Retained vs. Contingency Physician Recruiting: Which Model Is Right for Your Practice?

By Blake Moser · Published March 5, 2026

Retained vs. contingency physician recruiting: a transparent breakdown of both models. Retained = upfront fee, dedicated search, best for leadership/subspecialty roles. Contingency = pay on placement only, best for common specialties. Includes cost structures and a side-by-side comparison table.