Locum tenens refers to physicians and advanced practice providers who temporarily fill clinical roles at healthcare facilities, offering flexibility, competitive pay, and the ability to practice across diverse settings. But locum tenens is often misunderstood, and many of the most common assumptions about it are simply not true.
We’ll answer the top questions we hear and debunk some of the top reasons locum tenens is misunderstood. We even provide the opinions of some of the best resources available – clinicians themselves.
1. Does Locum Tenens Require Travel?
No, clinicians don’t have to travel to do locum tenens. In fact, many physicians and advanced practice providers choose to do locums as a side gig to earn extra income or expand their skills.
For clinicians who already have a primary role, locums can be a flexible way to supplement income. It can also be a practical option for building experience, staying clinically sharp, and exploring different practice settings.
Whether someone wants to take occasional assignments close to home or pick up more frequent work, locums can fit alongside an existing career. That flexibility is part of what makes it such an appealing side gig.
2. Isn’t Locum Tenens for Retirees?
Locums can be an ideal choice at any stage of your career whether you’re just out of residency, in the middle of your career, or close to retirement. It can be a strategic career option that offers a different lifestyle for you – one you’ve always craved. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore clinical settings, add to your CV, or travel at someone else’s expense.
Locum tenens after residency can be an ideal choice if you want to:
- Explore different practice settings before settling down
- Maximize income early in your career, particularly for paying down student debt
- Gain experience in diverse settings like rural practices or high-need communities
- Have control over your schedule
Mid-career is often when physicians and clinicians feel the weight of student debt, burnout, and long hours. Many physicians and APPs at this stage don’t want to leave medicine but are looking for a way to practice and live differently.
Locum tenens in mid-career can be ideal for:
- Renewing your work life balance
- Reigniting professional fulfillment
- Career flexibility for family life
- Paying off student debt or saving for retirement
And as retirement approaches, many physicians and APPs are ready to slow down but not leave medicine entirely.
Locum tenens can be ideal in late career for:
- Mentoring younger generations of healthcare providers
- Gradual stepping away toward retirement
- Continued income
One of the greatest benefits of locum tenens jobs is that they can adapt and evolve with you and your career. What begins as a way to gain experience can later become a way to control work/life balance or as a thoughtful transition into retirement.
3. Is a Locums Career Unstable?
Many people assume locums means constantly scrambling for the next assignment, but a locums career can be structured and dependable when managed well.
Clinicians often choose locums assignments in advance, line up their schedules strategically, and work with staffing partners who help maintain continuity and can line up your next job before the end of your current one. For many, this creates a predictable rhythm that includes vacation time and schedule control.
Locums can also provide a way to adapt when the traditional employment market is uncertain. Instead of waiting for one permanent role to define their future, clinicians can build a schedule that works for their needs and stay marketable.
A locums career can also provide a steady income and schedule for those with chronic illness. For Dr. A, locums allowed her to keep working when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was able to create a schedule that balanced her health and her professional ambitions. “I couldn’t do that if I was in a permanent job. There’s no way,” she says. “I’ve had the flexibility to determine my own schedule and listen to my body.” Her life is actually more stable now than if she had a W-2 job.
4. Do Locum Tenens Clinicians Provide Lower Quality of Care?
Research shows that patient care delivered by locum tenens providers is as safe and effective as that of permanent staff. In fact, a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (2021) found that patients treated by locum tenens hospitalists had an adjusted average length of stay 1.2 days shorter with an average cost savings of $1,339 per hospitalization.
That kind of evidence aligns with the feedback locums providers often receive from facilities. One pediatric facility wrote, “I wanted to reach out to give a huge KUDOS to Dr. C. Yesterday evening got a bit hectic in the clinic. We had a very sick patient show up right before close. The original provider was super behind, and I moved the patient to Dr. C. She jumped right in and evaluated the patient with no complaints! The mom was very thankful that we were able to squeeze her in and complete treatment.”
The praise is not limited to individual cases, either. An executive director of a regional health system said, “The candidates Floyd Lee Locums presented are quality applicants. I am excited for the future!”
In reality, locums clinicians must have the same credentials and licenses as permanent staff and can deliver excellent care to the patients they serve.
5. Do Locums Physicians Manage All Their Own Paperwork, Licensing, and Credentialing?
Our concierge approach means we walk alongside clinicians through all of the details from credentialing and licensing to travel, housing, and assignment logistics. You are not left alone.
Practically, our support gives clinicians more room to breathe. Instead of spending time buried in paperwork or worrying about whether every detail is in place, they can stay focused on patient care and on what matters most in their personal and professional lives. For clinicians who are new to locums or balancing a busy schedule, that kind of hands-on support can make all the difference between burnout and living the life they crave.
What sets the experience apart is knowing there’s a team behind you that is responsive, thoughtful, and invested in making the process smooth from start to finish. That’s the kind of support clinicians remember.
“Many thanks go to the highly skills individuals at Floyd Lee Locums in credentialing, accounting, and operations who take care of all the logistical details and allow me to focus entirely on providing the best possible care to my patients.”
Dr. DS
“I feel like everyone at Floyd Lee is very accessible and really works to make sure that all I have to do is show up and be a good provider.”
Anonymous
6. Can Locum Tenens Be a Full-time Career?
For some clinicians, locums is the perfect fit for a full-time career because it allows them to practice medicine on their own terms. They can choose assignments that align with their goals, explore different practice settings, and build a career that feels sustainable and fulfilling. It can offer the flexibility to shape a life around personal priorities while still providing steady work, professional growth, and access to a wide range of clinical experiences.
For Dr. Ma, a full-time locums career meant spending more time with his kids. “Someone recently shared with me, ‘You know, these kids are not going to live with you forever.’ And it completely changed my perspective.” Dr. Ma told us. After a lengthy career in oncology that had 24/7 availability and caused him to miss important events with his kids, he built out a full-time locums career combining telehealth and in-person visits to a remote portion of the Carolinas that didn’t have oncology care. This expanded care in a critical region for patients and allowed Dr. Ma to spend more time with his family.
Dr. Ma’s experience shows that a full-time locums career can be both personally rewarding and professionally meaningful. It can create the flexibility to support family life while still making a real impact where care is needed most.
7. Can You Travel with Your Family or Pet?
Taking a locums job does not have to mean time away from the people and things that matter most. Many clinicians travel with their spouses, children, and even pets, and part of a concierge approach is helping make that experience feel as easy and family-friendly as possible. When a clinician is bringing family along, it helps to know that details are being considered beyond just the assignment itself.
That can mean helping clinicians find the little things that make a new place feel more like home. Families often want to know where parks, playgrounds, churches, restaurants, and local attractions are, especially when they are spending time in a town they do not know well. Part of our concierge approach at Floyd Lee Locums is locating resources for clinicians and their families at their assignment, which can make a big difference in how comfortable and settled a family feels while they’re there.
With the right support, it becomes easier to bring loved ones along and enjoy the assignment as a shared experience rather than a disruption.
“Floyd Lee Locums ensured that my hotel was pet friendly, and that everything was smooth from start to finish. The housing was amazing.”
8. Do Locum Tenens Providers Earn Less Than Permanent Employees?
Reality: In many cases, locum tenens providers earn more than their permanently employed peers — especially when you factor in covered expenses and tax deductions.
There’s a long-standing assumption that locums work is somehow a “step down” financially. The truth is, locum tenens can be one of the most financially rewarding paths in healthcare.
Most locums providers receive highly competitive hourly or daily rates, plus additional benefits like paid travel, housing, and licensing assistance. Unlike permanent positions, where compensation can be diluted by unpaid call or staying late for administrative work, locums providers are often compensated directly for the time and expertise they bring to each assignment. And, when a locums provider is off work, they’re off. No checking in or responding to messages.
As one provider shared: “I live in an area that has a very poor economy. As a result, my commission-based income had been on a steady downturn. The locums opportunity has enabled me to bridge that income gap and to continue to pay for my child’s college expenses.” – Dr. F.
At Floyd Lee Locums, we’ve seen providers use locums to fund early retirement goals, take extended time off without sacrificing earnings, or pay down student loan debt. “Best compensation of my career!” – Dr. B.
9. Are Locum Tenens Clinicians Respected?
Locum tenens clinicians are deeply valued, not only for the care they provide, but for the stability, experience, and support they bring to healthcare teams. Most facilities don’t just appreciate locums providers — they welcome them as part of the team.
According to the CHG 2025 State of Locum Tenens Report, 71% of US physicians report a positive impression of locum tenens work, and 61% of hospital leaders view locum providers positively (up from 45% in 2023).
We hear it all the time from clinicians who are surprised by how quickly they feel included on assignment. Facilities understand that great patient care depends on collaboration, and experienced locums providers bring valuable expertise wherever they go.
In many cases, locums clinicians are stepping into environments where their help is genuinely needed. That creates a level of appreciation and professional respect that can be hard to find elsewhere.
We recently saw this firsthand with one of our locums hospitalists, who was named Hospitalist of the Month at his assignment facility — an honor voted on by permanent colleagues and hospital staff. It is a powerful reminder that great clinicians earn trust and respect regardless of whether they’re permanent or locums. What matters most is the quality of care they provide and the impact they make on the people around them.
And while every assignment is different, many providers walk away from locums experiences with not only professional connections, but with lasting relationships.
As several of our clinicians shared:
“The anesthesia department was top notch, professional, courteous, and welcoming.”
Dr. P.
“Medical staff support was outstanding. They were respectful and yet fun to work with. They were so supportive and definitely made an impact in my work quality. I felt welcome from day one.”
Dr. C.
“The staff here feel like family. We hang out outside of work, often playing pickleball together several times a week.”
Dr. A
10. Are Locums Jobs Only in “Bad” Locations?
Locum tenens opportunities exist everywhere — from major metro areas to small towns, coastal communities, and remote destinations with incredible culture and scenery.
Reputable locum tenens agencies partner with healthcare facilities in all 50 states, giving providers the flexibility to choose assignments that fit their professional goals and lifestyle preferences. Some clinicians prefer major cities and large health systems, while others discover they love the pace that comes with more rural assignments. Some prefer to work close to home while others love the freedom to travel.
And often, it’s the unexpected locations that become the most rewarding experiences. Many underserved facilities are incredibly appreciative of locums support, creating welcoming environments where clinicians can make a meaningful impact while experiencing new places and communities along the way.
As providers shared:
“Each assignment has allowed me to gain exposure to different medical settings, adapt to new environments, and work with diverse medical teams and patient populations. This variety keeps my work dynamic and rewarding as I help meet the need of facilities with critical oncology physician shortages.”
Dr. Ds
“This is the best job I’ve ever had! It’s like heaven.”
Dr. O.
11. Do People Think I’m Working Locums Because I Can’t Find a Permanent Job?
Many clinicians pursue locums because they want flexibility, diversity of experience, or more control over their time. Others enjoy the chance to practice in different environments without committing to a single employer or long-term contract.
The truth is, locums can add to your CV in ways traditional W-2 employment cannot. The diversity of experiences and skills you earn benefits future employers and patients.
Locums can be a thoughtful career decision, not a fallback. The assumption that it signals something negative says more about old-fashioned myths than the dedication of a clinician.
12. Does Working Locums Negatively Affect My CV?
Some clinicians worry that a mix of shorter assignments will make their background look scattered, but a locums career often tells a different story.
A variety of assignments can show adaptability, independence, and a willingness to grow across different practice settings. They can also strengthen a clinician’s skill set by creating opportunities to work with different teams, patient populations, and workflows. For many clinicians, locums becomes one important part of a larger professional picture, and that variety can be an invaluable strength.
13. Can You Get Benefits and Health Insurance with Locums?
Unlike traditional W-2 employees, locum tenens clinicians are typically classified as 1099 independent contractors. This means you’re responsible for managing your own insurance and retirement. For many, the biggest anxiety is health insurance.
However, Floyd Lee Locums offers a Group Health Benefits Plan that covers you and your family, even between assignments. The ability to join a group plan gives you more savings, better coverage, and peace of mind. And our plan isn’t limited to just health insurance. It offers health, life, and disability plans to cover all of life’s medical surprises.
And as an independent contractor, you have more freedom in saving for retirement than you would in a traditional job. When you work locum tenens, you can customize how you fund your retirement. No longer are you limited to your employer’s 401(k) plan. As a self-employed independent contractor, you act as both the employer and the employee. This flexibility allows you to contribute more money to a self-employed retirement account than you would as an employee. Additionally, locum tenens providers can use other options like an SEP-IRA or Backdoor Roth IRA, as well as take advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA) for tax-protected growth. You have the ability to diversify your retirement to protect it long-term. This flexibility allows you to balance current lifestyle preferences with long-term wealth building.
14. Is It Hard to Get Started in Locum Tenens?
At Floyd Lee Locums, we take a concierge approach to help you feel supported. That means we stay closely involved from the beginning, helping clinicians move through the details with a team that is responsive, organized, and focused on making the process as smooth as possible. We are your front desk and your back pocket resource.
That kind of support can make a big difference, especially for clinicians taking on their first assignment. “Truly appreciate all the work the team has done to get me all setup as I embark on my very first assignment by myself. Thanks again to the Floyd Lee Locums team!” – TB
It can also help ease the nerves that naturally come with trying something new. “Everything has been stellar so far. This has been a great experience. I was extremely nervous in the beginning, but you guys have made me feel very secure.” – VW
When a clinician knows they have an advocate looking out for them, the experience can feel much more approachable. “Cannot imagine having an advocate for my association with Floyd Lee be more responsive to my needs than you were.” – Dr. S.
15. Are You On Your Own as a Locums Provider?
At Floyd Lee Locums, we believe clinicians should feel supported in every part of the journey, not just the assignment itself. That’s why our concierge approach goes beyond professional logistics and extends into personal support, helping clinicians settle in, find what they need in their new community, and feel at home wherever they are.
We can help with the details that matter day to day, whether that means booking appointments, updating licensing records, handling paperwork, or pointing clinicians toward trusted local resources. We also offer a Locums Toolkit with professional references for financial planners, attorneys, and tax professionals who specialize in the locums lifestyle, because our network is your network. And when life happens, our team is here with the kind of responsive support that keeps things moving.
That level of care is what makes the experience feel personal. It can mean ordering a birthday gift for a spouse or child, serving as a clinician’s front desk, ordering business cards, or simply making sure they know someone is looking out for them every step of the way. Because all of our support is handled by an in-house team, clinicians get a consistent experience from people who know them and are truly invested in their success.
“My support from FLL was the best I’ve ever experienced, from my point of contract, through payroll, operations, and even personal attention from higher management. My experience with FLL was unmatched in my locums experience.” Dr. P.
“With Floyd Lee Locums, the promise of concierge service is wholly fulfilled. I have had the honor of working with Zac who sincerely and honestly cares about you as a person, your welfare on the assignment, your safety while lodging, and ensuring that your family is also well. It is a refreshing and sobering experience. If I could share a personal note it would be that during my assignment I became very ill and missed several weeks of work. Instead of being admonished, I was sent an Edible Arrangement with well wishes (plus a teddy bear) and the company sent a beautiful gift during “Locums” week. I honestly cannot say enough great things about the entire team.” L.T.
“Just wanted to say thank you for thinking about me for my birthday. One of the best things I did this year was become a part of a company that treats its employees like family and not just a number. Thank you again!” LR