Choosing a Travel Therapy Company
as an Occupational Therapist

A travel OT should choose an agency on the settings it can place you in, recruiters who understand OT practice and a licensing team that knows both the OT Compact and each state's own license. The OT Compact Commission says you cannot practice in a state under the compact until that state opens applications and approves yours, even if it has enacted the compact, so ask which of your target states are issuing and plan a state license for the rest.

🤝 For OTs, weigh SNF and pediatric contract availability, OT Compact status, and the recruiter’s familiarity with OT practice. COTAs have additional considerations around supervision requirements by state — your agency must understand these.

📋 What OTs Should Look For

📚 OT Compact Progress

The OT Compact (OTC) has been enacted in a growing number of states. Confirm your target states are issuing OT Compact privileges, not only members, or budget for individual state licensure. Your agency should have a licensure team familiar with OT-specific requirements.

💰 OT Pay Ranges

An OT travel package combines a taxable hourly rate with tax-free stipends. The ProTherapy pay index publishes the current median weekly pay for each discipline. School-based OT contracts are often structured differently — ask about hourly vs. salaried structures and per-session pay models.

🤻 COTA Supervision Rules

Supervision requirements for COTAs vary significantly by state. Your agency must understand the specific ratio requirements in your assignment state and confirm the facility has appropriate supervisory structure in place before you sign.

🏭 Setting Availability

OT settings vary widely: SNF (most volume), outpatient orthopedics, acute care, pediatric outpatient, school districts, hand therapy, and home health. Be specific about your preferred setting when comparing agencies. If you already know the OT setting you want, tell a recruiter which one: Find my next contract.