Wyo. Code R. 054-0002-2 – Licensure/Certification Requirements

Nursing, Board of

General

Effective Date: 12/17/2025 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 054.0002.2.12172025

CHAPTER 2 LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Section 1. Statement of Authority.

(a) The Board promulgates these rules according to its authority under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-21-122(b), -122(c)(viii), (x), and (xxiv).

Section 2. Definitions.

(a) 'Active nursing practice' means engagement in paid, unpaid, or volunteer activity in which the nurse applies knowledge or clinical judgment in a way that influences patients, nurses, organizations or systems. Active nursing practice may include volunteering in health or nursing professional organizations.

(b) 'CBC' means Criminal Background Check. Fingerprints or other biometric data are submitted in connection with an application for initial licensure by exam or endorsement, for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining the State's criminal records.

(c) 'Continuing competency' for a nurse is the ongoing ability of a nurse to maintain, update and demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills, judgment and qualifications necessary to practice safely and ethically in a designated role and setting in accordance with the scope of nursing practice. A nurse achieves continuing competency through active nursing practice and continuing education.

(d) 'Continuing competency' for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is the ongoing ability of a CNA to maintain, update and demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills and qualifications necessary to practice safely and ethically in the designated role and setting in accordance with the role of the CNA. A CNA achieves continuing competency through employment in the CNA role and continuing education.

(e) 'Continuing education' refers to learning experiences obtained after initial licensure or certification and designed to augment the knowledge and skills of nurses and CNAs and enrich their contributions to quality health care and the pursuit of nursing career goals.

(f) 'Equivalent' means equal to or exceeding the requirements as stated in these Board rules.

(g) 'GAPRN' means Graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

(h) 'GN' means Graduate Nurse.

(i) 'GNA' means Graduate Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide.

(j) “GPN” means Graduate Practical Nurse.
(k) “GVN” means Graduate Vocational Nurse.
(l) “Home state” means the party state which is the nurse’s primary state of residence.
(m) “IV” means intravenous.
(n) “IV-C” means intravenous certified.
(o) “Multistate license” means a license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN) issued by a home state licensing board that authorizes the licensed nurse to practice in all party states under a privilege to practice.
(p) “NATCEP” means Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program.
(q) “NCLEX prep course” means a specialized program approved by the Board to help nursing students and graduates prepare for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
(r) “NLC” means the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact enacted on March 1, 2016. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a mutual recognition model of nurse licensure that allows a nurse to have one license, issued by the state in which the nurse claims primary residence, to practice in all states that have entered into the NLC. An applicant must meet all of the NLC Uniform Licensure Requirements to be eligible for a multistate license.
(s) “Party state” means any state that has adopted the NLC.
(t) “Primary state of residence” means the state in which the licensee resides when applying for a multistate license.
(u) “Privilege to practice” means a legal authorization associated with a multistate license permitting the practice of nursing as either a RN or LPN/VN in a remote state.
(v) “Refresher course” means a planned nursing education program approved by the Board relating to basic review of current nursing practice, nursing theory and skills, and specifically planned for nurses who have not been engaged in active nursing practice and are preparing for re-entry into active nursing practice.
(w) “Remote state” means a party state, other than the home state.
(x) “Renewal cycle” means the period for meeting competency for renewal of licensure or certification which is from January 1st of every odd year to December 31st of every even year.
(y) “Single state license” means a nursing license issued by a party state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a multistate licensure privilege to

practice in any other party state.

(z) “SBTPE” means State Board Test Pool Examination. An examination which preceded NCLEX to test the competency of a person to perform safely as a newly licensed nurse.

(aa) “Uniform Licensure Requirements” means the requirements for an applicant to obtain or retain a multistate license in the home state.

Section 3. Licensure/Certification by Examination.

(a) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Applicant shall:

(i) Graduate from a nationally accredited graduate or post-graduate level advanced practice nurse educational program;

(ii) Complete a program of study in a role and population focus area of advanced practice nursing;

(iii) Successfully pass a national certification examination in the same role and population focus area of their program of graduate study;

(A) All national APRN certification boards require an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license for initial national certification, but not all boards require an active, unencumbered RN license for renewing national certification.

(B) Because APRN licenses and RN licenses are separate under the Nurse Practice Act, an APRN applicant who requires a Wyoming RN license for initial or renewal national certification will need to submit a separate RN application and pay the appropriate fees.

(iv) Submit completed application and fees;

(v) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees;

(vi) Comply with Section 5, if applicable; and

(vii) Submit evidence of completion of advanced pharmacology

(b) Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN). Applicant shall:

(i) Graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN pre-licensure nursing education program;

(ii) Submit completed application and fees;

(iii) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees; and (iv) Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination, accordingly.

(A) The Board shall notify the applicant of official test results.

(B) If an applicant fails the NCLEX, the applicant may retake the NCLEX and shall:

(I) Submit completed application and fees for licensure by re-examination; and

(II) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees, as needed.

(I) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX - within five (5) attempts, and prior to five (5) years from the date of graduation, must complete a Board-approved NCLEX prep course.

(II) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX within five (5) years from the date of graduation must complete a Board-approved nurse refresher course to take or retake the NCLEX.

(i) Successfully complete a state approved CNA training and competency evaluation program;

(ii) Submit completed application and fees;

(iii) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees; and

(iv) Successfully pass the NATCEP or similar national exam.

(A) The Board shall notify the applicant of official test results.

(B) An applicant may sit for the NATCEP or similar national exam no more than five (5) times within the two (2) year period following graduation.

Section 4. Licensure/Certification by Endorsement.

(a) An applicant who is unable to provide satisfactory verification of education, training, or competency shall be required to meet the requirements for licensure or certification by examination.

(b) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Applicant shall:

(i) Graduate from a nationally accredited graduate or post-graduate level advanced practice nurse educational program or have completed an accredited APRN education program prior to January 1, 1999;

(ii) Complete a program of study in a role and population focus area of advanced practice registered nursing;

(iii) Submit evidence of current national certification in the same role and population focus area of graduate study from the certifying body;

(iv) Submit verification of an active APRN license from another jurisdiction;

(v) Submit completed application and fees;

(vi) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees;

(vii) Comply with Section 5, if applicable; and

(viii) Submit evidence of completion of advanced pharmacology.

(i) Graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN pre-licensure nursing education program;

(ii) Submit verification of an active license from another jurisdiction;

(iii) Submit completed application and fees;

(iv) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees;

(v) Successfully pass a NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination or a recognized predecessor examination (SBTPE);

(vi) Submit verification of initial state of licensure by examination; and (vii) Submit evidence of meeting competency under Section 14.

(d) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Applicant shall:

(i) Submit evidence of successful completion of a state approved CNA training and competency evaluation program;

(ii) Submit verification of an active certificate from another jurisdiction;

(iii) Submit completed application and fees;

(iv) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees;

(v) Submit verification of initial certification by examination; and

(vi) Submit evidence of meeting competency under Section 14.

Section 5. Other Certifications.

(a) APRN Additional Certification. Applicant shall:

(i) Submit completed application and fees; and

(ii) Submit evidence of current national certification in the role and population focus area for each additional certification.

(b) LPN/VN IV. Applicant shall:

(i) Meet qualifications for LPN/VN licensure by examination or endorsement;

(ii) Submit completed application and fees; and

(iii) Submit evidence of completion of LPN/VN IV-C coursework or an equivalent course from another licensing jurisdiction.

(i) Meet qualifications for State CNA II certification;

(ii) Complete a Board-approved MA-C training and competency evaluation course;

(iii) Submit completed application and fees and evidence of MA-C course completion; and

(iv) Successfully pass a national MA-C examination.

(v) An applicant may sit for the MA-C examination no more than five (5) times within the two (2) year period following course completion.

(d) CNA II. Applicant shall:

(i) Meet qualifications for CNA by examination or endorsement;

(ii) Complete a Board-approved CNA II training and competency evaluation course; and

(iii) Submit completed application and fees and evidence of CNA II course completion.

(e) Home Health Aide. Applicant shall:

(i) Meet qualifications for CNA by examination or endorsement;

(ii) Complete Board-approved Home Health Aide training and competency evaluation (sixteen (16) hours); and

(iii) Submit completed application and fees; and evidence of Home Health Aide training completion.

Section 6. Licensure of Foreign Educated RN or LPN/VN.

(a) Applicant shall:

(i) Graduate from a foreign RN or LPN/VN pre-licensure nursing education program that has been:

(A) Approved by the authorized approving body in the applicable country; and

(B) Verified by an independent credential review agency, approved by the Board, to be comparable to a Board-approved pre-licensure nursing education program.

(ii) Submit written evidence of English proficiency by:

(A) Indicating English as the individual’s native language; or

(B) Graduating from a foreign pre-licensure nursing education program taught in English; or

(C) Successfully passing an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening;

(iii) Submit verification from an independent credential review agency, approved by the Board, for:

(A) Graduation from a foreign RN or LPN/VN pre-licensure nursing education program; and

(B) English proficiency, if English is not the first language of the applicant;

(iv) Submit completed application and fees;

(v) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees; and

(vi) Successfully pass an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination; or

(vii) Successfully pass a recognized predecessor examination (SBTPE).

(b) If an applicant fails the NCLEX, the applicant may retake the NCLEX and shall:

(i) Submit completed application and fees for licensure by re-examination; and

(ii) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees, as needed.

(i) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX within five (5) attempts, and prior to five (5) years from the date of graduation, must complete a Board-approved NCLEX prep course.

(ii) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX within five (5) years from the date of graduation must complete a Board-approved nurse refresher course to take or retake the NCLEX.

Section 7. Temporary Permit.

(a) Applicant shall:

(i) Meet qualifications under W.S. 33-21-132; and

(ii) Submit completed application and fees.

(b) A temporary permit may be revoked by the Board at any time.

Section 8. Biennial Renewal of Licensure and Certification.

(a) The Board shall make application(s) for renewal of licensure and certification available on the Board website on or before October 1st of every even year.

(b) Failure to receive a renewal notice from the Board does not excuse an APRN, RN, LPN/VN, or CNA from the requirements for renewal under the NPA or these Board Rules.

(i) Submit completed renewal application and fees; and

(ii) Submit evidence of meeting competency under Section 14.

Section 9. Failure to Renew.

(a) All licenses and certificates expire on December 31st of the renewal year.

(b) Failure to renew the license/certificate on or before the date of expiration shall result in an expired license/certificate and the forfeiture of the right to practice nursing in the State until the Board reissues the license/certificate.

Section 10. Relicensure or Recertification of License/Certificate Following Failure to Renew. An individual whose license is inactive by failure to renew shall:

(a) Submit completed application and fees;

(b) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees; and

Section 11. Expiration Dates of Applications

(a) Applications awaiting documentation shall be active for twelve (12) months.

(b) If the Board office does not receive an applicant's completed application within twelve (12) months of submission of the application, the application shall expire.

(i) If the application has expired, the individual seeking licensure or certification shall submit a new application along with the appropriate fees and all required documentation.

Section 12. Inactive Status and Reactivation.

(a) The Board may grant an APRN, RN, LPN/VN, or CNA request for inactive status, which includes retired licensure/certification.

(b) The APRN, RN, LPN/VN, or CNA shall not practice nursing in this State until the license or certificate is reactivated.

(i) Submit completed application and fees;
(ii) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees; and
(iii) Submit evidence of meeting competency under Section 14.

(d) If the APRN, RN, LPN/VN, or CNA was under investigation or on a conditional license at the time inactive status was granted, the investigation or conditions shall continue upon reactivation.

Section 13. Reinstatement of Licensure and Certification.

(a) An APRN, RN, LPN/VN, or CNA whose license or certificate has been revoked, surrendered, suspended, or conditioned may apply for reinstatement and shall:

(i) Submit completed application and fees;
(ii) Submit CBC fingerprint cards and fees;
(iii) Submit evidence of meeting competency under Section 14;
(iv) Submit evidence of compliance with the previous Board's order or correction of underlying conduct; and
(v) Submit evidence demonstrating just cause for reinstatement.

(b) Licenses or certificates that were suspended pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 33-21-146(b) shall be reinstated pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 20-6-112(c).

Section 14. Competency for Licensure/Certification Continuing In Or Returning To Practice.

(a) An APRN who holds an active Wyoming RN license shall only be required to meet the continuing competency requirements of the APRN in Section 14(c).

(b) Timeframe for meeting competency.

(i) If an applicant is renewing their license or certificate, the applicant shall meet the competency as outlined in this Section for each license/certificate type.

(ii) For applicants seeking licensure or certification by endorsement, reactivation, reinstatement, relicensure/recertification, or returning to practice, the applicant shall meet competency during the timeframe identified prior to date of application.

(i) An APRN shall demonstrate continuing competency by submitting evidence of:

(A) Current national certification as an APRN in the recognized role and population focus area; or

(B) If recognized as an APRN in the State prior to January 1, 1999, and has maintained continuous licensure, but is not nationally certified, the APRN shall submit evidence of:

(I) Forty (40) hours of continuing education related to the APRN’s recognized role and population focus area; and

(II) Four hundred (400) hours of active nursing practice as an APRN during the last two (2) years.

(C) An APRN shall also submit evidence of three (3) hours of continuing education related to the responsible prescribing of controlled substances or treatment of substance abuse disorders.

(d) RN/LPN/VN.

(i) An RN or LPN/VN shall demonstrate continuing competency by completing one of the following in the past two (2) years:

(A) Four hundred (400) hours of active nursing practice; or

(B) Successfully pass the NCLEX; or

(D) Complete a nursing education program that confers a degree beyond the applicant's basic nursing education; or

(E) Submit evidence of forty (40) hours of continuing education.

(e) CNA.

(i) A CNA shall demonstrate continuing competency by completing one of the following in the past two (2) years:

(A) Four hundred (400) hours of employment in the CNA role; or

(B) Forty (40) hours of continuing education; or

Section 15. Nurse Volunteer License.

(a) Applicant shall:

(i) Meet qualifications under W.S. 33-21-157; and

(ii) Submit completed application and fees.

Section 16. Quality Assurance/Documentation and Audit.

(a) The Board may conduct audits to verify competencies as outlined in Section 14.

(b) Upon request of the Board, licensees or certificate holders shall submit documentation of compliance.