CHAPTER 1
LICENSE ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION AND INTERVIEWS
Emergency rules in effect no longer than 120 days after filing with the Registrar of Rules
Section 1. Authority. These rules are promulgated pursuant to authority granted by
the Act and the APA.
Section 2. Purpose. The rules in this chapter are adopted to establish definitions to be used in the Board's rules, establish procedures to determine eligibility for licensure as a physician, set requirements for physician license applications, establish procedures and requirements for temporary, training and inactive physician licensure and license renewal and establish procedures and criteria for interviews of physician license applicants.
Section 3. Definitions. The definitions contained in the Act and the APA are incorporated herein by this reference. In addition, the following definitions of terms used in all chapters of the rules promulgated under the Act shall apply :
(a) "A.B.M.S." means the American Board of Medical Specialties.
(b) "Active practice of medicine" means the practice of medicine and provision of clinical or population-based care for an average of not less than twenty (20) hours per week in any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(c) "Advisory council" means the advisory committee to the board of medicine on matters related to physician assistants created pursuant to W.S. 33-26-503(b)(v).
(d) "Affidavit" means a written, notarized statement of facts made voluntarily under oath.
(e) "A.M.A." means the American Medical Association.
(f) "A.P.A." means the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, W.S. 16-3-101, et seq.
(g) "Applicant" means any person who has applied to the board for issuance, renewal, or reactivation of a license.
(h) "Application" means a written submission to the board on a form approved by the board, and any accompanying documents.
(i) "Attending Physician" means a physician licensed by the Board who has established a physician/patient relationship;
(j) "B.O.S.B.O.C." means the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists and Boards of Certification.
(k) "Clean application" means that the physician applicant has none of the following:
(i) Professional liability insurance settlement(s) or payment(s) in excess of $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate;
(ii) Criminal record;
(iii) Medical condition(s) which could affect the physician's ability to practice safely;
(iv) Licensing or regulatory board complaint(s), investigation(s), or action(s) (including withdrawal of a licensure application);
(v) Adverse action taken by a health care entity;
(vi) Investigation(s) or action(s) taken by a federal agency, the United States military, medical society or association; or,
(vii) Suspension or expulsion from, or disciplinary action in, any academic program, including medical school, residency program or fellowship program.
(l) "CLIA waived tests" means those medical tests that are exempt from federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments requirements.
(m) "C.M.E." means continuing medical education.
(n) "Complainant" means any identified person, persons, association or entity, including the board or an individual member of the board, or the board staff, who communicates to the board alleging facts, which may constitute a violation of the Act by a licensee.
(o) "Complaint" means a communication received by the board which alleges sufficient to determine the identity of the licensee who allegedly engaged in the conduct, whether the alleged conduct falls within the board's jurisdiction, and whether the alleged conduct may constitute a violation of the Act.
(p) "Complaint file" means a confidential record of an initial complaint and information received or produced in the screening and investigation of a complaint.
(q) "Consults" means participates in an ongoing, documented consultative relationship including at least one Wyoming licensed, attending physician.
(r) "Core application documents" means the following:
(i) The required application form(s) and appropriate fee(s);
(ii)Form and supporting document(s) demonstrating proof of legal presence in the U.S. pursuant to 8 U.S.C. ยง 1601, et seq.;
(iii) an FSMB Board Action Databank report; and,
(iv) an NPDB report.
(s) "Costs" means those expenses incurred in a hearing to deny, refuse to renew, reactivate, reinstate, revoke, restrict, place conditions upon, or suspend a license pursuant to W.S. 33-26-405(a)(viii) and includes, but is not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the board, hearing officer fees, service fees, subpoena fees, reporter fees, lay and expert witness and consultant fees, travel and per diem expenses, deposition costs and other costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, discovery, preparation and hearing of any disciplinary matter.
(t) "Delegate" means transfer authority for the performance of a medical task.
(u) "Delegating physician" means a Wyoming-licensed physician who delegates duties to provide health care services to a medical assistant.
(v) "Docket file" means a confidential record of each board proceeding pertaining to a petition filed before the board or a denial of an application, and the reasons and grounds for each and every step in the disciplinary or appeal process, commencing with the first notice of complaint by any complainant or final order in a denial action. The docket file shall reflect every action in the proceeding.
(w) "Executive director" means a non-board member hired by the board pursuant to W.S. 33-26-203(a) and authorized to coordinate and direct board functions.
(x) "FSMB" means the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc.
(y) "He," "his" and all other male pronouns shall be construed as including the corresponding female pronoun.
(z) "Hearing officer" means an attorney experienced in administrative law appointed by the board to perform those functions set forth in W.S. 16-3-112(b) and these rules in a contested case.
(aa) "Hearing panel" means the members of the board who hear and render a decision in a disciplinary case.
(bb) "HIPAA" means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(cc) "HIPAA privacy rule" means the federal regulations related to the privacy of protected health information at 45 C.F.R. 160 and 164
(dd) In addition to the definition set forth in the Act, "impaired" means a person who is unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of professional incompetence.
(ee) "Indeterminate scores" means passing level examination scores that cannot be certified as representing a valid measure of an examinee's competence in the domains assessed by the test. Indeterminate scores may result from irregular behavior, or they may be due to other factors such as examinee illness during part of an examination. Inconsistency of performance within the examination, between administrations with the same step examination, or other aberrations not reasonably and/or satisfactorily explained may result in passing scores being classified as indeterminate. If irregular behavior is determined to affect score validity, resultant passing scores are considered indeterminate.
(ff) "Informal interview" means a confidential meeting with a licensee and interviewers in which the specification of charges, defenses and responses are discussed after initial screening of the complaint and prior to a contested case hearing.
(gg) "Interviewers" are members of the board, and a member of the advisory council if the licensee is a physician assistant, appointed by the board president, or in his or her absence, the vice president, to investigate a complaint against a licensee, conduct an informal interview with the licensee, and make recommendations to the board officers for further board action.
(hh) "Interview date" means the day designated by the board for the licensure interview.
(ii) "Irregular behavior" means all actions on the part of applicants and/or examinees that subvert or attempt to subvert the examination process. Specific examples of irregular behavior include seeking and/or obtaining access to examination materials prior to the examination, falsification of information on application or registration forms, impersonation of an examinee or engaging a proxy to take the examination, copying answers from another examinee, etc. Irregular behavior is generally identified and subsequently reported by proctors or other individuals involved in examination registration or administration or is reported by examinees or others who believe inappropriate behavior has occurred.
(jj) "Ledger" means a continual, permanent, record of all complaints received by the board. A ledger entry shall commence with the initial complaint or final order in a denial action and shall contain the date of the action or complaint, the section(s) of the Act or the board's rules relied upon by the board as a basis for its action, the disposition of the matter, the disciplinary action taken, if any, and the date of final disposition. No information likely to disclose the identity of the complainant, applicant or respondent shall be included in the ledger.
(kk) "Legal custodian" means the executive director.
(ll) "Licensure interview" means an interview before a panel of not fewer than three (3) members of the board with an applicant who meets one or more of the criteria set forth in Chapter 1, Section 5(b)(iv) of these Rules.
(mm) "LMCC" means the Licentiate Medical Council of Canada.
(nn) "Medical assistant" means a person who does not hold a license to provide health care services issued under title 33 of the Wyoming Statutes, and is authorized and supervised by a Wyoming-licensed physician to provide health care services under limited delegation by the physician.
(oo) "Medical specialty consultant" means a person who consults with board staff, board prosecutor and interviewers or petitioners in a disciplinary action and provides specialized expertise on medical issues.
(pp) "National Boards" means the examination administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners.
(qq) "National certification" means certification of a physician assistant through the NCCPA or such other certification examination recognized by the board through examination and continuing medical education hours.
(rr) "N.B.M.E." means the National Board of Medical Examiners.
(ss) "NBOME" means the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners or the examination of graduates of the colleges of osteopathic medicine also known as the NBOME and/or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
(tt) "N.P.D.B" means the National Practitioner Data Bank.
(uu) "Officers" means the president, vice president and secretary of the board.
(vv) "Petition" means a formal disciplinary action filed with the Board by the Board Prosecutor against one or more licensees on behalf of one or more petitioners.
(ww) "Petitioner" means a board or advisory council member who is appointed by the officers to act as a prosecuting party in a formal disciplinary action against one or more licensees.
(xx) "Physical address" the address of a licensee's practice or office location, or the licensee's home.
(yy) "Physician/patient relationship" means a relationship between a licensee and any person to whom the licensee provides any services or exhibits any conduct that constitutes practicing medicine.
(zz) In addition to the definition in the act, "practicing medicine" means any person who in any manner operates or delegates the responsibility to operate a medical device classified as a Class II or Class III medical device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unless operation or authorization for operation occurs in a site under the direct supervision of a person licensed under this chapter.
(aaa) "Practicing medicine" does not apply to or include:
(i) Licensed health care providers rendering medical assistance without compensation during an emergency, including, but not limited to, physician assistants who may render aid at the scene of an emergency without physician supervision;
(ii) Medical students trained in an L.C.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited or board approved school of medicine, or who are E.C.F.M.G. certified, serving as clinical clerks, residents, fellows or interns under the supervision of a physician licensed in this state;
(iii) Commissioned medical officers of the United States armed services and medical officers of the United States public health services or the veterans' administration of the United States in the discharge of their official duties or within federally controlled facilities or enclaves, provided that such persons who are licensees of the board shall be subject to the provisions of the act and further provided that all such persons shall be the holder of a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in one or more jurisdictions in the United States;
(iv) Any individual residing in and licensed to practice medicine in another state or country called into this state for consultation by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state;
(v) Any individual licensed to practice medicine in another state that comes to this state to remove human organs from brain dead persons;
(vi) The treatment of disease, injury, deformity or ailments by prayer or spiritual means provided that federal and state health and sanitation laws, rules and regulations are not violated;
(vii) The gratuitous domestic administration of family remedies;
(viii) A health care provider licensed under any other chapter of this title engaged in the practice of the profession for which he is licensed;
(bbb)
"Reactivation" means the procedures set forth in these Rules to restore an emeritus, inactive or lapsed license to active status;
(ccc) "Respondent" means a licensee named in a petition.
(ddd) "Screening" means a review by the officers of complaints received by the board.
(eee) Repealed.
(fff) "SPEX" means the special purpose examination of current medical knowledge administered by the FSMB.
(ggg) "These rules" means all rules in all chapters properly adopted by the Board and currently in effect.
(hhh) In addition to the definition set forth in the Act, "unprofessional conduct" means:
(i) Improperly terminating a physician-patient relationship.
(ii)Interfering or attempting to interfere with a board investigation, whether of the licensee or another person. This includes, but is not limited to, attempting to intimidate or otherwise influence a complainant or witness to give less than full cooperation and truthful statements to the board in the course of an investigation.
(iii) Practicing as a physician assistant outside the scope of an approved physician assistant supervisory relationship.
(iii) "Application review committee" means one or more board members, including at least one (1) physician member of the Board, and one (1) member of the physician assistant advisory council (for review of physician assistant license applications only), appointed by the President to review license applications.
(jjj) "FBI" means the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(kkk) "Act" and "the Act" mean the Wyoming Medical Practice Act, W.S. 33-26-101, et seq.
Section 4. Eligibility for licensure.
(a) General requirements.
(i) To be eligible for consideration for licensure, an applicant shall submit an application on the form or forms supplied or approved in advance by the board.
(ii) Any application, to be eligible for consideration, shall be accompanied by the required fee in immediately negotiable funds.
(iii) For an application to be considered complete, all documents, reports and related materials must be received in the board's office and meet all requirements set forth in the Act and the rules adopted by the board.
(iv) References shall be submitted on a form approved, and contain information as specified, by the board.
(A) Three (3) original references from physicians are required including at least two (2) from physicians with whom the applicant has practiced medicine within the past three (3) years. In exceptional circumstances the board may waive one (1) or more of the required reference letters. References from physicians with whom the applicant has a current or prospective financial, business or family relationship are not acceptable.
(B) All references shall be on a form prescribed by the board, dated within six (6) months of the application date and signed by the referring physician.
(C) If a submitted reference is incomplete or otherwise fails to provide sufficient information about the applicant, an applicant may be required to submit one or more references in addition to those required in subparagraph (A).
(v) An application, to be considered, shall be complete in all respects no later than fifteen (15) business days prior to the licensure interview date, should a licensure interview by required by these rules.
(vi) The board shall issue a written notice of ineligibility to any applicant who does not meet the eligibility requirements, or has otherwise failed to submit an application which meets the requirements, of the act or these rules.
(vii) Applications shall remain on active status for six (6) calendar months from the date the application document is received in the board office. The applicant is eligible for a licensure interview with the board, if one is required by these rules, at any time within the six (6) month period following the date the application is complete pursuant to Ch. 1, Section 4(a)(iii) of these rules.
(viii) Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1621, any applicant for licensure shall verify his or her lawful presence in the United States on a form approved or prescribed by the board.
(ix) Any applicant for licensure or renewal of licensure shall, pursuant to W.S. 33-1-114, provide his or her Social Security number as part of any application for licensure.
(b) To be eligible for consideration for licensure, an applicant shall demonstrate in his or her application that he or she meets each and all of the requirements of the act including, but not limited to, those requirements set forth in W.S. 33-26-303, and these rules.
(c) All applicants for physician licensure shall apply only through the F.C.V.S. and supply additional information as requested by the Board.
(d) Repealed.
(e) Any physician rendering medical diagnosis and/or treatment to a person physically present in this state must have a license issued by the board when such diagnosis/treatment is rendered, regardless of the physician's location and regardless of the means by which such diagnosis/treatment is rendered. This requirement shall not apply to an out- of-state physician who consults by telephone, electronic or any other means with an attending physician licensed by this board or to an out-of-state physician who is specifically exempt from licensure pursuant to W.S. 33-26-103.
(f) Repealed.
(g) Repealed.
(h) All applicants for physician licensure shall have completed all three parts of the examination in a period of not more than seven years (eight years for applicants who have been in a combined D.O. or M.D./Ph.D. program), and shall have taken the three parts of the examination a total of not more than seven times. Persons who have taken the three parts of the examination more than a total of seven times or who have taken more than seven years (eight years for applicants who have been in a combined D.O. or M.D./Ph.D. program) to pass all three parts of the examination shall not be eligible for licensure unless and until they successfully complete either one (1) year of post graduate training in addition to that required in W.S. 33-26- 303(a)(iv), or one (1) or more other comprehensive and suitably-rigorous assessment, training and evaluation programs after passage of all parts of the examination.
(i) Reserved.
(j) All applicants for licensure other than a training license must demonstrate one (1) or more of the following:
(i) Successful completion of not less than two (2) years of postgraduate training in an A.C.G.M.E., A.O.A. or R.C.P.S.C. accredited program; or,
(ii) Successful completion of not less than one (1) year of postgraduate training in an A.C.G.M.E., A.O.A. or R.C.P.S.C. accredited program and:
(A) Current certification by a medical specialty board that is a member of the A.B.M.S. or the B.O.S.B.O.C.; or
(B) Continuous full and unrestricted medical licensure in good standing in one or more states and/or the District of Columbia for the preceding five (5) years.
Section 5. Licensure.
(a) Pursuant to the Act, the board may issue the following licenses to practice medicine:
(i) A license to practice medicine, subject to annual renewal.
(ii) A temporary license to practice medicine pursuant to W.S. 33-26-304(a).
(iii) A restricted or conditional license to practice medicine.
(iv) An inactive license. Inactive licenses are available for physicians currently licensed in Wyoming who do not intend to practice medicine, write prescriptions or engage in clinical activity. The Board may grant an inactive license to practice medicine if, in addition to meeting all eligibility requirements of W.S. 33-26-303, the applicant files a verified affidavit with the board attesting that: (1) he shall not see patients or perform procedures in a clinical or office setting for any type of remuneration, (2) he shall not in any way hold himself out as actively engaged in the active practice of medicine, and (3) he shall submit written confirmation to the board on an annual basis confirming that such inactive status is ongoing. An inactive license exempts the licensee from continuing medical education requirements described in Chapter 3, Sec. 7 of these rules. A holder of an inactive license may not prescribe medications. Licensees claiming inactive status who receive remuneration for providing clinical services, or who prescribe any medication, may be subject to discipline pursuant to W.S. 33-26- 402(a)(xxvii).
(v) An emeritus license. Emeritus licenses are available for retired physicians who hold a current Wyoming license to practice medicine and wish to provide clinical care in Wyoming without remuneration or for nominal remuneration in a non-profit facility. Such license may issue to an applicant who provides proof that he is retired from the active practice of medicine, provides proof that he has maintained a license in good standing in Wyoming or another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada for a period of not less than ten (10) years prior to applying for the emeritus license, and signs a notarized statement he will not accept any form of remuneration for medical services rendered in Wyoming while in the possession of an emeritus license, or that he is receiving only nominal remunerations for providing medical care in a non-profit facility. As part of the application process, an applicant for an emeritus medical license who does not hold a current Wyoming license shall complete all requirements for issuance of a Wyoming medical license set forth in W.S. 33-26-303. If a licensure interview is required pursuant to subsection (b) of this rule, such interview may be conducted by one (1) board member and, if deemed appropriate by the board officers, may be conducted by telephonic means.
(A) Physicians possessing an emeritus medical license shall:
(I) Annually sign an affidavit affirming that their medical practice continues to be without remuneration or is for nominal remuneration in a non-profit facility; and
(II) Even though physicians holding an emeritus license are not engaged in active clinical practice, the Board expects that they will engage in life-long learning activities to maintain a base of medical knowledge and skills. Therefore, the requirements for continuing medical education noted in Ch. 3, sec. 7 of these rules apply to emeritus licenses. Continuing medical education may also be satisfied by documented emeritus clinical service in a non-profit health care facility, such clinical service to be credited at one (1) hour of continuing medical education credit for every five (5) hours of clinical service, up to a maximum of ten (10) hours of continuing medical education credit per calendar year.
(B) The board shall require no fees for the application for, or renewal of, an emeritus medical license.
(vi) Training license. A medical training license issued pursuant to W.S. 33- 26-304(c) to an applicant who meets all of the requirements of such statute and these rules.
(A) First-year training license ( "T-1" ). An applicant who is in the first year of enrollment in an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state may be issued a first-year training license ( "T-1" license). The holder of a T-1 license may not practice medicine outside of the duties assigned as part, and under the supervision of the faculty, of the residency program (i.e. "moonlight" ). The holder of a T-1 license may not independently prescribe any legend drugs or medications, and may only prescribe legend drugs or medications with the co-signature of a physician holding an active license in good standing in this state. The prohibition on prescribing does not apply to orders written under the supervision of a licensed attending physician for patients receiving inpatient care. The T-1 license expires on June 30th of each year, and may not be renewed.
(B) Second-year training license ( "T-2" ). An applicant who has successfully completed not less than one (1) year in an A.C.G.M.E. accredited residency program and is enrolled in an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state as a second- or third-year resident may be issued a second-year training license ( "T-2" license). The holder of a T-2 license may not practice medicine outside of the duties assigned as part, and under the supervision of the faculty, of the residency program (i.e., "moonlight" ) except as specified in paragraph (H) below. The holder of a T-2 license may independently prescribe legend drugs and medications, subject to all applicable laws and regulations. The T-2 license expires on June 30th of each year, and may be renewed only one (1) time upon applicant's successful completion of the second year of the residency program. If the applicant meets all requirements for issuance of a regular medical license under W.S. 33-26-301(b)(i) and W.S. 33- 26-303, the T-2 license may not be renewed.
(C) To qualify for a training license (T-1 or T-2), an applicant must submit the following:
(I) Evidence that the applicant has graduated from a school of medicine accredited by the L.C.M.E., a school of osteopathy accredited by the A.O.A., or a Canadian-accredited school of medicine, or that the applicant has been certified by the E.C.F.M.G.;
(II) Evidence that the applicant has passed steps one (1) and two (2) of the U.S.M.L.E. or the COMLEX with a two-digit score of not less than 75 on each part;
(III) A copy of the applicant's signed contract then in force with an A.C.G.M.E., or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state (copy of the contract must be submitted with the application);
(IV) A recommendation form, as provided by the Board, signed by the director of the residency program, or his or her designee, stating that the applicant is under the supervision of the faculty of the residency program;
(V) A completed application on a form provided or approved by the Board; and,
(VI) The requisite fee(s) in accordance with this chapter.
(D) Applicants for a second-year (T-2) training license shall be subject to these additional requirements:
(I) The applicant will use the Federation F.C.V.S. and have his packet submitted to the board at the applicant's expense;
(II) The board shall query the N.P.D.B. and F.S.M.B.'s board action data bank regarding the applicant; and,
(III) The applicant will submit documentation that he or she has successfully completed not less than one (1) year in an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program and is enrolled in an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state as a second- or third-year resident.
(E) When the application for a training license is complete, the Board's executive director shall review the application, and may take the following action:
(I) Issue the training license; or
(II) Refer the application to the application review committee for review. The application review committee may issue the training license, issue the training license subject to conditions and/or restrictions agreed upon in writing by the applicant, or deny the application for the training license. If the application review committee denies the training license, the applicant may appeal that decision to the full board, which shall review the application de novo, and which may require the applicant and/or the director of the residency program to appear for an interview. The board may issue the training license, issue the training license subject to conditions and/or restrictions agreed upon in writing by the applicant, or deny the application for a training license. If the board denies the application, it shall issue an order to that effect, which shall be appealable to the district court pursuant to the Act and these Rules.
(F) Renewal of T-2 license. To renew a T-2 license, the applicant must provide documentation of the following:
(I) Successful completion of the second year of an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program;
(II) A copy of the applicant's signed contract then in force with an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state (copy of the contract must be submitted with the renewal application);
(III) A recommendation form, as provided by the Board, signed by the director of the residency program, or his or her designee, stating that the applicant is under the supervision of the faculty of the residency program;
(IV) A completed renewal application on a form provided or approved by the Board; and,
(V) The requisite fee(s) in accordance with this chapter.
(G) Automatic termination of training license. Issuance of a training license is subject to the applicant's current enrollment in an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state. If for any reason the holder of a training license resigns or is dismissed from, or otherwise is no longer currently enrolled in, an A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited residency program located in this state, the training license shall immediately expire and be deemed automatically terminated without additional action by the Board.
(H) A holder of a T-2 license may practice medicine outside of the duties assigned as part of the residency program in which he or she is enrolled (i.e., "moonlight" ) only if these following conditions are met:
(I) The holder of the T-2 license has passed Step 3 of the USMLE or COMLEX with a two-digit score of not less than 75;
(II) The holder of the T-2 license receives advance written approval from the residency program director for his or her proposed "moonlighting" ; and,
(III) The residency program director notifies the Board in advance and in writing of the approved "moonlighting" arrangement.
(vii) Volunteer license. The board may issue a license to a physician who is in good standing in at least one (1) jurisdiction other than the state of Wyoming for the purpose of providing medical treatment as a volunteer, without compensation. An applicant for a volunteer license must complete and submit a form and documentation prescribed by the board, meet the requirements of W.S. 33-26-303, agree to comply with the Act and these rules, agree to be subject to the jurisdiction of the board, provide proof of licensure in good standing in at least one (1) jurisdiction other than the state of Wyoming, and pay the fee set by the board. A licensure interview is not required for issuance of a volunteer license. A volunteer license shall be valid for not more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days in any calendar year, and may not be renewed.
(viii) Administrative medicine license. The board may issue an administrative medicine license to a physician who meets all qualifications for licensure in the state, including payment of a fee set by the board, but who does not intend to provide medical or clinical services to or for patients while in possession of an administrative medicine license and signs a notarized statement to that effect. An administrative medicine license is subject to annual renewal.
(b) Licensure Application Processing, Review and Interviews.
(i) When an applicant's core application documents have been received by the Board and are deemed to be satisfactory, the executive director or his designee will review the application and supporting materials to determine whether a licensure interview of the applicant will be required pursuant to this rule. If the executive director or his designee determines that the applicant has been continually licensed in good standing (not including training licenses) for the preceding three (3) years in one or more states and/or the District of Columbia; and the applicant has a clean application as defined in this chapter, the executive director may, acting on behalf of the Board, issue a temporary license to the applicant pursuant and subject to Chapter 1, Section 6 of these rules, including the requirement for a complete application set forth therein. In no event shall a temporary license issued under this paragraph be valid for more than 180 days from the original date of issuance.
(ii) If an applicant is not issued a temporary license pursuant to paragraph (b)(i) of this rule, when the application is deemed complete pursuant to Section 4 of this chapter, the executive director or his designee shall review the application and supporting materials and may, acting on behalf of the Board, issue a temporary license to the applicant pursuant and subject to Chapter 1, Section 6 of these rules. If the executive director or his designee declines to issue a temporary license to the applicant, the applicant's file shall be presented to the application review committee for review. The application review committee may:
(A) Issue a temporary license to the applicant, pursuant to Chapter 1, Section 6 of these rules;
(B) Defer action on the application until the applicant appears for a licensure interview
(C) Advise the applicant in writing that the application review committee will bring proceedings to deny the application for licensure, following the procedure set forth in Chapter 7 of these Rules; or
(D) If an applicant is applying for his first medical license in the United States, issue a temporary license subject to the requirement that the applicant appear for a licensure interview.
(iii) A summary of each applicant's licensure file and application will be sent to all members of the Board prior to the next regularly-scheduled board meeting, and any board member may request that the applicant appear for a licensure interview.
(iv) Licensure interviews. If an application or any information received by the Board demonstrates that an applicant is of a status or possesses one or more of the following characteristics, or if any Board member believes a licensure interview is necessary given the information contained on the application, the applicant may be required to submit to a licensure interview before a panel of not less than three (3) board members:
(A) Is seventy (70) years old or older;
(B) Has been licensed as a physician for more than thirty-five (35) years;
(C) Repealed.
(D) Has answered "Yes" to one or more questions on the application form regarding physical or mental impairment, substance or alcohol abuse, criminal convictions, liability claims, prior disciplinary actions, restrictions or conditions on medical licensure, including relinquishment or surrender of a medical license, or restriction, suspension, or resignation while under investigation, of hospital privileges;
(E) Information acquired or received by the board indicates the applicant may not possess sufficient medical training, skill or experience appropriate for the applicant's intended practice in this state;
(F) The applicant's education and/or training verification documents indicate an unexplained delay in completion of his medical education or postgraduate training;
(G) The applicant's verification documents indicate more than one attempt at passage of any examination necessary to obtain initial licensure or to maintain ongoing licensure;
(H) The applicant's verification documents indicate failure to pass board specialty recertification examinations;
(I) One or more board member(s) determine that there are issues raised by the application and/or any supporting or verification documents that should be addressed and ruled on by a panel of board members;
(J) Whose temporary license was deferred by the application review committee;
(K) The applicant has not previously engaged in the active practice of medicine for a period of at least twelve (12) continuous months;
(L) The applicant has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a charge of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant within five (5) years of the date of his/her application;
(M) The applicant has not been engaged in the active practice of medicine in the immediately-preceding two (2) year period;
(N) Failure to fully and completely answer one or more questions on the application form or failing to answer one or more questions truthfully; or,
(O) The applicant's post graduate work and/or employment history indicate an unexplained gap.
(v) Licensure interviews shall be conducted in person (unless otherwise specifically permitted by these rules) and shall consist of oral questions by the panel of board members and oral responses by the applicant. By his or her responses to questions posed in the licensure interview, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of a majority of the board that he or she is qualified to practice medicine in this state, that (1) he or she possesses a minimum fund of general and identified scope of practice medical knowledge appropriate for the applicant's intended practice in this state, (2) he or she possesses sufficient medical training and medical experience appropriate for the applicant's intended practice in this state, (3) he or she possesses personal and professional character and integrity befitting the practice of medicine, and (4) that there are no other factors contained in the application or disclosed in the licensure interview that would demonstrate that the applicant would be unable to practice medicine in a safe and competent manner.
(vi) Following a licensure interview, the board, shall, by a recorded vote of the board members present:
(A) Grant a license;
(B) Refer the application to the application review committee to bring proceedings to deny the application upon stated reasons, following the procedure set forth in Chapter 7 of these Rules;
(C) Allow the applicant to withdraw the application;
(D) Agree in writing signed by the applicant, to the issuance of a license subject to restrictions and/or conditions; or
(E) Defer action pending successful completion by the applicant of a medical competence examination such as the special purpose examination (SPEX) and/or such other examination, review, evaluation or course of study designated by the board and/or the board's receipt, review and approval of other information requested during the interview.
(vii) If an applicant does not have a licensure interview, a full unrestricted license may be issued to the applicant only upon a majority vote of the board. The board may conduct this vote by voice vote, and may do so using a consent list showing applicants for approval.
(viii) Failure to appear for a licensure interview, regardless of whether a temporary license was issued to the applicant, may result in denial by the board of the application for licensure pursuant to W.S. 33-26-202(b)(i). If an applicant fails to appear for a licensure interview, the Board shall refer the application to the application review committee to bring proceedings to deny the application upon stated reasons following the procedure set forth in Chapter 7 of these Rules.
Section 6. Temporary license.
(a) Temporary license to practice medicine means a license to practice medicine for a limited duration issued pursuant to these rules. A temporary license is effective from the date of issuance until the later of a vote of board members on the application pursuant to these rules, or 8:00 a.m. on the first day of the next regularly-scheduled board meeting. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, temporary licenses issued less than fifteen (15) business days prior to the next regularly-scheduled board meeting will be valid until the later of a vote of board members on the application pursuant to these rules, or 8:00 a.m. on first day of the second regularly-scheduled board meeting after issuance.
(b) Upon written request received from the holder of a temporary license not less than seven (7) days before expiration of the temporary license the executive director may extend a temporary license for an additional term no longer than the later of a vote of board members on the application pursuant to these rules, or the date of the next regularly-scheduled board meeting after extension of the temporary license. The holder of a temporary license may request no more than one (1) extension of the temporary license under this subsection.
(c) If, upon review of the application of a person who is granted a temporary license, one or more board members request that the holder of the temporary license appear for a licensure interview, the executive director may extend the temporary license held by that person until 8:00 a.m. on the first day of the second regularly-scheduled board meeting after issuance of the temporary license. In no event, however, shall a temporary license issued under Section 5(b)(i) of this chapter be valid more than 180 days from the original date of issuance.
(d) All applicants who are granted a temporary license under Section 5(b)(i) of this chapter are required to submit all documentation and materials necessary to ensure that their license application is complete in accordance with Section 4 of this chapter. Failure to have a complete license application within 180 days of issuance of a temporary license shall result in referral of the application to the application review committee to bring proceedings to deny the application upon stated reasons pursuant to W.S. 33-26-202(b)(i) following the procedure set forth in Chapter 7 of these Rules.
Section 7. Exemption from licensure.
(a) Consultants. Physicians residing in and currently licensed in good standing to practice medicine in another state or country brought into this state for consultation by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state may practice medicine without first obtaining a Wyoming license for a total of not more than twelve (12) days in any fifty-two (52) week period and, therefore, are exempt from the licensure requirements of these rules and W.S. 33-26-103(a)(iv). Consults of longer duration or greater frequency require written advance approval of a majority of the Board officers. For purposes of this subsection, the term "brought into this state" means establishing a physician-patient relationship, either by the physician's physical presence with the patient or through telemedicine. To qualify a consulting physician for exemption from licensure, the following is required:
(i) The physician licensed to practice medicine in this state shall provide written notification of the consultation to the Board, including:
(A) The full name of the consulting physician;
(B) The date(s) on which the consultation will occur;
(C) The state or country where the consulting physician is currently licensed in good standing to practice medicine, and the consulting physician's license number in that jurisdiction; and,
(D) A brief description of consultation.
(ii) Except in an emergency, the written notification shall be given to the Board no less than one business day before the first day of the consultation.
(iii) In an emergency, the written notification shall be given to the Board within three business days after the first day of the consultation. The notification will include an explanation of the emergency which prevented notification from being sent to the Board before the first day of the consultation.
(b) Physicians in training. The term "medical students" in W.S. 33-26-103 (a)(ii) includes physicians trained in an LCME or AOA accredited or board approved school of medicine, or certified by the E.C.F.M.G., who are participating or serving in a program of clinical clerkship, internship, externship, residency or fellowship training under the supervision of a physician licensed by the Board. "Medical students" are exempt from the licensure requirements listed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a medical student who applies for and receives a license issued by the Board shall be subject to the act and the Board's rules and jurisdiction.
(c) Physician assistants. The term "persons" in W.S. 33-26-103(a)(i) specifically includes currently licensed physician assistants who may render aid at the scene of an emergency without physician supervision, such physician assistants are exempt from the licensure requirements listed herein when they are acting under such statutory authorization.
(d) Emergencies. Wyoming physicians and physician assistants and those physicians and physician assistants residing in and who hold full and unrestricted licenses to practice medicine or to practice as a physician assistant in another state or country who come into this state to provide medical care during an emergency or pandemic declared as such by Order of the Governor of this state and/or pursuant to any State Emergency Plan and who comply with all requirements of the board for verification of licensure and identity, may practice medicine or practice as a physician assistant without first obtaining a Wyoming license for the period during which any such emergency or pandemic Declaration or Order remains in effect.
(i) Physicians and physician assistants not otherwise licensed in this state may practice in Wyoming under the consultation exemption during a public health emergency declared by the Governor. For purposes of this paragraph, a physician or physician assistant brought into this state is deemed to be consulting with the state health officer.
(A)For a physician or physician assistant not licensed in this state to practice in Wyoming during a public health emergency, the state health officer shall cause the following to be submitted to the board:
(I) The full name, date of birth and social security number of the consulting physician or physician assistant;
(II) The date(s) on which the consultation will occur;
(III)The state or country where the consulting physician or physician assistant is currently licensed in good standing to practice medicine, and the consulting physician's license number in that jurisdiction; and
(IV) A brief description of the consultation, including the declaration of a public health emergency by the governor.
(B) A physician's or physician assistant's consultation begins upon the submission of that person's information to the board, and shall terminate on the earlier of the date the governor declares the public emergency has ended or the state health officer notifies the board that the physician's or physician assistant's consultation has ended.
(C) Upon the board's receipt of a physician's or physician assistant's information to consult with the state health officer under this subsection, the board shall query the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Federation of State Medical Boards' Physician Data Center regarding the physician or physician assistant. The board shall immediately notify the state health officer of any adverse information received as a result of those queries.
Section 8. Fees.
(a) All fees are non-refundable.
(b) Requested paperwork shall not be processed until appropriate fees are received by the board.
(c) Application fees shall be paid to the board in the form of cashier's check or money order. All other fees shall be paid to the board in the form of a check, cashier's check or money order; however, on-line applications for licensure or renewal of licenses may be paid by credit card.
Application and initial license fee [Includes the cost of 1 NPDB report, 1 criminal record check (if necessary), temporary license (if granted) pending completion and review of licensure application at next board meeting, and initial license (if granted)]......................................$600.00
($500.00 for persons holding a current T-2 license)
Paper form license application processing fee
................................................................................................................................................. $50.00
Annual renewal of license (including administrative license)
............................................................................................................................................... $240.00
Paper form renewal application processing fee
................................................................................................................................................. $25.00
License renewal grace period surcharge:
................................................................................................................................................. 100.00
Reactivation of license [Includes the cost of 1 NPDB report, 1 criminal record check (if necessary), and license (if granted) through June 30th]
............................................................................................................................................... $400.00
Reinstatement of license [Includes the cost of 1 NPDB report, 1 criminal record check (if necessary), and license (if reinstatement is granted)] [Costs may also be imposed in addition to the reinstatement fee.]
............................................................................................................................................... $400.00
Inactive license, conversion to (one-time fee)
................................................................................................................................................. $50.00
Inactive license renewal .................................................................................................... No charge
First-year residency training license ( "T-1" license)
................................................................................................................................................. $25.00
Second-year residency training license ( "T-2" license)
............................................................................................................................................... $100.00
Residency training license ( "T-2" license) renewal
............................................................................................................................................... $100.00
Volunteer license
................................................................................................................................................. $75.00
Verification of license
................................................................................................................................................. $35.00
Replacement of lost license - pocket size (No charge if the licensee uses the Board's on-line system to print the replacement license.)
................................................................................................................................................. $25.00
License - wall size
................................................................................................................................................. $50.00
Physician directory to non-licensees - per copy
................................................................................................................................................. $45.00
Physician mailing list
............................................................................................................................................... $500.00
Physician assistant mailing list
............................................................................................................................................... $100.00
Physician and physician assistant mailing lists
............................................................................................................................................... $550.00
Certified copies ..................................................................................................... First page:
$10.00
Additional pages:
$.50
Photocopies (except certified copies), including cost of duplication of transcript(s) and administrative record in appeals from contested case hearings [Ch. 7 ยง 14(b)] ..... First page:
1 - 20
$2.00
Additional pages:
$.10
Section 9. Repealed.
Section 10. License Renewal.
(a) Physician licenses originally issued between July 1st and February 28th (29th in leap years) shall be due for first-time renewal no later than the immediately following June 30th. Physician licenses originally issued between March 1st and June 30th shall be valid through, and due for first-time renewal no later than, June 30th of the following calendar year. Regardless of original issue date, after first-time renewal, all physician licenses shall be renewed no later than June 30th of each calendar year.
(b) Licensees who fail to submit their application for renewal by June 30th may submit their application, the requisite renewal fee, and the license renewal grace period surcharge no later than September 30th..
(c) Licensees shall submit an application for renewal each year in a format or form provided by the board. The board may utilize paper or electronic forms, or a combination of both.
Section 11. Reactivation of emeritus and inactive licenses.
(a) A licensee holding an emeritus or inactive license may apply to reactivate it by submitting the following:
(i) An application on a form prescribed by the board;
(ii) Payment of the applicable fees established by the Board by rule; and,
(iii) Two (2) references as described in section 4(a)(iv) of this Chapter.
(b) The holder of an inactive license must also submit proof of completion of not less than twenty (20) hours of qualified continuing medical education, as defined in chapter 3, section 7(a) of these rules, within the preceding twelve (12) months. This subsection shall not apply to the holder of an inactive license who is otherwise exempt from the continuing medical education requirement pursuant to chapter 3, section 7(b) of these rules.
(c) Applicants who do not meet the requirements of W.S. 33-26-303 shall not be eligible to reactivate an emeritus or inactive license.
(d) Upon review of the application by the board officers and the approval of a majority thereof, the applicant's emeritus or inactive license shall be returned to active status.
(e) If the applicant possesses one or more of the characteristics enumerated in section 5(b)(iv) of this chapter, the board officers may require the applicant to appear for a licensure interview conducted pursuant to section 5(b) of this chapter. Upon completion of the licensure interview, the board shall act upon the application for reactivation of the emeritus or inactive license pursuant to section 5(b)(vi) of this chapter. If after a licensure interview the board denies reactivation of an emeritus or inactive license, the applicant may appeal that decision pursuant to W.S. 33-26-407(a).
(f) If a majority of the board officers does not approve the reactivation of an emeritus or inactive license, the applicant may file a petition with the board for review of the application in a contested case hearing conducted pursuant to the A.P.A.
Section 12. Reactivation of lapsed licenses.
(a) A licensee holding a lapsed license may apply to reactivate it by submitting the following:
(i) An application on a form prescribed by the board;
(ii) Payment of the applicable fees established by the Board by rule; and,
(iii) Two (2) references as described in section 4(a)(iv) of this Chapter.
(b) The holder of a lapsed license must also submit proof of completion of not less than sixty (60) hours of qualified continuing medical education, as defined in chapter 3, section 7(a) of these rules, within the preceding three (3) years. This subsection shall not apply to the holder of an inactive license who is otherwise exempt from the continuing medical education requirement pursuant to chapter 3, section 7(b) of these rules.
(c) Applicants who do not meet the requirements of W.S. 33-26-303 shall not be eligible to reactivate a lapsed license.
(d) Upon review of the application by the board officers and the approval of a majority thereof, the applicant's lapsed license shall be returned to active status.
(e) If the applicant possesses one or more of the characteristics enumerated in section 5(b)(iv) of this chapter, the board officers may require the applicant to appear for a licensure interview conducted pursuant to section 5(b) of this chapter. Upon completion of the licensure interview, the board shall act upon the application for reactivation of the lapsed license pursuant to section 5(b)(vi) of this chapter. If after a licensure interview the board denies reactivation of a lapsed license, the applicant may appeal that decision pursuant to W.S. 33-26-407(a).
(f) If a majority of the board officers does not approve the reactivation of a lapsed license, the applicant may file a petition with the board for review of the application in a contested case hearing conducted pursuant to the A.P.A.
Section 13. Applicant criminal history record check.
(a) The board may request a criminal history record report on an applicant for licensure if:
(i) The applicant answers in the affirmative to one or more questions on the licensure application related to criminal history;
(ii) Documentation submitted with or in support of an application for licensure indicates the applicant may have a criminal history; or,
(iii) Any information received by the board indicates the applicant may have a criminal history.
(b) Upon a determination by the executive director that a criminal history record check is appropriate, a written request will be sent to the applicant along with the necessary forms for fingerprinting of the applicant. No further processing of the application will occur until the completed forms are received in the board office; however, the board office will continue to accept documentation sent in support of an application pending receipt of the completed forms for the criminal history record check.
(c) An applicant may receive a copy of the results of his criminal history record check upon written request submitted to the board. If the applicant disputes the results of the criminal history check, as permitted by federal regulations, the results received by the board will remain a part of the application or investigation file until such time as a correction or change is effected by the FBI. The applicant shall submit to the board a second set of forms with his fingerprints to be submitted to law enforcement for a new criminal history check, along with notice from the FBI that his challenge to the questioned information has been successful and the record has been changed accordingly.
Section 14. Severability. If one or more parts or sections of these rules are found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 15. Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
(a) Letter of Qualification. In determining whether a physician licensed by the board is eligible to receive a letter of qualification from the board for licensure in other states through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact the following criteria will be used:
(i) To determine whether the physician may use Wyoming as his state of principal license:
(A) State of principal residence. The address of the principal residence must be structure at a physical location in the state of Wyoming. Postal service and private mail boxes are not acceptable. For residences not titled in the name of the applicant, the applicant may be asked to provide a current lease or rental agreement, or utility bill for that address, with the applicant's name on it.
(B) State where at least 25% of the physician's practice of medicine occurs.
(C) State where the physician's employer is located. Location of a physician's employer may demonstrated by a copy of the physician's employment contract or agreement with the employer, or a copy of a pay stub
(D) State designated as state of residence for federal income tax purposes.
(b) Issuance of licenses as a Member Board. An applicant for a Wyoming physician license issued by the board through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall, within thirty (30) days of issuance of the license, and as a condition of continuing to hold the license, complete and complete and submit to the board office an information form. The form will include, but is not limited to, licensee address and contact information. Failure to complete and return the renewal information form will constitute a violation of this provision, and may result in disciplinary action pursuant to W.S. 33-26-402(a)(x) or (xxxi), or other applicable provisions of the act.
(c) Licensees renewing a Wyoming physician license issued by the board through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall, as a condition of renewing the license, complete and submit to the board office a renewal information form. The form will include, but is not limited to, licensee address and contact information updates, and attestation questions regarding their activities since the latter of the original issuance of the license or its most recent renewal. The renewal information form shall be completed and returned to the board office within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the renewed license by the board. Failure to complete and return the renewal information form will constitute a violation of this provision, and may result in disciplinary action pursuant to W.S. 33-26-402(a)(x) or (xxxi), or other applicable provisions of the act.