Department+of+Commerce

Created in 1989, the Department of Commerce provides leadership, services and support to maximize the state's efforts to enhance the economy through tourism and recreation, the arts, business development and retention, and professional and occupational practices, while emphasizing the stewardship of Wyoming's cultural resources. in the 1990 reorganization of the state executive branch, many previously existing departments were transferred to the Department of Commerce. The department includes the Board of Certified Public Accountants, the Board of Architects, the Museums and Historical Department of Archives, the Council on the Arts, The Board of Barber Examiners, the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Board of Cosmetology,The Board of Dental Examiners, the Board of Embalming, the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, the Consulting Committee on Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, the International Trade Office, the Investment Fund Committee, the Library Archives Museums and Historical Board, the Board of Medical Examiners, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Nursing Home Administrators, the Board of Examiners in Optometry, the Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides,the Board of Pharmacy, the Board of Physical Therapy, the Board of Registration in Podiatry, the Professional Counselors Marriage and Family Therapists Social Workers Chemical Dependency Specialists Licensing Board, the Board of Psychologists Examiners, the Board of Radiologic Technologists, the Board of Real Estate Appraisers, the Real Estate Commission, the Recreation Commission, the Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology, the Trails Advisory Committee, the Wyoming Travel Commission, the Board of Veterinary Medicine.

The Board of Certified Public Accountants was created in 1975. It administers examinations to applicants desiring to become certified public accountants, grants certificates and prescribes rules and regulations pursuant to Wyoming statutes governing certified public accountants.

The Board of Architects was created in 1951. It administers examinations, reciprocal registration and maintains records of all architects registered in Wyoming.

The Museums and Historical Department of Archives was created in 1951. It is responsible for the gathering and disseminating of state history. Divisions of the agency identify, accession and manage the permanently valuable public records of the state. They supervise the acquisition, designation and development of state-owned historic sites and administer the interpretation of such sites and the state museum. The Department also researches, collects, interprets and publishes the history and archaeology of the state.

The Council on the Arts was created in 1967. It encourages the development of the fine and traditional arts in Wyoming.

The Board of Barber Examiners was created in 1931. It is responsible for periodic inspections of all barber shops to maintain sanitary rules and regulations, and gives examinations to applicants for registered barber certification.

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners was created in 1929. It examines applicants for licenses, renews licenses annually and investigates complains and unethical behavior.

The Board of Cosmetology was created in 1935. It protects the welfare of the public by seeking to ensure the quality of cosmetology training and services. The Board also determines examination procedures and content, determines qualifications for examination and licensure, prescribes sanitation rules for cosmetology schools and beauty salons and establishes standards for courses of study in cosmetology. It conducts examinations, licenses cosmetologists, renews licenses and inspects all licensed establishments annually.

The Board of Dental Examiners was created in 1905. It examines applicants for licensure in Wyoming for dentists and dental hygienists, collects fees and revokes licenses when necessary.

The Board of Embalming was created in 1913. It enforces all laws, rules and regulations governing the practice of embalming and funeral directing, including licensing.

The Board of Hearing Aid Specialists,created in 1977, administers qualifying examinations to applications and supervises the issuance of licenses.

The Consulting Committee on Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places was created in 1967. It reviews state historic preservation activities including the recommendation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

The International Trade Office was created in 1985 to promote and coordinate international trade programs.

The Investment Fund Committee, created in 1987, supervises a program of loans and loan guarantees for economic development. The Governor and Treasurer serve on this committee.

The Library, Archives, Museums and Historical Board, created in 1951, provides oversight for the State Library and the Archives, Museums and Historical Department. The board governs the acquisition, development, naming, restoration and operation of all state historic sites, museums and reserves; the official state records centers, historical research activities, and historic preservation. The Attorney General serves as an ex-officio member of this board.

The Board of Medical Examiners was created in 1905 and licenses physicians and physician assistants.

The Board of Nursing, which began in 1909, examines, licenses and renews the licenses for duly qualified nursing applicants. It also establishes minimum criteria for curriculum and standards for education programs, surveys nursing educational programs and denies or withdraws accreditation for failure to meet prescribed curricula or other standards.

The Board of Nursing Home Administrators, which began in 1970, sets standards for licensing administrators of long-term care health facilities in the state.

The Board of Examiners in Optometry was created in 1917 to examine candidates for licensure as optometrists.

The Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides, created in 1989, regulates and licenses outfitters and professional guides.

The Board of Pharmacy, which was created in 1914, is responsible for the health and welfare of the citizens of Wyoming in all legitimate drug-related activities.

The Board of Physical Therapy, created in 1962, examines, licenses and renews licenses of qualified physical therapists.

The Board of Registration in Podiatry was created in 1975 and licenses applicants in podiatry.

The Professional Counselors Marriage and Family Therapists Social Workers Chemical Dependency Specialists Licensing Board was created in 1987 to set the standards for the licensing of professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and chemical dependency specialists. It renews licenses and investigates complaints of malpractice and/or unethical behavior.

The Board of Psychologists Examiners, which began in 1968, provides for the examination of persons wishing to practice psychology, renews licenses, investigates complaints of malpractice and/or unethical behavior, and sets standards for practice of professional psychology in Wyoming.

The Board of Radiologic Technologists was created in 1985 to license and regulate those persons other than a licensed practitioner who applies ionizing radiation or radiopharmeceutical agents to humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

The Board of Real Estate Appraisers, created in 1989, certifies real estate appraisers.

The Real Estate Commission, which was created in 1921, licenses and regulates real estate brokers and salesmen.

The Recreation Commission, which was created in 1967, plans, acquires, develops and manages all state parks, state recreation areas and state historical and archaeological sites. It also administers federal grant programs for recreational development. The Governor serves as an ex-officio member of the commission.

The Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology, which began in 1975, administers, coordinates and enforces the provisions of law for the licensing of speech pathologists and audiologists in Wyoming. It also evaluates the qualifications and supervises the examinations of individuals applying for license.

The Trails Advisory Committee was created in 1983 to consider programs and procedures that affect all trails in the state.

The Wyoming Travel Commission was created in 1953 and initiates and implements consumer and trade marketing programs that generate vacation and business travel to Wyoming. The Governor serves as an ex-officio member of this commission.

The Board of Veterinary Medicine, which began in 1967, examines applicants for license to practice veterinary medicine in Wyoming. It Issues, renews, denies, suspends or revokes licenses and investigates violations of ethics or laws. The state Veterinarian serves as an ex-officio member of this board.