Top 5 Tips Every New Travel Physical Therapist Should Know in 2026

There is a lot to consider when looking for and taking your first travel physical therapy assignment. Here are my top 5 tips every new travel physical therapist should know to set yourself up for a smooth and successful start.

1. Work with 2–3 Staffing Companies
Communicating with 2–3 staffing companies is usually the sweet spot during your travel physical therapy job search. This keeps your paperwork manageable, which is required to apply to jobs, while still giving you plenty of job opportunities. Working with multiple agencies allows you to compare similar or even the same positions, which gives you negotiating power when it comes to pay and contract details. Too few companies and you limit your options. Too many companies and you may get overwhelmed with the repetitive requirements from each company.

2. Maintain a Tax Home
A tax home is very important for travel PTs who want to take full advantage of tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals. Without maintaining a tax home properly, you could end up owing thousands of dollars to the IRS down the road. Maintaining a tax home ensures you remain eligible for these tax-free stipends and can make a significant difference in your overall income compared to taking a local contract where you are not eligible for them. I recommend working with a tax professional for your own situation; TravelTax is an excellent resource.

3. Get State Licenses Before Applying for Jobs
Before submitting to jobs through a recruiter, make sure you have physical therapy licenses for the states where you are likely to work, especially if your home state is not part of the compact or if the states you want to work in have a lengthy licensing process. Some jobs will not allow you to apply until your license is in hand. If you wait to apply for a PT license after accepting a job, you may not get it in time, which can delay your start date. Having your licenses prepared shows facilities that you are organized and ready, making you a more attractive candidate. Even if a facility does not require the license immediately, obtaining it ahead of time helps you avoid unnecessary stress later.

4. Understand Your Pay Package
Travel PT pay packages will look confusing or unfamiliar at first. Make sure you understand both your taxable hourly wage and your tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals. Ask your recruiter to provide a quote for take-home pay (net after taxes) rather than just gross pay (before taxes). Understanding this breakdown helps you compare offers effectively and ensures you know what to expect when taxes are due. You will also see mileage reimbursement to get to your assignment and license reimbursement.

5. Confirm Legitimate, Affordable Housing
Housing is often one of the biggest stressors for new travel PTs. Before signing a contract, make sure you can secure safe and affordable housing. Committing to a contract without a place to stay can lead to significant stress or even having to back out of the job entirely. Your best options include Furnished Finder, Airbnb, or checking if the hospital or facility has housing connections. If using Furnished Finder, ask for a video walkthrough before putting down any deposit. However, if you go through a reputable online rental platform, you should be fine. A red flag would be anyone asking you to send money through Zelle or similar untraceable payment methods. Start your search early and reach out to multiple landlords, as some properties may already be booked and it can take several days to get a response.

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