A Guide to Your First Career Move From Resident to Locum Tenens

Residency opens the door to real choice, including the freedom to explore before settling into a permanent role. Physicians finishing training in anesthesiology, OB/GYN, or a surgical specialty are discovering that first-year physician jobs can look different from the traditional path.

Locum tenens after residency is a deliberate first step for physicians who want real experience and flexibility before committing to a single practice long-term. Many physicians choose new physician jobs that let them build a career entirely on their own terms.

Why New Physicians Are Choosing Locum Tenens After Residency

Locum tenens work for new physicians delivers a level of control that sets it apart from typical permanent roles right out of training. Schedule flexibility tops the list of reasons new physicians make this choice, and it’s just the beginning.

Here’s what’s drawing new physicians to locum tenens after residency.

• Schedule flexibility: You decide when to work and when to take extended time off, building a schedule around your life instead of the other way around.
• Career and location exploration: Locum assignments let you experience different facility types, patient populations, and geographic markets before settling into a long-term practice.
• Compensation that may support your goals: Depending on the assignment and specialty, locum tenens can offer competitive compensation that helps pay off medical school debt and supports other financial goals.
• Broader clinical exposure: Working across diverse settings builds a range of experience that’s hard to match in a single permanent role right out of training.

According to AMN Healthcare’s 2024 survey of 589 healthcare professionals who had worked locum tenens in the past 18 months, 97% rated freedom and flexibility as moderately rewarding or more. That preference is growing specifically among early-career physicians. In fact, 18% of survey respondents first worked locum tenens right after training in 2024, up from 15% in 2016, according to the same survey.

Pay varies by assignment, specialty, and location, but for many physicians, it’s still a meaningful option when weighed against the $215,000 median education debt figure reported for the Class of 2025.

Can You Work Locum Tenens Right Out of Residency?

For those considering new physician jobs, locum tenens eligibility depends on your specialty and the facility. Yes, it’s possible to work locum tenens right out of residency, and knowing what to expect helps you plan your next step.

VISTA works with a range of client facilities, and their requirements fall into two categories:

• Facilities open to new grads: Some work with physicians straight out of residency or fellowship, providing a direct path to a first assignment.
• Facilities requiring more experience: Others require at least 1 year of post-training experience before they’ll consider a candidate for an assignment.

If you’re unsure which reality applies to you, VISTA’s resources for graduating residents can help you determine your next step.

Anesthesiology, OB/GYN, and surgical specialties each carry different eligibility profiles depending on the facility. Most OB/GYN roles are laborist positions, also known as OB hospitalists, covering deliveries and postpartum care. For first-year physician jobs, some facilities consider candidates directly after residency, while others prefer additional experience.

Board certification or eligibility is a common requirement, though not universal. A VISTA recruiter can clarify what applies to your specialty and experience level.

What to Expect When Getting Started

The resident to locum tenens transition runs on two tracks at once, licensing and credentialing, and you’ll need to finish both before your first assignment can begin.

Each state requires its own medical license, and timelines vary by state and your background. Starting well in advance of your target start date gives you the smoothest path to that first assignment.

Credentialing occurs at the facility level and typically requires these items:

• Your CV: This details your training, experience, and qualifications.
• State medical license: This authorizes you to practice in that state.
• DEA certificate: This lets you prescribe controlled substances.
• Peer references: These vouch for your clinical performance and professionalism.
• Malpractice history: The facility reviews this as part of the credentialing process.
• Primary source verification: This confirms your credentials directly with the issuing institutions.

These requirements reflect the broader NALTO credentialing guidelines that govern how locum tenens organizations vet clinicians across the industry.

Credentialing takes time and effort, especially when you are just starting your profession. In the AMN Healthcare 2024 survey, 81% of locum physicians rated it as the most challenging or moderately challenging part of working as a locum tenens.

VISTA’s credentials verification and licensing team works alongside you throughout the process, helping you navigate state boards, paperwork, and other requirements. New physicians can review VISTA’s licensing credentials review process to learn more about what to expect.

Many locum tenens assignments use an independent contractor structure, which can affect benefits and taxes. A financial advisor familiar with physician income can help you plan accordingly.

How VISTA Partners With Early-Career Physicians

For physicians starting out in locum tenens, the right partnership starts with being heard. You need someone who understands your specialty and respects your timeline.

A dedicated VISTA recruiter starts by getting to know you:

• Your specialty and clinical interests, which shape the opportunities that actually fit your training.
• Preferred locations, which your recruiter uses to point you toward markets you actually want to explore.
• Your schedule goals, which help you align assignments with your needs.
• Your readiness level, which helps your recruiter identify opportunities that fit your experience.

From there, your recruiter focuses on openings that fit your qualifications, drawing on VISTA’s 30-plus years of experience connecting physicians with the right opportunities. Transparent communication on compensation and contract terms comes standard from day one, so you know what you’re signing up for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Locum Tenens After Residency

We offer a few quick answers to the questions physicians often ask before starting locum tenens.

Can you work locum tenens right after residency? 

Physicians can work locum tenens right after residency, though eligibility varies by specialty and facility. Some facilities accept candidates directly after training, while others require at least one year of post-residency experience.

How early should you begin licensing and credentialing? 

Because timelines vary by state, you should begin licensing and credentialing as early as possible. Early preparation keeps your first assignment on track.

Does every facility accept physicians with no post-residency experience? 

Not every facility accepts physicians with no post-residency experience, as requirements differ by specialty and the type of coverage the role needs. A VISTA recruiter can clarify what’s realistic for your background.

Start Your Locum Tenens Journey With VISTA

The resident-to-locum tenens path looks different for every physician. Whether you’re finishing residency or fellowship, VISTA’s team can help you identify a realistic path for your specialty and timeline.

Interested in discussing your options first? Connect with a VISTA recruiter, and if you’re ready to move forward, apply with VISTA to get started today!