Frequently Asked Questions for Locums

Go to airlocum.co.uk, click Sign Up and select Locum. You will create your profile, set your hourly rate and travel distance, and upload your documents. Once your GDC registration is verified you will start appearing in practices' search results and receiving booking requests.  Learn more: how to sign up as a locum.

You will upload your GDC registration, professional indemnity insurance, Hepatitis B immunisation record, DBS certificate, CPR certificate and Safeguarding Level 2 certificate. Your GDC registration is then verified automatically. All documents need to be in date at the time of registration.  Learn more: what documents you need.

No. Airlocum only accepts fully qualified, GDC-registered dental professionals who can work independently from day one. Once you have completed your qualification and obtained GDC registration, we would love to have you join.  Learn more: joining as a trainee.

Joining is free and you keep your full hourly rate. The practice pays Airlocum's service fee on top of your rate, so the fee never comes out of your earnings. There are no subscriptions or charges to register.

Once your profile is complete and your GDC registration is verified, you can start receiving requests straight away. How many you receive depends on your location, your rate, your ratings and how complete your profile is. Adding a professional photo and setting a competitive rate helps you stand out.  Learn more: when you'll start receiving bookings.

No. Airlocum is a competitive marketplace, so opportunities depend on your location, your hourly rate, your ratings and reliability score, and how complete your profile is. Urban areas typically have more shifts than rural ones. The better you perform, the more the algorithm sends your way.  Learn more: are shifts guaranteed.

Keep your reliability score high, aim for 5-star ratings, add a professional photo, set a competitive rate for your area, and respond quickly to requests. Getting added to practices' Favourites lists leads to repeat bookings, and using the check-in feature improves your ranking. Speed matters — the fastest responders win the most shifts.  Learn more: how Unclaimed Shifts work.

Another locum almost certainly accepted a split second before you. Practices often send a shift to many qualified locums at once, sometimes 60 or more in busy areas, and the moment one accepts, the shift closes and confirmations stop. It is frustrating, but receiving the request at all means you are a strong, in-demand candidate.  Learn more: how the booking wave system works.

Locums with higher reliability scores and star ratings are notified earlier. For example, a locum on 100% reliability and 5 stars is alerted before one on 80% and 4 stars, even if the second lives closer. Distance, responsiveness and engagement also count. Declining a shift never counts against you, whereas not responding at all does.  Learn more: how Airlocum matches locums with practices.

It depends on how the practice pays. For card-paying practices, you are typically paid around 5 days after your timesheet is approved. For practices that pay by invoice, payment typically takes around 18 days. Accepting both types keeps a steady payment pipeline flowing.  Learn more: when you'll get paid.

After your shift, submit your timesheet through the Bookings section of your account. The practice then has 24 hours to approve it or raise a query; if they take no action, it is approved automatically. Submitting promptly keeps your payment on track.  Learn more: how to submit your timesheet.

Payments are processed through Stripe, so you will set up your bank details in Stripe during onboarding. Once a timesheet is approved, payment flows to your account automatically on the timeline above. You can update your bank details in Stripe at any time.  Learn more: managing your Stripe payout details.

No. Locums on Airlocum are self-employed independent professionals, not employees, so Airlocum does not provide a pension, holiday pay or other employment benefits. As a self-employed locum you are responsible for your own pension and tax arrangements.  Learn more: our pension policy.

Your reliability score starts at 100% and drops by 10% each time you withdraw from a shift you have accepted. It is based on your withdrawal history over your last 10 accepted shifts, and you need to stay at or above 80% to remain active. A higher score means you are notified about shifts earlier.  Learn more: reliability standards.

After each shift the practice answers five questions about you: were you on time, professional, positive, worth your rate, and would they have you back. Top marks earn you a 5-star rating on your profile, and a yes to the last question adds you to that practice's Favourites, which leads to repeat bookings.  Learn more: how ratings and reviews work.

Add a clear, professional photo, complete every section, keep your qualifications up to date and set a competitive rate. Use the check-in and Send ETA features to build trust, respond quickly to requests, and deliver great service to earn 5-star reviews and Favourites placements.  Learn more: adding a profile photo.

For nurses and receptionists: free if you cancel 5 or more days ahead, £12 from 1 to 5 days, £24 under 24 hours, and £50 plus suspension for a no-show. For hygienists, therapists and dentists: free 5 or more days ahead, £20 from 1 to 5 days, £45 under 24 hours, and £60 plus suspension for a no-show. The earlier you cancel, the lower the fee.  Learn more: late cancellation fees explained.

Always withdraw through the Bookings section of the app. This is the only correct way and gets the fastest help to the practice. Failing to withdraw properly, or giving less than two hours' notice, is treated as a no-show and can deactivate your account. If it is a genuine emergency, contact support and we will review it individually.  Learn more: how to cancel a shift.

You will be notified immediately by SMS and email. If the practice cancels with less than 18 hours' notice, you receive 100% of the booking fee as compensation, because you may have arranged travel or turned down other work. Keep an eye out for new shifts and check Unclaimed Shifts for more opportunities.  Learn more: checking if your shift was cancelled.

Yes, many locums work on Airlocum alongside employed roles. Locums on Airlocum operate as self-employed independent professionals, so you are responsible for your own tax, but you can combine locum work with other employment.  Learn more: being employed and self-employed.

You can pause your account if you are taking a break, or delete it entirely. Pausing keeps your profile and history so you can reactivate easily later; deleting removes your account. Contact support if you would like help with either.  Learn more: pausing vs deleting your account.

Reach the team by live chat at airlocum.co.uk, by phone or text on 07716 580305, or by email at [email protected]. Support typically responds within a couple of minutes during working hours.  Learn more: how to contact Airlocum.