Locum Tenens Physician Recruiting

Short-term and bridge physician coverage across all specialties and all 50 states. Backed by MedicalRecruiting.com's nationwide physician network. Credentialing-ready candidates, A-rated malpractice coverage included, transparent daily and hourly rates, qualified shortlists in 14–30 days.

Coverage in all 50 states + DC
All major specialties — hospitalist, EM, anesthesia, psychiatry, primary care
Credentialing & primary-source verification handled inside the engagement
Malpractice coverage included for the engagement window

When locum tenens makes sense

Locum tenens coverage is the right tool when you need credentialed physician hours quickly — vacation coverage, parental leave, an unexpected resignation, a delayed permanent search, a new service line ramping up, or seasonal volume surges. Locum coverage buys you time without rushing a permanent decision. Many of our hospital clients use locum coverage to bridge through credentialing of a permanent hire, which can run 90–180 days.

Specialties we staff for locum coverage

Highest-volume locum tenens demand we staff: Hospitalist (including nocturnist), Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology (general and subspecialty), Psychiatry (inpatient and outpatient), Family Medicine and Internal Medicine primary care, OB/GYN (including OB hospitalist), Pediatrics, General Surgery, Radiology (on-site and teleradiology), Cardiology, and Critical Care. Surgical subspecialty locums (Orthopedic Surgery, Urology, ENT) are available with longer lead times due to credentialing.

How locum tenens engagement works with us

Scoping call (30 min): Coverage need, dates, scope, scheduling, credentialing timeline, malpractice requirements.
Candidate match (7–14 days): Credentialed locum candidates with active state license and DEA presented for selection.
Credentialing & privileging: We handle reappointment files, primary-source verification, and hospital-credentialing coordination end to end.
Malpractice coverage: A-rated occurrence or claims-made coverage included for the engagement window. Certificates of insurance provided on request.
Coverage start: Usually 14–30 days from kickoff for in-state-licensed candidates; 30–60 days for new-state license acquisition.

Locum rate ranges

Locum daily and hourly rates depend on specialty, geography, call structure, and shift type. Hospitalist locums typically run $1,800–$2,400/day; ED locums $200–$300/hr with night and weekend shift premiums; anesthesia locums $250–$400/hr; psychiatry locums $250–$350/hr; primary care locums $1,200–$1,800/day. We quote firm rates in writing during scoping with no hidden margin.

Why hospitals choose us for locum coverage

Backed by the MedicalRecruiting.com 1.5M-contact healthcare network — wider candidate reach than single-line agencies.
No upfront fee — pay only when a locum starts coverage.
Credentialing, primary-source verification, and malpractice handled inside the engagement.
Transparent rate structure — written quote, no hidden margin.
Locum-to-perm conversion language available in every engagement.

Bridge a locum into a permanent placement

Many of our employers convert locum coverage into permanent placements when a strong fit emerges. We structure optional locum-to-perm conversion language into every engagement so you can recruit a known quantity rather than running a separate permanent search. See permanent placement for the permanent search workflow and fee structure.

What states do you provide locum coverage in?

All 50 US states plus DC. State-license lead time is the primary determinant of coverage start date.

Do you cover credentialing and malpractice?

Yes. Credentialing files and A-rated malpractice coverage are included in the engagement at no additional cost.

How fast can a locum start coverage?

14–30 days from kickoff for in-state-licensed candidates. 30–60 days for new-state license acquisition.

Engage a locum tenens recruiter

Email hire@physicianrecruitment.com or call 346-515-5160 to scope locum coverage. We respond within 1 business day.