Travel Therapy FAQ

Travel therapy is healthcare staffing where licensed PTs, OTs, SLPs, and assistants take temporary 13-week assignments at facilities nationwide. You're employed by a staffing agency and earn competitive pay including non-taxable stipends. Read the full 101 guide.

Pay varies by discipline, state and setting. Current weekly medians from live contracts are on the Travel Therapy Pay Index, and the Travel PT 101 guide covers PT pay and how stipends are taxed. Detailed pay guide.

Yes. Many agencies place new grads, especially in SNFs and outpatient. New Grad Guide.

A permanent residence you maintain while traveling. It is what keeps stipends out of taxable income; the IRS rules are in Publication 463. Full tax guide.

Standard is 13 weeks, by industry convention; shorter and longer contracts exist. Extensions at the same facility are common. Contract details.

An interstate agreement under which PTs and PTAs buy a privilege, state by state, in the member states that issue them instead of a separate license in each. Full PT Compact guide, Licensure guide and compact states list.

No universal minimum. SNFs accept new grads widely. Acute care often wants prior experience. Full requirements.

Most take the stipend and find their own via Furnished Finder, Airbnb, or Facebook groups. Housing guide.

SNFs, outpatient, acute care, home health, schools, inpatient rehab. SNFs have the most positions. Settings comparison.

Consider more than one. Evaluate pay transparency, recruiter quality, benefits. Agency selection guide and reviews.

Non-taxable with a valid tax home. Without one, ALL stipends become taxable. Tax guide.

Licenses, BLS, immunizations, background check, references, skills checklist, ID. Full checklist.

Yes. Partners share housing at no extra cost. Many rentals are pet-friendly.

Read the cancellation notice terms before you sign; longer notice gives you time to find the next contract. Your recruiter looks for a replacement. Contract guide.

It depends on your pay, housing costs and loan balance. Student loan strategies.

Yes. Options: agency plans, ACA Marketplace, parent's plan (under 26), spouse's plan. Insurance guide.

Agencies keep a portion of what the facility pays and pass the rest to you. A lower-margin agency passes more to you. Always compare packages from more than one agency. Pay packages explained.

Yes — you decide which assignments to accept. Popular locations pay less; rural areas pay premiums. Best states guide.

Federal return + resident return in tax home state + non-resident returns per work state. CPA recommended. Tax guide.

For most who try it, yes. Higher pay, diverse experience, and flexibility outweigh the challenges. Full pros and cons.