FAQ hero image
LOCUM TENENS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ hero image
LOCUM TENENS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ hero image
LOCUM TENENS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Jump to

Domestic locum tenens FAQ International locum tenens FAQ

Thinking about working locum tenens? We’ve got the answers

Curious about locum tenens? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re chasing adventure, flexibility, or just a break from the usual grind, we have the answers to your locum tenens questions.

Let’s start at the beginning: What is a locum tenens physician?

Locum tenens physicians fill in when there’s a gap in coverage for absences caused by vacations, vacancies, and seasonal outbreaks.

See all locum jobs in the U.S.

Domestic locum tenens FAQ

Locum tenens work can be a good fit for any physician—at any stage in their career. We work with early-career physicians who wish to try out different practice settings, mid- career physicians who are ready for a change, and late-career physicians who aren’t ready to hang up their stethoscopes just yet. We also work with many physicians who use locums for the freedom to go on a medical mission. Others work locums exclusively for the adventure and unique experiences. For a personalized assessment, take Locumstory’s quiz to find out if locums is right for you.
We have locum tenens opportunities in all 50 states, from rural to major metropolitan areas.
Domestic assignments can range from one weekend a month to two weeks a month or more. Do you have a schedule preference? Our recruiters will get to know you and find the right opportunity for you.
In some cases, yes. Many facilities need staff, and locum physicians can fill that gap until they find the right person to hire. This makes locum tenens assignments a great way to try different practices and choose the one that best suits you. A contract buy-out is an option when it’s a good fit for both parties.
We need doctors in almost every specialty, but demand for specific locums specialties varies by facility and geographic area. Visit our job board to see our current openings or contact a GMS recruiter at 866.858.6269 for a more personalized search.
Yes, if you’re an MD or DO with an active, unrestricted state medical license. Questions? Reach out to a GMS recruiter at 866.858.6269.
Yes, most assignments require a state-specific license. Exceptions include federal facilities—like the VA or Indian Health Service—which accept any unrestricted U.S. license, and states in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, where licensing is faster. We’ll help you navigate either path.
Yes. GMS maintains a professional liability policy with limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate per provider. Some exceptions apply.
Pay is deposited directly into your account weekly. However, you must submit your time by Tuesday 2 p.m. mountain time to get paid that Friday via our online portal, MyGlobal. You can easily access the portal through a web browser that allows you to manage you documents and timesheets.
No. The physicians we work with are independent contractors, which means they’re responsible for managing and paying their own taxes. We recommend connecting with a tax expert before you take an assignment. You can read more about how taxes work for locum physicians on the Locumstory website.
Pay varies by location, specialty, and facility needs. Reach out to a GMS recruiter for more details at 866.858.6269 or check out Locumstory’s Trends by Specialty tool to get a better idea of the average pay for locums assignments in your specialty.
As independent contractors, our locum physicians are responsible for their own health coverage. Many locum tenens providers obtain coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Absolutely! Many of our doctors choose assignments in locations they and their families have always wanted to visit. While we don’t pay for your family’s flights, we can help arrange them for you.
Yes! We’ve placed many doctors who bring their furry friends with them. Keep in mind, though, that temporary housing often requires pet fees, which the agency does not cover, and airline rules and regulations vary with each carrier.
No, on the contrary. We have assignments in any area you can think of, including coastal resort towns, major metropolitan cities, mid-sized cities, and remote desert communities.

Learn about locums in the U.S
View all locums jobs in the U.S.

Want to learn more about domestic locum tenens?

Domestic locum tenens 101

Ready to take your practice global?

Whether you're dreaming of the beaches of the Caribbean or Pacific Islands, the mountains of New Zealand, or the bustle of a Canadian city, international locum tenens lets you explore the world while doing the work you love. Here’s everything you need to know before you pack your stethoscope.

Explore international locums jobs

International locum tenens FAQ

Global Medical Staffing pioneered the placement of American and European doctors in Australia and New Zealand in the early 1990s. Since then, we’ve leveraged our expertise in international locum tenens to place doctors in even more locations. We place doctors throughout U.S. territories like Guam and Saipan, Canada, New Zealand, and the Caribbean, with more locations added regularly.
Pay is deposited directly into your account on a weekly basis. However, you must submit your time by Tuesday 2 p.m. mountain time to get paid that Friday via our online portal, MyGlobal. You can easily access the portal through a web browser that allows you to manage you documents and timesheets.

For some locations, you will need to set up a bank account before you leave. Check out one physician’s tips on navigating the banking and pay process in New Zealand.
While some locations offer similar pay rates to what doctors earn in the U.S., many locations pay less than doctors earn domestically. Many doctors work international locums despite this. They seek the opportunity to live and practice in beautiful places, immerse oneself in diverse cultural settings, and gain invaluable international experience often outweighs the monetary aspect.
No. On the contrary, we have international assignments in a variety of locations: coastal towns in places like the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam, the rural Outback of Australia, mountainous or coastal regions in New Zealand, or metropolitan cities in Canada.
Doctors we work with say they generally find international health systems to be similar to what they’re used to—with slight differences. Many international assignments are in countries with nationalized healthcare, and often, nurses have more autonomy than in the U.S., particularly in the more remote locations. There is one significant difference: the countries we staff overseas are not particularly litigious compared to the U.S. Frivolous malpractice suits, and huge settlements are rare.
The length of international assignments depends on the location. Locums assignments in the Caribbean can be as short as a week (or longer, if you’re feeling the island vibes) or up to 12 months or longer in places like Canada or New Zealand. Check out all of our open international locums assignments or contact a recruiter at 866.858.6269.
Yes. No matter where you practice, malpractice coverage is provided.
No. However, your recruiter can provide health insurance information for the country in which you’re interested in taking an assignment. We suggest you reach out to an agent who can help you secure a health insurance policy for you and your family.
In some cases, yes. The quickest route is to secure a temporary position at a facility seeking a full-time candidate, which your recruiter can help arrange. Once you’re in the country with a temporary visa, you can often apply for a permanent resident visa and medical registration. The facility wanting you to stay on will likely assist you in that process.
We have openings in a wide array of specialties. Visit our job board to see our current international locums opportunities.
Generally, yes. Because we’ve placed thousands of locum tenens doctors, we can walk you through the visa and medical registration process much more efficiently than if you attempted it on your own.
The countries we work with generally accept U.S.-licensed Doctors of Osteopathy.
Currently, we only place Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathy.
Absolutely! Many of our doctors choose locums work specifically so their families can accompany them to a different country for a unique cultural experience. The countries where we place physicians are safe, clean, and friendly. Children are welcome to attend the local schools, which are of an equivalent standard to North American and European schools. And spouses may be able to get a work visa—speak to your GMS recruiter for more information.

One physician brought his wife and two daughters on a year-long assignment in New Zealand. Read his story, Locum tenens in New Zealand: Career growth and precious family time.
Yes, but you’ll want to consider if it’s the right option for you and your pet. Bringing pets on an international assignment can be a lengthy, time-consuming process. And with some countries requiring a quarantine period, the move can be stressful on your furry friend — particularly if it’s a shorter assignment. While we can steer you in the direction of the rules and regulations for traveling with pets, it’s a process that you’d need to undertake and fund on your own.

Read one physician’s efforts to bring her dog on her New Zealand assignment.
Browse all international jobs

Want to learn more about international locum tenens?

International locum tenens 101

NEXT STEP:

Fill out this form to apply for this job.

First name
Last name
Email address
Phone number
Country of residence
Comments (optional)

By submitting your information via this form, you agree that you may be contacted by a member of our team via SMS, MMS, email or phone as outlined in our privacy policy. At any time, you are able to reply STOP to opt-out. Message and data rates apply, and frequency of messages may vary.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.