Your first travel contract, step by step

Each state licenses its own clinicians, so start with where you want to work.

• Nurses: if your main home is in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, one multistate license works in the other member states.[1]
• Physical therapists: you can buy a "privilege to practice" in other PT Compact states. It costs a $45 compact fee plus that state's fee.[2]
• Occupational therapists: the OT Compact is new. You can only apply in states that are accepting applications.[3]
• Speech-language pathologists: a few states issue ASLP Compact privileges, and more will start later.[4]

Check each state on the States page, and save your licenses in Credentials so you get renewal reminders.

If a job asks for BLS or ACLS, check your cards. An American Heart Association BLS card is valid for two years.[5] An AHA ACLS card is also valid for two years.[6]

Renew any card that will run out during the contract. Read Certifications and renewals.

The Joint Commission offers a certification for health care staffing firms.[7] Its reviewers check the firm against Joint Commission standards.[7] You can look up certified firms with its "Find the Gold Seal" tool.[8]

Use Find contracts to open job searches at several agencies. Read Choosing an agency.

An offer is usually a taxable hourly rate plus stipends for housing and meals. Stipends often follow the rates the government uses for its own travel. The GSA sets these rates for each area.[9]

Overtime matters too. Most hourly workers get at least 1.5 times their "regular rate" for hours over 40 in a workweek.[10]

Paste each offer into the take-home pay calculator. It shows your estimated weekly take-home and things to ask about, like guaranteed hours and what happens if the contract is canceled.

Stipends are tax-free only when you work away from your tax home.[11] If you don't keep a tax home, stipends are taxed like wages.[11]

This is the part most worth asking a tax professional about. Read What a tax home is, and keep records with the tax home record.

Ask the agency when its coverage starts and ends. Losing job-based coverage lets you sign up for a Marketplace plan within 60 days before or after.[12]

COBRA can keep your old employer plan for a while.[13] You have at least 60 days to choose it, and it can cost up to 102% of the plan's full price.[13] Read Health insurance between contracts.

Never pay by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. It's like sending cash.[14] Rent much lower than nearby places can be a scam sign, and so is a landlord who pushes you to decide right away.[14]

Keep your options in the housing tracker. Read Housing and rental scams.

Gather your licenses, certification cards and health records early, so they're ready when your agency asks.

The CDC lists the vaccines it recommends for all health care workers.[16] Read Vaccines for health care workers.

If you'll be away from 15 days up to a year, you can file a temporary change of address with USPS.[15] Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for it to start.[15]

Read Keeping a home base while you travel for mail, voting and your home state.

Add the contract to Trips. It gives you a checklist for before you go, your first week and the end of the contract.

When it ends, save the contract details. They help you compare your next offer and keep your work history in one place.