Locum Tenens Agency Comparison Checklist: What to Evaluate Before You Sign

Comparing locum tenens agencies? Use this clinician checklist to evaluate credentialing, transparency, and support before you sign.

Jennifer Stancil
September 29, 2026
8 min. read

Benefits of Locum Tenens, Career Decision Making, Job Search, Locum Tenens Tips

Key Points

Not all locum tenens staffing agencies operate the same way. Differences in credentialing support, recruiter continuity, contract transparency, and clinician support can significantly impact your assignment experience.
Ask the right questions before signing. Evaluating an agency’s credentialing process, specialty expertise, recruiter model, and compensation structure can help you avoid surprises later.
Look beyond pay rates. Factors like ongoing support, ethical business practices, geographic reach, and agency reputation often have a greater impact on long-term satisfaction than compensation alone.
Choose an agency that aligns with your priorities. Whether you value flexibility, personalized service, or a faster path to placement, understanding what matters most to you can help identify the right staffing partner.

You sign with a locum tenens agency expecting flexibility and support. Then credentialing stalls, your recruiter changes twice, or you learn about a cancellation clause after you’ve already accepted the assignment over another opportunity. Problems like these are rarely about locum tenens as a concept. They’re about the agency behind it.

The demand for flexible staffing solutions continues to be shaped by broader workforce pressures. The AAMC projects that the United States could face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036, creating continued pressure on facilities to evaluate flexible staffing options. For physicians and advanced practitioners, that means more opportunities for flexibility, new experiences, or a change of pace, but also more staffing firms competing for your attention.

While many locum tenens companies may appear similar at first glance, real differences show up in credentialing support, recruiter relationships, specialty expertise, transparency, and how much support you get once you’re on assignment. Choosing the right partner can affect everything from how quickly you start working to how smoothly your assignment unfolds.

Before signing with any locum tenens agency, use this checklist to evaluate whether the organization is equipped to support your professional goals and provide a positive experience throughout your assignment.

A Locum Tenens Agency Evaluation Checklist

When comparing agencies, look for the following:

Strong credentialing and compliance support.
Dedicated recruiter relationships.
Specialty and geographic expertise.
Proven industry experience and longevity.
Positive clinician satisfaction and reviews.
Transparent compensation and contract terms.
Licensing and travel assistance.
Ongoing support throughout the assignment.
Ethical business practices and industry affiliations.

The more boxes an agency can confidently check, the more likely it is to deliver a smooth and successful locum tenens assignment.

Compliance + credentialing support: How fast can you start?

Credentialing delays can postpone start dates, create administrative headaches, and potentially affect your earning opportunities. Agencies vary significantly in how they approach compliance and onboarding. While timelines vary by specialty and facility, agencies should be able to explain expected timeframes and proactively communicate delays.

When evaluating locum tenens agencies, ask:

Will I have a dedicated credentialing coordinator?
Does the agency assist with licensing applications and renewals?
How closely does the agency coordinate with medical staff offices and facilities?
What compliance standards guide their processes?

At Jackson and Coker, our compliance-focused approach includes dedicated support, organized paperwork, and coordination with facility staff to help streamline the credentialing process. We’re also an active member of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations® (NALTO®), which holds members to established industry standards and ethical practices.

Recruiter relationship model: One point of contact or many?

For many physicians and advanced practitioners, the recruiter relationship determines whether an assignment feels seamless or stressful. Some agencies emphasize high-volume placement models, where clinicians may interact with multiple recruiters over time. Others prioritize long-term relationships and continuity. A clinician who works with the same recruiter across multiple assignments doesn’t need to repeatedly explain scheduling preferences, location requirements, or compensation expectations.

Consider asking:

Will I work with the same recruiter throughout my assignments?
How accessible is my recruiter during negotiations and while on assignment?
What happens if issues arise with scheduling, travel, or facility expectations?
How long has the recruiter been with the company?

Jackson and Coker emphasizes continuity through long-term relationships and a service model designed to help clinicians work with professionals who understand their preferences and goals.

Specialty + geographic depth: How deep does the agency go?

Many agencies advertise national coverage, but breadth and depth are not always the same thing. Some firms place clinicians across most specialties but have limited expertise in certain markets. Others excel in a smaller number of disciplines or regions.

Questions to ask include:

Does the agency regularly place clinicians in my specialty?
Do they understand the unique credentialing and workload requirements of my field?
Are opportunities available in my preferred geographic regions?
Can they support both urban and rural placement preferences?

Jackson and Coker places more than 1,500 physicians and advanced practitioners each year across over 40 specialties and subspecialties in all 50 states, giving clinicians access to a wide range of opportunities while maintaining specialty-specific expertise.

Agency longevity + track record: How long have they been doing this?

Longevity alone does not guarantee quality, but it can be a useful indicator of operational stability, established facility relationships, and experience navigating complex staffing situations.

When evaluating an agency, consider:

How long has the company operated in the locum tenens industry?
What awards, recognitions, or certifications has it earned?
Does it have established relationships with healthcare organizations?
Are there independent reviews available from clinicians?

Founded in 1978, Jackson and Coker has spent more than four decades building relationships with healthcare facilities and clinicians nationwide. As part of the Jackson Healthcare family of companies, one of the largest privately held healthcare staffing organizations in the country, we combine the resources of a major healthcare staffing network with a relationship-focused service model.

Clinician support: What happens after you’re placed?

Recruitment is only the beginning of the locum tenens experience. The true measure of any agency is what happens after placement.

Look for evidence that an agency supports clinicians throughout the assignment lifecycle. Ask:

How quickly does the agency respond to issues?
Is there support available during the assignment?
What do independent clinician reviews say?
Are clinicians likely to return for future assignments?

Jackson and Coker has been recognized by ClearlyRated’s 2025 Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Awards, which are based on ratings provided by clients and candidates.

Compensation + contract transparency: What’s in the fine print?

Compensation is important, but clarity is equally valuable. Unexpected fees, vague contract language, or misunderstood reimbursement policies can undermine an otherwise attractive opportunity.

Before accepting an assignment, ask:

What is included in the compensation package?
Are travel, lodging, and licensing expenses covered?
How are overtime or additional shifts compensated?
What are the cancellation terms?
Is malpractice coverage provided and clearly documented?
Are all expectations outlined before the contract is signed?

Transparent communication often signals a long-term partnership mindset rather than a transactional placement approach. Jackson and Coker works to outline expenses, and cancellation terms up front, so clinicians can review key expectations before signing their assignment documents. Specific assignment terms, including compensation, expense reimbursement, cancellation provisions, and insurance coverage, may vary by opportunity and should be reviewed in the applicable written agreement.

How To Choose the Right Locums Agency for You

The best locum tenens agency isn’t necessarily the largest, newest, or most heavily advertised. A large national firm may offer a wider range of opportunities, while a smaller organization may provide a more personalized experience.

If your priority is flexibility, look for broad geographic reach and a large volume of opportunities. A larger, more distributed agency network typically means more open assignments at any given time, so you’re not waiting for the right match to come along.
If your priority is personalized service, look for recruiter continuity and strong satisfaction ratings. Working with the same recruiter across assignments means less time re-explaining your preferences and more time with someone who’s already invested in getting your placements right.
If your priority is speed, prioritize agencies with robust credentialing and licensing support. A dedicated credentialing team and organized facility paperwork can help reduce administrative delays, especially when you’re working against a tight availability window.

The right choice depends on your specialty, career goals, preferred locations, and support expectations.

Why Many Clinicians Choose Jackson and Coker

When evaluated against the criteria above, Jackson and Coker brings together several qualities clinicians commonly prioritize: more than 40 years of industry experience, a relationship-based recruiting model, national reach across specialties, commitment to ethical standards through NALTO® membership, and independently recognized satisfaction ratings.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to find an assignment. It’s to find a locum tenens staffing agency that helps you navigate opportunities with confidence, supports you throughout the process, and understands your long-term professional goals.