Delaware Medical License

Delaware Medical Board

Delaware’s healthcare scene is constantly changing as its population expands and diversifies. This growth in diversity is pushing up demand for medical services throughout the state, particularly in regions designated as Health Professional Shortage regions (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA). These fields are actively looking for competent applicants in family practice, the field of pediatrics internal medicine, gynecology/obstetrics, dental care, and psychiatry.

Delaware provides appealing incentives to attract these vital healthcare providers. Medical professionals who live in the state may benefit from financial initiatives such as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and state debt payback options, which are intended to reduce the burden of medical college fees. For instance, the Delaware State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) offers up to $50,000 a year to help repay both government and commercial school debts. Similarly, the Delaware Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (HCPLRP) provides the same amount to qualifying healthcare workers each year, assuring considerable financial relief.

Delaware also provides a unique opportunity for overseas medical graduates under the Conrad State 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program. This project permits up to 30 J-1 physicians to remain in Delaware each year, working in HPSAs and MUAs, strengthening the state’s medical workforce with a variety of skills and expertise.

Furthermore, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is working to make Delaware a desirable destination to live and work for medical professionals. The state provides a favorable regulatory environment, including cheap insurance for malpractice rates, no sales tax, or competitive personal income tax rates. Its strategic position on the East Coast also allows for quick access to major urban cities such as Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C., creating additional chances for professional development and networking.

Governor John Carney reaffirmed this pledge in 2024, making Delaware the second US state to join the PA licensure agreement. This legislation improves the portability of PA license, facilitates access to medical care, and supplements the power of state licensing bodies by allowing PAs to operate in several jurisdictions under a compact privilege.

License Requirements

To get a medical license by examination, candidates must pass one of many standardized examinations, such as the USMLE, National Boards, FLEX, or SPEX:

FLEX Examination:

• For those who took the FLEX before June 1985, you must have passed both Component 1 and Component 2 of the FLEX, achieving a minimum weighted average score of 75.
• If you took the FLEX after June 1985, you needed to score at least 75 on both Component 1 and Component 2.
• The LCME qualifications are considered equivalent to passing both components of the FLEX.

USMLE Examination:

• The USMLE was introduced to phase out the FLEX and National Boards. If you completed these exams before 2000, you could have a combination of scores that meet the passing criteria:
  • Either National Board Part I or USMLE Step 1
  • Alongside National Board Part II or USMLE Step 2
  • And National Board Part III or USMLE Step 3
  • Alternatively, FLEX Component 1 with USMLE Step 3
  • Or National Board Part I with USMLE Step 1 and National Board Part II with USMLE Step 2, followed by FLEX Component 2.
• Candidates must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within a seven-year period and are limited to six attempts per Step, unless they can demonstrate additional relevant experience that satisfies the Board.

Other requirements include:

• 1 year of Postgraduate Training (PGT) for US/Canada Graduates, 3 for IMGs.
• A service letter from each healthcare facility where they have had direct patient access or held admitting or staff privileges within the past three years.
• Signed letter from the program director at your current training institution.
• Self-query report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
• State and FBI criminal background check.
• Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) profile.
• Copy of your medical diploma.

Application Process

To apply for a DE medical license, you need to use the online system DELPROS. Here, you will be able to submit your documents and pay a non-refundable application fee, which is $443 for physicians.

PAs need to submit a Supervising Physician Form and a Practice Agreement with their application.

To apply for a DE nursing license, you must submit a Nursing Employer Reference Form along with a Nursing School Reference Form. The price for a registered nurse or practical nursing license is $170. To be qualified for a Delaware Nurse License, you must also hold a national certificate from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

How to Get a Delaware Medical License

Obtaining a Delaware medical license is now totally online via the DELPROS system, greatly expediting the procedure. Here’s a brief tutorial to help you explore the system:

1. Starting Your Application

First, create or log into your DELPROS account. If you’re a new user, register by visiting the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services at and clicking the ‘Register’ button.

2. Completing Your Application

Once logged in, select the ‘Apply/Manage a License and Service Requests’ tile to start your application. You have six months to submit your application once you begin, or else you’ll need to start over.

3. Uploading Documents

You’ll need to attach documents directly to your application on the Attachments page. Documents like transcripts or verifications may need to be mailed directly by educational institutions or previous employers.

4. Specific Requirements

All applicants need to submit Service Letters from healthcare facilities where they had privileges or direct patient access within the last three years. You’ll also need 2 letters of reference if certain situations like telemedicine practice or self-employment apply to your recent work history.

5. Disclosure Questions

If you answer ‘yes’ to any disclosure questions, detailed explanations are required, which can be submitted using the Physician Self-Report form. Also, a self-query from the National Practitioner Data Bank must be submitted.

6. Criminal Background Check

A State of Delaware and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check must be completed, along with a signed Child Protection Registry Consent Form.

7. FCVS Profile

If you’re using the Federation Credentials Verification Service, ensure that your Physician Information Profile from FCVS is sent directly to the Board office.

Non-FCVS Users will need to provide a slew of documents including your medical school diploma (with translations if necessary), verification of medical education, and evidence of postgraduate training.

8. Controlled Substance Registration

If you’re applying for Controlled Substances Registration (CSR), submit a separate application for this. Once your Physician license is issued, your CSR application will be processed, and upon approval, you must apply for a federal DEA registration.

Processing

Obtaining your medical license in Delaware usually takes about four to five months, but the timing can extend based on the scheduling of the next board meeting. Through the DELPROS online portal, the application process is streamlined, yet the actual duration until approval depends significantly on the speed and completeness with which you submit your application and all necessary supporting documents.

Once your application package is deemed complete—meaning all forms, verifications, and additional required documents have been received—it moves forward for consideration. The complete application is then lined up for review at the forthcoming Board meeting. This means if you time your submission close to a scheduled Board meeting, the review could happen sooner. Conversely, if you just missed a meeting, you may have to wait until the next one, potentially extending your waiting time.

Delaware Medical License Cost

The state of Delaware requires fees for medical licensing and related services. All fees can be paid through the DELPROS system, allowing you to consolidate and process payments for multiple applications and services.

Every type of physician licensure costs $430. The application price for a physician assistant certification is $222. Temporary licenses cost $40. The registration cost for telehealth services is $50, regardless of whether you are an MD, DO, PA, or another type of practitioner. A basic license verification costs $35, and the charge for verification of exam results, hours, or history facts is $45.

License Renewal

Delaware requires that all medical licenses are renewed every two years. You have up to a year after the end of the term to reactivate the license by meeting the usual renewal conditions. After one year, you’ll need to reapply for licensure using the same criteria as new candidates.

• Begin by completing the renewal application given by the Division of Professional Regulation.
• Submit further information to the Board to confirm your good standing as a medical professional.
• Confirm that you have completed the requisite continuing education credits.
• Submit your renewal cost.

Note, that the Delaware Medical Board does not send reminders.

CE Requirements

Physicians must be prepared to provide documentation of 40 hours of Category I CME (continuing medical education) for every renewal cycle. If this is your first renewal and you have been licensed for more than a year, you must demonstrate having completed 20 hours of authorized CME. If you have been licensed for a year or less, you do not need to complete any CME until the following renewal period.

In certain circumstances, such as unavoidable reasons beyond your control, the Board may waive the CME requirements upon a justified request.

Delaware Telemedicine License

Delaware provides telemedicine licenses to healthcare practitioners licensed in other jurisdictions. To qualify for a Delaware telemedicine license, you have to:

• Hold a valid, active medical license in another state.
• Have no pending administrative complaints or ongoing investigations against you.

During the enrollment process, you must present many crucial papers to confirm your eligibility:

• Physicians and Physician Assistants must complete a self-query through the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
• Other Healthcare Professionals must present State/Jurisdiction Licensure Verification from each state or jurisdiction where they now or previously hold a license.

Delaware Medical License Lookup

To look up a Delaware medical professional license, you can use the online system DELPROS. You can search by individual or facility name, profession type, license number, city, or state. You can also view any disciplinary history on the license.

1. Begin by specifying whether you are looking for a ‘INDIVIDUAL’ or a ‘FACILITY’. This option is located just under the search area of the DELPROS webpage.
2. Input the relevant details—name, license number, or location, depending on what information you have.
3. Hit the ‘SEARCH’ button to process your query.

If the license you’re looking at has a disciplinary history, you may examine it by clicking ‘Yes’ in the Discipline field next to the appropriate entry.

Delaware Medical License Verification for Other Jurisdictions

The Division of Professional Regulation sends all License Verifications by email, which ensures timely and secure delivery. Official verifications offer detailed information about the licensee, such as their name, license type, status, dates of licensure, their expiration date, and disciplinary history..

To send in an official verification request, just log into your DELPROS account, go to the Service Request area, and follow the steps to submit an application for a new service request. Ensure you provide all necessary recipient details for a smooth process.

Delaware Medical Licensing Service

MedicalLicensing.com provides a complete Delaware medical licensing solution to help you expedite the process and save time. Our professional licensing specialists are familiar with the criteria and subtleties of the Delaware medical licensure procedure. We will manage every step of the application procedure, from validating your qualifications to submitting the required papers to the Board of Medical Practice.

Benefit from our extensive knowledge and expertise, that may assist speed up the procedure and decrease the possibility of delays or errors. We will keep you updated on each phase of the process. Contact us today to find out more regarding our medical licensing services and how we can assist you.