Choosing an Agency
This is the number one question new travelers ask, and it's also the hardest to answer from the outside. There are hundreds of staffing agencies, and the experience varies wildly. Large corporate agencies have name recognition and more postings, but smaller, therapist-owned agencies typically offer higher pay, more transparency, and more personalized recruiter attention.
A mentor who's worked with multiple agencies can give you the unfiltered truth about their experiences — what went well, what didn't, and what they wish they'd known before signing. This kind of honest comparison is almost impossible to get from agencies themselves.
Learn more about evaluating recruiters →Understanding Pay Packages
Travel therapy pay is more complex than a single hourly rate. Your total compensation includes a taxable hourly rate, non-taxable stipends for housing and meals, travel reimbursement, and potentially bonuses. Understanding how these pieces work together — and how to compare packages across agencies — is critical to maximizing your earnings.
Mentors help you understand what questions to ask, what a competitive package looks like for your discipline and setting, and how to make sure you're seeing every line item in writing before you commit.
Explore pay breakdowns →Tax Home Rules
The tax home is one of the most misunderstood concepts in travel therapy, and getting it wrong can have serious financial consequences. Your tax home determines whether you can receive tax-free stipends — and maintaining one has specific IRS requirements that many new travelers aren't aware of.
A mentor can explain how it works in plain language, share how they've maintained their own tax home, and point you toward qualified CPAs who specialize in travel therapy taxes. They won't replace a tax professional, but they'll help you know what questions to ask.
Read the tax home guide →Finding Housing
Housing is one of the most stressful parts of travel therapy, especially for first-time travelers. Should you take agency housing or the stipend? How do you find a furnished apartment for a 13-week contract? What about traveling with pets?
Mentors share their housing strategies — which platforms work best, how to negotiate lease terms for short stays, when agency housing makes sense versus taking the stipend, and lessons they've learned the hard way.
Browse housing guides by city →Navigating Licensure
Multi-state licensing is one of the biggest logistical challenges in travel therapy. Processing times vary from a few days to several months depending on the state, and the requirements differ for PTs, OTs, and SLPs. Compact state privileges have simplified things in some cases, but the rules are still evolving.
Mentors who've obtained licenses in multiple states can help you plan ahead, avoid timing pitfalls, and understand which states are traveler-friendly and which require more lead time.
Read the licensure guide →Your First Contract
The first contract is where everything comes together — and where most new travelers feel the most anxiety. What should you expect during orientation? How do you build rapport with permanent staff? What do you do if the facility isn't what was described? How do you handle productivity expectations?
Having a mentor during your first assignment gives you someone to text when things feel overwhelming. They've been through the same first-week jitters, the same adjustment period, and they can tell you what's normal and what's worth escalating.
First contract tips for new grads →Health Insurance
Health insurance is a surprisingly complex topic for travel therapists. Agency plans vary widely in quality and cost, and the timing of coverage around contract transitions creates potential gaps. Many travelers don't realize they have options beyond their agency's plan.
Mentors can share which agencies have the best insurance options, when short-term coverage makes sense as a bridge, and how to evaluate plans so you're never caught without coverage.
Explore insurance options →Career Planning and Growth
Travel therapy isn't just about the next contract — it's about building a career. How long should you travel? When does it make sense to go permanent? How do you build specialized skills while moving between facilities? Can you travel as a couple or with a family?
Mentors who've been traveling for years can share their perspective on the long game: how travel therapy has shaped their clinical skills, their finances, and their life choices.
Don't See Your Question?
This list covers the most common topics, but mentors can help with almost anything related to travel therapy. If you have a specific question or situation that doesn't fit neatly into these categories, request a mentor anyway — we'll do our best to match you with someone who's navigated something similar.