Wyoming Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025
AKA: NP License in WY, APRN Licensure
Licensor: Wyoming Licensing Body
What's Here? - Table of Contents
Your Roadmap to Wyoming Nurse Practitioner Licensure — 2025 Update
Wyoming’s “Big-Sky” practice environment rewards thorough preparation with full practice authority, meaning NPs can diagnose, treat, and prescribe without mandatory physician oversight. Each checkpoint below explains what you have to do, why it matters for patient safety and professional credibility, and what it costs in 2025.
Earn (or Transfer) a Wyoming RN License
Why this step exists:
The RN license proves you can deliver safe, entry-level nursing care and handle clinical decision-making before moving on to an advanced role.
| Route | What to Do |
|---|---|
| By Examination |
|
| By Endorsement |
|
| Route | 2025 Fees* |
|---|---|
| By Examination | $190 total application/background + $200 NCLEX amnhealthcare.comincrediblehealth.com |
| By Endorsement | $135 endorsement + $25 temp permit (optional) amnhealthcare.com |
Fingerprints & Background: Wyoming’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) takes 3–4 weeks to process cards; the Board can’t license you until the report is in. wsbn.wyo.gov
2. Complete a Board-Approved Graduate NP Program
Why it exists:
Advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and 500+ supervised clinical hours prepare you to practice independently and prescribe safely.
- Degree level: MSN or DNP, accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Population focus: Family, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, PMHNP, etc. Pick the specialty that matches your career goals—Wyoming’s frontier hospitals especially value broad primary-care skill sets.
- Tip: Line up rural preceptors early; slots in critical-access facilities fill fast.
Pass National Certification
Why it exists:
AANP, ANCC, PNCB, NCC, or NBCRNA exams give Wyoming a standard, nationwide yardstick that proves you really mastered graduate content.
Keep that certificate active; it must be uploaded every renewal cycle.
Apply for Your Wyoming APRN (CNP) License
Why it exists:
The APRN license lets the Board verify you met state law for education, certification, and good character before treating patients autonomously.
| License Package | What It Covers | 2025 Fee |
|---|---|---|
| APRN (no Rx) + temp permit | Practice while your file is reviewed | $310 |
| APRN + Prescriptive Authority (no permit) | Full license with Rx rights | $380 |
| APRN + Rx + temp permit | Fast start and full Rx | $405 |
Key uploads in the Nurse Portal
- Graduate transcripts (sent directly from school)
- National-certification wallet card
- Lawful-presence ID
- Two new fingerprint cards (even if you just sent some for your RN upgrade)
Prescriptive Authority extras
- 30 recent contact hours of advanced pharmacology (one-time)
- DEA number + Wyoming Controlled Substance Registration after the Board issues your APRN-Rx license (allow 2-3 weeks) wsbn.wyo.gov
Keep Every Credential Up to Date
Why it exists:
Ongoing CE and practice-hour requirements protect the public and keep your knowledge current.
| Credential | Renewal (even-numbered years) | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 400 practice hrs / 2 yrs or 30 CEUs | $110 amnhealthcare.com |
| APRN | Proof of national certification + 3 CE hours on safe opioid prescribing (if Rx) | $180 + $70 per cert + $70 Rx renewal wsbn.wyo.gov |
Log CE in CE Broker so audits are painless. help.cebroker.com
Use Compact Privileges to Your Advantage
- RN Multistate License: Wyoming belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)—one license, 40+ states. wsbn.wyo.gov
- APRN Compact: Wyoming has enacted the APRN Compact; multistate APRN licenses will launch once seven states finalize rules. Keep an eye on the Board’s compact page for the “go-live” date. wsbn.wyo.gov
Extra Tips from Wyoming NPs
| Tip | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Schedule fingerprints before you apply. | Prevents the #1 cause of application delays. wsbn.wyo.gov |
| Join Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nurses (WCAPN). | Networking, state-specific CE, legislative alerts. |
| Ask employers about the State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). | Up to $60 k tax-free for a 2-year rural service commitment. |
| Store every CE certificate in the cloud. | Board audits are random; easy access saves stress. |
| Practice NCLEX with at least two full simulations. | First-time pass rates jump by double digits. |
Quick-Link Resource List
| Resource | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN) Home | https://wsbn.wyo.gov |
| Wyoming Nurse Portal (applications & renewal) | https://wybn.boardsofnursing.org/wybn |
| WSBN Licensing FAQs & Fee Tables | https://wsbn.wyo.gov/licensing |
| Fingerprint Instructions (PDF) | https://wsbn.wyo.gov/licensing (scroll to “Completing Fingerprint Cards”) |
| Pearson VUE NCLEX Registration | https://home.pearsonvue.com/nclex |
| Nursys e-Notify (license alerts) | https://www.nursys.com/EN/ENDefault.aspx |
| AANP – Choose Your NP Certification | https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/wyoming |
| Wyoming Board of Pharmacy – Controlled Substance Registration | https://pharmacyboard.wyo.gov/licensing |
| CE Broker – Wyoming Board of Nursing Portal | https://help.cebroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/15226510482836-Wyoming-Board-of-Nursing |
* All fees verified June 2025. Always double-check in the Nurse Portal before you pay; amounts can change after rule revisions.