New Grad Travel Therapy FAQ
Yes, new grads can travel: many agencies place them, especially in skilled nursing and outpatient, and the key is choosing a facility that will support you. Below are straight answers on pay, experience, licensing and getting started. Read them, then the full new grad guide.
Yes. Many agencies place new grads, especially in SNFs and outpatient. The key is honest self-assessment and choosing supportive facilities. Full new grad guide.
No universal minimum. SNFs often accept new grads. Acute care typically wants prior experience. Settings by accessibility.
Pay depends on your discipline, setting and location. For current published travel pay by discipline, see the ProTherapy Staffing pay index. Full salary breakdown.
It can speed up repayment; how much depends on your pay, costs and loan balance. Full payoff strategies.
SNFs often take new grads and have structured caseloads. Outpatient clinics with a team are another option. Detailed comparison.
Usually yes. Marketplace plans and short-term health plans are both options. Short-term plans can bridge a gap, but the federal rule for short-term plans limits a new one to a few months, renewals included. Marketplace plans offer more comprehensive coverage with potential subsidies from your low W-2. Either way, having insurance independent from your agency lets you switch companies based purely on pay. Insurance guide.
Prioritize pay transparency over brand name. Compare at TravelTherapyCompanies.com.
Read the cancellation notice and guaranteed hours before you sign. Your recruiter looks for a replacement. Contract details.
Immediately after passing boards. Each state board sets its own processing time; a PT Compact privilege is, the PT Compact Commission says, in most cases issued within minutes of purchase. Licensure timeline.
It varies; the biggest variable is licensing. Timeline by discipline.
Yes, to keep stipends tax-free. The IRS travel expense guide says that without one you are an itinerant, and “you are never considered to be traveling away from home.” Tax guide.
Most take the stipend and find their own. For first contracts, agency housing reduces stress. Housing guide.
Licenses, BLS, immunization records, background check, references, skills checklist. Full checklist.
Yes. If you find your own housing, a partner can share it; check the lease for who may live there.
Not formally, but you can find it by choosing facilities with multiple therapists and proactively seeking guidance. Mentorship strategies.
More Questions?
Talk to a ProTherapy recruiter about your first contract.