(a) Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 154, § 2.
(b) Unless exempt under W.S. 33-27-114 or 33-27-125, any person who represents himself as a psychologist and who engages in the practice of psychology or represents himself as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst and who engages in the practice of behavior analysis in violation of this act, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(c) Any person filing or attempting to file as his own, a diploma or license of another or a forged affidavit of identification shall be guilty of a felony and shall be subject to the punishment prescribed for forgery under W.S. 6-3-602.
(d) Any person whose license to practice as a psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst in any jurisdiction has been suspended or revoked and which license has not been reinstated shall not practice psychology or behavior analysis in this state, nor shall any person provide psychological services under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, when the person's practice rights have been removed pursuant to the terms of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. The board may suspend or revoke the license of any person under this subsection, and, if applicable, take all action consistent with the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. The board may issue a new license whenever it deems the issuance to be safe and just and, if applicable, when consistent with the terms of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
(e) The board on its own motion may investigate any evidence or allegation that appears to show that any person is or may be in violation of any provision of this act or the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202.
33-27-120. Grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of license and other disciplinary sanctions.
(a) A psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst and anyone under his supervision shall conduct his professional activities in conformity with ethical and professional standards as promulgated by rule of the board.
(b) After notice and a hearing, the board may revoke, refuse to renew, reprimand, censure, limit the scope of practice, place on probation with or without terms, conditions or limitations or suspend licenses to practice psychology or behavior analysis for any of the following acts or offenses:
(i) Fraud in applying for or procuring a license to practice psychology or behavior analysis;
(ii) Immoral, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct as defined in the rules and regulations promulgated by the board;
(iii) Practicing psychology or behavior analysis in a manner which endangers the welfare of clients or patients;
(iv) Conviction of a felony that interferes with the ability to practice psychology or behavior analysis as defined by rule of the board;
(v) Conviction of any felony or conviction of any crime or offense that reflects the inability of the practitioner to practice with due regard for the health and safety of clients or patients. A copy of the conviction certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction is conclusive evidence of the conviction;
(vi) Harassment, intimidation or abuse, sexual or otherwise, of a client or patient;
(vii) Sexual exploitation of a client or patient as defined by W.S. 33-27-113(a)(viii);
(viii) Use of untruthful or deceptive or improbable statements concerning the licensee's qualifications or the effects or results of proposed treatment, including functioning outside of one's professional competence established by education, training and experience;
(ix) Malpractice or negligence in the practice of psychology or behavior analysis;
(x) Aiding or abetting the practice of psychology or behavior analysis by a person not licensed by the board;
(xi) Fraud in filing medicare or medicaid claims or in filing claims to any third party payor;
(xii) Exercising undue influence to exploit a client, patient, student or supervisee for financial or other personal advantage to the practitioner or a third party;
(xiii) The suspension or revocation by another jurisdiction of a license to practice psychology or behavior analysis or the suspension or revocation of a behavior analysis certification issued by the certifying entity;
(xiv) Refusal to appear before the board after having been ordered to do so in writing by the chair of the board;
(xv) Making any fraudulent or untrue statement to the board;
(xvi) Violation of the code of ethics adopted in the rules and regulations of the board;
(xvii) Inability to practice psychology or behavior analysis with reasonable skill and safety to patients or clients by reason of illness, inebriation, misuse of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals or any other substance or as a result of any mental or physical condition; or
(xviii) Providing psychology services under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, without satisfying the standards and conditions imposed by the compact or without complying with rules promulgated by the board related to providing psychological services under the compact.
(c) With respect to evidence of any conviction or the suspension or revocation of a license for the purposes of subsection (b) of this section, a certified copy of the record of conviction from the court entering the conviction, from the state suspending or revoking the license, or from the coordinated licensure information system operated under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
(d) Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a license issued by the board, the board shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the license in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a license withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.
(e) For purposes of this section, "conviction" means and includes a plea of guilty, nolo contendere and a verdict of guilty upon which a judgment of conviction may be rendered.
33-27-121. Determination of mental or physical impairment.
(a) If the board has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person licensed or certified under this act lacks the mental or physical capacity to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients or clients, the board may require that person to submit to psychological, physical or other medical examinations to determine his capacity to practice competently. Failure or refusal to undergo requested examinations shall be grounds to suspend or revoke the license. The board shall specify in its rules and regulations the nature of the examinations, the appeal process, and who shall bear the cost of the examinations.
(b) If the board has reasonable grounds to suspect that an applicant may be using controlled substances or is otherwise mentally or physically impaired, the board may require the applicant to undergo any psychological, physical or other examination necessary as specified in the rules and regulations to determine the applicant's ability to competently practice.
(a) The board may investigate or cause to be investigated any allegation or evidence that appears to show that a psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst licensed to practice in this jurisdiction, including a person providing psychological services pursuant to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, and anyone under his supervision is, or may be, in violation of this act, in violation of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact or in violation of any of the rules adopted by the board.
(b) Any person who in good faith reports a violation to the board shall be absolutely immune from civil liability for any statement or opinion made in the report.
(c) The board shall conduct hearings in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and duly promulgated rules and regulations.
(d) The licensee may waive any or all of his rights to a formal adjudicatory proceeding.
(e) The board may conduct a default hearing if, after due notice, the individual fails or refuses to appear. The board shall have the authority to issue subpoenas for production of documents and witnesses and to administer oaths. The board may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with a subpoena.
(f) A psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst may surrender his license when he is charged with any violation of this act, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202 or board rules and regulations, and such surrender and acceptance by the board shall constitute acknowledgment by the person as an admission of guilt as charged. The circumstances of the surrender shall be reported in the same fashion as a revocation action.
(g) A psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst may request in writing to the board that a restriction be placed upon his license to practice. The board, in its discretion, may accept a surrender or grant a request for restriction and shall have the authority to attach restrictions to the license to practice within this state or otherwise to discipline the licensee.
(h) Subsequent to the holding of a hearing and the taking of evidence by the board as provided for in this section, if a majority of the board finds that a psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst is in violation of this act or the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, or is guilty of any of the acts, offenses or conditions as enumerated by the board, the following actions may be taken:
(i) The board may revoke or suspend the license or ability to practice under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202;
(ii) The board may suspend imposition of a revocation or suspension of a license or ability to practice under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202;
(iii) The board may impose revocation or suspension of a license or ability to practice under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, but suspend enforcement thereof by placing the psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst on probation, which probation shall be revocable if the board finds the conditions of the probation order are not being followed. As a condition of probation the board may require the psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst to submit to care, counseling or treatment by a professional designated by the board. The expense of the action shall be borne by the probationer. The board may at any time modify the conditions of the probation and may include among them any reasonable condition for the purpose of the protection of the public, or for the purpose of the rehabilitation of the probationer, or both;
(iv) The board may require restitution when necessary; and
(v) The board may assess the costs of the disciplinary proceeding as specified in its rules and regulations.
(j) The board shall take all necessary action against a person violating the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, as required by the compact.
(a) In judicial proceedings, whether civil, criminal, or juvenile, in legislative and administrative proceedings, in proceedings related to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202, and in proceedings preliminary and ancillary thereto, a patient or client, or his guardian or personal representative, may refuse to disclose or prevent the disclosure of confidential information, including information contained in administrative records, communicated to a person licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under this act, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202 or to persons reasonably believed by the patient or client to be so licensed, and their agents, for the purpose of diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of any mental or emotional condition or disorder. The psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst shall not disclose any information communicated as described above in the absence of an express waiver of the privilege except in the following circumstances:
(i) Where abuse or harmful neglect of children, the elderly or disabled or incompetent individuals is known or reasonably suspected;
(ii) Where the validity of a will of a former patient or client is contested;
(iii) Where such information is necessary for the psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst to defend against a malpractice action brought by the patient or client;
(iv) Where an immediate threat of physical violence against a readily identifiable victim is disclosed to the psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst;
(v) In the context of civil commitment proceedings, where an immediate threat of self-inflicted damage is disclosed to the psychologist, behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst;
(vi) Where the patient or client, by alleging mental or emotional damages in litigation, puts his mental state in issue and production of those materials by the patient or client is required by law;
(vii) Where the patient or client is examined pursuant to court order; or
(viii) In the context of investigations and hearings brought by the patient or client and conducted by the board where violations of this act or the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, W.S. 33-27-202 are at issue. Information that is deemed to be of sensitive nature shall be inspected by the board in camera and the board shall determine whether or not the information shall become a part of the record and subject to public disclosure.
33-27-124. Requirements for licensure; behavior analysis.
(a) The board shall issue a license as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in a manner as prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the applicant's competence and of the following which evidence shall comply with rules of the board:
(i) For licensure as a behavior analyst, the applicant holds a current certification as a board certified behavior analyst verified by the board with the certifying entity; or
(ii) For licensure as an assistant behavior analyst, the applicant holds a current certification as a board certified assistant behavior analyst verified by the board with the certifying entity.
(b) A license may be issued to any person who is verified by the board to be currently licensed as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst and in good standing in another jurisdiction that has licensure requirements comparable to and who otherwise meets the requirements of this act.
(c) Any person licensed under this section as an assistant behavior analyst may engage in the practice of behavior analysis only under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or licensed psychologist in compliance with the requirements of the certifying entity and as provided by rule of the board.
(a) The following persons when practicing within the scope of their authority and their education and training may engage in acts included in the definition of the practice of behavior analysis under W.S. 33-27-113(a)(xiii) without being licensed as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst under this act:
(i) Any member of another recognized profession who is licensed, certified or regulated under the laws of this state as defined in the rules of the board and is authorized to render services consistent with their professional training and code of ethics, provided that they do not represent themselves to be licensed behavior analysts or licensed assistant behavior analysts;
(ii) A psychologist licensed under this act or any person, as prescribed by rule of the board, acting under the psychologist's authority and direction;
(iii) A behavior analyst, including an applied animal behaviorist and animal trainer, who practices exclusively with non-humans;
(iv) Any person who provides general behavior analysis services to an organization when the services are for the sole benefit of the organization and do not involve providing services directly to any individual person;
(v) Any person while teaching behavior analysis or conducting behavior analytics research, provided that the teaching or research do not involve the direct delivery of behavior analysis services beyond the typical parameters of college or university instruction or applied research;
(vi) A matriculated college or university student or postdoctoral fellow whose applied behavior analysis activities are part of a defined program of study, course, practicum, internship or fellowship and are supervised by a behavior analyst licensed in this state or by a qualified faculty member as provided by rule of the board;
(vii) Any unlicensed person who is pursuing experience in applied behavior analysis consistent with the experience requirements of the certifying entity, provided such experience is supervised in accordance with the requirements of the certifying entity and as provided by rule of the board;
(viii) A behavior technician who delivers behavior analysis services under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst. A behavior technician shall not represent himself as a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst and shall only use titles that communicate his unlicensed status, such as "applied behavior analysis technician," "behavior technician" or "tutor." As used in this paragraph, "behavior technician" means a paraprofessional who practices under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst and who delivers services as assigned by the supervisor responsible for the technician's work. The services that may be assigned to a behavior technician shall not include designing assessment or intervention plans or procedures;
(ix) A caregiver of a recipient of behavior analysis services who delivers behavior analysis services to the recipient under the authority and direction of a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst. The caregiver shall not represent themselves as a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst under this paragraph and shall deliver behavior analysis services only to the person who is receiving behavior analysis services from the licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst who is supervising the caregiver; or
(x) Any person providing advice or counsel to a friend or relative in a nonprofessional and noncommercial setting and when no compensation is paid for the advice or counsel that is being provided.
The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact is enacted into law and entered into on behalf of this state with all other states legally joining in the Compact in a form substantially as follows: Whereas, states license psychologists in order to protect the public through verification of education, training and experience and ensure accountability for professional practice; and Whereas, this Compact is intended to regulate the day to day practice of telepsychology (i.e. the provision of psychological services using telecommunication technologies) by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice as assigned by an appropriate authority; and Whereas, this Compact is intended to regulate the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries for thirty (30) days within a calendar year in the performance of their psychological practice as assigned by an appropriate authority; Whereas, this Compact is intended to authorize State Psychology Regulatory Authorities to afford legal recognition, in a manner consistent with the terms of the Compact, to psychologists licensed in another state; Whereas, this Compact recognizes that states have a vested interest in protecting the public's health and safety through their licensing and regulation of psychologists and that such state regulation will best protect public health and safety; Whereas, this Compact does not apply when a psychologist is licensed in both the Home and Receiving States; and Whereas, this Compact does not apply to permanent in-person, face-to-face practice; however, it does allow for authorization of temporary psychological practice. Consistent with these principles, this Compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives: 1. Increase public access to professional psychological services by allowing for telepsychological practice across state lines as well as temporary in-person, face-to-face services into a state where the psychologist is not licensed to practice psychology; 2. Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety, especially client/patient safety; 3. Encourage the cooperation of Compact States in the areas of psychology licensure and regulation; 4. Facilitate the exchange of information between Compact States regarding psychologist licensure, adverse actions and disciplinary history; 5. Promote compliance with the laws governing psychological practice in each Compact State; and 6. Invest all Compact States with the authority to hold licensed psychologists accountable through the mutual recognition of Compact State licenses. A. "Adverse Action" means any action taken by a State Psychology Regulatory Authority that finds a violation of a statute or regulation that is identified by the State Psychology Regulatory Authority as discipline and is a matter of public record; B. "Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)" means the recognized membership organization composed of State and Provincial Psychology Regulatory Authorities responsible for the licensure and registration of psychologists throughout the United States and Canada; C. "Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology" means a licensed psychologist's authority to practice telepsychology, within the limits authorized under this Compact, in another Compact State; D. "Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission pursuant to Article X of this Compact for its governance, or for directing and controlling its actions and conduct; E. "Client/Patient" means the recipient of psychological services, whether psychological services are delivered in the context of healthcare, corporate, supervision and/or consulting services; F. "Commissioner" means the voting representative appointed by each State Psychology Regulatory Authority pursuant to Article X of this Compact; G. "Compact State" means a state, the District of Columbia or United States territory that has enacted this Compact legislation and which has not withdrawn pursuant to Article XIII, Section C of this Compact or been terminated pursuant to Article XII, Section B of this Compact; H. "Coordinated Licensure Information System", also referred to as "Coordinated Database", means an integrated process for collecting, storing and sharing information on psychologists' licensure and enforcement activities related to psychology licensure laws, which is administered by the recognized membership organization composed of State and Provincial Psychology Regulatory Authorities; I. "Confidentiality" means the principle that data or information is not made available or disclosed to unauthorized persons and/or processes; J. "Day" means any part of a day in which psychological work is performed; K. "Distant State" means the Compact State where a psychologist is physically present (not through the use of telecommunications technologies) to provide temporary in-person, face-to-face psychological services; L. "E.Passport" means a certificate issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that promotes standardization in the criteria of interjurisdictional telepsychology practice and facilitates the process for licensed psychologists to provide telepsychological services across state lines; M. "Executive Board" means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the Commission; N. "Home State" means a Compact State where a psychologist is licensed to practice psychology. If the psychologist is licensed in more than one (1) Compact State and is practicing under the Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology, the Home State is the Compact State where the psychologist is physically present when the telepsychological services are delivered. If the psychologist is licensed in more than one (1) Compact State and is practicing under the Temporary Authorization to Practice, the Home State is any Compact State where the psychologist is licensed; O. "Identity History Summary" means a summary of information retained by the FBI, or other designee with similar authority, in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization or military service; P. "In-Person, Face-to-Face" means interactions in which the psychologist and the client/patient are in the same physical space and that does not include interactions that may occur through the use of telecommunication technologies; Q. "Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC)" means a certificate issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that grants temporary authority to practice based on notification to the State Psychology Regulatory Authority of intention to practice temporarily and verification of one's qualifications for such practice; R. "License" means authorization by a State Psychology Regulatory Authority to engage in the independent practice of psychology, which would be unlawful without the authorization; S. "Non-Compact State" means any State which is not at the time a Compact State; T. "Psychologist" means an individual licensed for the independent practice of psychology; U. "Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission", also referred to as "Commission", means the national administration of which all Compact States are members; V. "Receiving State" means a Compact State where the client/patient is physically located when the telepsychological services are delivered; W. "Rule" means a written statement by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission promulgated pursuant to Article XI of this Compact that is of general applicability and that implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the Compact, or an organizational, procedural or practice requirement of the Commission, and that has the force and effect of statutory law in a Compact State, and includes the amendment, repeal or suspension of an existing rule; X. "Significant Investigatory Information" means: 1. Investigative information that a State Psychology Regulatory Authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity to respond if required by state law, has reason to believe, if proven true, would indicate more than a violation of state statute or ethics code that would be considered more substantial than minor infraction; or 2. Investigative information that indicates that the psychologist represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the psychologist has been notified and/or had an opportunity to respond. Y. "State" means a state, commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia; Z. "State Psychology Regulatory Authority" means the Board, office or other agency with the legislative mandate to license and regulate the practice of psychology; AA. "Telepsychology" means the provision of psychological services using telecommunication technologies; BB. "Temporary Authorization to Practice" means a licensed psychologist's authority to conduct temporary in-person, face-to-face practice, within the limits authorized under this Compact, in another Compact State; CC. "Temporary In-Person, Face-to-Face Practice" means where a psychologist is physically present (not through the use of telecommunications technologies) in the Distant State to provide for psychology services for thirty (30) days within a calendar year and based on notification to the Distant State. A. The Home State shall be a Compact State where a psychologist is licensed to practice psychology. B. A psychologist may hold one (1) or more Compact State licenses at a time. If the psychologist is licensed in more than one (1) Compact State, the Home State is the Compact State where the psychologist is physically present when the services are delivered as authorized by the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology under the terms of this Compact. C. Any Compact State may require a psychologist not previously licensed in a Compact State to obtain and retain a license to be authorized to practice in the Compact State under circumstances not authorized by the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology under the terms of this Compact. D. Any Compact State may require a psychologist to obtain and retain a license to be authorized to practice in a Compact State under circumstances not authorized by Temporary Authorization to Practice under the terms of this Compact. E. A Home State's license authorizes a psychologist to practice in a Receiving State under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology only if the Compact State: 1. Currently requires the psychologist to hold an active E.Passport; 2. Has a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensed persons; 3. Notifies the Commission, in compliance with the terms herein, of any adverse action or significant investigatory information regarding a licensed individual; 4. Requires an Identity History Summary of all applicants at initial licensure, including the use of the results of fingerprints or other biometric data checks compliant with the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or other designee with similar authority, no later than ten (10) years after activation of the Compact; and 5. Complies with the Bylaws and Rules of the Commission. F. A Home State's license grants Temporary Authorization to Practice to a psychologist in a Distant State only if the Compact State: 1. Currently requires the psychologist to hold an active Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate; 2. Has a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensed individuals; 3. Notifies the Commission, in compliance with the terms herein, of any adverse action or significant investigatory information regarding a licensed individual; 4. Requires an Identity History Summary of all applicants at initial licensure, including the use of the results of fingerprints or other biometric data checks compliant with the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or other designee with similar authority, no later than ten (10) years after activation of the Compact; and 5. Complies with the Bylaws and Rules of the Commission. A. Compact States shall recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a Compact State in conformance with Article III of this Compact, to practice telepsychology in other Compact States (Receiving States) in which the psychologist is not licensed under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology as provided in the Compact. B. To exercise the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology under the terms and provisions of this Compact, a psychologist licensed to practice in a Compact State must: 1. Hold a graduate degree in psychology from an institute of higher education that was, at the time the degree was awarded: a. Regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to grant graduate degrees, or authorized by Provincial Statute or Royal Charter to grant doctoral degrees; or b. A foreign college or university deemed to be equivalent to 1(a) above by a foreign credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or by a recognized foreign credential evaluation service; and 2. Hold a graduate degree in psychology that meets all of the following criteria: a. The program, wherever it may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified and labeled as a psychology program. Such a program must specify in pertinent institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train professional psychologists; b. The psychology program must stand as a recognizable, coherent organizational entity within the institution; c. There must be a clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines; d. The program must consist of an integrated, organized sequence of study; e. There must be an identifiable psychology faculty sufficient in size and breadth to carry out its responsibilities; f. The designated director of the program must be a psychologist and a member of the core faculty; g. The program must have an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree; h. The program must include supervised practicum, internship or field training appropriate to the practice of psychology; i. The curriculum shall encompass a minimum of three (3) academic years of full-time graduate study for doctoral degrees and a minimum of one (1) academic year of full-time graduate study for master's degrees; j. The program includes an acceptable residency as defined by the Rules of the Commission. 3. Possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice psychology in a Home State which is a Compact State; 4. Have no history of adverse action that violates the Rules of the Commission; 5. Have no criminal record history reported on an Identity History Summary that violates the Rules of the Commission; 6. Possess a current, active E.Passport; 7. Provide attestations in regard to areas of intended practice, conformity with standards of practice, competence in telepsychology technology, criminal background and knowledge and adherence to legal requirements in the home and receiving states, and provide a release of information to allow for primary source verification in a manner specified by the Commission; and 8. Meet other criteria as defined by the Rules of the Commission. C. The Home State shall maintain authority over the license of any psychologist practicing into a Receiving State under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology. D. A psychologist practicing in a Receiving State under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology shall be subject to the Receiving State's scope of practice. A Receiving State may, in accordance with that state's due process law, limit or revoke a psychologist's Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology in the Receiving State and may take any other necessary actions under the Receiving State's applicable law to protect the health and safety of the Receiving State's citizens. If a Receiving State takes action, the state shall promptly notify the Home State and the Commission. E. If a psychologist's license in any Home State, another Compact State or any Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology in any Receiving State is restricted, suspended or otherwise limited, the psychologist's E.Passport shall be revoked and therefore the psychologist shall not be eligible to practice telepsychology in a Compact State under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology. A. Compact States shall also recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a Compact State in conformance with Article III of this Compact, to practice temporarily in other Compact States (Distant States) in which the psychologist is not licensed, as provided in this Compact. B. To exercise the Temporary Authorization to Practice under the terms and provisions of this Compact, a psychologist licensed to practice in a Compact State shall: 1. Hold a graduate degree in psychology from an institute of higher education that was, at the time the degree was awarded: a. Regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to grant graduate degrees, or authorized by Provincial Statute or Royal Charter to grant doctoral degrees; or b. A foreign college or university deemed to be equivalent to 1(a) above by a foreign credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or by a recognized foreign credential evaluation service; and 2. Hold a graduate degree in psychology that meets the following criteria: a. The program, wherever it may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified and labeled as a psychology program. Such a program must specify in pertinent institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train professional psychologists; b. The psychology program must stand as a recognizable, coherent organizational entity within the institution; c. There must be clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines; d. The program must consist of an integrated, organized sequence of study; e. There must be an identifiable psychology faculty sufficient in size and breadth to carry out its responsibilities; f. The designated director of the program must be a psychologist and a member of the core faculty; g. The program must have an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree; h. The program must include supervised practicum, internship or field training appropriate to the practice of psychology; i. The curriculum shall encompass a minimum of three (3) academic years of full-time graduate study for doctoral degrees and a minimum of one (1) academic year of full-time graduate study for master's degrees; j. The program includes an acceptable residency as defined by the Rules of the Commission. 3. Possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice psychology in a Home State which is a Compact State; 4. No history of adverse action that violates the Rules of the Commission; 5. No criminal record history that violates the Rules of the Commission; 6. Possess a current, active Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate; 7. Provide attestations in regard to areas of intended practice and work experience and provide a release of information to allow for primary source verification in a manner specified by the Commission; and 8. Meet other criteria as defined by the Rules of the Commission. C. A psychologist practicing in a Distant State under the Temporary Authorization to Practice shall practice within the scope of practice authorized by the Distant State. D. A psychologist practicing in a Distant State under the Temporary Authorization to Practice will be subject to the Distant State's authority and law. A Distant State may, in accordance with that state's due process law, limit or revoke a psychologist's Temporary Authorization to Practice in the Distant State and may take any other necessary actions under the Distant State's applicable law to protect the health and safety of the Distant State's citizens. If a Distant State takes action, the state shall promptly notify the Home State and the Commission. E. If a psychologist's license in any Home State or another Compact State or any Temporary Authorization to Practice in any Distant State is restricted, suspended or otherwise limited, the Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate shall be revoked and therefore the psychologist shall not be eligible to practice in a Compact State under the Temporary Authorization to Practice. A. A psychologist may practice in a Receiving State under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology only in the performance of the scope of practice for psychology as assigned by an appropriate State Psychology Regulatory Authority, as defined in the Rules of the Commission, and under the following circumstances: 1. The psychologist initiates a client/patient contact in a Home State via telecommunications technologies with a client/patient in a Receiving State; 2. Other conditions regarding telepsychology as determined by Rules promulgated by the Commission. A. A Home State shall have the power to impose adverse action against a psychologist's license issued by the Home State. A Distant State shall have the power to take adverse action on a psychologist's Temporary Authorization to Practice within that Distant State. B. A Receiving State may take adverse action on a psychologist's Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology within that Receiving State. A Home State may take adverse action against a psychologist based on an adverse action taken by a Distant State regarding temporary in-person, face-to-face practice. C. If a Home State takes adverse action against a psychologist's license, that psychologist's Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology is terminated and the E.Passport is revoked. Furthermore, that psychologist's Temporary Authorization to Practice is terminated and the Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate is revoked. 1. All Home State disciplinary orders which constitute adverse action shall be reported to the Commission in accordance with the Rules promulgated by the Commission. A Compact State shall report adverse actions in accordance with the Rules of the Commission; 2. In the event adverse action is reported on a psychologist, the psychologist will not be eligible for telepsychology or temporary in-person, face-to-face practice in accordance with the Rules of the Commission; 3. Other actions may be imposed as determined by the Rules promulgated by the Commission. D. A Home State's Psychology Regulatory Authority shall investigate and take appropriate action with respect to reported inappropriate conduct engaged in by a licensee which occurred in a Receiving State as it would if such conduct had occurred by a licensee within the Home State. In such cases, the Home State's law shall control in determining any adverse action against a psychologist's license. E. A Distant State's Psychology Regulatory Authority shall investigate and take appropriate action with respect to reported inappropriate conduct engaged in by a psychologist practicing under Temporary Authorization to Practice which occurred in that Distant State as it would if such conduct had occurred by a licensee within the Home State. In such cases, Distant State's law shall control in determining any adverse action against a psychologist's Temporary Authorization to Practice. F. Nothing in this Compact shall override a Compact State's decision that a psychologist's participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action and that such participation shall remain non-public if required by the Compact State's law. Compact States shall prohibit psychologists who enter any alternative programs from providing telepsychology services under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology or under the Temporary Authorization to Practice in any other Compact State during the term of the alternative program. G. No other judicial or administrative remedies shall be available to a psychologist in the event a Compact State imposes an adverse action pursuant to subsection C above. A. In addition to any other powers granted under state law, a Compact State's Psychology Regulatory Authority shall have the authority under this Compact to: 1. Issue subpoenas, for both hearings and investigations, which require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a Compact State's Psychology Regulatory Authority for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and/or the production of evidence from another Compact State shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to that court's practice and procedure in considering subpoenas issued in its own proceedings. The issuing State Psychology Regulatory Authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage and other fees required by the service statutes of the state where the witnesses and/or evidence are located; and 2. Issue cease and desist and/or injunctive relief orders to revoke a psychologist's Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology and/or Temporary Authorization to Practice; 3. During the course of any investigation, a psychologist may not change his/her Home State licensure. A Home State Psychology Regulatory Authority is authorized to complete any pending investigations of a psychologist and to take any actions appropriate under its law. The Home State Psychology Regulatory Authority shall promptly report the conclusions of such investigations to the Commission. Once an investigation has been completed, and pending the outcome of said investigation, the psychologist may change his/her Home State licensure. The Commission shall promptly notify the new Home State of any such decisions as provided in the Rules of the Commission. All information provided to the Commission or distributed by Compact States concerning the psychologist shall be confidential, filed under seal and used for investigatory or disciplinary matters. The Commission may create additional rules for mandated or discretionary sharing of information by Compact States. A. The Commission shall provide for the development and maintenance of a Coordinated Licensure Information System (Coordinated Database) and reporting system containing licensure and disciplinary action information on all psychologists individuals to whom this Compact is applicable in all Compact States as defined by the Rules of the Commission. B. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a Compact State shall submit a uniform data set to the Coordinated Database on all licensees as required by the Rules of the Commission, including: 1. Identifying information; 2. Licensure data; 3. Significant investigatory information; 4. Adverse actions against a psychologist's license; 5. An indicator that a psychologist's Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology and/or Temporary Authorization to Practice is revoked; 6. Non-confidential information related to alternative program participation information; 7. Any denial of application for licensure and the reasons for such denial; and 8. Other information which may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as determined by the Rules of the Commission. C. The Coordinated Database administrator shall promptly notify all Compact States of any adverse action taken against, or significant investigative information on, any licensee in a Compact State. D. Compact States reporting information to the Coordinated Database may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the Compact State reporting the information. E. Any information submitted to the Coordinated Database that is subsequently required to be expunged by the law of the Compact State reporting the information shall be removed from the Coordinated Database. A. The Compact States hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission. 1. The Commission is a body politic and an instrumentality of the Compact States; 2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings; 3. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity. B. Membership, Voting and Meetings. 1. The Commission shall consist of one (1) voting representative appointed by each Compact State who shall serve as that state's Commissioner. The State Psychology Regulatory Authority shall appoint its delegate. This delegate shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Compact State. This delegate shall be limited to: a. The Executive Director, Executive Secretary or similar executive; b. Current member of the State Psychology Regulatory Authority of a Compact State; or c. Designee empowered with the appropriate authority to act on behalf of the Compact State. 2. Any Commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the Commissioner is appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the Commission shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the Compact State in which the vacancy exists. 3. Each Commissioner shall be entitled to one (1) vote with regard to the promulgation of Rules and creation of Bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. A Commissioner shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the Bylaws. The Bylaws may provide for Commissioners' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication. 4. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the Bylaws. 5. All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Article XI of this Compact. 6. The Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the Commission must discuss: a. Non-compliance of a Compact State with its obligations under the Compact; b. The employment, compensation, discipline or other personnel matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures; c. Current, threatened or reasonably anticipated litigation against the Commission; d. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services or real estate; e. Accusation against any person of a crime or formally censuring any person; f. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential; g. Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; h. Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes; i. Disclosure of information related to any investigatory reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee of the Commission charged with responsibility for investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or j. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state law. 7. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, of any person participating in the meeting and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. C. The Commission shall, by a majority vote of the Commissioners, prescribe Bylaws and/or Rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of the Compact, including but not limited to: 1. Establishing the fiscal year of the Commission; 2. Providing reasonable standards and procedures: a. For the establishment and meetings of committees; and b. Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the Commission. 3. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings and providing an opportunity for attendance at such meetings of interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals of such proceedings and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The Commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the Commissioners vote to close a meeting to the public in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the Commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each Commissioner with no proxy votes allowed; 4. Establishing the titles, duties and authority and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the Commission; 5. Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the Commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar law of any Compact State, the Bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the Commission; 6. Promulgating a Code of Ethics to address permissible and prohibited activities of Commission members and employees; 7. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of the Compact after the payment and/or reserving of all of its debts and obligations; 8. The Commission shall publish its Bylaws in a convenient form and file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the Compact States; 9. The Commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the Bylaws; and 10. The Commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact and the Bylaws. D. The Commission shall have the following powers: 1. The authority to promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this Compact. The rule shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all Compact States; 2. To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any State Psychology Regulatory Authority or other regulatory body responsible for psychology licensure to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected; 3. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 4. To borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a Compact State; 5. To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact and to establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel and other related personnel matters; 6. To accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest; 7. To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety; 8. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal or mixed; 9. To establish a budget and make expenditures; 10. To borrow money; 11. To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of Members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the Bylaws; 12. To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies; 13. To adopt and use an official seal; and 14. To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of psychology licensure, temporary in-person, face-to-face practice and telepsychology practice. E. The Executive Board. Persons elected pursuant to this paragraph shall serve as the Executive Board, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Compact. 1. The Executive Board shall be comprised of six (6) members: a. Five (5) voting members who are elected from the current membership of the Commission by the Commission; b. One (1) ex-officio, nonvoting member from the recognized membership organization that shall be composed of State and Provincial Psychology Regulatory Authorities. 2. The ex-officio member shall have served as staff or member on a State Psychology Regulatory Authority and will be selected by its respective organization. 3. The Commission may remove any member of the Executive Board as provided in Bylaws. 4. The Executive Board shall meet at least annually. 5. The Executive Board shall have the following duties and responsibilities: a. Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the Rules or Bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees paid by Compact States such as annual dues, and any other applicable fees; b. Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise; c. Prepare and recommend the budget; d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission; e. Monitor Compact compliance of member states and provide compliance reports to the Commission; f. Establish additional committees as necessary; and g. Other duties as provided in Rules or Bylaws. F. Financing of the Commission 1. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and ongoing activities. 2. The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services. 3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each Compact State or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Commission which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all Compact States. 4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the Compact States, except by and with the authority of the Compact State. 5. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its Bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission. G. Qualified Immunity, Defense and Indemnification 1. The members, officers, Executive Director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, Executive Director, employee or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, Executive Director, employee or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. A. The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Article and the Rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment. B. If a majority of the legislatures of the Compact States rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any Compact State. C. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission. D. Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the Commission, and at least sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: 1. On the website of the Commission; and 2. On the website of each Compact States' Psychology Regulatory Authority or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules. E. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include: 1. The proposed time, date and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon; 2. The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule; 3. A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and 4. The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and submit any written comments. F. Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions and arguments, which shall be made available to the public. G. The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by: 1. At least twenty-five (25) persons who submit comments independently of each other; 2. A governmental subdivision or agency; or 3. A duly appointed person in an association that has at least twenty-five (25) members. H. If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the Commission shall publish the place, time and date of the scheduled public hearing. 1. All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the Executive Director of the Commission or other designated commissioner in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the hearing not less than five (5) business days before the scheduled date of the hearing. 2. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing. 3. No transcript of the hearing is required, unless a written request for a transcript is made, in which case the person requesting the transcript shall bear the cost of producing the transcript. A recording may be made in lieu of a transcript under the same terms and conditions as a transcript. This subsection shall not preclude the Commission from making a transcript or recording of the hearing if it so chooses. 4. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this section. I. Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all written and oral comments received. J. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all commissioners, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. K. If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a public hearing. L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the emergency rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to: 1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare; 2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Compact State funds; 3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or 4. Protect public health and safety. M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the Chair of the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the Commission. A. Oversight. 1. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of state government in each Compact State shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law. 2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the Compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a Compact State pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Commission. 3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this Compact or promulgated rules. B. Default, Technical Assistance and Termination. 1. If the Commission determines that a Compact State has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall: a. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other Compact States of the nature of the default, the proposed means of remedying the default and/or any other action to be taken by the Commission; and b. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default. 2. If a state in default fails to remedy the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the Compact States, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this Compact shall be terminated on the effective date of termination. A remedy of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default. 3. Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other reasonable means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be submitted by the Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and each of the Compact States. 4. A Compact State which has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations which extend beyond the effective date of termination. 5. The Commission shall not bear any costs incurred by the state which is found to be in default or which has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state. 6. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the state of Georgia or the federal district where the Compact has its principal offices. The prevailing commissioner shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. C. Dispute Resolution. 1. Upon request by a Compact State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact which arise among Compact States and between Compact and Non-Compact States. 2. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes that arise before the Commission. D. Enforcement. 1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and Rules of this Compact. 2. By majority vote of the Commissioners, the Commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the State of Georgia or the federal district where the Compact has its principal offices against a Compact State in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated Rules and Bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing commissioner shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. 3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law. A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact is enacted into law in the seventh Compact State. The provisions which become effective at that time shall be limited to the powers granted to the Commission relating to assembly and the promulgation of rules. Thereafter, the Commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary to the implementation and administration of the Compact. B. Any state which joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission's initial adoption of the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule which has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that state. C. Any Compact State may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the same. 1. A Compact State's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute. 2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Psychology Regulatory Authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal. D. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any psychology licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a Compact State and a Non-Compact State which does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. E. This Compact may be amended by the Compact States. No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any Compact State until it is enacted into the law of all Compact States. This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state member thereto, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining Compact States.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Real Estate License Act." It is unlawful for any person to engage in or conduct, directly or indirectly, or to advertise or hold himself out as engaging in real estate activity or acting in the capacity of a licensee within this state without first obtaining a license as provided in this act.
(a) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(b) As used in this act:
(i) "Active license" means a real estate license that has not been inactivated, suspended or revoked;
(ii) "Advance fee" means a fee claimed, charged or received for a listing, advertisement or offer to sell or lease real estate issued primarily for promoting the sale or lease of real estate;
(iii) "Aggregate limit" means a provision in an insurance contract limiting the maximum liability of an insurer for a series of losses in a given time period, such as the policy term;
(iv) "Associate broker" means an individual who has qualified as an associate broker under this act, is licensed by the commission under a responsible broker and does not have supervisory responsibilities;
(v) "Auction," when used as a noun, means a method of sale at a predetermined date and time, by means of one (1) or more exchanges between an auctioneer and prospective purchasers either in person verbally or physically, or by regular mail, telecommunications, the internet or an electronic transmission, the exchanges consisting of one (1) or more offers to sell made by the auctioneer and offers to purchase made by prospective purchasers, with the right to acceptance of offers to purchase residing with the auctioneer. "Auction" includes a sale of real estate in which there has been a solicitation or invitation by advertisement to the public in advance for bidding using sealed bids, provided that the bids are opened and there is a call for an advancement of the bids. "Auction" when used as a verb, means any act or conduct done for compensation or the expectation thereof and designed, intended or expected to affect the bidding or results of a real estate auction, including, but not limited to, serving as an auctioneer or ringman or encouraging, soliciting or receiving bids;
(vi) "Branch office" means any office location of a real estate company that is separate from a principal office and supervised by a responsible broker;
(vii) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 166, § 2.
(viii) "Buyer" means a person attempting to acquire real estate and includes a tenant as that term is commonly used in the rental, leasing or management of real estate;
(ix) "Buyer's agent" means a licensee who is authorized to represent and act on behalf of the buyer in a real estate transaction;
(x) "Commission" means the Wyoming real estate commission;
(xi) "Compensation" means any money, item of value or payment which is provided, promised or expected for the performance of any real estate activity;
(xii) "Cooperative transaction" means any real estate transaction in which licensees from more than one (1) real estate company participate, regardless of agency representation;
(xiii) "Customer" means a person who has expressed an interest in buying, selling or leasing real estate or who attends a showing of real estate without any agency relationship or a party to a real estate transaction who has established no intermediary or agency relationship with any licensee involved in the transaction;
(xiv) "Degree in real estate" means a degree from an accredited degree granting college or university, including a junior or community college, with a major course of study in real estate. A degree under this section shall at minimum require the successful completion of four (4) core courses of real estate principles and practices, real estate law, real estate appraisal and real estate finance, plus at least two (2) additional real estate related courses. These courses shall total at least eighteen (18) or more semester hours or twenty-seven (27) quarter hours;
(xv) "Designated licensee" means a licensee who is designated in writing by a responsible broker to serve as an agent for a seller or a buyer or as an intermediary in a real estate transaction;
(xvi) "Distance education course" means a course where instruction takes place when the teacher and the student are not in a traditional classroom setting and are separated by distance or time;
(xvii) "Equivalent coverage" means insurance coverage obtained independently of the group program available through the insurer under contract with the commission and subject to the provisions of this act;
(xviii) "Errors and omissions insurance" means professional liability insurance which provides insurance coverage to active licensees for errors and omissions made during the course of real estate transactions subject to the coverages, limitations and exclusions of the specific policy;
(xix) "Expired license" means a license for which the license period has expired;
(xx) "Extended reporting period" means a designated period of time after a claims-made policy has expired during which a claim may be made and coverage obtained as if the claim was made during the policy period;
(xxi) "Funds holder" means a title company, closing agent or attorney licensed in this state who holds items of value in trust for the parties to a real estate transaction;
(xxii) "Grace period" means January 1 to March 1 of each year during which an expired license may be renewed;
(xxiii) "Group program" means an insurance policy from an insurance provider selected by the commission through the competitive process as specified in this act;
(xxiv) "Inactive license" means a license that has been placed on inactive status at the request of the licensee and is not expired, terminated, suspended or revoked;
(xxv) "Individual coverage" means insurance coverage other than coverage from the group program which meets the requirements of the commission;
(xxvi) "In-house real estate transaction" means a real estate transaction in which the buyer and the seller have an agency, intermediary or customer relationship with licensees from the same real estate company;
(xxvii) "Interest in a transaction" means any advantage, benefit or profit, other than the agreed upon compensation, which may be realized by a licensee as the result of a purchase, sale or lease of real estate;
(xxviii) "Intermediary" means a licensee who assists one (1) or more parties throughout a contemplated real estate transaction without acting as an agent or advocate for any party to the transaction;
(xxix) "License" means the document issued by the commission certifying that the person named by the person's legal name on the document had fulfilled all requirements for licensure under this act;
(xxx) "Licensee" means any person issued a license by the commission;
(xxxi) "Like-license" means a license from another jurisdiction which is at an equivalent level of experience and responsibility as a comparable Wyoming license;
(xxxii) "Material to the transaction" means having importance, relevance or consequence to a person making a decision regarding the purchase, sale or lease of real estate. "Material to the transaction" does not include psychological considerations including, but not limited to, health issues, suicide, murder or crimes which have occurred on the property;
(xxxiii) "Offer" means any inducement, solicitation or attempt to encourage a person to acquire an interest in real estate which is made for gain or profit;
(xxxiv) "Offeree" means a person to whom an offer is made;
(xxxv) "Offeror" means the person making an offer;
(xxxvi) "Office" means a responsible broker's place of business where records are maintained;
(xxxvii) "Option" is a right that an owner may give to another person to purchase or lease the owner's real estate at a specific price;
(xxxviii) "Owner" means a person with a right to convey an ownership or leasehold interest in real estate;
(xxxix) "Person" means individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations or other public or private entities, foreign or domestic;
(xl) "Prior acts coverage" means insurance coverage for any claim made during a current policy period when the act or acts causing the claim or injuries for which the claim is made occurred prior to the inception of the current policy period;
(xli) "Proof of coverage" means a certificate of insurance demonstrating coverage of a policy of insurance equal to or exceeding the group coverage contracted for by the commission;
(xlii) "Property management" means the act of management for compensation of real estate for another, including collection of rents, maintenance of the real estate and accounting of fees received for another;
(xliii) "Qualified insurance carrier" means an insurance carrier that:
(A) For the entire term of its contract shall provide the group plan of errors and omission insurance as provided in this act, maintains an A.M. Best rating of "B" or better and financial size category of class VI or higher;
(B) Is authorized by the Wyoming insurance department to do business in Wyoming as an insurance carrier for the policy term;
(C) Is and will remain qualified and authorized by the Wyoming insurance department to write policies of errors and omissions insurance in Wyoming for the policy term;
(D) After competitive bidding, has been notified by the commission that it is the successful bidder for the group plan to provide the errors and omissions insurance as specified in this act;
(E) Has entered into a contract to provide group errors and omissions plan in conformity with the contract, this act, applicable rules of the commission and other applicable law;
(F) Will collect premiums, maintain records and report names of those insured and a record of claims to the commission on a timely basis.
(xliv) "Real estate" means leaseholds, as well as any other interest or estate in land, whether corporeal, incorporeal, freehold or nonfreehold, and whether the real estate is situated in this state or elsewhere but shall not apply to nor include mineral lands, rights or leases;
(xlv) "Real estate activity" occurs when an individual for another and for compensation performs any one or more of the following:
(A) Sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, manages or leases real estate;
(B) Offers to sell, exchange, purchase, rent, manage or lease real estate;
(C) Negotiates, offers, attempts or agrees to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental or leasing of real estate;
(D) Lists, offers, attempts or agrees to list real estate for sale, lease or exchange;
(E) Auctions, offers, attempts or agrees to auction real estate;
(F) Collects, offers, attempts or agrees to collect rent for the use of real estate;
(G) Advertises or holds himself out as being engaged in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, auctioning, renting or leasing real estate;
(H) Engages in the business of charging an advance fee in connection with any contract undertaken to promote the sale, auction or lease of real estate either through its listing in a publication issued for that purpose or for referral of information concerning the real estate to responsible brokers, associate brokers and salespersons;
(J) Buys, sells, offers to buy or sell or otherwise deals in options on real estate or improvements thereon;
(K) Assists or directs in the procuring of prospects calculated to result in the sale, exchange, lease or rental of real estate;
(M) Assists or directs in the negotiation of any transaction calculated or intended to result in the sale, exchange, lease or rental of real estate;
(N) Deals in time shares;
(O) Provides a broker's price opinion as provided in W.S. 33-28-125.
(xlvi) "Real estate company" means a domestic or foreign business entity that is authorized to conduct business in Wyoming and licensed by the commission to conduct real estate activity;
(xlvii) "Real estate transaction" or "transaction" means any real estate activity under this section;
(xlviii) "Regular employee" means an individual who is employed by an owner of real estate on a salaried basis or paid wages which are not performance based, is subject to income tax withholding and FICA and whose duties are performed in the ordinary course of the owner's business or the management or operation of the owner's investments;
(xlix) "Responsible broker" means an individual who has an active responsible broker's license and who is responsible for the supervision of the activities of licensees associated with the real estate company or a responsible broker who operates a single license office or sole proprietorship;
(l) "Retroactive date" means the date when the first real estate errors and omissions coverage was effective insuring the named insured on a claims-made basis and since which time the insured has been continuously insured;
(li) "Salesperson" means an individual who has qualified as a salesperson under this act and is licensed by the commission under a responsible broker;
(lii) "Seller" means a person who is attempting to sell or exchange real estate and includes a landlord as that term is commonly used in the rental, leasing or management of real estate;
(liii) "Seller's agent" means a licensee who is authorized to represent and act for the seller in a real estate transaction;
(liv) "Short term rental" means the rental of real estate for thirty-one (31) days or less;
(lv) "Single-limit liability" means the maximum limit payable, per licensee, for damages arising out of the same error, omission or wrongful act;
(lvi) "Subagent" means a licensee authorized to represent and act on behalf of a real estate company in performing real estate activity for a principal. A subagent shall owe the same obligations and responsibilities to the principal as a responsible broker;
(lvii) "Surrendered license" means a license that has been voluntarily terminated or surrendered by a licensee who, at the time of the voluntary termination or surrender, was under investigation or named in a formal administrative complaint and the surrender has been accepted by the commission;
(lviii) "Suspended license" means a license that has been temporarily suspended by the issuing authority;
(lix) "Time share" means any arrangement, whether by membership agreement, lease, rental agreement, license, use agreement or other means, whereby the purchaser receives a right to use or a freehold interest in accommodations, facilities or other real estate for a specific period of time during any given year, but not necessarily for consecutive years, and which extends for a period of more than one (1) year;
(lx) "Transaction manager" means a licensee designated in writing by the responsible broker to supervise a transaction. The transaction manager shall not be involved in the transaction and shall have the duties of an intermediary while supervising the transaction;
(lxi) "Written listing agreement" means any real estate employment agreement, including without limitation a buyer's brokerage agreement, a seller's listing contract and a property management contract. The authority created under a written listing agreement may not be assigned to another person without the written consent of all parties to the agreement;
(lxii) "Broker's price opinion" means an estimate prepared by a licensee that details the probable selling price of real estate and provides a varying level of detail about the real estate's condition, market and neighborhood and information about sales of comparable real estate;
(lxiii) "This act" means W.S. 33-28-101 through 33-28-401
(a) The provisions of this act shall not apply to:
(i) An owner of real estate or to a member of his immediate family or to his regular employees with respect to property owned by him unless the owner, his immediate family or regular employee is a licensee;
(ii) An attorney in fact under a duly executed and recorded power of attorney to convey real estate from the owner or lessor, or the services rendered by an attorney-at-law in the performance of his duties as an attorney unless the attorney is a licensee;
(iii) Any individual acting as receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, administrator, executor, or guardian, or while acting under a court order or under the authority of a will or of a trust instrument or as a witness in any judicial proceeding or other proceeding conducted by the state or any governmental subdivision or agency unless that individual is a licensee;
(iv) Any officer or employee of a federal agency in the conduct of his official duties, unless that individual is a licensee;
(v) Any officer or employee of the state government or any political subdivision thereof performing his official duties, unless that individual is a licensee;
(vi) Any person or employee acting as the resident manager for the owner or an employee acting as the resident manager for a responsible broker managing an apartment building, duplex, apartment complex or court, when the resident manager resides on the premises and is engaged in the leasing of real estate in connection with his employment, unless that individual is a licensee; or
(vii) A home owner's association formed and acting pursuant to its declaration and bylaws or a resort association formed and acting pursuant to its association agreement and bylaws.
Any person who, for another, with the intention or upon the promise of receiving compensation offers, attempts or agrees to perform, or performs any single act of real estate activity, whether as a part of a transaction or as the entire transaction shall be deemed to be acting as a licensee within the meaning of this act.
33-28-105. Creation of commission; membership; terms;
removal; chairman; powers and duties; director and duties thereof; other employees; compensation; disposition of fees.
(a) The Wyoming real estate commission is created to consist of five (5) commissioners, each of whom shall be a citizen of Wyoming, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not less than three (3) or more than four (4) of the membership shall have been engaged in business as a licensee in Wyoming for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment. No more than one (1) commissioner shall be appointed from the same county to serve at the same time. The term of the members of the commission shall be for three (3) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Members appointed to fill vacancies shall be appointed in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101, and no member shall be appointed to succeed himself for more than one (1) full term. The governor may remove any commission member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. The commission at its first meeting held after September 1 of each year shall select a chairman to serve for the following year. The commission has the power to regulate the issuance of licenses, to revoke or suspend licenses issued under this act, to censure licensees and may do all things necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this act. The commission may, from time to time, promulgate and amend necessary and reasonable rules and regulations for these purposes. Appointments and terms shall be in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103.
(b) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 156, § 3.
(c) The commission shall employ a director. The director is subject to the rules and regulations of the human resources division of the department of administration and information. The director's salary shall be paid from the real estate commission account specified in subsection (g) of this section. The duties of the director shall include the following:
(i) Maintain and operate a suitable office for the commission;
(ii) Keep books, records and accounts of all activities of the commission;
(iii) Issue real estate responsible broker, associate broker, salesperson and real estate company licenses;
(iv) Make investigations of complaints and possible violations of the real estate laws and practices of licensees and to furnish information and recommendations to the commission for their action;
(v) Assist the commission with examinations to be given applicants for real estate licenses, and to conduct the examinations at the direction of the commission;
(vi) Assist the commission in holding educational clinics or meetings when deemed advisable with the aim of promoting higher standards of practice in the real estate profession;
(vii) Assist the commission in promulgating rules in compliance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, for the operation of the commission and the implementation of this law; and
(viii) Perform other duties as the commission prescribes.
(d) The commission shall employ other staff members to assist in the discharge of the duties imposed upon it by this act and shall prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of its staff members, subject to the rules and regulations of the human resources division of the department of administration and information. The office of the commission shall be maintained in Cheyenne and all files, records and property of the commission shall at all times remain in the Cheyenne office. No commission staff member may be a paid employee of any real estate association, real estate company or real estate licensee.
(e) Each member of the commission shall receive compensation from the real estate commission account for each day actually spent on his official duties including per diem and mileage as provided in W.S. 33-1-302(a)(vii) and salary in the amount provided by W.S. 28-5-101(d) for the performance of official duties.
(f) The commission shall adopt a seal, including the words Wyoming Real Estate Commission, Office of the Commission by which the acts of the commission shall be authenticated. Copies of all records and papers in the office of the commission, certified by the signature of the director and the seal of the commission, shall be received in evidence in all cases equally and with like effect as the originals.
(g) All fees collected by the commission shall be deposited in the state treasury. The state treasurer shall deposit the fees to the credit of the real estate commission account. Disbursements from the account shall not exceed the monies credited to it.
(h) The presence of three (3) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of the chairman, the member of the commission present who is senior in time of service shall serve as the presiding officer. The action of the majority of the members of the commission shall be deemed the action of the commission.
33-28-106. Application for license; qualifications; sworn
statement; commission approval of course of study; statement of responsible broker; denial of license; issuing licenses.
(a) Any person desiring to act as a licensee shall file an application for a license with the commission. The application shall be in the form and detail as the commission shall prescribe and the individual applicant shall provide to the commission fingerprints and other information necessary for a criminal history record background check as provided in W.S. 7-19-201(a).
(b) Licenses shall be granted only to persons who bear a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity and competence to transact the business of a licensee in a manner which will safeguard the interests of the public, and only after satisfactory proof of the individual applicant's qualifications has been presented to the commission.
(c) Each applicant for a responsible broker's license shall:
(i) Have reached the age of majority;
(ii) Have first served actively for two (2) of the four (4) years immediately preceding the application as a real estate salesperson or associate broker; and
(iii) Submit other evidence through the application or otherwise, as the commission deems desirable with due regard to the paramount interests of the public, as to the honesty, truthfulness, integrity and competency of the individual applicant.
(d) Every member of a real estate company acting as a responsible broker for that real estate company who engages in any real estate activity shall obtain a responsible broker's license.
(e) Every applicant for a responsible broker's or associate broker's license shall state:
(i) The name of the real estate company with which he will be associated in the business of real estate;
(ii) The location of the place or places for which the license is desired;
(iii) The period of time, if any, which he has been engaged in the real estate business;
(iv) His present address, both of business and residence;
(v) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 96, § 2.
(vi) That he has or has not been refused a real estate license in this or any other state;
(vii) That his real estate license has or has not been revoked in this or any other state;
(viii) Evidence that he has completed not less than sixty (60) cumulative class hours in a course of study approved by the commission, given by instructors approved by the commission and has satisfactorily passed an examination covering material taught in each course.
(A) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(B) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(C) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(D) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(f) Each applicant for a salesperson's license shall:
(i) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(ii) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(iii) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(iv) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(v) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(vi) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(vii) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(viii) Have reached the age of majority;
(ix) Submit other evidence as the commission deems desirable with due regard to the paramount interests of the public as to the honesty, truthfulness, integrity and competency of the individual applicant;
(x) Furnish the name of the real estate company with which he will be associated in the business of real estate;
(xi) Furnish the period of time, if any, that he has been engaged in the real estate business;
(xii) Furnish his present address;
(xiii) Furnish the name and address of his previous employer;
(xiv) Furnish a statement that he has or has not been refused a real estate license in this or any other state;
(xv) Furnish a statement that his real estate license has or has not been revoked in this or any other state;
(xvi) Furnish evidence that he has completed not less than thirty (30) class hours in a course of study approved by the commission, given by instructors approved by the commission and has satisfactorily passed an examination covering material taught in each course;
(xvii) Include a statement by the responsible broker in whose service the applicant is about to enter stating:
(A) The name and address of the responsible broker's real estate company;
(B) That in his opinion the applicant is honest, truthful and recommends the license be granted to the applicant;
(C) That the responsible broker will actively supervise and train the applicant during the period the requested license remains in effect.
(g) The commission may consider prior revocation, conduct or conviction in its determination of whether to grant an applicant a license if the applicant:
(i) Has been fined or disciplined or had his real estate license revoked, suspended, censured or placed on probation in any jurisdiction;
(ii) Is found to have committed any of the practices enumerated in W.S. 33-28-111 during the term of his prior licensure; or
(iii) Has been convicted of any felony that relates to the practice of real estate activity or to the ability to practice the duties of a responsible real estate licensee or any felony sexual offense or violent crime.
(h) The commission shall take into account the nature of the offense, any aggravating or extenuating circumstances, the time elapsed since the revocation, conduct or conviction, the rehabilitation or restitution performed by the applicant and other factors as the commission deems relevant.
(j) The commission may deny a license to any person who has been determined by the commission after hearing to have engaged in a licensed real estate activity without a license.
(k) The commission shall issue licenses in a form and size as the commission shall prescribe.
(m) A false statement of material fact made in an application shall in itself be sufficient grounds for the refusal of a license.
(n) Each individual applicant for an associate broker's license shall:
(i) Have reached the age of majority;
(ii) Have first served actively for two (2) of the four (4) years immediately preceding the application as a salesperson or shall furnish to the commission proof indicating that the applicant holds a degree in real estate from an accredited university or college; and
(iii) Submit other evidence through the application or otherwise, as the commission deems desirable with due regard to the paramount interests of the public as to the honesty, truthfulness, integrity and competency of the individual applicant.
(o) The commission shall:
(i) Approve courses that cover real estate principles, real estate law, real estate finance and related topics;
(ii) Promulgate rules and regulations to provide a process for challenging a course in lieu of evidence of completion of class hours;
(iii) Publish a list of approved real estate courses and keep the list updated annually;
(iv) On request, evaluate a specific course or courses which are not on the approved list and approve or disapprove the course.
33-28-107. Examinations; responsible broker, associate broker and salesperson's licenses.
(a) In addition to proof of honesty, trustworthiness and good reputation, each applicant desiring to become licensed as a real estate responsible broker, associate broker or a real estate salesperson shall execute and file an application for examination upon a form prescribed by the commission and shall pass a written examination prepared by or under the supervision of the commission. The examination shall be given at times and at places within the state as the commission shall prescribe. The examination for a salesperson's license shall include business ethics, composition, arithmetic, elementary principles of land economics and appraisal, a general knowledge of the statutes of this state relating to deeds, mortgages, contracts of sale, agency and the provisions of this act. The examinations for responsible broker and associate broker's licenses shall be of a more exacting nature and scope and more stringent than the examination for a salesperson's license.
(b) No applicant shall engage in real estate activity until he has satisfactorily passed the examination, complied with the other requirements of this act and until a license has been issued to him.
(c) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 156, § 3.
Pursuant to W.S. 33-1-201, the commission shall establish fees for examinations, original licenses, modified licenses, renewals, certifications, change of place of business and transfers. The fees shall be used to pay the expense of maintaining and operating the office of the commission and the enforcement of this act.
33-28-109. Responsible broker to establish a real estate
company, maintain fixed principal office; change of address; branch offices; restrictions on associate brokers and salespersons.
(a) Each resident responsible broker shall lawfully establish at least one (1) but no more than three (3) real estate companies or sole proprietorships within Wyoming and acquire a license for each real estate company. Each resident responsible broker shall maintain a fixed principal office for each company or sole proprietorship within this state. A resident responsible broker operating as a sole proprietorship shall not be required to acquire an additional company license. The address of each office shall be designated on all licenses associated with the office and no license issued under this act shall authorize the licensee to transact real estate activity at any other address except a licensed branch office. In case of removal from a designated address, the responsible broker shall apply to the commission before the removal designating the new location of an office and paying the required fee, whereupon the commission shall issue a license for the new location for the unexpired period if the new location complies with the terms of this act.
(b) A responsible broker may conduct business from a branch office. A branch office shall use the same trade name or business name as the licensed real estate company. A company license shall be issued to the responsible broker for each branch office the responsible broker maintains. Every branch office shall be under the direction and supervision of the responsible broker. A responsible broker requesting a branch office license shall also, in addition to the branch office application, submit a plan of supervision for the branch office for approval by the commission.
(c) An associate broker or salesperson shall not be associated or engaged under contract to any other responsible broker than is designated upon the license issued to the associate broker or salesperson. Upon termination of an associate broker's or salesperson's association or contractual relationship, his responsible broker shall immediately notify the commission for cancellation of the associate broker's or salesperson's license. Whenever a licensed associate broker or salesperson desires to change his contractual relationship from one (1) responsible broker to another, he shall notify the commission promptly in writing of the facts attendant thereon and pay the required fee. Upon application, the commission shall issue a new license under the new responsible broker. No associate broker or salesperson shall directly or indirectly associate himself with a responsible broker until he has been issued a license to do so with that responsible broker.
(d) No more than one (1) license to conduct real estate activity shall be issued to any responsible broker, associate broker or salesperson to be in effect at one (1) time except as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
33-28-110. Unlawful to compensate unlicensed person;
licensing of like-licensed nonresidents; service of process on nonresidents.
(a) It is unlawful for any responsible broker to compensate any person who is not a licensee associated with his real estate company or a responsible broker for another real estate company for performing any real estate activity provided, however, that a responsible broker may pay compensation to a licensed broker of another state if the nonresident broker does not conduct any real estate activity in this state for which compensation is paid.
(b) A nonresident may be issued a Wyoming responsible broker's license if:
(i) The individual holds a like-license in his home state;
(ii) The individual is actively engaged in the real estate business and maintains a place of business in his home state;
(iii) The individual meets all the other requirements of this act and rules and regulations of the commission; and
(iv) The individual furnishes the commission a statement under seal of the commission of his home state evidencing that he is an active licensed responsible broker, or an equivalent, in good standing and has no complaints pending against him in his home state.
(c) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(d) A nonresident may be issued a Wyoming associate broker or salesperson license if:
(i) The individual holds a like-license in his home state;
(ii) The individual is actively engaged in the real estate business in his home state;
(iii) The individual meets all the other requirements of this act and rules and regulations of the commission; and
(iv) The individual furnishes the commission a statement under seal of the commission of his home state evidencing that he holds an active license in good standing and has no complaints pending against him in his home state.
(e) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 171, § 2.
(f) Prior to being issued a license, every nonresident licensee shall file with the commission a designation in writing which appoints the director of the commission to act as his licensed agent upon whom all judicial and other process or legal notices directed to the licensee may be served. Service upon the agent so designated shall be equivalent to personal service upon the licensee. Copies of the appointment, certified by the director of the commission, shall be received in evidence in any proceeding and shall be given the same force and effect as the original. In the written designation the licensee shall agree that any lawful process against the licensee which is served upon his appointed agent shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the licensee, and that the authority of the agent shall continue in force so long as any liability of the licensee remains outstanding in this state. Upon the receipt of any process or notice, the director shall mail a copy of the same by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known business address of the licensee.
(g) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(h) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(j) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
33-28-111. Censure of licensee and suspension or revocation of license; grounds.
(a) The commission shall upon a written sworn complaint or may upon its own motion investigate the actions of any licensee conducting real estate advertising, self promotion as a licensee or real estate activity regarding real estate located in Wyoming, impose an administrative fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) for each separate offense and may censure a licensee, place a licensee on probation and set the terms of probation, suspend or revoke any license issued under this act for any of the following:
(i) Making any substantial misrepresentation, false promises or false or fraudulent representation;
(ii) Violation of this act or any rule of the commission;
(iii) Failing to disclose an interest in the transaction;
(iv) Soliciting the breach of a listing or a property management contract;
(v) Conducting real estate activity directly with a buyer or seller if the licensee knows the buyer or seller has an outstanding written agreement in connection with the real estate with another responsible broker;
(vi) Using advertising which:
(A) Is misleading or is inaccurate in any matter material to the transaction; or
(B) Uses a trade name, collective membership mark, service mark or logo name, mark or logo without authorization owned by another person unless authorized to do so.
(vii) Placing a sign on any property offering it for sale or rent without the written consent of the owner or his authorized agent;
(viii) Offering real estate for sale or lease without the knowledge and consent of the owner or his authorized agent or on terms other than those authorized by the owner or his authorized agent;
(ix) If a responsible broker, failing to supervise the activities of his associate broker or salesperson;
(x) Failing to advise the buyer and seller of all terms of the proposed sale at the time an offer is presented including estimated discounts and closing costs;
(xi) Unreasonably failing upon demand to surrender to the rightful owner, any document or instrument in his possession;
(xii) Unreasonably failing to produce documents of record in his possession or under his control concerning any real estate transaction under investigation by the commission;
(xiii) Failing to submit all offers to a seller or buyer;
(xiv) Commingling the money or other property of others with his own;
(xv) Accepting, giving or charging an undisclosed compensation, rebate or direct or indirect profit on expenditures made for others;
(xvi) Engaging in real estate activity as an associate broker or salesperson involving the representing or attempt to represent a responsible broker other than his responsible broker or a real estate company other than the real estate company under which he is licensed;
(xvii) Accepting compensation by an associate broker or salesperson from anyone other than his responsible broker;
(xviii) Acting for more than one (1) party in a transaction without the written acknowledgement of all parties for whom the licensee acts;
(xix) Guaranteeing or authorizing any person to guarantee future profits which may result from the resale of real estate;
(xx) Failing to obtain written listing agreements identifying the property to be sold or acquired and containing all terms and conditions under which the property is to be sold or acquired including the price or price range, the compensation to be paid, the signatures of all parties concerned and a definite expiration date;
(xxi) Failing to deliver within a reasonable time a completed copy of any document to all parties;
(xxii) Conviction of a felony that relates to the practice of real estate activity or to the ability to perform the duties of a licensee or any felony sexual offense or violent crime;
(xxiii) Compensating any unlicensed person for performing real estate activity;
(xxiv) Failing to specify he is being compensated by more than one (1) party and failing to notify all parties involved;
(xxv) Failing to account for any monies or property received from others;
(xxvi) Failing to keep the funds of others in an escrow or trust account, unless each person with an interest in the funds has agreed otherwise in writing;
(xxvii) Failing to deposit all financial instruments in an escrow or trust account within one (1) banking day in a financial institution in this state, unless each person with an interest in the funds has agreed otherwise in writing;
(xxviii) Failing upon consummation or termination of the transaction to give a full accounting of the monies and property placed in escrow or trust showing dates of deposit, management and withdrawals;
(xxix) If a responsible broker:
(A) Failing to deliver to the parties in every real estate transaction at the time the transaction is closed a complete, detailed closing statement showing all of the receipts and disbursements handled by the licensees in his office for the parties unless a clear and accurate accounting is furnished by another real estate licensee or a funds holder;
(B) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(C) Failing to retain true copies of statements required by this paragraph in his files;
(D) Failing to disclose, in every real estate transaction, the names of all real estate companies for which a responsible broker holds a license.
(xxx) Representing to any lender, guaranteeing agency or any other interested party, either verbally or through the preparation of false documents, an amount in excess of the true and actual sale price of the real estate or terms differing from those actually agreed upon;
(xxxi) Accepting other than cash as earnest money unless:
(A) The fact is communicated to the owner prior to the owner's acceptance of the offer to purchase; and
(B) The fact is shown in the earnest money receipt.
(xxxii) Refusing to appear or testify under oath at any hearing held by the commission;
(xxxiii) Receiving more than three (3) censures from the commission within a two (2) year period.
(b) Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a license issued by the commission, the commission shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the license in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a license withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.
(c) All administrative fines collected under this section shall be paid to the state treasurer to be credited to the public school fund of the county in which the violation occurred.
33-28-112. Enjoining violations of chapter; penalties for violation of injunction.
(a) Any person who violates or proposes to violate any provisions of this act, or any rules and regulations promulgated under this act, may be restrained or enjoined from the action at any time by an order issued by the district court. An action may be initiated by the attorney general or the district attorney for the county in which the violation has or is about to occur.
(b) Any defendant so enjoined who violates an injunction shall be punished for contempt of court by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months or both.
(c) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 156, § 3.
(a) The commission may contract with independent hearing officers to hear all contested cases arising under this act. The hearing officer shall not be an employee of the office of the attorney general, or an employee or member of the commission.
(b) All hearings shall be conducted pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. A hearing officer has the power specified in W.S. 16-3-112(b). The hearing officer shall make in each contested case and forward to the commission written findings of fact and conclusions of law.
(c) Any judicial review of the administrative decision under the Administrative Procedure Act may be in the district court in the county where the violation allegedly occurred.
(d) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 156, § 3.
33-28-114. Conducting business without license prohibited; penalties; civil liability.
(a) Any individual performing real estate activity without first obtaining a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months. Upon conviction of a subsequent violation the individual shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed one (1) year or both. If a corporation, partnership or association is convicted it shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).
(b) If any person receives any money or the equivalent thereof as a fee, compensation or profit by or in consequence of a violation of any provision of this act, he shall, in addition, be liable to a penalty of not less than the amount of the sum of money so received and not more than three (3) times the sum so received as may be determined by the court, which penalty may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction by any person aggrieved.
33-28-115. Unlicensed person may not maintain action for fee.
No action or suit shall be instituted, nor recovery be had, in any court of this state by any person for compensation for any real estate activity unless the person was licensed by the commission under this act at the time of engaging in real estate activity.
33-28-116. Real estate institutes and seminars; assistance in sponsoring studies and programs.
(a) The commission may conduct or assist in conducting real estate institutes and seminars and incur and pay the necessary expenses in connection therewith. The institutes or seminars shall be open to all licensees and the public.
(b) The commission is authorized to assist libraries and educational institutions in sponsoring studies and programs for the purpose of raising the standards of the real estate business and the competency of licensees.
The commission shall maintain and make publicly available a directory of licensees, including licenses suspended and revoked which shall contain other data as the commission may determine to be in the interest of real estate licensees and the public.
33-28-118. License renewals; continuing education; payment of fees; effect of failure to renew; inactive status.
(a) Licenses issued under this act may be renewed for successive three (3) year periods. The commission may establish a grace period for license renewal not to exceed sixty (60) days. The commission may establish a late fee for license renewal not to exceed seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
(b) The commission may adopt rules and regulations providing for mandatory continuing education allocable over each three (3) year period not to exceed sixty (60) hours.
(c) Failure to timely submit a complete renewal application including proof of required continuing education and renewal fees when due shall automatically cause a license to expire. Presentation of a check to the commission as a fee for either an original or renewal license or for examination for license, which is returned to the state treasurer unpaid, is cause for revocation or denial of license unless it is established that the dishonor of the check was not the fault of the applicant or licensee.
(d) Any licensee whose license has expired as provided in this section after the grace period has ended, shall comply with all requirements of a new applicant, including writing the appropriate examination, before a license will be reissued.
(e) Any real estate associate broker or salesperson who is not employed by or associated with a responsible broker, or any responsible broker who desires to become inactive, may renew his license in an inactive status prior to the renewal deadline established in this section, by submitting the renewal fee together with a completed renewal application on which he has noted his present inactive status.
(f) A license on inactive status for more than three (3) years shall not be reissued on an active status unless the licensee has first met the educational requirements under subsection (b) of this section.
(g) A license on an inactive status for less than three (3) years may be renewed on an active status prior to the renewal deadline by submitting the renewal fee together with a renewal application.
33-28-119. Advertising; licensing under one name; trade names; advertisement of licensees.
(a) Every real estate licensee, when promoting himself as a licensee, advertising or promoting his real estate activities, shall use the real estate company name under which he is licensed by the commission and shall use no slogans or phraseology in a manner which would indicate or suggest to the public that real estate may be listed or is being offered for sale, exchange, lease or rent by a private party not licensed by the commission.
(b) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 104, § 2.
(c) No person shall act or advertise as a licensee in this state by use of letterheads, billboards, radio or television announcements or any other media of advertising, without first obtaining a license from the commission.
(d) No person shall conduct or promote a real estate company other than the real estate company under which the person or company is licensed by the commission.
(e) A trade name, with the permission of the owner of the trade name, may be used concurrently with the licensed name of the real estate company in the promotion or conduct of the responsible broker's business. On promotional materials the real estate company name shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner that the general public may easily identify, as prescribed in commission rules.
(f) A licensed responsible broker shall not advertise the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real estate, unless owned by him, without including in the advertisement the real estate company name under which he is licensed by the commission.
(g) A licensed associate broker or salesperson shall not advertise the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real estate, unless owned by him, without including in the advertisement the real estate company name under which he is licensed by the commission.
(h) A licensee shall not advertise the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real estate owned by the licensee unless the advertisement includes the fact that an owner of the real estate is a licensee.
(j) If a licensee uses his individual name in advertising, the first and last name shall be included. A common shortened spelling of the first name of the licensee is permitted. The use of a nickname is permitted if the nickname is reflected on the license.
33-28-120. Assistance of attorney general; independent counsel.
(a) The attorney general shall render opinions to the commission on all questions of law relating to the interpretation and administration of this act. The attorney general shall act as attorney for the commission in all actions and proceedings brought by or against it under this act.
(b) In addition to or instead of the attorney general the commission may hire other legal counsel with the approval of the attorney general.
33-28-121. Temporary licenses to complete affairs of deceased brokers.
In the event of the death of a responsible broker who is the sole proprietor of a real estate company, upon application by his personal representative, the director shall issue, without examination and for a specified period of time, a temporary license to the personal representative, or to a licensed individual designated by him and approved by the director. The license shall authorize the holder of the temporary license to continue to transact business for the sole purpose of completing the affairs of the deceased responsible broker.
disposition of interest; commingling with personal funds prohibited; disputed deposits; cooperative transactions.
(a) Every responsible broker licensed by the commission in this state shall comply with the following provisions for each licensed real estate company he supervises:
(i) Maintain an account in a financial institution in this state designated as a trust or escrow account in which all down payments, earnest money deposits, advance listing fees or other trust funds received by him, his associate brokers or his salespersons on behalf of a principal or any other person shall be deposited unless all persons having an interest in the funds have agreed otherwise in writing. The account shall permit immediate withdrawal of the funds deposited therein. In lieu of maintaining a trust or escrow account under this paragraph, a responsible broker may use a funds holder;
(ii) Notify the real estate commission on forms it prescribes of the name of the financial institution in which a trust account is maintained and the name of the account. If the responsible broker uses a funds holder and deposits monies with the funds holder, his intention to use a funds holder and the name of the funds holder shall be disclosed to all parties to any contract, purchase agreement, lease or lease agreement negotiated by him. The responsible broker shall identify all funds holders used by the broker and notify the real estate commission in writing that he uses and deposits monies with the funds holder;
(iii) Permit the commission or its representative to examine the responsible broker's trust accounting records;
(iv) Upon cancellation of his license for any reason, maintain the trust account until all deposits have been properly disbursed.
(b) If a responsible broker's branch office maintains a separate trust account, the office shall maintain a separate bookkeeping system.
(c) A trust account maintained by a responsible broker under this section may be interest bearing or noninterest bearing. Any interest accrued on any deposit in a trust account shall be paid out as agreed in writing by all persons having an interest in the deposit. In the absence of a written agreement among all persons having an interest in the deposit, at the time all or any portion of any deposit is withdrawn and paid out, all interest accrued upon the funds withdrawn and paid out shall also be withdrawn and paid out to the person from whom the trust funds were received; provided, if the funds are required to be disbursed to more than one (1) person, each person entitled to receive any portion of the deposit shall also be paid a portion of the interest in the same proportion as the funds withdrawn and paid out to each person bears to the total deposit.
(d) A licensee is not entitled to any part of the earnest money or other item of value given to him in connection with any real estate transaction as part or all of his compensation or fee until the transaction has been consummated or terminated.
(e) No responsible broker shall permit an advance payment of funds belonging to others to be deposited in the responsible broker's personal account or be commingled with his personal funds. It will not be considered commingling if, when establishing the trust account, the responsible broker deposits some of his funds to keep the account open or to avoid charges for a minimum balance, so long as that deposit is identified at the time of deposit. No responsible broker shall use deposits in a trust account for a purpose other than the transaction for which they were provided.
(f) In the event of a dispute over the return or forfeiture of any deposit held by a responsible broker, the responsible broker shall continue to hold the deposit in a trust account until he has a written release from the parties consenting to its disposition, until a civil action is filed or the responsible broker interpleads all parties, at which time it may be paid to the court.
(g) Unless otherwise agreed by all parties to the contract, in a cooperative transaction in which the responsible broker working with a buyer receives cash or a check as earnest money, the responsible broker shall deliver the contract and the cash or check to the responsible broker working with the seller who shall deposit the cash or check in his trust account. If the responsible broker working with a buyer receives a promissory note, or thing of value, the note or thing of value shall be delivered with the contract to the responsible broker working with the seller, who shall hold the note or thing of value.
Every responsible broker licensed by the commission in this state shall keep and maintain a full set of records of every real estate transaction in which he participates on behalf of or to assist any party to the transaction. The records shall be maintained not less than two (2) years from the latest date on which the real estate company participated in the transaction.
33-28-124. Act, error or omission in the rendering of real estate services.
A cause of action arising from an act, error or omission in the rendering of services provided by a licensee under this act shall be brought within the time limits provided under W.S. 1-3-107. Nothing in this section shall be construed to extend the limitation period specified in W.S. 33-28-203 for actions for payment from the real estate recovery account.
(a) A licensee may prepare a broker's price opinion:
(i) To a potential seller or third party, recommending a listing price of real estate;
(ii) To a potential buyer or third party, recommending a purchase price of real estate; or
(iii) To any third party, for any purpose permitted by law.
(b) Every printed or electronic broker's price opinion prepared as provided in subsection (a) of this section shall include the statement: "This is an opinion of price and is not a certified appraisal of the market value of the property. If such an appraisal is desired, the service of a certified appraiser must be obtained."
33-28-201. Real estate recovery account created; funding of account; no liability of state.
(a) There is created a real estate recovery account which shall be under the direction of the commission under W.S. 33-28-201 through 33-28-206.
(b) Every person obtaining or renewing a license shall pay an additional fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) which shall be deposited in the real estate recovery fund account. When the balance of the real estate recovery fund account reaches twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) one-half (1/2) of the fee shall be deposited in the real estate recovery fund account and one-half (1/2) of the fee shall be deposited in the educational fund account. When the real estate recovery fund account balance reaches fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) all fees shall be deposited in the education fund account.
(c) No monies shall be appropriated from the general fund for payment of any expenses incurred under W.S. 33-28-201 through 33-28-206 and those expenses shall not be paid by the state.
33-28-202. Real estate recovery account created; payments;
pro rata distribution when account insufficient; service of process; joinder of account.
(a) If any person obtains a final judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction against any licensee on the grounds of fraud, willful misrepresentation, deceit or conversion of trust funds arising directly out of any transaction which occurred when the licensee was licensed by the commission and in which the licensee performed any real estate activity, that person, within one (1) year of termination of all proceedings, including appeals, may file with the commission a verified petition in the court in which the judgment was entered for an order directing payment out of the real estate recovery account in the amount of actual damages included in the judgment and unpaid, and that a writ of execution has been returned unsatisfied, but for not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
(b) If the payment from the real estate recovery account is insufficient to pay in full the valid claims of all who have claims on file at any time the money in the account shall be distributed among them in the ratio that their respective claims bear to the aggregate of the valid claims or in a manner that a court deems equitable. Distribution of any monies shall be among the persons entitled to share the monies without regard to the order of priority in which their respective judgments were obtained or their claims were filed.
(c) Any licensee who cannot personally be served with a copy of a summons and complaint through reasonable diligence, shall be deemed to have appointed the director of the commission as his agent for service of process for purposes of actions filed against him pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Service of process pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be made under the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
(d) In lieu of the petition under subsection (a) of this section for an order directing payment out of the real estate recovery account, a person filing an action against a licensee of a type described in subsection (a) of this section may join the real estate recovery account as a limited third party defendant and have judgment rendered directly against the account in the amount provided in subsection (a) of this section provided:
(i) Service of summons and complaint is made on the real estate commission;
(ii) The account may assert all defenses available to defendant licensee;
(iii) Plaintiff posts a bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the actual damages he seeks from the account to guarantee costs.
(e) The commission may defend any action against the fund on behalf of the fund and in the name of the defendant.
(f) Recovery against the bond required in paragraph (d)(iii) of this section shall be authorized by the court if it rules in favor of the commission on behalf of the fund.
33-28-203. Limitation on action for payment from account; notice of action; order of payment; showing required.
(a) No order for payment from the real estate recovery account shall be issued unless the suit in which the order subsequently results was commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrued. If any person commences an action for a judgment which may result in an order for payment from the account, the person shall notify the commission in writing of the commencement of the action. The commission, under W.S. 33-28-111, shall investigate the complaint and may hold a suspension or revocation hearing.
(b) If any person files a petition for an order directing payment from the real estate recovery account, the court may order payment out of the real estate recovery account under subsection (c) of this section if it finds:
(i) The petitioner is not a spouse of the judgment debtor or a person representing the spouse;
(ii) The petitioner has obtained a judgment of the kind described in W.S. 33-28-202(a); and
(iii) The judgment debtor has insufficient property upon which execution may be levied to satisfy the judgment or that a writ of execution has been returned unsatisfied.
(c) Upon receipt of an order by the court directing that payment be made out of the real estate recovery account, the state auditor shall draw a warrant for the payment of the amount directed upon a voucher approved by the commission and the state treasurer shall pay the amount directed out of the real estate recovery account.
33-28-204. Suspension of licenses following payment from account; reinstatement.
If the commission is required to make any payment from the real estate recovery account in settlement of a claim or toward the satisfaction of a judgment, the commission shall immediately suspend the judgment debtor's license. The judgment debtor shall not be licensed by the commission or have his license reinstated by the commission until he has repaid in full the amount paid from the real estate recovery account with interest thereon of eighteen percent (18%) per annum. Repayment under this section shall not prohibit the commission from acting in accordance with W.S. 33-28-111. A discharge in bankruptcy shall not relieve a person from the disabilities and penalties of the section.
33-28-205. Subrogation of commission to rights of judgment creditor.
If, upon order of any court, the commission has caused payment to be made from the real estate recovery account to a judgment creditor, the commission is subrogated to the rights of the judgment creditor with respect to the amount so paid. Any recovery by the commission under this section shall be deposited in the real estate recovery account.
33-28-206. Fund balances; use of education fund and interest from recovery fund.
(a) When the real estate recovery fund and education fund balances exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) each, the commission shall not collect annual fees under W.S. 33-28-201(b).
(b) The commission may use the funds in the education fund, plus interest earned on the recovery fund, as appropriated by the legislature, for the purposes of raising the standards of practice in the real estate profession and the competency of licensees by:
(i) Promoting the advancement of education and research in the field of real estate for the benefit of those licensed under this act;
(ii) Underwriting educational seminars and all other similar forms of educational projects for the benefit of licensees;
(iii) Establishing a chair in real estate or courses at Wyoming state institutions of higher learning for the purpose of making those courses available to businesses and the general public;
(iv) Contracting for particular education or research projects in the field of real estate to further the purposes of this section.