Find the Right
Locum Tenens Agency — Fast

Locum tenens is more expensive per hour than a permanent physician when accounting for agency fees, travel, housing, and malpractice coverage. However, an unfilled shift typically costs a facility more in lost revenue than the locum premium. The real comparison is locum cost versus the revenue loss and patient care disruption of leaving the position vacant.

Agency fees typically bundle the physician's daily rate, malpractice tail coverage, travel, and housing, but the breakdown varies. Some agencies charge facilities separately for licensing or credentialing expediting. Request an itemized cost structure upfront and clarify who covers incidentals like rental cars or per diems to avoid budget surprises mid-assignment.

For common specialties, agencies can deploy a provider within days to a few weeks if credentialing is expedited and the physician is already licensed in your state. Complex specialties or rural locations can take longer. Planning 180 days ahead is the industry benchmark for non-emergency coverage; urgent fills under two weeks are possible but carry higher cost and lower candidate selection.

Credentialing typically takes 30 to 90 days depending on your facility's privileging process and the physician's existing state licenses. Experienced locums who travel frequently often have licenses in multiple states and a completed credentials packet, which accelerates the process. Delays are the leading cause of failed urgent placements, so starting credentialing immediately upon identifying a candidate is critical.

Reputable agencies verify board certification, current state licensure, malpractice history, employment gaps, references from recent assignments, and DEA registration. Many also track performance ratings from prior facilities. This vetting is often more rigorous than a standard permanent hire process because agencies bear reputational risk if a provider fails at placement. Ask agencies specifically how they handle candidates with short assignment histories.

Most agencies provide occurrence-based or claims-made malpractice coverage with tail, but coverage limits and exclusions vary significantly. Confirm the per-occurrence and aggregate limits, whether tail coverage is included if the physician does not return, and whether your state has minimum coverage requirements. Do not assume coverage is equivalent to your facility's existing policy.