My first travel therapy contract was in a SNF outside Tampa. I made every rookie mistake possible. The contract itself was fine. Everything around it — the preparation, the expectations, the emotional adjustment — I got wrong. Here are the ten things I wish someone had told me before I signed.
This is the single most important financial step, and most new travelers get it wrong or do it too late. A tax home is the area where you maintain your primary residence, even while working elsewhere. Without one, your stipends become taxable, and you lose the entire financial advantage of travel therapy.
Consult a travel therapy-specific tax professional before signing your first contract. Not a regular CPA — someone who understands the IRS guidelines for itinerant workers. It'll cost $200-400 for a consultation and save you thousands in taxes. See our full tax home guide.
I signed with the first agency that called me back. That was a mistake — not because they were bad, but because I had no comparison point. Talk to at least three agencies. Ask the same questions to each. Compare pay packages on the same job posting. You'll be surprised how much they vary.
The key questions: What's the bill rate for this position? What's your markup? What does your health insurance actually cover? Do you offer a 401k with matching? How quickly do you respond to texts? What happens if a contract gets cancelled? Read reviews at TravelTherapyReviews.com before signing.
State licensure takes 4-8 weeks in most states, and some states are notoriously slow. If you want to start a contract in July, begin the licensure process in April. The PT Compact helps if both your home state and destination state are members, but it's not instant — you still need to apply for compact privilege.
Nobody talks about this enough. The first 2-3 weeks of your first contract are genuinely hard. You're in a new city with no friends, no familiar faces, and a clinical environment you're still figuring out. This is normal. It gets better around week 3-4 as you build routines and make connections. Read our guide on handling the emotional side.
The first pay package an agency offers is almost never their best. Politely push back. Even $50-100 more per week adds up to $650-$1,300 per contract. Travel therapy pay is negotiable — don't leave money on the table because you feel grateful for the opportunity.
Especially the cancellation clause, the guaranteed hours clause, and the housing provisions. Know what happens if the facility cancels your contract at week 4. Know whether you're guaranteed 40 hours or if they can float you to 32 without notice. These details matter more than the headline pay rate.
You don't need to bring your entire life. See our detailed packing list, but the short version: two suitcases, your clinical essentials, your pillow, and your kitchen knife. Buy cleaning supplies, toiletries, and pantry staples when you arrive.
Your first paycheck might not hit for 2-3 weeks. You'll need first month's rent, a rental car deposit possibly, groceries, and gas. Have at least $3,000-$5,000 in savings before your first contract starts. The financial advantage of travel therapy is real, but it doesn't materialize instantly.
Before your first contract, create a skills checklist. Know what you're confident in and where you need support. Being honest with yourself and your CI at the new facility builds trust faster than pretending you know everything. Travel therapists are expected to be competent from day one, but good facilities understand there's a learning curve with their specific protocols.
The first contract is the hardest. The second is dramatically easier. By the third, you'll wonder why anyone stays permanent. Give it a full 13 weeks before making any judgments about whether travel therapy is for you.
Start 3-4 months before your desired start date. Licensure in a new state can take 4-8 weeks, and credentialing at a facility takes 2-4 weeks after that.
Yes. Establishing and maintaining a tax home is essential for receiving tax-free stipends legally. Consult a travel therapy tax specialist before your first contract.
Interview 2-3 agencies. Ask about their bill rate transparency, insurance quality, 401k matching, recruiter responsiveness, and how they handle contract cancellations. Read reviews on TravelTherapyReviews.com.
It happens. Most contracts are 13 weeks — even a bad one ends. Talk to your recruiter about concerns early, document issues, and know that your second contract will be better because you'll know what questions to ask.
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