CNA Requirements in Wyoming
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wyoming: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Wyoming CNA Training ProgramsWyoming CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
75 hours minimum
Time to Certification
8-14 weeks
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform)
Becoming a CNA in Wyoming
Wyoming's CNA pathway is administered by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN) in Cheyenne, with the Department of Health's Aging Division Healthcare Licensing and Surveys unit operating the public-facing Wyoming CNA Registry. This dual-agency structure is unusual: most states route CNAs through either the Board of Nursing or the Department of Health, but Wyoming uses both, with WSBN handling individual licensing and the Department of Health handling registry verification.
The state's CNA workforce is small but high-demand. Wyoming's combination of an aging rural population, vast geography, and small population (roughly 580,000) creates persistent shortages in the long-term care facilities scattered across the state's 23 counties. Wages, recruitment bonuses, and tuition-reimbursement programs reflect this scarcity, particularly in the Big Horn Basin, Powder River Basin, and on the Wind River Reservation.
Wyoming is also notable for its uniform certification expiration: every CNA's credential expires on December 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the initial certification was issued. This means a candidate certified in mid-2026 has a much shorter first cycle than one certified in early 2025-something to plan for when documenting the 16 hours of paid work and 24 hours of in-service training needed for the first renewal.
Detailed Wyoming CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN)
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Wyoming.
Education Requirement
No statutory minimum education; applicants must be at least 16 years old. Most approved programs require a high school diploma or GED, but it is not a state-level mandate.
Training Hours
75 hours minimum required.
Minimum 75 hours total, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice; many Wyoming programs deliver 80-120 hours to align with employer expectations
Background Check
Two fingerprint cards processed by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the FBI, with a $60 DCI fee plus FBI processing
Competency Exam
Administered by D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform). Two-part Wyoming Nurse Aide Competency Exam: a 60-question written or audio knowledge test (60 minutes) and a skills evaluation of 3-4 randomly assigned tasks with embedded hand hygiene (30 minutes)
Cost: $127 total through D&SDT-Headmaster ($32 written Knowledge Exam + $95 Skills Test); the optional audio version of the Knowledge Exam is $42 instead of $32
Application Fee
$60 WSBN initial application fee
Total Cost Estimate
$700-$1,800 including tuition, $60 WSBN application, $60 DCI plus FBI fingerprint costs, and Headmaster exam fees
Where You Can Work
Certified nursing facilities, swing-bed hospitals, assisted living, home health, hospice, the Wyoming State Veterans' Home, and Indian Health Service facilities on the Wind River Reservation
What's Different About Wyoming
Wyoming is one of the few states where CNAs are regulated directly by the State Board of Nursing rather than the Department of Health, and certifications uniformly expire on December 31 of even-numbered years regardless of when initially issued.
How to Become a CNA in Wyoming: Step by Step
Verify eligibility and select an approved program
You must be at least 16 years old. The Wyoming State Board of Nursing maintains a list of approved Nurse Aide Training Programs at the state's community colleges (LCCC, Central Wyoming College, Casper College, Sheridan College, Northwest College), several long-term care facilities, and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services partner sites.
Complete a 75-hour state-approved training program
Wyoming's curriculum follows the federal minimum of 75 total hours and must include at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. Programs typically run 4 to 8 weeks. The curriculum covers basic nursing skills, infection control, mental health and social services, dementia care, restorative services, and residents' rights.
Submit two fingerprint cards and pay the DCI fee
Submit two fingerprint cards to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and pay the $60 DCI fee plus the FBI processing charge. The WSBN reviews state and federal criminal history before adding your name to the registry; certain offenses listed in the federal Elder Justice Act will permanently disqualify a candidate.
Pass the Wyoming Nurse Aide Competency Exam
Register through D&SDT-Headmaster (Wyoming program manager) to schedule the knowledge and skills tests. The Knowledge Exam is 60 multiple-choice items in written or audio format, with a 60-minute time limit. The Skills Exam consists of 3-4 randomly assigned tasks (one always being hand hygiene) within a 30-minute window. You have two years from training completion to pass both portions.
Submit your WSBN CNA application
Complete the online application through the Wyoming State Board of Nursing portal at wsbn.wyo.gov, upload your training certificate, Headmaster score reports, government ID, and Social Security card, and pay the $60 WSBN application fee. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks once all documents and background-check results are received.
Get listed on the Wyoming Nurse Aide Registry
Once WSBN approves your application, your name and certification number are published on the Wyoming CNA Registry at cnaregistry.health.wyo.gov and on WSBN's License Lookup tool. You may now legally work as a CNA in any Wyoming Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility.
Renew every two years on December 31 of even years
Wyoming uses a uniform expiration date: every certification expires on December 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when it was first issued. To renew, you must document at least 16 hours of paid CNA work in the prior 24 months plus 24 hours of in-service training. Renewals open in the fall preceding the expiration date through the WSBN portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who regulates CNAs in Wyoming?
Wyoming is one of the few states where the State Board of Nursing (WSBN) directly regulates Certified Nurse Aides. WSBN issues the certification, handles discipline, and contracts with D&SDT-Headmaster for competency testing. The Department of Health's Aging Division Healthcare Licensing and Surveys unit maintains the public Wyoming CNA Registry at cnaregistry.health.wyo.gov.
Why do all Wyoming CNA certifications expire on December 31 of even years?
Wyoming uses a uniform expiration date for administrative simplicity. Every CNA certification expires on December 31 of even-numbered years (e.g., 2026, 2028). This means your first certification cycle may be shorter than two years depending on when you initially apply, but you still need to meet the renewal work and in-service requirements before that fixed expiration date.
What does it cost to become a CNA in Wyoming?
Out-of-pocket costs typically run $700-$1,800. Tuition at a Wyoming community college runs about $500-$1,200, and many long-term care facilities offer tuition-free training in exchange for a short work commitment. On top of tuition, plan for the $60 WSBN application fee, $60 DCI fingerprint fee plus FBI processing, and roughly $110 in Headmaster exam fees.
Who administers the Wyoming CNA exam?
D&SDT-Headmaster, headquartered in Helena, Montana, is the WSBN's contracted testing vendor. Testing is delivered through Headmaster's TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. The knowledge test contains 60 multiple-choice items in written or audio format; the skills evaluation consists of 3-4 randomly assigned tasks within a 30-minute window.
How many hours must I work to renew my Wyoming CNA?
WSBN rules require at least 16 hours of paid CNA work performed under licensed nurse supervision in the 24 months prior to expiration, plus 24 hours of documented in-service training. If you fall short, you must retake the Headmaster competency exam to be reinstated to the Wyoming CNA Registry.
Does Wyoming offer CNA reciprocity?
Yes. Wyoming accepts endorsement from out-of-state CNAs in good standing on a registry whose training met the federal 75-hour minimum and included a CMS-compliant competency exam. You apply directly through the WSBN endorsement process and submit fingerprints. There is generally no testing requirement for endorsement applicants in good standing, though the $60 WSBN application fee and DCI fees still apply.
Free Study Materials for the Wyoming CNA Exam
The D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) exam used by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN) tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in Wyoming:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the Wyoming CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) skills in Wyoming.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for Wyoming CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every Wyoming CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the Wyoming exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the Wyoming written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for Wyoming CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) written exam in Wyoming.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every Wyoming CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the Wyoming CNA exam
Free D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) Practice Tests
The D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) written exam used in Wyoming has 60 scored multiple-choice questions. Drill our free NNAAP-style practice tests until you can consistently score above 80%, then walk into the testing center confident.
Ready to Start Your Wyoming CNA Career?
Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for Wyoming.