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What a 1099 contract offer can leave out: 10 questions to ask before you sign

Updated October 25, 2026

The hourly rate is only one line of a contract. The lines that cost money later are usually somewhere else. Use these ten questions to read an offer before you say yes.

Ten questions to ask before you sign

1. How and when do I get paid?

   Ask how often you are paid, how many days after you turn in your hours, and what happens if payment is late or disputed. A good rate matters little if the money arrives weeks later than you planned.

2. What happens if the facility cancels my shift?

   Ask whether you are guaranteed any hours, how much notice they must give, and whether you are paid for a shift they cancel. Canceled shifts lower your real hourly pay.

3. What happens if I need to cancel or leave early?

   Look for fees, notice periods, or language that lets the other side hold back pay. Find out before you need it.

4. Who provides malpractice coverage, and who pays for tail coverage?

   Some malpractice policies only cover claims made while the policy is active. When the policy ends, you may need extra "tail" coverage to stay protected for work you already did. Ask who buys it and who pays.

5. Is there a non-compete or non-solicit clause?

   These can limit where or for whom you can work after the contract ends. Check how long it lasts, how far it reaches, and what it covers.

6. Can either side end the contract early?

   Look for how much notice is needed and whether the facility can end it without a reason. Your income can stop faster than you expect.

7. Who pays for licenses, credentialing, background checks, travel and lodging?

   Some costs are paid up front by you and paid back later, or never. Add the costs you pay yourself to your comparison.

8. Does the contract treat me as an independent contractor, and does the day-to-day match?

   The label in the contract may not settle how you are treated. If you are unsure, ask a lawyer or a CPA to read it.

9. What does the contract say about insurance and about covering the other side's losses?

   Clauses called "indemnification" can make you responsible for the other side's costs in some situations. Ask a lawyer to explain any you do not understand.

10. Is everything we discussed in writing?

    The signed words are what you can point to later. If a promise about rate, hours, schedule or cost was made on a call, ask for it in the contract.

How to use this list

1. Print it or copy it into a note.
2. Ask each question of the facility, agency or recruiter, and write the answer next to it.
3. If an answer is vague, ask for it in writing.
4. Put the numbers you learn into the calculator. A rate that looks high can pay less after canceled shifts, unpaid weeks and costs you pay yourself. See how to find the rate that matches your W-2 pay.

What this list cannot do

It cannot tell you whether a clause is fair or legal where you live. Contract and employment rules vary by state and by situation. Have a lawyer read the contract before you sign it.

Then put the answers into numbers

The free calculator shows what a rate is really worth after taxes, work costs and unpaid time. No sign-up. What you type stays in your browser.

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Keep reading

• What 1099 hourly rate matches your W-2 pay?
• Unpaid weeks on a 1099 contract: what they really cost
• How much should you set aside for taxes on 1099 income?

Scrubs & Fine Print gives educational information only, not personal tax, legal or financial advice. Rules, limits and dates change, and your situation may differ. Examples use made-up numbers. Check with a CPA or a lawyer before you decide. Figures are for tax year 2026.