A Travel PT Series: 10 Mistakes Every First-Time Travel PT Makes

First, let me put your mind at ease with one very simple—and very accurate—statement:

Everyone makes mistakes during their first few travel contracts!

So relax, trust yourself, and look at those mistakes as learning experiences that will make you a better traveler on future assignments. I've certainly made my share over the years, and many of the lessons below came from learning things the hard way!

Let's dive into 10 of the most common mistakes first-time travel therapists make—and how you can avoid them.

Common Mistake #1: Overlooking Housing

One of the biggest mistakes new travelers make is accepting a contract without thoroughly researching the local housing market first.

On my first three contracts, I didn’t give enough thought or preparation to making sure reasonably priced housing was actually available near the contract location.

Before accepting a contract, ask yourself three important questions:

Question One: Is housing available within a reasonable distance of the contract site?

And what does "reasonable" mean to you? Are you okay driving 30 minutes each way? What about 45 minutes? Decide how far you're realistically willing to commute before accepting the assignment.

Question Two: Is housing in the area reasonably priced?

If your housing stipend is $2,000 per month and the only suitable housing you can find costs $2,400 per month, that can absorb a significant portion of the financial advantage you expected from your travel package.

Never assume you'll "figure out housing later." Research the market before you sign.

Question Three: What are your housing non-negotiables?

Are you comfortable renting a room, or do you need an entire home? Do you need a garage? A fenced yard? Pet-friendly housing? Furnished accommodations?

Once you've determined your housing must-haves, you can quickly eliminate contracts in locations that won't meet your needs.

Common Mistake #2: Not Understanding and Maximizing Your Stipends

One of the potential financial benefits of travel therapy is the ability of qualifying travelers to receive nontaxable stipends for eligible housing, meals, and incidental expenses.

Because your taxable hourly wage and stipends affect the overall structure of your compensation package, make sure you understand exactly how your offer is being structured before accepting it.

I personally pay close attention to the balance between my taxable hourly rate and allowable stipends when evaluating an offer. However, don't simply ask a recruiter to arbitrarily lower your taxable hourly wage to maximize tax-free money. Your compensation still has to comply with IRS rules and applicable wage requirements.

The important takeaway is this:

Don't just ask, "What's the weekly gross?" Ask your recruiter to show you exactly how the entire compensation package is structured.

Common Mistake #3: Not Disclosing Time-Off Requests During Negotiation

Have a wedding coming up? A family vacation? A conference you're presenting at?

Tell them before you sign the contract.

Most travel contracts expect requested time off to be discussed during the interview and negotiation process, and agreed-upon dates should be included in your contract.

Facilities may also limit how many days you can take off during a 13-week assignment. Some will allow additional time off if you're willing to extend your contract end date to make up for the missed days.

Whatever you negotiate, get it in writing.

Common Mistake #4: Not Asking About Productivity Expectations

This one is HUGE.

Productivity expectations can completely change your experience at a contract, even when everything else about the assignment looks perfect.

Before interviewing, determine your personal non-negotiables for every setting in which you're willing to work—just like you established your housing must-haves.

For example, if I'm considering an outpatient contract, I prefer contracts that provide one-on-one patient care. For a home health assignment, I have a specific productivity range I'm willing to accept.

Ask questions such as:

• How many patients will I typically see each day?
• Are patients double-booked?
• How long are evaluations and follow-up visits?
• What is the productivity expectation?
• How is productivity calculated?
• Is documentation time built into the schedule?
• In home health, how many points are expected each week?
• How are admissions, evaluations, revisits, discharges, and other visit types weighted?

When you know your limits before the interview, it's much easier to recognize—and walk away from—a contract that isn't a good fit.

Common Mistake #5: Not Getting Your Notice Period in Writing

Always understand the cancellation and notice provisions in your contract.

Your agreement should clearly explain what happens if either you or the facility ends the assignment early, including any applicable notice requirements.

I learned the importance of this on my very first travel contract.

I arrived at the facility and, on my first day, they informed me they had hired a permanent employee and gave me two weeks' notice.

Imagine experiencing that on your first travel assignment!

Fortunately, the notice provision in my agreement gave me time to get paid while I searched for my next contract and arranged my travel.

That experience taught me a lesson I've never forgotten:

If it's important to you, get it in writing.

Common Mistake #6: Not Asking About Holidays and Clinic Closures

Are you scheduled to work during the holidays? If the facility closes, what will happen to your pay?

Don't assume.

If the clinic closes on Thanksgiving Day, will you still receive your guaranteed hours? What happens on Christmas? What about a half-day closure?

I once worked at a clinic that closed for half of Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day. If I requested that time off, I wouldn't be paid for those days. However, if I worked the scheduled half-day on Christmas Eve, my contract allowed me to receive my full rate for both days.

These little details can make a significant difference in your paycheck.

Ask about holiday closures during the interview and make sure any important agreements are documented in your contract.

Common Mistake #7: Not Negotiating Travel Reimbursement

Getting to your next assignment can be expensive.

Gas, airfare, hotels, meals, tolls, and other travel expenses can add up quickly—especially when you're moving across the country.

And here's something new travelers sometimes don't realize:

If you don't ask about travel reimbursement, it may not automatically be included in your package.

My contracts commonly provide around $750 in travel reimbursement, typically paid with my first paycheck. For longer trips between assignments, I may negotiate $1,000–$1,250 depending on the distance and anticipated expenses.

Before signing, ask:

"What travel reimbursement is included with this package?"

You may be surprised by what you can negotiate simply by asking.

Common Mistake #8: Choosing Just Any Recruiter

This may be the BIGGEST mistake I see new travelers make.

Everyone asks:

"Which travel company should I choose?"

But I think there's an even more important question:

"Which recruiter should I choose?"

Your recruiter can make or break your travel experience.

Interview your recruiter just like the facility interviews you. You want someone who communicates well, understands your priorities, advocates for you during negotiations, and responds when something goes wrong.

I've worked with the same recruiter, Helina Jones with Ascentia Staffing, for almost ten years. During my second contract, I realized she was going to be my go-to person.

I was working in the Florida Panhandle when Hurricane Michael hit Panama City. I suddenly needed housing outside the evacuation area and needed to know whether the additional expenses resulting from the mandatory evacuation would be covered.

I was able to reach her at 3:00 a.m., and she helped take care of everything.

That experience cemented something I've believed ever since:

Your recruiter isn't just the person who finds your contract. A great recruiter can be your lifeline when travel therapy gets complicated.

Common Mistake #9: Carrying Only One State PT License

Don't wait until you find the perfect contract to start thinking about licensure.

I typically recommend that new travelers identify several states they're seriously interested in and determine the licensing requirements for each one.

Some facilities and agencies strongly prefer candidates who already have authorization to practice in the state because licensing delays can jeopardize the requested start date.

Also, research the licensing timeline before choosing your target states. Some states can process licenses relatively quickly, while others may take considerably longer.

And don't forget about the PT Compact!

If you're eligible for Compact Privileges, you may not need to maintain traditional individual licenses in every state where you'd like to travel. Understanding which states participate in the Compact can dramatically expand your options and make moving between assignments much easier.

The goal is simple:

When the right contract appears, you want to be ready to move on it.

Common Mistake #10: Not Researching the Area Before Accepting the Contract

The paycheck isn't the only thing that matters.

You're going to live there for approximately three months.

Before accepting a contract, research the community, commute, housing options, amenities, and crime and safety information for the area you're considering.

Look at multiple sources rather than relying on a single crime-rating website. Check local crime data, maps, community information, and the specific neighborhood where you're considering housing.

This research can help you determine whether the contract location is a good fit and which areas you may feel comfortable living in.

Remember: a fantastic contract in a location where you're miserable for 13 weeks isn't necessarily a fantastic contract.

The Bottom Line

You are going to make mistakes during your first few travel assignments. We all did.

The goal isn't to know everything before your first contract. The goal is to learn how to ask better questions, recognize your non-negotiables, understand your compensation, and advocate for yourself a little better with every assignment.

Ten years into travel therapy, I still learn something from almost every contract—and that's part of what makes this career path so interesting.

Do your research. Ask questions. Get important promises in writing. And remember that you can always say no to a contract that doesn't meet your needs.

Pack light, negotiate hard, and I’ll see you on the road.