Hey, you, professional medical traveler, you! If you’re reading this, then that means you’re nearly ready to embark on your next travel assignment. And who knows, maybe this next contract will be your dream job, otherwise known as your unicorn assignment! But, before you can officially pack your bags and hit the road for your next med travel job, you need to dot the I’s and cross the T’s to get licensed in the state you’re going to next.
A Quick Guide to State Licenses for Medical Travelers
Whether you’re a travel nurse, travel therapy professional, travel labbie, or another allied health expert, chances are you’ll need a state license before you can start working your medical magic. To help you get to where you’re going next, we created this quick guide to state licensing! Check out the state licensing requirements for:
How to get your nursing license
You became a travel nurse for a reason. Whether that’s to improve the lives of those you touch, to adventure through every national park in the country, to eat your way through the states, or take your status as coffee connoisseur to the next level, there’s a reason you chose the travel nurse life. So, where to next, travel nurse?
Your answer may depend on state licensure. Luckily, many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows you to practice nursing in multiple states with one handy dandy license. And then there are those states that qualify as walkthrough states, which streamlines the process to obtaining temporary licensure. Let’s take a look and learn the difference between NLC states and walkthrough states and find out which may be the best fit for you.
NLC vs walkthrough nursing license
Can you imagine having to get a new nursing license for each state you wanted to work in? Neither could the U.S. government and that’s why they created the NLC. The Nurse Licensure Compact is a multi-state license that allows registered nurses (RNs) to practice their skills in all participating states. So, instead of applying for a license in every state you wish to work in, might we suggest opting for an NLC?
To qualify for your NLC, you must have proof of residence in a compact state, plus a current and active RN license in said state. If you don’t happen to have a permanent home in a compact state, you can apply for a license in a compact state by endorsement, but that will only allow you to practice nursing in that single state. Depending on the state licensure you’re applying for, there’s also a chance you’ll need to take and pass the Jurisprudence (JP) Exam, which tests your nursing knowledge and skills.
Then, there’s a walkthrough nursing license. Walkthrough states give nurses the option to get a temporary license that allows them to practice medicine while they wait for a permanent state license. Typically, walkthrough licenses are valid for one to six months, depending on the state.
If the state you want to work in doesn’t participate in the NLC and isn’t a walkthrough state, then odds are that state operates independently from these license options. So, to get licensed in one of these states, you’ll need to apply with the specific state itself.
Nursing licenses by state
Wondering which license is the best fit for you? Find out with the below nursing license chart to see NLC states, walkthrough states, how long it takes to get licensed, plus additional state licensing information!
How to get your therapy license
Like nurses, therapy professionals such as physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) need to be licensed by the state before they can begin treating patients. If you’re one of these therapy pros, check out how you can quickly get licensed before your next travel job.
Compact vs non-compact therapy licenses
Similar to nursing licensure, there are compact therapy licenses you can apply for to help you do what you do best in any participating state in the U.S. To qualify for any of the therapy compact licenses, you must hold a current and valid therapy license in your home state, plus a valid driver’s license proving your home state. In addition, you may be required to pass the JP Exam, depending on the state. These are the different type of compact therapy licenses:
Although most U.S. states participate in some kind of therapy compact licensure, there are a handful of states who don’t. And those would be non-compact states. To work in a non-compact state, you’ll need to apply for your therapy license with that specific state. Since the length of time to get licensed varies by state, we’d recommend you start the process early so you’re ready to hit the road for your next travel therapy assignment.
Therapy licenses by state
Not sure which states are compact and which aren’t? Don’t worry! We’ve done the hard work so you can reap the benefits. Take a gander at the chart below to find out how to get your therapy license in every state:
How to get your clinical lab license
Life as a travel labbie can take you to scenic destinations across the U.S. But where you take your next adventure could depend on the state’s lab licensing requirements. Let’s look at what licensing is needed to work in the lab so you can choose your next travel job destination!
Personnel licensure
Whether you’re a medical lab scientist (MLS), histotechnologist, or another lab professional, you may need a personnel state license to practice your skills, depending on the state. A personnel lab license is a legal permit that gives you permission to provide medical care and currently, only 11 states have enacted licensure for clinical lab professionals like MLSs, medical lab technicians (MLTs), cytotechnologists, and more.
To obtain licensure in one of these states, most require fingerprint scans and documentation of certification, education, training, and competency. Plus, some states require documentation of a specific set of contact hours before you’re able to get licensed. Before you embark on your travel journey, check out the state’s specific requirements to ensure you meet them.
But what if you want to work in a state that doesn’t require licensure? Good news, you can! In fact, it might be even a smidge easier to work in a state that doesn’t require lab licensing because there are no extra hoops to jump through, just your casual compliance and then you’re off to the races. And lucky for you, Fusion Medical Staffing’s kick-ass Compliance Team is here to help you navigate the complex world of compliance on all days that end in “y.”
Clinical lab licenses by state
Ready to hit the road for your next travel lab assignment? Check out lab requirements by state to find out what you need to do to before your first day on the job.
How to get your radiology license
You don’t need us to tell you that you’re rad, radiology professional, you—you already know that. But what we can tell you is how radiology and radiography licensing work across the U.S. states. Let’s learn more.
ARRT vs state licensing
When it comes to radiology licensing, there are two routes you can take: Licensing through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or licensing through the specific state you want to work in. But here’s the kicker: Some states require either ARRT or state licensing, some states require both, and some states require neither! Don’t worry, we list the state requirements below, so you don’t have to figure that one out on your own.
Spoiler alert: A lot of states require both ARRT and state-specific licensure, so it may be a good idea to move forward with ARRT licensing either way. To get licensed through the ARRT, you must meet the three requirements of education, ethics, and examination. The first step towards ARRT credentialing is education where you’ll complete an ARRT-approved educational program in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, radiography, or sonography. Once step one is complete, you’ll learn about the ARRT Standards of Ethics. Here, you’ll receive the governing documents and learn the do’s and don’ts of working in radiology. Lastly, there’s the ARRT exam. The ARRT exam evaluates your radiology and patient knowledge, so all you have to do is ace that, pass go, and collect your radiology ARRT license.
Like other modalities like nursing, therapy, and lab, radiology state licenses differ depending on the state you want to work in. That means that requirements in Arizona may not be the same as requirements in Texas, so before you embark on your rad travel adventure, look into the state’s requirements to ensure you’re set up for success on your assignment. For a quick view on state licensing requirements for radiology, check out the chart below!
Radiology licenses by state
It can be tough to keep up with licensing requirements, especially when the details change depending on the state you work in. That’s why we created this handy dandy licensing guide to help get you where you want to go even faster:
Licensing hacks
If thinking about professional licensure feels like a headache, you’re not the only one. The good news is now that we know the licensing requirements for travel nurses, PTs, OTs, SLPs, labbies, and radiology professionals, the hardest part is over—it’s all uphill from here. So, let’s look at some licensing hacks to help you get at the top of the hill and credentialed as quickly as possible.
No. 1: Plan in advance
It can take a hot second to get officially licensed, depending on your division and specialty, plus the type of license you’re going for. So do yourself a favor and plan accordingly for your next travel assignment! Here are some suggestions on how you can plan ahead of time:
- Talk to your recruiter and traveler friends to find out the states that have good opportunities for your discipline and then get licensed in those states
- Keep a bucket list of travel destinations so you can easily decide where to go for your next travel adventure
- Maintain two or three active state licenses at a time for more job options in multiple states
- Travel with Fusion Medical Staffing and allow us to do the hard (and expensive) work of applying for licensure for you
While licensure can be a headache, it doesn’t have to be. When you plan in advance for your next assignment, you’ll know ahead of time where you’re going and what’s required of you to work there. Planning in advance helps you avoid scrambling at the last minute and keeps you prepared for your next travel adventure, whatever that may be.
No. 2: Stay organized
As we’ve learned, getting licensed may require a casual leap through a hoop or two. So, when it comes to leap, make sure you’re ready for the jump. One way to do that is by staying organized.
Depending on the license, application requirements can include a slew of paperwork and documentation. To help streamline the process, get all required documents together in advance. This criterion will differ based on division, state, and type of license, so make sure you’ve researched in advance what’s required from you. Once you know what’s needed from you, get it all in the same place so it’s easy and fast to upload to the licensure application form. For example, you may need to submit:
- Personal identification
- Medical records
- Fingerprint cards
- Professional credentials
- Licensing verification
To keep all files together, we would suggest creating digital copies of the documentation, so it’s fast and easy to find and submit them, when needed. Another idea would be creating a Fusion Marketplace account to keep all your information organized in one safe, online location. With a Marketplace profile, you can house and easily access all of your important documentation to stay organized.
No. 3: Be prepared
You know how Spongebob Squarepants repeats, “I’m ready” on his way to work at the Krusty Krab? That’s the type of vibe we’re looking for when we say, “Be prepared” to get licensed.
You’re off to a good start with planning in advance and staying organized but being prepared takes the cake. Regardless of if you’re going for a compact license or a specific state license, there’s a chance that an exam is in your future. And if that’s the case, then you need to be prepared for what that test is going to throw at you. Of course, the best way to be prepared for an exam is to, yes, you guessed it, study. Here are some study tips to help get you started:
- Discover your learning style
- Turn on your brain, tune into the knowledge, drop out of the excuses, and get to work
- Work smarter, not harder
- Practice, practice, practice
- Be patient and be kind to yourself
- Give yourself a break
- Treat yourself to the time you need
- Start a study group
- Don’t study on an empty stomach
- Plan ahead and be prepared
In addition to the potential exam in your future, it’s also possible that the facility you’ll be working in has their own licensing requirements, as well. Of course, this isn’t always the case, and when it is, your recruiter will communicate with you to make sure you’re prepared for your first day at your new facility.
Lastly, when it comes to licensing, it’s up to you to be prepared for renewal requirements. Many times, renewal requirements include a certain number of CE hours and a fee, but it depends on the state where you’re obtaining licensure. When it comes to renewing your licenses, it’s up to you to decide which licenses you wish to renew versus the ones that you let lapse. For example, maybe you renew a license in a state where you want to work in again but let another license lapse in a state you don’t think you’ll work in again for some time. You wear the pants, you decide.
We’ll admit it—it’s not always a walk in the park to get licensed where you want to work. But that’s part of why you have us! At Fusion Medical Staffing, we work hard to ensure our travelers are prepped and ready to go for their next assignment, and that’s true even when it comes to licensing. So, the next time you’re in the market for a state license, use this licensing quick guide as a reference to help you plan in advance for what you need to do to stay organized and prepared for your next travel job.
