How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Delaware
Delaware employs approximately 5,530 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,030 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Delaware, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Delaware
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Delaware? Delaware requires credentials such as Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assisting, Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The licensing authority is the Department of Education 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Delaware? Yes. Delaware has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Education oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Delaware? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Delaware is $42,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,530 and experienced professionals can earn $48,080 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Education
- Median wage (Delaware): $42,030 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Delaware
The Department of Education oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Delaware 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assisting | Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assisting |
| Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assistant | Teacher of Trade & Industry: Nursing Assistant |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | The Board issues licenses to registered nurses (RNs), practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical by endorcement | Nurse, Licensed Practical by endorcement - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Nurse, Registered by endorcement | Nurse, Registered by endorcement - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Nurse, Registered | Nurse, Registered - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Nurse, School | Nurse, School |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Temporary Permit | The Board issues licenses to registered nurses (RNs), practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical | Nurse, Licensed Practical - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Nurse, Registered by endorcement | Nurse, Registered by endorcement - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Nursing Home Administrator - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursinghomeadmin/index.shtml |
| Temporary nursing home administrator | Temporary nursing home administrator - must have three years of health care management experience acceptable to the Board and one of the following: post-secondary degree in any field from an accredite… |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical by endorcement | Nurse, Licensed Practical by endorcement - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/index.shtml |
| Teacher of Trade & Industry: Practical Nursing | Teacher of Trade & Industry: Practical Nursing |
| Nursing Home Administrator - License by Reciprocity | Nursing Home Administrator - Please see website below for complete details. http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursinghomeadmin/index.shtml |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Delaware
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Delaware
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Delaware vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 30,680 | $46,220 | $45,820 | $38,600 | $49,860 |
| Dover | 890 | $39,600 | $40,490 | $36,270 | $45,510 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Delaware
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Delaware according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | 890 | $39,600 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Delaware? Delaware currently employs approximately 5,530 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Delaware with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Education for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Delaware? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Delaware.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Delaware compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Delaware is $42,030, which is $2,500 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Education - Licensing Information: https://www.doe.k12.de.us ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |