How to choose a
locums agency.

Before working locum tenens, you have a decision to make: go it alone or use a staffing agency. This tool can help you make a more informed choice, including understanding the benefits of using established agencies.

As you explore agencies, you may also consider looking into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). The IMLC is an agreement among participating U.S. states and territories that significantly streamlines the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states. The IMLC currently includes 37 states, the District of Columbia and the Territory of Guam. Find more information about the IMLC on CompHealth's blog here.

This below list of reputable locum tenens agencies provides you with a great starting point for your locums journey. Remember, you are not limited to working with just 1 locums agency. Learn more about finding your ideal locum tenens recruiter on our blog.

Locum tenens agency comparison chart

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AGENCY
Weatherby Healthcare CompHealth Global Medical Staffing Cross Country Jackson & Coker AMN Healthcare Delta Locum Tenens LocumTenens.com VISTA Medicus Aya Locums
Jobs per Agency
Physician
1900+ 1900+ 550+ 450+ 750+ 1100+ 150+ 1250+ 1300+ 350+ 200+
Physician Assistant
90+ 100+ n/a 90+ 30+ 450+ (Advanced Practice) 10+ (Advanced Practice) 130+ 200+ (Advanced Practice) 20+ 25+
Nurse Practitioner
100+ 150+ n/a 250+ 60+ 230+ 20+ 40+
Job Locations
US US U.S. & International U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S.
Educational Resources
Blog
Provider Guide
About Weatherby
Blog
Provider Guide
Blog
International LT Guide
Provider Guide
Blog
Locums Life Podcast
Testimonials
Blog
Provider Guide
Blog
FAQ
Blog
Career Center
Provider Guide
Blog
Provider Guide
Blog
Provider Guide
FAQ
Usability Resources
MyWeatherby Portal
MyCompHealth Portal
Time-entry online portal
Mobile App
AMN Passport
Online Portal
Loyalty Program
MyMedicusIQ
Online Portal
Malpractice Coverage
Claims-made professional liability policy
$1M/$3M limits
Patient Compensation Fund (in applicable states)
Learn more
Claims-made professional liability policy
$1M/$3M limits
Patient Compensation Fund (in applicable states)
Learn more
Occurrence-based
A++ and AAA-rated
Malpractice coverage in other countries
Learn more
Occurrence-based
Malpractice insurance offered
Claims-made professional liability policy
Patient Compensation Fund (in applicable states)
Learn more
Claims-made
$1M/$3M limits
Learn more
Claims-made
$1M/$3M limits
Learn more
Professional Liability Insurance
Learn more
Claims-made
$1M/$3M limits
Malpractice insurance offered
Learn more
Best Of Staffing Ranking*
4.8 4.7 4.9 4.6 4.6 4.2 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.6 n/a
Year of Company Foundation
1995 1979 1994 1987 1978 1991 1997 1995 1990 2004 2001
Job Board
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*Clearly Rated Best of Staffing Award Winning Staffing Agencies

Licensing & Credentialing

The agency trifecta: licensing, credentialing, privileging.

Locums assignments can free you from some of the bureaucracy found in full-time positions. That said, there is paperwork you’ll need to finish before accepting an assignment. This is another area where established agencies can be a huge help.

NALTO member agencies must follow strict credentialing guidelines you can see here. Larger agencies also have specialized teams that help you in every step of the process, including the benefits of their long-standing relationships with state licensing boards.

Jobs Available

The partnerships that partner you with better jobs.

CompHealth created locum tenens back in 1979 to deliver healthcare to underserved communities. With its efficiencies and ability to quickly place medical professionals in unfilled positions, locums exploded from there.

The leading staffing agencies partner with the top healthcare systems, state medical agencies, and medical facilities across the nation for locums jobs, which means they have access to opportunities you can’t find on your own.

Locations

Stay close to home or travel to new places.

Did you know that 51% of physicians who have worked locum tenens have taken an assignment locally (close to their home residence)? Providers have the option to take assignments close to home, travel to new places, or do a combination of both. Talk about endless opportunities.

Looking to go global? Agencies such as Global Medical Staffing even have international job opportunities in places like Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The locums agency will assist you with all needed paperwork to help ensure you have a smooth process practicing medicine overseas.

Agency

Use available information to educate yourself on the ins and outs of locums to make an informed decision.

Check out agency blogs to read about the different experiences of locum tenens providers in your specialty. Blogs offer insight into common locums questions and tips and tricks for success. Available provider focused guides also offer useful information to assist in career decisions.

Tech savvy? Some agencies offer online portals where providers can manage their contacts, assignments, credentialing details and more, all in one place from a computer or mobile device.

Malpractice Insurance

Good agencies offer great protection.

When working with an established agency, you’ll find most offer malpractice insurance in two forms, occurrence policies and claims-made policies.

An occurrence policy provides protection from covered incidents arising from acts or omissions occurring during the policy period while a claims-made policy provides protection from covered incidents arising from acts or omissions.

To learn more about malpractice insurance policies, visit our friends at Weatherby Healthcare here.

Compensation

So, how does that 33% increase get into your bank account?

While working locum tenens, you can expect to earn on average 33% more than those in a full-time position. To see the current pay ranges in your specialty, go here.

A good agency negotiates rates, shift preferences, call, days off, per diem allowances, and more on your behalf, but you can always try to negotiate for more with your agency recruiter. Top agencies also prepay for travel and housing and reimburse you for other related expenses.

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