Locum Tenens Independent Contractor Guide: Taxes, 1099 Status, and More
Learn how to streamline your locum tenens taxes with our detailed guide to independent contractor duties.
Whether you’re an experienced physician seeking more flexibility, a recent graduate dipping your toes into locums work for the first time, or a practitioner ready to explore another state, the credentialing and licensing process can feel like uncharted territory.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the core components of the application and credentialing journey with practical advice, key items, and what kind of support you should look for from a locums company.
Multiple facilities, multiple applications, one contact.
Unlike permanent positions, where a single application may suffice for one hospital system or facility, locum tenens assignments often require multiple facility-specific applications with varying processes. You’ll want to ask the locums company you’re working with what kind of support they offer for this and if they have someone who can act as a single point of contact, streamlining requests and avoiding repetitive paperwork.
What documents should you have ready?
Before starting your credentialing, you should gather all your essential documents such as:
Updated CV
Medical school and postgraduate training certificates
State medical license(s)
Driver’s license or passport
Malpractice insurance Certificates of Insurance (COIs)
DEA registration
Board certification(s)
Having these organized in a digital folder or cloud drive will significantly speed up onboarding.
What slows things down?
Some common documentation mistakes include:
Skimming yes/no attestation questions and answering incorrectly
Submitting outdated CVs or licenses
Forgetting to disclose past malpractice cases or disciplinary actions
Be thorough, be honest, and double-check before you submit. These steps help prevent delays later in the process.
Why renew licenses?
The most efficient way to keep your career moving is to keep your licenses active, especially in states where you may want to return for future assignments. Reinstating a lapsed license can be more expensive and time-consuming than a simple renewal.
If you’re practicing in compact license states, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) can streamline multistate licensure, provided you meet criteria such as board certification and a clean record.
How long does credentialing take?
Timelines vary by specialty and facility, but plan on 30-60 days for your credentialing process. There are ways to expedite the process if a facility needs you urgently, but provider responsiveness is key. Be ready to promptly answer calls and emails to keep the process moving.
Your role in making it smoother.
Here’s what you can do to accelerate your credentialing:
Engage actively. Answer texts, calls, and emails promptly. Your agency point of contact works hard to keep things moving.
Give references a heads-up. Let peers know we’ll be reaching out for verification.
Stay honest and transparent. Disclose any past legal, licensing, or malpractice issues. They’ll come up in background checks and trying to hide them only delays things.
Keep documents updated. Maintain a digital folder and keep licenses renewed.
Partner with Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens
When you choose locum tenens with Jackson and Coker, your recruiting consultant will take the time to get to know your interests to match you with healthcare organizations that align with your professional ambitions and personal priorities. We offer customized opportunities based on medical specialty and work preferences, including options for telehealth and government positions. We’re not just here to file paperwork, we’re here to make your life easier:
We pre-fill applications.
We chase down references, verifications, and school transcripts.
We coordinate background checks and license lookups.
We work with your schedule and preferred method of communication — email, call, text, you name it.
We offer 24/7 on-call support during travel or emergencies.
Our team is your partner from first conversation to final placement—and beyond.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career and explore exciting new opportunities? We will help you find a role that aligns with what you are looking for, no matter what length of assignment you want. Your journey towards a more flexible and rewarding career starts here!
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Discover tips for choosing a locum tenens staffing company that partners with your healthcare facility and prioritizes your staffing needs.
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Whether you’re an experienced physician seeking more flexibility, a recent graduate dipping your toes into locums work for the first time, or a practitioner ready to explore another state, the credentialing and licensing process can feel like uncharted territory.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the core components of the application and credentialing journey with practical advice, key items, and what kind of support you should look for from a locums company.
Multiple facilities, multiple applications, one contact.
Unlike permanent positions, where a single application may suffice for one hospital system or facility, locum tenens assignments often require multiple facility-specific applications with varying processes. You’ll want to ask the locums company you’re working with what kind of support they offer for this and if they have someone who can act as a single point of contact, streamlining requests and avoiding repetitive paperwork.
What documents should you have ready?
Before starting your credentialing, you should gather all your essential documents such as:
Updated CV
Medical school and postgraduate training certificates
State medical license(s)
Driver’s license or passport
Malpractice insurance Certificates of Insurance (COIs)
DEA registration
Board certification(s)
Having these organized in a digital folder or cloud drive will significantly speed up onboarding.
What slows things down?
Some common documentation mistakes include:
Skimming yes/no attestation questions and answering incorrectly
Submitting outdated CVs or licenses
Forgetting to disclose past malpractice cases or disciplinary actions
Be thorough, be honest, and double-check before you submit. These steps help prevent delays later in the process.
Why renew licenses?
The most efficient way to keep your career moving is to keep your licenses active, especially in states where you may want to return for future assignments. Reinstating a lapsed license can be more expensive and time-consuming than a simple renewal.
If you’re practicing in compact license states, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) can streamline multistate licensure, provided you meet criteria such as board certification and a clean record.
How long does credentialing take?
Timelines vary by specialty and facility, but plan on 30-60 days for your credentialing process. There are ways to expedite the process if a facility needs you urgently, but provider responsiveness is key. Be ready to promptly answer calls and emails to keep the process moving.
Your role in making it smoother.
Here’s what you can do to accelerate your credentialing:
Engage actively. Answer texts, calls, and emails promptly. Your agency point of contact works hard to keep things moving.
Give references a heads-up. Let peers know we’ll be reaching out for verification.
Stay honest and transparent. Disclose any past legal, licensing, or malpractice issues. They’ll come up in background checks and trying to hide them only delays things.
Keep documents updated. Maintain a digital folder and keep licenses renewed.
Partner with Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens
When you choose locum tenens with Jackson and Coker, your recruiting consultant will take the time to get to know your interests to match you with healthcare organizations that align with your professional ambitions and personal priorities. We offer customized opportunities based on medical specialty and work preferences, including options for telehealth and government positions. We’re not just here to file paperwork, we’re here to make your life easier:
We pre-fill applications.
We chase down references, verifications, and school transcripts.
We coordinate background checks and license lookups.
We work with your schedule and preferred method of communication — email, call, text, you name it.
We offer 24/7 on-call support during travel or emergencies.
Our team is your partner from first conversation to final placement—and beyond.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career and explore exciting new opportunities? We will help you find a role that aligns with what you are looking for, no matter what length of assignment you want. Your journey towards a more flexible and rewarding career starts here!
September 9, 2025
3 min. read
Learn how integrating nurse practitioners in your staff can save costs and bring versatility to your team.
September 4, 2025
1 min. read
Where will locum tenens travel take you? Take our quiz to learn your ideal destination when searching for your next travel locum assignment.
August 29, 2025
1 min. read
Dr. Danielle McCarthur shares her journey from private practice to a flexible locum tenens career.
August 27, 2025
7 min. read
Polishing your physician CV, what to ask your recruiter, and more.
August 27, 2025
5 min. read
What is locum tenens work and is it right for you? Here are signs you may be ready for a physician career transition to locums.
August 21, 2025
3 min. read
Many physicians leave their first position out of residency within two years. What comes next? Learn how locum tenens can be a solution.
August 20, 2025
2 min. read
What drives physicians and advanced practitioners to embrace locum tenens? Discover the benefits and learn how you can get started today.
August 19, 2025
3 min. read
Unlock efficiency in healthcare staffing: faster provider onboarding, improved care delivery, and minimized workforce challenges.
August 14, 2025
6 min. read
Discover tips for choosing a locum tenens staffing company that partners with your healthcare facility and prioritizes your staffing needs.
August 5, 2025
3 min. read
Curious about locums but unsure of the benefits for physicians and advanced practitioners? Discover what locum tenens work can offer you.
July 30, 2025
4 min. read
Discover how the locum tenens staffing model can transform your reactive hospital staffing scramble into a proactive strategy.
June 18, 2025
4 min. read
Discover how locum tenens fits seamlessly into your physician retirement plan for a fulfilling, flexible career transition.
June 12, 2025
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Load More
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