Question 1

What is travel healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Travel healthcare means taking short-term assignments — most often 13 weeks, with a range of 8 to 26 — at facilities across the country. Therapists (PT, OT, SLP) and allied health professionals fill temporary staffing needs while earning competitive, stipend-based pay and getting to choose where they work.

Question 2

How do I get started with travel healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Get your license and credentials in order, then apply to a job that interests you with Quick Apply. Thanks for your interest! If it's a fit, a Luvo recruiter will reach out to walk you through the rest. There's no single experience requirement to begin: it's set per assignment, and we place new graduates wherever a job allows (most often in therapy).

Question 3

What qualifications do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the specific job. Generally you'll need an active professional license for the state you'll work in, plus any role-specific certifications. Experience requirements are set per assignment rather than across the board — some roles want a year or two in the specialty, while others, especially in therapy, are open to new graduates.

Question 4

What specialties does Luvo staff?

Accepted Answer

We specialize in therapy and allied health — physical therapy (PT, PTA), occupational therapy (OT, COTA), speech-language pathology (SLP), and allied modalities like respiratory therapy, radiology and imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound), and lab. If you don't see your specialty, reach out — we're expanding coverage continuously.

Question 5

How long are typical travel assignments?

Accepted Answer

Most assignments run 13 weeks, with the overall range spanning 8 to 26 weeks. If you love where you are, you can always request an extension — many travelers stay on at the same facility, while others move on to a new location after each contract.

Question 6

How does travel healthcare pay work?

Accepted Answer

Travel healthcare pay typically includes a taxable hourly rate plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals & incidentals (M&IE). This structure often results in higher take-home pay compared to permanent staff positions. The exact amounts depend on your specialty, location, and the facility.

Question 7

How and when do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Luvo pays weekly. Your pay is deposited every Friday by midnight, so you're never waiting long between paychecks while on assignment.

Question 8

What are tax-free stipends?

Accepted Answer

If you maintain a tax home (a permanent residence you pay for while traveling), you're eligible for tax-free stipends to cover housing, meals, and incidental expenses while on assignment. These stipends are based on GSA per diem rates for your assignment location and are not subject to federal income tax.

Question 9

What is a tax home and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

A tax home is the area where your primary place of business is located — typically where you maintain a permanent residence. To qualify for tax-free stipends, you must have a legitimate tax home with regular living expenses. Consult a tax professional familiar with travel healthcare for specific guidance.

Question 10

Do travel clinicians get benefits with Luvo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Luvo travelers get full benefits from day one of their contract — medical, dental, and vision insurance with no waiting period — plus a 401(k) plan available immediately, license and certification reimbursement, CEU reimbursement, new grad mentorship for therapists (on request), and a referral program. You can see the full list on our Traveler Benefits page.

Question 11

Do I need a license in every state I work?

Accepted Answer

You need an active license in the state where you're working. Some professions offer interstate compacts that let you practice across member states on a single multistate license — some therapy disciplines have their own compacts. Whether a compact applies depends on your profession and your state of residence.

Question 12

How do interstate licensure compacts work?

Accepted Answer

An interstate compact is an agreement among participating states that lets eligible clinicians hold one multistate license and practice in any member state, instead of applying for a separate license in each one. Availability varies by profession and state, and your compact privilege is tied to your primary state of residence. Check with the relevant licensing board to confirm what's available for your discipline.

Question 13

How long does it take to get a new state license?

Accepted Answer

Processing times vary widely by state — from a few days for compact-state endorsements to 8–12 weeks for non-compact states. Some states offer temporary permits that allow you to start working while your full license is processed. Plan ahead and start applications early.

Question 14

What compliance documents are typically required?

Accepted Answer

Common requirements include professional licenses, BLS/ACLS certifications, immunization records (including TB tests and titers), a physical exam, drug screening, background check, and any specialty-specific certifications. Keep digital copies of all documents current and accessible.

Question 15

How does housing work for travel assignments?

Accepted Answer

Your pay package includes a tax-free housing stipend (when you qualify with a tax home) that's yours to spend on accommodations. You arrange your own housing — Luvo doesn't book or provide housing — which gives you full control over where you stay and lets you keep whatever you don't spend on rent.

Question 16

How do I find housing for my assignment?

Accepted Answer

Since you arrange your own place, popular options include Furnished Finder, Airbnb, extended-stay hotels, short-term rental platforms, and travel healthcare housing Facebook groups for your assignment city. Start looking 4–6 weeks before your start date. Many travelers also connect with other clinicians to share housing costs.

Question 17

Can I bring my family or pets on assignments?

Accepted Answer

Yes — many travelers bring a spouse, children, or pets along. Since you arrange your own housing, filter for pet-friendly and family-appropriate rentals, and keep in mind that pet fees and deposits aren't covered. Factor the extra space and cost into your housing budget.

Question 18

What makes Luvo different from traditional staffing agencies?

Accepted Answer

Three things: transparency, specialization, and control. Every pay package shows the full breakdown upfront — hourly rate, stipends, and total. We focus on therapy and allied health, so your recruiter actually understands your discipline. And you stay in the driver's seat: we guide you toward jobs that match your criteria, but you always have the final say before any application or contract.

Question 19

How do I apply for a position on Luvo?

Accepted Answer

Find a job you like and hit Quick Apply — no lengthy profile required. Share a few details, and a recruiter will follow up to answer your questions, gather your credentials, and submit you to the facility once you give the go-ahead.

Question 20

Do travelers choose where they go?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — you're the pilot of your own journey. Our recruiters help guide you toward assignments that fit your criteria and do their best to check every box, but you always have the final say before applying to or accepting any contract.

Question 21

Will I have a dedicated recruiter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After you apply, you're paired with a recruiter who learns your preferences, surfaces matching assignments, helps with licensing and credentialing questions, and advocates for you through the offer. They're your point of contact for the life of your assignment.

Question 22

Is there a cost to use Luvo?

Accepted Answer

No. Luvo is completely free for clinicians — applying, working with a recruiter, and using our tools and resources never costs you anything. Facilities pay to staff their open positions.

Question 23

What happens if my assignment is cancelled or cut short?

Accepted Answer

It's uncommon, but facility needs can change. If an assignment is cancelled or ends early, your recruiter works to line up another placement as quickly as possible. Keeping your credentials current helps us move fast when a new opportunity comes up.

Question 24

How quickly can I start a new assignment?

Accepted Answer

Timeline depends on several factors including credentialing, license verification, and facility onboarding. Some positions can start within 2–3 weeks, while others may take 4–6 weeks. Having your documents current and organized helps speed up the process.

Got questions?
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Getting Started

Pay & Compensation

Licensing & Compliance

Housing

Working with Luvo

Still wondering how it all works?

Still have questions?

Got questions?
We've got answers

Getting Started

Pay & Compensation

Licensing & Compliance

Housing

Working with Luvo

Still wondering how it all works?

Still have questions?

Got questions?We've got answers

Getting Started

What is travel healthcare?

How do I get started with travel healthcare?

What qualifications do I need?

What specialties does Luvo staff?

How long are typical travel assignments?

Pay & Compensation

How does travel healthcare pay work?

How and when do I get paid?

What are tax-free stipends?

What is a tax home and why does it matter?

Do travel clinicians get benefits with Luvo?

Licensing & Compliance

Do I need a license in every state I work?

How do interstate licensure compacts work?

How long does it take to get a new state license?

What compliance documents are typically required?

Housing

How does housing work for travel assignments?

How do I find housing for my assignment?

Can I bring my family or pets on assignments?

Working with Luvo

What makes Luvo different from traditional staffing agencies?

How do I apply for a position on Luvo?

Do travelers choose where they go?

Will I have a dedicated recruiter?

Is there a cost to use Luvo?

What happens if my assignment is cancelled or cut short?

How quickly can I start a new assignment?

Still wondering how it all works?

Still have questions?

Got questions?We've got answers

Getting Started

What is travel healthcare?

How do I get started with travel healthcare?

What qualifications do I need?

What specialties does Luvo staff?

How long are typical travel assignments?

Pay & Compensation

How does travel healthcare pay work?

How and when do I get paid?

What are tax-free stipends?

What is a tax home and why does it matter?

Do travel clinicians get benefits with Luvo?

Licensing & Compliance

Do I need a license in every state I work?

How do interstate licensure compacts work?

How long does it take to get a new state license?

What compliance documents are typically required?

Housing

How does housing work for travel assignments?

How do I find housing for my assignment?

Can I bring my family or pets on assignments?

Working with Luvo

What makes Luvo different from traditional staffing agencies?

How do I apply for a position on Luvo?

Do travelers choose where they go?

Will I have a dedicated recruiter?

Is there a cost to use Luvo?

What happens if my assignment is cancelled or cut short?

How quickly can I start a new assignment?

Still wondering how it all works?

Still have questions?

Got questions?
We've got answers

Got questions?
We've got answers