How to Become a Locum Tenens Physician Assistant Step-by-Step

You became a PA to make a difference, but somewhere between the mounting administrative tasks and the rigid schedule, you started wondering if there's more to your career than this. Maybe you're craving adventure, seeking better work-life balance, or simply curious about what it would be like to practice medicine in a new environment. If any of this resonates, locum tenens might be the path that reconnects you with why you became a clinician in the first place.

For Physician Assistants, locum tenens offers a unique path that allows you to step into a world of variety, autonomy, and opportunity. But like any major career decision, getting started requires understanding how it all works, what you stand to gain, and what challenges to expect. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a locum tenens PA, from finding your first assignment to deciding if the lifestyle is truly right for you.

How to become a locum tenens Physician Assistant

• What is locum tenens, and how does it work for Physician Assistants?
• Becoming a Locum Tenens PA
• Why do PAs choose to work locum tenens?
• Do locum tenens Physician Assistants earn more?
• What other benefits are there for working locum tenens as an PA?
• Are there drawbacks to locums work? 
• What is a locum tenens agency?
• Can you find locum tenens’ jobs without an agency?
• Is locum tenens worth it? 
• Not sure how to get started? We can help.

What is locum tenens, and how does it work for Physician Assistants?

Locum tenens (Latin for "to hold the place of") positions fill temporary staffing gaps at hospitals, clinics, or private practices. For PAs, that means instead of committing to a permanent role, you work as an independent contractor on assignments that can range from a few weeks to several months.

The process is typically facilitated by a staffing agency, which acts as an intermediary: they handle the legwork of matching you with facilities in need, manage your credentialing and travel logistics, and ensure a steady stream of assignments. You function with the same scope of practice as a permanent PA, but with the distinct advantage of being a flexible, short-term solution for employers while enjoying a high degree of autonomy over where and when you work.

Becoming a Locum Tenens PA

Transitioning from a permanent staff role to a traveling PA involves a slightly different process than a standard job search. While your clinical skills remain the same, the logistics of how you find work, get vetted, and integrate into a new team move much faster. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what that journey looks like.

1. Finding an open role

Unlike permanent positions, which are often advertised broadly, many locum tenens opportunities are filled through a network of staffing agencies before they are ever listed on public job boards. Finding the right role usually involves searching online locum job boards or, more effectively, connecting with an agency that has direct contracts with hospitals and clinics. Because the market moves quickly, having access to an agency’s internal database of "active openings" is the best way to see a wide range of locations, shift schedules, and pay packages that aren't always visible to the general public.

2. Working with a recruiter

This is where a specialized locum agency becomes your career partner. A dedicated recruiter acts as your advocate and guide, helping you narrow down exactly what you want, whether that is high-volume urban ERs or small-town family practice clinics. They will present you with roles that match your clinical comfort zone and personal preferences, negotiate your hourly rate on your behalf, and walk you through the specifics of the contract. 

If you are looking for a team that understands the unique needs of Advanced Practice Providers, reaching out to an agency like Locumly can connect you with a recruiter who specializes in placing PAs in roles that fit your specific skill set.

3. Interviewing

The interview process for locums is often more streamlined than for permanent hires. Since the facility has an immediate need and you are already vetted by your agency, the conversation tends to focus on clinical competency and logistical fit. You might have a brief phone call with the hiring manager or the supervising physician to discuss patient populations, EMR systems, and facility protocols. It is usually less about "why you want to work here forever" and more about "can you handle the volume and start on time?"

4. Getting hired and credentialed 

This step involves two parallel tracks. First, you sign the contract with the agency agreeing to the terms of the assignment. Second, the facility starts collecting your onboarding documents and outlines the facility requirements to become fully credentialed.. A good agency will have a credentialing specialist to help you gather all the necessary documents and submit your packet, ensuring there are no delays in your start date.

5. What to expect on day one

Day one as a locum tenens PA is a blend of independence and orientation. You can expect to spend some time with HR or a department manager handling parking, badge photos, and computer logins. Clinically, you may round with the outgoing provider or supervising physician to get a feel for the patient flow and specific protocols, or you may launch right into your first full shift. 

Remember, if you ever feel unsure about a contract or a new facility's expectations, your agency is your primary resource. Firms like Locumly pride themselves on being available to support you from your first assignment through your hundredth, ensuring you feel prepared before you ever walk through the door.

What is a locum tenens agency?

A locum tenens agency serves as the bridge between PAs seeking temporary work and healthcare facilities needing coverage. These agencies handle the heavy lifting that would otherwise consume your time: they maintain relationships with hospitals and clinics across the country, negotiate pay rates on your behalf, manage the credentialing process to get you approved quickly, and often arrange travel, housing, and malpractice insurance coverage. 

The agency is also your employer of record. They issue your paychecks and advocate for you if issues arise at an assignment. The best agencies assign you a dedicated recruiter who learns your preferences and goals, proactively presenting opportunities that fit rather than bombarding you with irrelevant listings. For PAs exploring this path, connecting with a specialized agency like Locumly can transform what might feel like an overwhelming logistics puzzle into a streamlined, supported career move.

Why do PAs choose to work locum tenens?

The decision to go locum tenens is rarely about just one factor—it is usually a combination of professional and personal motivations that draw PAs away from traditional permanent roles. For many, it is the allure of freedom: the ability to take several weeks off between assignments to travel, spend time with family, or pursue other passions without being tethered to a limited PTO schedule. 

Others are drawn to the professional variety, using locums as a way to "try on" different specialties or practice settings without making a long-term commitment. Seasoned PAs often appreciate the chance to step away from clinic politics and administrative drama, focusing purely on patient care. Finally, for those in between jobs or relocating to a new city, locums offers a way to maintain a steady income and keep clinical skills sharp while they search for the perfect permanent home.

Do locum tenens Physician Assistants earn more?

In short, yes! Locum tenens PAs often have a higher earning potential than their permanently employed counterparts. Because facilities are paying for flexibility and immediacy, hourly rates for locums assignments are typically higher to compensate for the lack of benefits and the temporary nature of the role. 

Importantly though, locums PAs are independent contractors responsible for their own taxes, health insurance, and retirement contributions. That said, many PAs find that even after accounting for these expenses and potential gaps between assignments, their annual income still outpaces what they would earn in a staff position. Additionally, locums contracts often include stipends for travel and housing, which can significantly boost your net take-home pay.

What other benefits are there for working locum tenens as an PA?

Beyond the paycheck, locum tenens offers a range of professional and lifestyle perks that permanent positions simply cannot match. One of the most valuable is the power to accept or decline assignments. This control extends to your work environment: if you don’t like a practice, you can simply move on to a better fit post assignment. 

Locums also accelerates professional growth by exposing you to different patient populations, clinical protocols, and supervising physicians, making you a more adaptable and well-rounded clinician. And because you are not bogged down by long-term committee meetings or office politics, you often find yourself able to focus entirely on the medicine you were trained to practice. 

Are there drawbacks to locums work? 

While locum tenens offers incredible freedom and variety, it is important to approach it with a clear understanding of the challenges. The most significant drawback is the lack of employer-sponsored benefits like health insurance, retirement planning, and disability coverage, which requires careful budgeting and financial discipline. There is also the reality of income variability; while you can earn a high hourly rate, gaps between assignments are possible, especially if you are selective about locations or settings. 

On a personal level, building lasting relationships with colleagues is difficult when you are the "temporary" provider, and being away from your support system for weeks at a time can wear on even the most independent PAs. Finally, every new assignment comes with a learning curve: new EMR systems, unfamiliar protocols, and the pressure to prove yourself quickly can lead to a unique kind of stress that permanent staff rarely experience.

Can you find locum tenens’ jobs without an agency?

Technically you can, yes. Some hospitals and large practice groups have internal temporary staffing needs and may post these openings on their own career websites. However, going without an agency comes with significant trade-offs. 

You become responsible for every aspect of the process: finding the openings, negotiating your own contract, vetting the facility's reputation, completing credentialing paperwork (often a monumental task), and arranging your own malpractice insurance. You also lose the leverage that agencies provide, including established rate benchmarks and the ability to push back on lowball offers. For most PAs, the time and stress saved by using an agency far outweigh the advantages of direct contracts with facilities. 

Is locum tenens worth it? 

For the right PA, locum tenens can be transformative. If you crave variety, value autonomy over stability, and are comfortable walking into new environments with confidence, locums can offer a richness and flexibility that permanent employment rarely matches. The financial upside is real, the professional growth is undeniable, and the ability to design your own schedule is liberating. 

However, if you thrive on deep collegial relationships, prefer the predictability of a set schedule, or are not prepared to manage the business side of being an independent contractor, the lifestyle may feel more stressful than freeing. The best way to know if it is worth it? Dip your toe in. Many PAs start with a single short-term assignment to test the waters while keeping their permanent job or per diem work. And many never look back. 

Not sure how to get started? We can help.

Taking the first step into locum tenens doesn't mean you have to figure it all out alone. At Locumly, we specialize in connecting Physician Assistants with locum tenens opportunities that actually fit your skills, your schedule, and your life. Whether you are curious about a single assignment or ready to dive into full-time travel, our dedicated recruiters handle the legwork so you can focus on the medicine. From negotiating your rate to managing credentialing and travel logistics, we are with you every step of the way. 

Ready to explore where locum tenens can take you? Reach out to Locumly today and let's find your next adventure together.