Travel Nursing & Therapist FAQ

To become a licensed PT, PTA, OT, COTA, or SLP, professionals must complete accredited education, pass national exams, meet state licensure requirements, and often gain clinical experience through supervised fieldwork.

Physical Therapist (PT):

• What They Do: A travel physical therapist is a licensed PT who takes temporary assignments at healthcare facilities that need extra support. These assignments can be in hospitals, rehab centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health settings.
• Travel PTs bring their expertise to help patients regain strength, mobility, and independence while supporting therapy teams in different locations. Most travel assignments require prior clinical experience, and many include benefits like housing, travel stipends, and assistance with licensing and credentialing.
• Traveling as a PT gives you the chance to grow professionally, explore new locations, and make a meaningful impact wherever you go.

• • Education: You need to complete a master’s or doctoral degree from an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. These programs include both classroom instruction and supervised fieldwork.
  • Certification: After graduation, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This exam evaluates your understanding of therapy principles, patient care, safety, and ethics.
  • Clinical Experience: Fulfill supervised fieldwork as part of their academic program. Some facilities may require six months to one year of clinical experience. Gaining experience in different care settings, such as outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing, can make you more competitive for travel positions.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA):

• What They Do: A travel PTA is a licensed physical therapy assistant who takes temporary assignments at healthcare facilities that need additional support. These assignments may be in hospitals, rehab centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health settings.
• Travel PTAs work under the supervision of physical therapists to help patients regain mobility and function. Most assignments require prior clinical experience and often include benefits such as housing assistance, travel stipends, and help with licensing.
• Traveling as a PTA allows you to grow professionally, explore new places, and make a meaningful difference in patient care
  • Education: You must complete an associate degree from a Physical Therapist Assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These programs typically take about two years and include both classroom instruction and clinical experience.
  • Certification: After graduation, you are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs. This exam assesses your knowledge of physical therapy practices, patient care, safety, and professional ethics.
  • Clinical Experience: Complete clinical rotations during education. Some facilities may require six months to one year of clinical experience. Gaining experience in different care settings, such as outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing, can make you more competitive for travel positions.

Occupational Therapist (OT):

• What They Do: A travel occupational therapist is a licensed clinician who takes short-term assignments at healthcare facilities across the country. These placements may include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health programs, schools, and pediatric therapy settings.
• Travel OTs help patients regain independence in daily activities such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and working. Most assignments require prior clinical experience and often come with benefits like housing support, travel stipends, and assistance with licensing.
• Traveling as an OT allows you to grow professionally, explore new locations, and make a meaningful impact on patient care.
  • Education: You need to complete a master’s or doctoral degree from an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. These programs include both classroom instruction and supervised fieldwork.
  • Certification: After graduation, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This exam evaluates your understanding of therapy principles, patient care, safety, and ethics.
  • Clinical Experience: Fulfill supervised fieldwork as part of their academic program. Some facilities may require six months to one year of clinical experience. Gaining experience in different care settings, such as outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing, can make you more competitive for travel positions.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA):

• What They Do: A travel Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is a licensed professional who takes temporary assignments at healthcare facilities across the country. These placements may include skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals, home health programs, schools, and pediatric therapy settings.
• Travel COTAs work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help patients improve their ability to perform daily activities such as dressing, grooming, eating, and participating in work or school. Assignments often require prior clinical experience and typically include benefits like housing support, travel stipends, and licensing assistance.
• Traveling as a COTA gives you the opportunity to expand your skills, explore new locations, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients across diverse communities.
  • Education: You must complete an associate degree from an occupational therapy assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). These programs combine classroom learning with supervised fieldwork to prepare you for clinical practice.
  • Certification: After graduation, you are required to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam for OTAs. This exam evaluates your knowledge of therapeutic techniques, patient care, safety standards, and professional ethics.
  • Clinical Experience: Fulfill supervised fieldwork as part of their academic program. Some facilities may require six months to one year of clinical experience. Gaining experience in different care settings, such as outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing, can make you more competitive for travel positions.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP):

• What They Do: A travel Speech-Language Pathologist is a licensed clinician who takes temporary assignments at healthcare and educational facilities across the country. These placements may include skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals, home health programs, schools, and pediatric therapy centers.
• Travel SLPs assess and treat individuals with speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. They work with patients of all ages to improve communication and safety in daily life. Most assignments require prior clinical experience and often include benefits such as housing support, travel stipends, and assistance with state licensing.
• Traveling as an SLP allows you to expand your clinical skills, experience new locations, and make a meaningful impact in diverse communities where your expertise is needed most.
  • Education: To become a travel Speech-Language Pathologist, you must first complete a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). These programs combine coursework in communication sciences with supervised clinical practicum experiences.
  • After graduation, you’ll need to complete a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), which is a supervised, post-graduate experience that allows you to refine your clinical skills in a professional setting. The CFY is required to earn your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which is typically required for travel therapy positions.
  • Certification: After completing your graduate program, you must pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. This standardized test evaluates your understanding of assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, ethics, and professional practice across the lifespan. A passing score is required to begin your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) and is a key step toward earning your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA. Many states also use Praxis results as part of their licensing requirements.
  • Clinical Experience: Complete a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) under supervision before full licensure. Some facilities may require six months to one year of clinical experience. Gaining experience in different care settings, such as outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing, can make you more competitive for travel positions.

State Licensure:

• A state license is required to practice as a therapy professional. You’ll need to apply for licensure in each state where you plan to work. Requirements vary by state and may include background checks, fees, and documentation of education and certification.
  
  

Travel Agency Partnership:

Once qualified, Ventura MedStaff will help you explore travel opportunities that match your skills and preferences. We provide personalized support to ensure a smooth and successful experience throughout your assignments.