The Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN) manages the administration of Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs).
For you to be a CNA, you have to meet the following requirements:
- Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program (NATP)
- Undergo a criminal background check (CBC)
- Pass the Wyoming Nurse Aide Competency Exam (WY NACE)
Table of Contents
Taking on a CNA Training Program in Wyoming
The first step in becoming a CNA is to receive a state-approved NATP.
Doing so ensures you’ll receive an education that meets the state and federal standards.
In the program, you’ll spend a minimum of 120 hours of classroom and lab instruction and clinical practice.
After training completion, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills in providing nursing care to residents.
Also, if you want, you can apply for a Graduate Nurse Aide Temporary Permit (GNA-TP) as you’re processing your WY NACE.
For information on how to get a GNA-TP, visit WSBN’s website.
On another note, here are some approved CNA NATPs that you can check out.
For a complete and updated list, visit WSBN’s website.
10 CNA Schools in Wyoming
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Cowboy State Healthcare Training | Douglas, WY 82633 |
Life Care Center of Cheyenne - CNA Program | Cheyenne, WY 82009 |
Mission at Castle Rock CNA Program | Green River, WY 82935 |
Powell Valley Healthcare | Powell, WY 82435 |
Sublette Center NATP | Pinedale, WY 82941 |
Western Wyoming Community College | Rock Springs, WY 82901 |
Weston County Health Services | Newcastle, WY 82701 |
Westview CNA Program | Sheridan, WY 82801 |
Westward Heights Care Center | Lander, WY 82520 |
Wind River Rehabilitation and Wellness NATP | Riverton, WY 82501 |
Evaluating a CNA Candidate
Wyoming has two certification paths where you, the CNA candidate, can get certified.
- CNA certification by examination
- CNA certification by endorsement
Let’s explore each path below.
CNA Certification by Examination
After training, you will take the Wyoming NACE administered by Prometric.
This exam assesses your knowledge and skills competencies to safely provide nursing care to residents.
As such, you’ll take the exam in two parts: a written/oral test and a clinical skills test.
You must pass both tests within 24 months after NATP completion to successfully complete WY NACE.
Here are the things that you should know about each test:
Written/Oral Test
- It’s a computer-based test and taken at the test site.
- It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes.
- Questions come from the WSBN-approved test plan in the following subject areas:
- Role of the nurse aide
- Promotion of safety
- Promotion of function and health of residents
- Basic nursing care provided by the nurse aide
- Providing specialized care for residents with changes in health
- Usually, it’s a written test but can be an oral test upon request.
- Both written and oral tests can be taken in English or Spanish.
Skills Test
- It will take place in a clinical laboratory, with someone or a mannequin acting as a resident.
- You’ll perform with competency five nurse aide skills, consisting of the following:
- Skill 1 – Handwashing
- Skill 2 – Indirect care
- Skills 3 to 5 – Randomly selected skills from the Clinical Skills List
- It’s a timed test, and the test duration depends on the time allotted to complete each skill.
- You must complete each skill’s checkpoints under the watch of the Nurse Aide Evaluator.
- If you make a mistake, you can correct it provided that you tell the Evaluator about it.
For exam resources and other pertinent information, read the Wyoming Candidate Information Bulletin at https://www.prometric.com/nurseaide/wy.
Exam Results
Usually, you can receive the unofficial exam results shortly after the testing event at the test site.
You may also view them online via https://tcnet.prometric.com/wycna.
Meanwhile, your official results will be sent by Prometric to WSBN.
If you pass and all your certification application is complete, WSBN will issue your CNA certificate.
You’ll also be notified via your WSBN Nurse Portal account about the issuance.
However, if you don’t pass, you’ll have to retake the test/s you failed.
You have a total of five attempts on each test within the eligibility period to successfully complete WY NACE.
If you max these chances out, then you’ll have to retrain to be eligible again to take the exam.
Exam Fees
You or your employer will remit to Prometric the following fees, whichever is applicable:
- Written and clinical skills tests – $115
- Oral and clinical skills tests – $115
- Written test only – $30
- Oral test only – $30
- Clinical skills test only – $85
CNA Certification by Endorsement
Before applying, make sure that you have an active status and are in good standing in another state’s Nurse Aide Registry.
You, an out-of-state CNA, can apply for endorsement if you meet the following criteria:
- Completed a state-approved NATCEP
- Completed any one of the competency requirements in the last two years:
- 400 hours of employment in the CNA role
- 200 hours of employment in the CNA role AND 15 hours of continuing education
- 30 hours of continuing education
- Pass the NATCEP exam
If this is you, then you can submit to WSBN the following:
- Duly accomplished CNA Verification Form, which can be found in WSBN’s website
- Payment of endorsement application fees:
- Application fee – $60
- Multistate licensure application processing – $25
- Verification of an active certificate from another state
- Verification of initial (original) state of certification by examination
- Evidence of meeting the aforementioned competency requirements
- CBC fingerprint cards and fees
Submitting to a Criminal Background Check
Wyoming requires criminal background checks for all CNAs.
As such, you must submit two fingerprint cards to these government offices:
- Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
These two departments will process your fingerprints and then DCI will submit the results to WSBN.
It may take DCI up to 45 days to process everything, so be sure to have your CBC submitted before you apply for WY NACE.
In this way, you can receive your CNA certificate sooner by the time DCI completes the CBC.
Potential Salary
A CNA in Wyoming enjoys a sufficient salary.
Right now, you can receive an average salary of $28,000 annually.
Of course, this can increase depending on your investment in factors like:
- Continuing education
- Skills advancements
- Work experiences
The table below shows how much you can earn if you reside in the cities listed below.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of CNAs in Wyoming
City Name | Salary | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cheyenne | $28,747 | ||||
Casper | $29,520 | ||||
Laramie | $29,089 | ||||
Gillette | $28,035 | ||||
Rock Springs | $29,081 | ||||
Sheridan | $29,871 | ||||
Green River | $29,081 | ||||
Evanston | $29,322 | ||||
Riverton | $29,045 | ||||
Cody | $29,871 |
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Casper, WY | 460 | $37,940 | $18.24 | $43,140 | $35,690 |
Cheyenne, WY | 450 | $40,890 | $19.66 | $50,700 | $35,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.