How to get a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in Wyoming

Wyoming nursing assistant licenses

Wyoming issues 4 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Wyoming nursing assistant licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

Apply online

wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹¹⁰

Renew online

wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹

2. Every license level except Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold a Wyoming CNA certificate (and meet any prerequisite below).²

3. Certified Nursing Assistant Level II (CNA II) and Medication Aide-Certified (MA-C)

How to apply

1. Submit the application and fee with your course completion certificate through the Nurse Portal ("Other Applications").¹¹ wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹

Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

Under the direction of an APRN, RN or LPN and after delegation, the CNA performs basic nursing, personal care and restorative skills, mental health and psychological support, communication, and nursing team technical skills.⁵

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Nurses and nursing assistants licensed or certified in another jurisdiction may provide care in a governor-declared emergency or disaster.¹

Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

Complete a state-approved CNA training and competency evaluation program (NATCEP). The Wyoming Department of Health oversees CNA education programs (Healthcare Licensing and Surveys approves them); the Board sends you to its list of approved programs.¹¹
Who may teach it: Programs approved by the Wyoming Department of Health, Healthcare Licensing and Surveys (training program application HLS/CNA-101; program list HLS/CNA-107).¹²

Exam

NATCEP (nurse aide competency) examination: written/knowledge test and skills evaluation²
Given by: D&SDT-Headmaster (Wyoming TMU, wy.tmutest.com)¹¹
When you can take it: After completing the approved training program; the Board notifies you of official results.²
Written (knowledge) test - virtual knowledge testing is available.¹¹
Skills evaluation.¹¹
Retakes: No more than five attempts within the two years after graduation.²
Time limit: Within two years after graduation (five attempts).²
Exam waived: Endorsement applicants with an active certificate from another state and proof of initial certification by examination do not retest.²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required⁹
Disclose all criminal history except traffic violations and upload documents plus a personal statement for each offense; no automatic disqualifiers, case-by-case review. DCI takes 15-30 days after WSBN receives the cards.⁹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply³

Residency or citizenship

Lawful presence: upload a copy of your driver's license and Social Security card.⁴

Social Security number

Copy of Social Security card required (lawful presence documents).⁴

Also required

Applications are online only and card payments only; applications awaiting documents expire after 12 months.⁹

How much a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete a Wyoming Department of Health-approved CNA training program.¹¹
2. Create a Nurse Portal account, choose "CNA by Examination" (or Endorsement if certified in another state), and pay the fees by card; add a $25 temporary permit if needed.⁴ wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹
3. Upload lawful-presence documents (driver's license and SSN card); have your course completion certificate sent to WSBN; mail two FBI fingerprint cards.⁹
4. Schedule and pass the Headmaster written and skills tests (Schedule My CNA Test on wy.tmutest.com).²
5. Watch your Nurse Portal message center; the Board issues the certificate (no paper license - verify online).⁹
6. To work in a certified nursing home or swing bed, also get placed on the WDH CNA registry with form HLS/CNA-109.¹²

Processing time

About 45-60 days after the complete application is received (DCI fingerprint processing 15-30 days; application review 3-5 days).⁹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Renew every even year between October 1 and December 31 in the Nurse Portal; all certificates expire December 31 of the renewal year. A certificate first issued in an even year (e.g. 2026) must still be renewed that year.²

Renewal fee

$50³

Required topics

Competency in the past two years by ONE of: 400 hours of employment as a CNA; 40 hours of continuing education; or passing the NATCEP or similar national exam.²

Approved courses

The Board does not approve CE; it accepts CNE/CME-approved courses or activities from organizations, agencies or educational institutions approved by an accredited provider; upload certificates with name, provider, date and credits.¹¹

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $60³ (certificate lapsed by failure to renew, or reinstatement)
Inactive/Retired Licensure/Certification (APRN/RN/LPN/CNA): $30³ (inactive or retired status)

If it expires

After December 31 the certificate expires and you may not practice; to recertify submit a new application, fees, fingerprint cards and evidence of competency.¹⁰
Practising on an expired certificate is subject to discipline.²

Moving to Wyoming with a license from another state

These are the routes WSBN publishes for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license.

Certified Nursing Assistant Level II (CNA II)

Specific technical skills beyond basic CNA training (e.g. wound care, sterile technique, urinary catheters, suctioning, tracheostomy care, G/PEG tube feeding, assisting with peripheral IV fluids, NG tube removal, EKG, ear irrigation) under nurse delegation; no medication application to wounds.⁶

Requirements

Education or training

At least 30 clock hours⁶
Board-approved CNA II training and competency evaluation course: at least 30 hours (15 classroom, 15 skills lab), with a comprehensive written final (80% minimum) and a final practicum (100% of critical criteria).⁶
Who may teach it: Board-approved course; the Board publishes a list of approved CNA II and MA-C courses.¹¹

Experience

At least 1,500 hours of on-the-job training⁶
Current unencumbered CNA certificate and at least 1,500 documented hours of CNA work in the last five years (employer verification may be requested).⁶
License you must hold first: Wyoming CNA certificate.²

Exam

Course final written exam and final practicum (no state/national exam)⁶
Passing score: 80% on the written final; 100% of critical criteria on the practicum.⁶

How to apply

1. Have 1,500 hours of CNA work in the last five years and complete a Board-approved CNA II course (30+ hours).⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Medication Aide-Certified (MA-C)

In addition to CNA functions, gives routine medications (oral, inhalation with pre-measured nebulizer doses, topical, eye/ear/nose instillation, rectal and others listed) to adults with chronic, stable conditions as part of a team with the RN/LPN.⁷

Requirements

Education or training

At least 100 clock hours⁷
Board-approved MA-C training and competency evaluation course of at least 100 hours (60 classroom, 40 directly supervised clinical), with a practical exam and final practicum (100% of critical criteria).⁷
Who may teach it: Board-approved course; the Board publishes a list of approved CNA II and MA-C courses.¹¹

Experience

Must hold a current, unencumbered CNA II certificate (meet CNA II qualifications).²
License you must hold first: Wyoming CNA II certificate.⁷

Exam

National Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE)²
Given by: "Approved vendor" (MACE is the NCSBN exam)⁷
When you can take it: After completing the MA-C course.²
Retakes: No more than five attempts within two years after course completion.²
Time limit: Two years after course completion.²

How to apply

1. Hold a CNA II certificate and complete a Board-approved MA-C course (100+ hours), then pass the MACE.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Home Health Aide (HHA) advanced certification on a CNA certificate

May furnish home health services on behalf of a home health agency only after the HHA advanced certification appears on the CNA certificate.⁸

Requirements

Education or training

16 clock hours⁸
Board-approved Home Health Aide training and competency evaluation of 16 hours specific to home health, signed off by an RN.⁸
Who may teach it: Board-approved HHA training (federal HHA rules in Appendix A; orientation checklist on the Education page).⁸

Exam

HHA competency evaluation (in the 16-hour training)²

How to apply

1. Complete the 16-hour home-health training signed off by an RN.⁸
2. Submit the HHA application and fee with the training certificate through the Nurse Portal.⁸ wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹

Renewal

If it expires

After a 24-month lapse in paid HHA services, retrain and reapply for the HHA certification before providing services.⁸

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)No local credential: CNAs are certified statewide by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in Wyoming, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Wyoming is on the Wyoming license lookup page.

Look up a license

wybn.boardsofnursing.org⁹

File a complaint

wybn.boardsofnursing.org¹³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Wyo. Stat. §§ 33-21-119 to 33-21-157 (Nurse Practice Act), esp. 33-21-120(a)(v),(xii), 33-21-127 to 33-21-132
• WSBN Rules ch. 2 (Licensure/Certification Requirements), effective 12/17/2025, §§ 3(c), 4(d), 5, 7-14
• WSBN Rules ch. 5, effective 05/26/2026
• WSBN Rules ch. 3 §§ 7-8 (CNA role; expanded role for MA-C and CNA II)
• Wyo. Stat. § 33-21-202 (Nurse Licensure Compact), Art. II(x) definition of "Nurse"

Rule changes since January 2024

• May 26, 2026: New fee rule (ch. 5) effective 05/26/2026 waives renewal fees from October 1 to December 31, 2026 - the whole 2026 renewal window.³
• December 17, 2025: Board Rules ch. 2 (licensure/certification requirements) in effect from 12/17/2025.²

Common questions

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

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