The small scale effect on the transient analysis of nanoscale plates is studied. The elastic theory of the nano‐scale plate is reformulated using Eringen’s nonlocal differential constitutive relations and higher‐order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The equations of motion of the nonlocal theories are derived for the nano‐scale plates. The Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity of Eringen has ability to capture the small scale effects and the higher‐order shear deformation theory has ability to capture the quadratic variation of shear strain and consequently shear stress through the plate thickness. The solutions of transient dynamic analysis of nano‐scale plate are presented using these theories to illustrate the effect of nonlocal theory on dynamic response of the nano‐scale plates. On the basis of those numerical results, the relations between nonlocal and local theory are investigated and discussed, as are the nonlocal parameter, aspect ratio, side‐to‐thickness ratio, nano‐scale plate size, and time step effects on the dynamic response. In order to validate the present solutions, the reference solutions are employed and examined. The results of nano‐scale plates using the nonlocal theory can be used as a benchmark test for the transient analysis.