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Travel healthcare 101

Updated Nov 4, 2026Clinician review pending

Travel clinicians take short contracts in other cities, often 13 weeks at a time.

In short

  • Pay is a taxable hourly rate plus stipends for housing and meals.[1]
  • Stipends are tax-free only if you keep a tax home and are working away from it.[2]
  • You need a license for each state, unless a compact covers you.[3]
How the pay works

An offer has two parts. The hourly rate is taxed like any job. Housing and meal stipends help cover the cost of living away from home.

Stipends often follow the rates the government uses for its own travel. The GSA sets these rates for each area.[1] Use the Offers tool to see what you'd really take home.

Why your tax home matters

Your tax home is the place where you mainly work. Stipends are tax-free when you travel away from it for work.[2]

If you don't keep a tax home, stipends are taxed like wages. Read What a tax home is.

Licenses

Each state licenses its own clinicians. A new license can take weeks.

Compacts make this easier. For example, nurses whose main home is in a Nurse Licensure Compact state can hold one license for all member states.[3] Check yours with Can I work in…?.

Health insurance

Agency coverage often ends when a contract ends. Losing job coverage lets you sign up for a Marketplace plan within 60 days.[4] Read Health insurance between contracts.

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Sources

  1. Per diem rates — U.S. General Services Administration. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  2. Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses — IRS. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  3. Nurse Licensure Compact: participating jurisdictions map — NCSBN / Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  4. Special Enrollment Period — HealthCare.gov (CMS). Checked Nov 4, 2026.