Information and strategies for healthcare professionals considering career options nationwide
The healthcare industry is projected to have the largest job growth and be the fastest-growing industry sector between now and 2034. As one of the country’s 23 million healthcare workers, that means you should have no problem finding the job of your dreams, right?
Unfortunately, even though it might seem like there’s never been a better time to go into healthcare with its burgeoning job market, that might not be the case. Physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, advanced practice practitioners, behavioral health specialists, and allied health professionals will encounter a highly competitive market for top roles. This is partly due to technological advancements, shifting patient needs, and emerging healthcare delivery models.
The importance of preparation and location
Navigating the competitive healthcare job market requires preparation, whether you’re searching for a staff job, per diem work, or a travel assignment. From deciding where you want to work to ensuring your licensing and credentials are up to date, researching specific details creates a sound job search strategy. Having your job search planned out and knowing your goals are important.
Maybe you’re considering moving to the Big Apple to take the next step in your nursing career. Knowing New York is robust with healthcare jobs and its healthcare workforce earns the seventh-highest salaries in the nation. May influence your decision. Or, perhaps California, the Golden State, with its miles of beaches and warm weather, is more your speed as a physician. California has the highest demand for healthcare employees and many large metropolitan areas in which to work. California has one of the largest shortages of physicians in the country and is facing a critical lack of healthcare professionals overall.
Healthcare opportunities are growing nationwide
Each state possesses its own unique qualities when it comes to working in healthcare. Colorado offers stunning mountain views, Texas is home to multiple bustling cities, and West Virginia employs the largest percentage of healthcare workers compared to its total workforce of any state. When deciding to explore employment in another state, though, there is a lot to consider. You should research the number of open job opportunities, cost of living, licensing requirements, workplace conditions, and state policies and incentives.
For example, according to a Northeastern University analysis of job postings data from February 2025, the top states hiring healthcare workers are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. In a different study, it was revealed that the three highest-paying states for registered nurses (RNs) are California, Hawaii, and Oregon, while for physical therapists, those leading the pack are Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. So, where jobs can be found and which states are paying healthcare professionals the most are different.
The licensing laws of the land
Most healthcare professions require a state-issued license to practice, with requirements varying by state and profession. Additionally, the length of time it takes to get a license in each state varies, as do the requirements.
As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notes, a full license granted by a state healthcare professional licensing board permits a provider who meets specific requirements to legally practice in that state. Each state sets its own licensing standards for healthcare providers. Some states have temporary practice laws, which enable a healthcare provider to practice for a limited time in another state where their patient is visiting.
States also have a licensing board for every healthcare profession. Because licensing laws are established independently by each state government, though, substantial differences and disparities in licensing requirements often exist across states. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers a National Occupational Licensing Database that compares state-level licensing laws and requirements for numerous healthcare occupations.
What to know about crossing state lines
If a change of scenery is something you’d like to pursue or you want to visit family and friends for a couple of months or longer, being a travel healthcare professional is probably a great option. Nurses make up the majority of the traveling healthcare workforce, with more than 1.7 million currently employed in the U.S. Nevertheless, these types of positions are available for healthcare workers in other professions who are interested in career growth, professional development, networking opportunities — not to mention the perks of travel.
Crossing state lines as a travel healthcare professional is certainly possible, but it requires you to obtain licensure in the destination state. An increasing number of job seekers are achieving this by joining an interstate licensure compact.
When working in different states, the license you need depends on the specific profession and practice modality. Each compact functions independently, and parameters vary. The three national healthcare interstate licensure compacts consist of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) for physicians, and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT®).
Nurse Licensure Compact
The NLC is beneficial for nurses who desire greater flexibility in their practice locations. It allows you to be licensed in multiple states, and you can avoid paying anywhere from $200 to $400 per state for individual licenses and mitigate weeks-long endorsement processes. An applicant for the NLC must meet the 11 uniform licensure requirements (ULRs). Check out our step-by-step guide to multi-state licensure for nurses for additional details.
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Eligible physicians can qualify to practice medicine in multiple states by completing an application within the IMLC. This allows them to receive separate licenses from each state in which they intend to practice. Through the IMLC, physicians receive their licenses faster and with fewer administrative hassles. Approximately 80% of U.S. physicians meet the compact’s criteria for licensure.
Other healthcare licensing compacts include Physical Therapy, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Compact, and Emergency Medical Service Officials Licensure Compact. Compacts not yet issuing licenses include the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, the Social Work Licensure Compact, the Counseling Compact, and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Healthcare professions that require credentialing
Licensing gives healthcare professionals the legal right to practice. Credentialing, conversely, is the process of verifying their qualifications to work in a specific healthcare setting. Many of the same documents required for state licensure are reverified in the credentialing process.
Credentialing is required for healthcare workers — physicians, nurses, physician assistants, therapists, dentists, and behavioral health providers — who provide direct patient services. It’s also necessary for healthcare professionals who participate in Medicare, Medicaid, and other government-funded healthcare programs.
Credentialing processes for allied healthcare workers typically include program-specific education verification, state licensure, and professional certifications. For most healthcare professionals, state credentialing consists of verification of education, training, licensure, board certifications, work history, clinical privileges, and background checks.
While managing so many important documents can be stressful, there are tools like DNAVault™ that allow you to manage your credentials, licenses, and paperwork. The platform is designed for managing items like licenses, certifications, or ID cards, which are kept in a personalized ‘vault’ accessible only to you. That means no more need for repeatedly calling human resources at previous employers or requesting documents from compliance teams. Anyone can store documents in DNAVault for free, and it’s available in the StaffDNA app. Download the StaffDNA app today to search, apply, and get hired for jobs nationwide.
Javier Llevada