The Credentialing Process
Before you can start any travel assignment, you must complete a compliance/credentialing packet. Your agency's compliance team manages this process, but you provide the documentation. Start gathering documents early — missing even one item can delay your start date by weeks.
Complete Document Checklist
Professional Credentials
Active state license(s) for your assignment state
Compact privilege (if applicable)
BLS/CPR card (AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers)
National certification (NBCOT for OT/COTA, CCC-SLP for SLP)
Specialty certifications (if applicable)
Malpractice insurance (some agencies provide this)
Health & Immunization Records
MMR titers (Measles, Mumps, Rubella blood test)
Varicella titer (Chickenpox blood test)
Hepatitis B series + titer
Tdap vaccination (within last 10 years)
TB test (within last year) OR chest X-ray
Annual flu shot
COVID vaccination record (facility-dependent)
Physical exam (within last year)
Background & Screening
FBI fingerprint background check
Drug screening (10-panel typical)
OIG/GSA exclusion check
Sex offender registry check
Professional References
2-3 professional references (supervisors preferred)
Skills checklist for your primary setting
Updated resume in travel therapy format
Personal Documents
Government-issued photo ID
Social Security card
W-4 and state tax withholding forms
Timeline
Weeks 1-2: Gather existing documents, schedule any missing immunization titers, order background check.
Weeks 2-3: Receive titer results, complete skills checklist, confirm references.
Weeks 3-4: Submit full packet to agency compliance team. They review and request any corrections.
Week 4+: Facility-specific requirements may add additional items. Drug screening typically done within 30 days of start.
Start Early: The #1 cause of delayed start dates is missing credentialing documents. Blood titers take 1-2 weeks for results. Background checks can take a week. Start the process the moment you decide to travel.
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