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Top Tips for Shaping Up Your CV as a Locum Tenens Provider

• March 17, 2026
• 5 minute read

The locum tenens market continues to grow as hospitals and clinics face ongoing physician shortages and rising patient demand. More than 52,000 physicians take locum assignments each year, and over 80% of healthcare facilities rely on locums to fill care gaps, according to the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations.

With so much opportunity—and so much competition—your CV needs to work hard for you. A strong, clear, and well‑organized CV helps recruiters understand your goals, highlights your clinical strengths, and speeds up the credentialing process.

“A strong CV tells a provider’s story clearly,” explains Dawn Meyerhoffer, VISTA principal scheduling director–primary care. “I look for a clean, chronological work history with accurate dates and clinical experience that directly aligns with what the client needs. Any special skills or procedures that help differentiate a provider should be easy to find.”

Whether you’re new to locums or a seasoned traveler, these tips will help you shape up your CV so you can stand out and secure the best assignments.

Make Your CV Easy to Read

Recruiters spend less than 8 seconds scanning a CV. Make those seconds count:

• Use bullet points
• Keep formatting simple
• Avoid small fonts
• Place key information on the first page
• Remove outdated or irrelevant details
• Tailor your CV to each role

Start With the Basics

Your CV should begin with accurate, easy‑to‑find personal information. Recruiters often scan hundreds of CVs, so clarity is key. Include:

• Full name with abbreviated qualifications
• Mailing address
• Home and mobile phone numbers
• Professional email address

Make sure this information is current. If a recruiter can’t reach you quickly, you may miss out on a great assignment.

Write a Clear, Simple Objective

Your objective should be one or two sentences that explain your career goals and the type of locum work you’re seeking. Keep it focused and straightforward. For example: “Board‑certified internist seeking short‑term locum assignments in hospital medicine with flexible scheduling.” This helps recruiters match you with the right opportunities from the start.

Highlight Your Education and Training

Education is a core part of any CV, but for locum tenens roles, clarity and order matter even more. List:

• Degrees in reverse chronological order
• Months and years of attendance
• Internships, residency, and fellowships

Use the MM/DD/YY format to speed up credentialing. Recruiters and medical staff offices rely on precise dates to verify your training history.

Showcase Licenses, Certifications, and Board Status

Locum tenens work often requires fast credentialing, so make this section easy to scan. Be sure to include:

• All active medical licenses with numbers and expiration dates
• Life‑support certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS, ATLS) with expiration dates
• Board certifications with issue, recertification, and expiration dates

If you hold multiple state licenses, list them clearly. This can open the door to more assignments.

Detail Your Career History

Your work history is an essential part of your CV. Start with your most recent position and work backward. For each role, include:

• Full name of the institution
• Start and end dates
• Specialty or title
• Position type (locum tenens or permanent)
• Hospital appointments
• Brief description of clinical duties (optional but helpful)

List all locum assignments, even short ones. Every experience shows adaptability and broadens your clinical profile. Also, explain any gaps in employment. Even a brief note such as “family leave” or “research year” helps avoid delays.

Emphasize Clinical Breadth and Adaptability

Locum tenens providers are valued for their ability to step into new environments quickly. Your CV should reflect that. Consider highlighting:

• Experience in different facility types (hospital, clinic, private practice)
• Work in rural, underserved, or high‑acuity settings
• Emergency coverage, chronic disease management, or specialized procedures
• Rapid onboarding to new EMR systems
• Experience working with diverse teams or patient populations

If you’ve stepped into roles on short notice or adapted to fast‑changing clinical situations, include those examples. They show you can thrive in the unpredictable world of locums.

If applicable, also include:

• Teaching experience (school, specialty, dates)
• Professional memberships with dates
• Honors or awards, including who granted them and when
• Research and publications in standard MLA format

Get Personal

Locum tenens work is relationship‑driven. A short section on hobbies or interests helps employers see you as a well‑rounded person. Keep it brief and professional, and leave off anything that may seem too extreme or political.

Strengthen Your References

References are one of the most important parts of a locum CV. They help verify your skills and professionalism. Include:

• At least three references from the past five years
• Full name, specialty and title
• Phone number, fax, address, and email

Aim for a mix of supervisors, colleagues, mentors, and hiring managers. Update your references every six months and confirm they are willing to be contacted.

A strong locum tenens CV highlights your clinical experience, adaptability, and readiness to step into new environments. By keeping your information clear, current, and well‑organized, you make it easier for recruiters and facilities to see your value. With the right CV, you’ll be better positioned to secure the assignments you want and continue building a rewarding locum tenens career.

“Our clients appreciate CVs that are concise, well‑organized, and free of repetition,” Meyerhoffer concludes. “They want to quickly understand why a provider is the right fit.”