Locum Tenens

Locum tenens comes from a Latin phrase meaning to hold the place of. NALTO defines it as a temporary physician arrangement, where a doctor fills in for a permanent physician or covers a gap at a healthcare facility.

The physician usually contracts through a staffing agency as an independent contractor. The agency pays the physician, and the facility pays the agency.

How Does a Locum Tenens Arrangement Work?

Three parties take part: the facility that needs coverage, the agency that sources and contracts the physician, and the physician. The agency handles placement, and the facility still decides who may practice in its building. Clear roles up front prevent gaps in credentialing and supervision.

Facilities use locums to fill gaps during growth or shortages and to cover absences such as a permanent physician's vacation. Physicians choose it for higher pay, varied cases, many locations and control over their schedules.

NALTO is the professional association of temporary physician staffing firms, established in 2001. Its member agencies place locum clinicians with commercial and government facilities.

What Must Be Verified Before a Locum Starts?

Treat a locum like any clinician who will treat your patients. Federal rules require the medical staff to examine the credentials of eligible candidates, so license, training and certification checks come before the first shift.

Screen against the OIG list as well. Excluded parties cannot receive payment from federal health programs for services they furnish, order or prescribe.

Speed matters on short assignments. HR Cloud's travel nurse onboarding guide shows how credentialing delays push back start dates and can cancel contracts, and the same logic applies to locum coverage. Keep the verification record with the contract for audits.

What Should HR Know About Contractor Classification?

NALTO describes locum physicians as independent contractors paid through the agency. That structure keeps them off the facility payroll, but it does not remove the facility's duty to verify who treats its patients.

Classification depends on the facts of the relationship, not the label on the contract. Involve counsel when terms, schedules or supervision look like employment.

Whatever the classification, track locum clinicians in the same credential and screening systems as employees so no license or exclusion check slips through.

How Is Locum Tenens Different From Travel and Float Staff?

The table shows why labels matter. Contract structure drives onboarding steps, screening duties and who supervises the clinician day to day.

A staffing agency sits between facility and clinician in the first two models. Float pools keep coverage in-house.

What Should Facilities Ask a Locum Agency?

Ask before you sign. A clear agreement saves time when the physician needs to start.

• Which sources does the agency check for each credential?
• How does it document OIG exclusion screening?
• What start timeline can it commit to?
• Who handles replacement if the physician cannot start?
• How are licenses in multiple states handled?

Put the answers in writing and keep them with the contract. Your own credentialing process still applies on top of the agency's work.

How Can HR Coordinate Locum Staffing?

Keep temporary clinicians in the same tracking system as employees so no license or screening slips.

HR Cloud's healthcare staffing HR software page describes streamlined onboarding for contract nurses, temporary staff and per diem healthcare workers. Review the field and clinical staff onboarding guide for practices that carry over.

Track licenses and clearances with healthcare credential tracking, or request an Onboard demo.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does locum tenens mean?

A: It comes from a Latin phrase meaning to hold the place of, and it describes a temporary stand-in for a permanent physician. The arrangement ends when the permanent physician returns or the contract expires.

Q: Is a locum tenens physician an employee?

A: Usually an independent contractor paid through the agency, according to NALTO. Classification depends on the facts, so confirm with counsel. Do not assume the label settles the question.

Q: Who pays the locum physician?

A: The agency pays the physician, and the facility pays the agency. The facility does not usually pay the physician directly.

Q: Do locum physicians need credentialing and privileging?

A: Yes. The facility still examines credentials and decides what the physician may do there. Federal rules require the medical staff to examine credentials before appointment. Document the decision for each assignment.

Q: Why do facilities use locum tenens?

A: To fill gaps during growth or physician shortages and to cover absences such as vacations. Some facilities also use locums to test fit before a permanent hire.

Q: Is locum tenens used for nurses?

A: NALTO describes it as a physician arrangement. Nurses typically fill temporary roles through travel nurse or per diem staffing. Check how your state and employer classify per diem and temporary roles.