Physical therapists can build their careers in many different healthcare environments, and not all of them remain in the same facility for years at a time. Travel physical therapists take temporary assignments in different locations, which allow them to provide rehabilitative care while working with new patients, clinical teams, and healthcare settings.
To become a travel physical therapist, aspiring professionals first need to complete the education and licensure requirements for becoming a physical therapist and then secure authorization to practice in various locations.
If combining a physical therapy career with the opportunity to travel regularly sounds appealing to you, you are at the right place. In the article below, we’ll explore the travel PT role in more detail, outline the qualifications you need to meet, and show you how to become a travel physical therapist in a step-by-step manner.
Understanding Travel Physical Therapists
Traveling physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who provide physical therapy services through temporary assignments in different locations. Instead of working permanently for the same employer, these professionals move between facilities based on available contracts, staffing needs, and the locations where they choose to work.
Despite the temporary nature of their employment, the clinical responsibilities of travel PTs are generally the same as those of permanently employed physical therapists. They assess patients, develop individualized treatment plans, provide therapeutic exercises, and monitor their progress.
Depending on the assignment they accept, travel physical therapists may work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, home health environments, and other settings where physical therapy care is normally provided.
While the nature of their clinical work may remain largely unchanged, the way travel PTs find employment and structure their working arrangements can be considerably different from that of permanent physical therapists.
Instead of holding a permanent position with a single facility like most PTs, travel physical therapists typically work on temporary contracts, often secured with the help of healthcare staffing agencies and recruiters.
Working With Travel Physical Therapy Recruiters
One of the most common ways travel physical therapists find assignments is by relying on recruiters employed by healthcare staffing agencies to source travel physical therapy jobs for them. These recruiters connect travel PTs with facilities looking to fill temporary positions and help them identify contracts that match their preferences.
When this type of assignment is being arranged, the travel physical therapy recruiter will first learn more about the therapist’s experience, licensing status, preferred destinations, and desired work settings. Based on this information, the recruiter can present suitable openings and explain important details such as the location, start date, contract length, and compensation.
Once a travel PT identifies an assignment they are interested in, the recruiter can submit their profile to the facility and help coordinate the interview process. If the facility decides to move forward, the recruiter generally remains involved while the therapist reviews the offer and prepares for the assignment.
Travel Physical Therapy Contracts
Having explored the recruitment process and logistics of securing a travel physical therapy job, we should also explain how the terms under which a traveling physical therapist works are established. The way that the temporary working arrangements travel PTs enter into are formalized is through employment agreements known as travel physical therapy contracts.
These contracts typically specify the length of the assignment, expected schedule, compensation, benefits, and any travel or housing reimbursements. While the contract lengths can vary, many travel physical therapy assignments last around 13 weeks.
In addition to defining the terms of the working arrangement, these agreements may establish the conditions related to extending or ending the assignment. For this reason, travel PTs should review each contract carefully and make sure they understand both what the facility expects from them and what they will receive in return.
Once their contract expires, the therapist may accept an extension or move on to a new assignment elsewhere, allowing them to build their career through a succession of temporary positions.
Licensing and PT Compact Privileges
Given the temporary and mobile nature of this type of work, some travel physical therapy assignments may require a traveling PT to move between different states. And as you may be aware, PT licenses are issued by individual state licensing boards, so a license obtained in one state does not automatically give a PT the right to practice everywhere else in the country.
The way that eligible travel PTs can avoid going through the full licensing process each time they accept an assignment in another state is through the Physical Therapy Compact.
The PT Compact is an interstate agreement that allows qualified physical therapists who hold a license in a participating home state to obtain a Compact privilege, which authorizes them to practice in another participating state without obtaining a traditional license there.
To qualify, travel PTs must hold an active license in their home state and meet the remaining eligibility requirements established by the PT Compact.
We should point out that not every state in the US participates in the agreement, and at the moment, 37 states accept Compact privileges. When traveling to a state that does not participate, a travel PT generally needs to obtain an active license from that state’s licensing board before they can begin working there.
Requirements for Becoming a Travel Physical Therapist
Now that we understand how travel physical therapists find assignments, work under temporary contracts, and move between different states, we can now turn our attention to the qualifications they need before they can begin working in this capacity.
In practice, these are more or less the same requirements as those for becoming a physical therapist, with a few additional steps related to the travel-based nature of the profession. They include:
- Holding a bachelor’s degree with the prerequisite undergraduate coursework required for admission to a DPT program
- Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program
- Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination
- Obtaining an active physical therapist license through the appropriate state licensing board
- Accumulating a sufficient amount of clinical experience
- Securing the necessary license or PT Compact privilege for the state in which the assignment is located
- Meeting any assignment-specific credentialing requirements, which may include Basic Life Support certification, background checks, health records, or other onboarding documentation
These requirements and qualification demands are set in place to ensure that only properly educated, trained, and licensed professionals can be granted the authority to provide physical therapy services across different assignments and locations.
How to Become a Travel Physical Therapist
Having outlined the main requirements for becoming a travel physical therapist, we can now take a closer look at how aspiring professionals can meet them in practice, and break down the entire qualification process, step by step.
Complete the Necessary Undergraduate Education
The first step toward becoming a travel physical therapist is to complete the undergraduate education required of aspiring PTs. In most cases, this means completing a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes around four years of full-time study.
At this point in their education, aspiring PTs are not required to choose any specific major and can study virtually any field they prefer. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be strategic about their choice and choose to study a field that is related to occupational therapy and the intricacies of the profession they want to practice in.
Some of the best options for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in this field include biology, kinesiology, and exercise science, all of which can serve as a useful academic foundation for subsequent physical therapy training.
While the choice of major is not particularly important, aspiring PTs do need to complete the prerequisite coursework required by the DPT programs they plan to attend, which commonly includes anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics.
In addition, individual programs may also impose requirements such as minimum GPA standards or observation hours, so students should review their admission criteria before enrolling.
Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
Once an aspiring travel PT completes their undergraduate education and satisfies the necessary admission requirements, they can move on to the professional training required for physical therapist licensure by enrolling in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
DPT programs are offered by institutions accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and generally take around three years to complete.
During this period, students build on their undergraduate foundation through coursework in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, pharmacology, and therapeutic interventions. In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, DPT students also complete supervised clinical education that allows them to apply what they have learned in real healthcare environments.
These experiences can expose students to different patient populations and physical therapy settings, and help them develop the clinical judgment and practical skills they will later need when working independently.
By the time they graduate, students will have completed the professional education required to move into the examination and licensing stages of the process, and come one step closer to practicing as licensed physical therapists.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
With their DPT education complete, graduates can proceed to the examination stage of the physical therapy licensing process. This involves taking the National Physical Therapy Examination, or NPTE, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
The NPTE evaluates candidates on their knowledge of patient examination and evaluation, diagnosis and prognosis, treatment interventions, and the major body systems relevant to physical therapy practice.
We should point out that in addition to passing the national exam, some states may also require candidates to complete a jurisprudence examination that covers the laws, regulations, and professional standards that govern physical therapy practice within that jurisdiction.
In the states where additional examination requirements apply, candidates must earn passing scores on both the national and state-specific exams to qualify for licensure.
Obtain Your Physical Therapist License
After passing the required examinations, candidates can take the last remaining step in the qualification process and apply for their physical therapist license. Given that PT licenses are issued at the state level, they will need to submit their application through the appropriate licensing board in the state where they intend to begin practicing.
Along with the application itself, candidates also need to provide documentation confirming their DPT education and examination results and pay the required fees. Depending on the jurisdiction, the board may also require going through a criminal background check or submitting additional documentation.
Once the licensing board verifies that the candidate has satisfied all applicable requirements, it can issue an active physical therapist license. With this credential in place, newly licensed PTs can begin practicing independently and start building the clinical experience that may later help them qualify for a broader range of travel assignments.
Accumulate More Clinical Experience
While obtaining a professional PT license is enough to start practicing independently, it may not always be enough to be considered for travel therapy jobs. This is because travel therapists are often expected to enter unfamiliar clinical environments and begin working with relatively little adjustment time.
To ensure that the therapist they hire has the necessary clinical confidence and independence to work effectively, some employers prefer candidates who have already accumulated one or two years of practical experience in the field.
This means that the best course of action for newly licensed physical therapists is to gain some hands-on experience before they start applying for traveling assignments.
Working in a permanent position can give them time to strengthen their clinical judgment, become more comfortable managing patients independently, and develop experience in the type of setting in which they may later want to travel.
Find Travel Physical Therapy Assignments
After a PT has gained enough experience to feel comfortable pursuing travel work, they can begin looking for assignments that match their professional background and preferences. As we explained earlier, one of the most common ways to do this is by working with a travel therapy recruiter that specializes in placing therapists in temporary positions.
When exploring positions, travel PTs can narrow their search by location, clinical setting, contract length, schedule, and compensation to find jobs that suit them.
We should point out that their previous experience can also influence which opportunities are available, as some facilities look specifically for therapists who have already worked with certain patient populations or in particular care environments.
After identifying a suitable opening, the therapist can submit their profile for consideration, usually with the help of their recruiter, and complete an interview with the facility if required. If both sides decide to move forward, the PT can review the proposed contract and determine whether the assignment is a good fit before formally accepting it.
Secure a Necessary State License or PT Compact Privilege
Once a travel PT has accepted an assignment in a participating state, they can obtain a PT Compact privilege that authorizes them to practice there without applying for a traditional state license.
To secure the privilege, the therapist must hold an active license in their Compact-member home state, meet the eligibility requirements established by the PT Compact, and select the destination state in which they intend to work.
Depending on the jurisdiction, they may also need to complete a state-specific jurisprudence requirement and pay the applicable fees before the privilege can be issued.
Once approved, the Compact privilege gives the travel PT the legal authority to practice in that particular state for the duration of the privilege. If they later accept an assignment in another participating state, they will need to obtain a separate privilege for that jurisdiction as well.
Complete the Required Credentialing and Start Working as a Travel Therapist
With the necessary authorization to practice in the destination state secured, the final step is to complete any credentialing and onboarding requirements imposed by the facility or staffing agency before the assignment begins.
These requirements can vary between employers, but travel PTs may need to provide proof of their professional license or Compact privilege, education, employment history, immunization records, and other health documentation.
In addition, some facilities may also require a criminal background check, drug screening, Basic Life Support certification, or additional forms related to their internal policies.
Once the required documents have been submitted and verified, the therapist can complete any remaining orientation or facility-specific training and prepare to begin treating patients.
From there, the travel therapist can begin working under the terms of their contract and, once the assignment ends, either accept an extension or start looking for another opportunity in a new location.
Important Considerations for Potential Travel PTs
Having covered the entire process of becoming a travel physical therapist, we can now turn our attention to some of the practical considerations professionals should keep in mind before deciding whether this type of work is right for them.
Working as a travel PT can offer considerably more flexibility than remaining in a permanent position with a single employer, but that flexibility also comes with certain tradeoffs. For this reason, it is worth looking at both the advantages and the challenges associated with building a career around temporary assignments.
Advantages of Working Whilst Traveling
Some of the main advantages associated with travel physical therapy include:
- Higher earning potential compared to many permanent PT positions
- Greater freedom to choose where and when to work
- Opportunities to live and work in different parts of the country
- Exposure to different clinical settings and patient populations
- The ability to gain diverse professional experience over a relatively short period
- Opportunities to expand professional networks by working with different facilities and healthcare teams
For physical therapists who value flexibility and enjoy regularly changing their surroundings, these advantages can make travel work particularly appealing.
Challenges of Working on the Road
On the other hand, some of the main challenges travel PTs may encounter include:
- Frequent relocation between assignments
- The need to regularly arrange temporary housing and transportation
- Repeated licensing, credentialing, and onboarding requirements
- Having to quickly adapt to unfamiliar facilities and workplace procedures
- Potential gaps in income between contracts
- Differences in benefits, no paid time off, and insurance coverage between staffing agencies and assignments
For this reason, travel physical therapy may not be the best fit for professionals who value stability and prefer remaining with the same employer and in the same location for an extended period.
Closing Thoughts
Travel physical therapists help healthcare facilities meet temporary staffing needs while providing patients with the rehabilitative care they need. At the same time, the profession gives licensed PTs an opportunity to work with different patients, facilities, and communities across the country.
Becoming a travel physical therapist requires completing the standard PT education and licensing process and then meeting the additional requirements associated with temporary, interstate work. For PTs who are comfortable with frequent change and want more flexibility in where they practice, travel physical therapy can be a rewarding career option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does being a travel PT work?
Working as a travel PT involves taking temporary physical therapy assignments at healthcare facilities in different locations rather than working permanently for a single employer.
Travel PTs commonly find these assignments through healthcare staffing agencies and recruiters, with contracts often lasting around 13 weeks. Before starting an assignment, they must also make sure they are authorized to practice in the destination state, either through a state license or, when eligible, a PT Compact privilege.
Once one contract ends, the therapist can accept an extension or move on to another assignment in a different facility or location.
Do travel physical therapists make good pay?
Yes, travel physical therapists can make good money, and travel positions often offer higher compensation than permanent PT jobs. According to ZipRecruiter, travel physical therapists earn an average of $105,500 per year, or around $2,000 per week, after taxes.
Actual earnings can vary considerably depending on the location, facility, contract, experience, and specialty. Travel PTs with additional experience or specialty credentials may also qualify for higher-paying assignments, while some compensation packages include non-taxable housing and meal stipends that can further increase the overall value of a contract. (ZipRecruiter)
How long does it take to become a travel physical therapist?
Becoming a travel physical therapist can take from around seven to nine years from the moment you begin your undergraduate education, although the process can take longer if you gain additional clinical experience before pursuing travel assignments.
Students generally spend around four years earning a bachelor’s degree, followed by approximately three years completing their DPT education. Then, graduates must then pass the NPTE and obtain their physical therapist license.
From there, some PTs can begin pursuing travel assignments relatively quickly, while others may spend an additional year or more gaining the clinical experience required or preferred for certain positions.