for cosmetology.
- No CE for beauty. No continuing education is required to renew.
- Massage — 625 hours. Plus 24 CE hours every 2 years.
- A business license for everyone. Including contractors, from the Division of Revenue.
- LLC — $400 tax. Annually by June 1, no annual report.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in Delaware
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS does not publish barber data for Delaware.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours.
Is CE required to renew a beauty license?
No, the state board does not require it.
How many CE hours does a massage therapist need?
24 hours per 2 years: 3 in ethics, 9 hands-on, 12 elective.
What does it cost to keep an LLC?
An annual tax of $400, due June 1.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Delaware Board of Nursing, Delaware Division of Revenue, Delaware Division of Corporations. Wage data — BLS.