September 1, 2008
By Will Ho
In a perfect world, once you decide to become a physical therapist (PT) traveler, you'd call your agency of choice, pick a location, and begin an assignment. But this is reality, and before you can start a contract, the issue of licensing must be addressed.
Depending on the specific state board, the process may take anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months. And if you're uninformed, it can be frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive. Here, a traveling PT who ran into some unexpected scenarios when applying for licensure in several states shares practical information and personal insights.
In 2006, Woodley Thomas, MPT, received a degree in physical therapy from The Medical University of South Carolina. She decided, upon graduation, to become a healthcare traveler. At the time, her assignment states of choice were South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Being proactive, Woodley decided to apply for licenses in all three.
As she soon discovered, each state has its own set of requirements. South Carolina, for instance, required a background check, and for a Georgia license, Woodley had to sit for a law exam for which she had to pay. Then, after she obtained her first license, she learned that she needed to provide verification of each to every state board from which she desired a license. "Had I known the requirements from the beginning," says Woodley, "there would have been no surprises."
To obtain a new state license, you first must locate and complete the appropriate application. Most forms can be downloaded from boards' respective websites and printed for completion. But some state boards, such as Nevada's, require phone call or e-mail application requests. There are also a few states, like Texas, with boards that have interactive sites allowing for online submissions. The latter is obviously the easiest and most effective way in which to apply for a license. At present, however, it is far from widely available.
After you have completed an application, you must send it to the relative board along with the required fee, which may range from $50 to $300. Woodley, for example, paid over $500 in fees to obtain licensure in three states. "Forking over that much money right out of college can be a challenge," she says. "So, it's vital that new grads interested in healthcare travel be aware of the costs."
While typically non-refundable, an application fee is ordinarily a one-time expense. Payment options are usually apersonal check or money order. Checks must clear before forms can be processed, though, which can add a day or two to the turnaround time. Conversely, money orders are like cash in hand and can be processed more quickly. Of course, if you complete an application online, you should be able to pay the fee with a credit card. Bear in mind that the faster a form and payment is received, the sooner you can expect to receive license approval. You may even wish to send your application via an overnight shipping service, if time is of the essence.
If required, it may take up to 3 weeks—or longer—to receive a verification letter, depending on the individual state board. Be prepared to pay a small fee for this requirement, as well. If you hold one or more state licenses, it is imperative to immediately request the verifications you need. Once your documentation is received, the process generally takes 3 to 5 days. Still, to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances, you should allow for extra time. And remember, like our PT traveler, you may incur additional expenses—such as those related to background checks or examinations a given board requires—which is why it's essential to confirm requirements from the onset of the application process.
In Woodley's case, it took 4 weeks for her Alabama license to be issued and 3 weeks for the South Carolina and Georgia boards to send their verification letters, plus 5 days for the licensure to be issued. Most recently, she acquired a Texas license and admits that the process seemed 100 times easier this time around. Although she has yet to utilize her Georgia license, she continues to happily accept contracts in the South.
To help future PT travelers with the licensure process, Woodley offers a number of useful pointers. "Sign with a staffing agency that assists with state licensure, and be diligent with the application process and verifications, which will probably take longer than you think," she advises. "You should never assume you have completed everything until a license has been issued."
Woodley also says that while some travel companies offer licensure reimbursement, others do not, so it's important to be prepared to pay for the fees. "Research your opportunities, and ask a lot of questions," she explains. "Like those 'G.I. Joe' public service announcements stressed, 'Knowing is half the battle!'"
Fast facts
* Each state has its own, unique set of licensure requirements.
* Depending on the state, the licensure process may take anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months, so you should allow ample time for turnaround.
* Most forms can be downloaded from boards' respective websites and printed for completion.
* Some boards even have interactive sites that allow for online submission, while others require phone or e-mail application requests.
* An application fee is ordinarily a one-time expense, but fees vary by state and can range from $50 to $300.
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