Locum Tenens Licensing Guide

What is Locum Tenens?

Locum tenens (Latin for "holding the place") refers to physicians who fill temporary positions:

Common Scenarios:

• Covering physician vacations or leaves
• Filling gaps during recruitment
• Seasonal coverage needs
• Emergency staffing situations
• Retirement transitions

Practice Settings:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Rural and underserved areas
• Urgent care centers
• Private practices
• Government facilities (VA, IHS)

Duration: Can range from a few days to several months or recurring assignments.

Licensing Requirements

Locum tenens physicians need licenses in their assignment states:

Full State License: The standard path, required for extended assignments
IMLC Expedited License: Fastest for multi-state practice (43+ states, 3-4 weeks)
Temporary/Locum Permits: Some states offer limited-duration licenses

States with Temporary Permits:

• California: Special permit for up to 60 days
• Texas: Expedited processing available
• Various states: Locum tenens-specific provisions

Agency Support: Most staffing agencies assist with licensing but the physician remains ultimately responsible for:

• Application accuracy
• Meeting requirements
• Maintaining compliance
• Renewal deadlines

Building Your Locum License Portfolio

Strategic approach to locum tenens licensing:

High-Value States to Start:

1. States with highest locum demand (rural areas, specific specialties)
2. IMLC member states (easier to obtain)
3. States adjacent to your home state
4. States where you have existing relationships

Recommended Approach:

1. Start with 5-10 licenses in high-demand markets
2. Use IMLC for efficiency (one application, multiple states)
3. Add states as specific opportunities arise
4. Consider regional focus for travel efficiency

Cost Considerations:

• Initial licensing: $500-1,500 per state
• Renewal fees: $100-600 per state annually/biennially
• Many agencies reimburse licensing costs
• Tax deductibility for business expenses

DEA and Controlled Substances

Controlled substance considerations for locum tenens:

DEA Registration:

• Required at each practice location where you prescribe/dispense
• Some facilities allow use of institutional DEA
• Individual registration provides more flexibility
• Cost: $888 per location (3-year term)

PDMP Requirements:

• Register with each state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
• Check PDMP before prescribing controlled substances
• Some states have mandatory checking requirements

Practical Approach:

1. Obtain individual DEA for states with frequent assignments
2. Use facility DEA for one-time or short assignments
3. Verify PDMP registration before each assignment
4. Stay current on state-specific prescribing rules

CME Compliance for Locum Tenens

Multi-state CME management for locum physicians:

The Challenge:

• Each state has different CME requirements
• Renewal cycles may not align
• Mandatory topics vary by state
• Tracking becomes complex with many licenses

Solutions:

1. Use credential management software (CredentialMate)
2. Focus on credits that satisfy multiple states
3. Complete mandatory topics early
4. Track cycles and deadlines meticulously

Example (5-state locum with CA, TX, FL, AZ, CO):

• Total requirement: Varies 40-50 hours every 2 years
• Overlap: Most general CME counts everywhere
• State-specific: CA pain management, TX opioids
• Strategy: Complete 50 hours with mandatory topics; satisfies all

Working with Staffing Agencies

Locum agencies handle much of the administrative burden:

What Agencies Typically Handle:

• Credential verification
• Hospital privileging applications
• Malpractice insurance
• Travel and housing arrangements
• Contract negotiations

What Remains Your Responsibility:

• Maintaining valid state licenses
• CME compliance for each state
• DEA registration decisions
• Accurate application information
• Professional conduct

Questions to Ask Agencies:

1. Do you reimburse licensing costs?
2. How far in advance do you need license confirmation?
3. What malpractice coverage limits do you provide?
4. How are credentialing delays handled?
5. What support for license applications do you offer?