How to Become a Medical Assistant in Wyoming

Who can apply

• Wyoming has no license for medical assistants. Physicians may delegate medical responsibilities to nonphysicians, and the Board of Medicine may discipline a physician who delegates to someone not qualified by training, experience or licensure or fails to supervise them (W.S. 33-26-402(a)(xv)-(xvii)).
• Applying x-rays to people requires a license from the Board of Radiologic Technologist Examiners (W.S. 33-37-113). A medical assistant can qualify for a restricted license as a radiologic technician by passing the ARRT Limited Scope exam (or the Bone Densitometry exam) with 75% in each area tested.

Step by step

1. Finish a medical assistant program or get on-the-job training from your employer. Wyoming does not require a set program.
2. (Optional) Pass a national certification exam (CMA-AAMA, RMA-AMT, CCMA-NHA or NCMA-NCCT). Wyoming does not require one.
3. If you will take x-rays, apply to the Board of Radiologic Technologist Examiners for a restricted license ($160), then pass the ARRT Limited Scope core exam and up to three body areas (skull, chest, spine, extremities, podiatric) or the Bone Densitometry exam.
4. Work on tasks your physician delegates and supervises. As a restricted-license x-ray technician, work under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Training and exam

Training: No state-mandated medical assistant program. Under W.S. 33-26-402, the delegating physician must make sure you are qualified by training, experience or licensure and must supervise you appropriately. The restricted x-ray license is based on passing the ARRT exam; see the Board's rules for any other requirements.

Exam: No state medical assistant exam; national certification is voluntary in Wyoming. For a restricted x-ray license you must pass the ARRT Limited Scope exam (core plus up to three body areas) or the ARRT Bone Densitometry Equipment Operator exam, with at least 75% in each area tested. You cannot take both. If you fail, the rules require you to wait six months before retesting.

What it costs in Wyoming

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Good to know in Wyoming

What a medical assistant can do in Wyoming: Wyoming law does not list medical assistant tasks. A physician may delegate medical responsibilities to a nonphysician who is qualified by training and experience and able to provide care safely, within the specialty areas both are trained in. The Board of Medicine is directed to develop standards for delegation to nonphysicians (W.S. 33-26-202).

What a medical assistant cannot do: A physician may not delegate tasks you are not qualified to do or that are beyond the specialty areas you and the physician are trained in, and must supervise what is delegated (W.S. 33-26-402(a)(xv)-(xvii)). Restricted-license x-ray technicians may not do special procedures, fluoroscopy or contrast media studies.

X-ray: Anyone who applies ionizing radiation to people without a license commits a misdemeanor (up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both) under W.S. 33-37-113. A restricted license lists the procedures you may do, limited to no more than three body areas (W.S. 33-37-102(b)). Licensed practitioners, dental staff taking dental x-rays, and trained staff of licensed podiatrists are exempt.

Restricted x-ray license renewal: You must be at least 18 to get a restricted license (W.S. 33-37-106(b)). The license expires 12 months after issue, and each renewal requires proof of 6 credit hours of continuing education based on ARRT standards plus the Board's renewal fee (W.S. 33-37-110).

Sources

• Wyoming Statutes Title 33 (33-26 Medical Practice Act; 33-37 Radiologic Technologists)
• Wyoming Board of Radiologic Technologist Examiners
• Wyoming Board of Radiologic Technologist Examiners - Restricted License Application instructions
• Wyoming Board of Radiologic Technologist Examiners - Rules