Rev: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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Rev: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Rev (rev.com) is one of the largest remote freelance platforms in the United States, connecting independent contractors with transcription, captioning, and translation work that can be completed entirely online. Applicants accepted to the platform - known as Revvers - work as 1099 contractors and set their own schedules, making Rev a common starting point for people exploring remote freelance income. If you are researching rev transcription jobs, the Rev application process, or whether Rev conducts background checks on its contractors, this guide covers everything you need to know, including a company overview and straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the Rev background check process.

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Rev: Company overview

Rev was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company provides transcription, captioning, subtitles, foreign subtitles, and translation services to businesses, media companies, legal professionals, academic researchers, and individuals. Rev operates as a hybrid model, offering both human-powered services completed by freelancers and AI-powered transcription and captioning tools available through its platform.

The company runs a large freelance marketplace where independent contractors apply to work on incoming audio and video files submitted by clients. These contractors, referred to internally as Revvers, work as transcriptionists, captioners, and foreign subtitlers. Rev is widely cited as one of the largest employers of remote freelance transcriptionists in the US. Because contractors handle client-submitted audio content that may include proprietary, legal, medical, or otherwise sensitive material, Rev maintains a structured vetting process for applicants and a background screening requirement for those accepted to the platform.

Rev does not hire employees through its freelance marketplace - all working Revvers are independent contractors operating on a 1099 basis. This model is standard for gig and remote work platforms. The company has processed millions of hours of audio and video content and serves clients ranging from small businesses to large enterprises.

Company culture and freelancer programs:

Rev accepts freelancers through an online application and skills accuracy test - applicants who do not meet the accuracy threshold are not accepted.
Accepted Revvers work as independent contractors and are not employees of Rev.
Work is flexible - contractors log in to claim available jobs from a queue and work on their own schedule.
Pay is calculated on a per-audio-minute basis and varies by content type and complexity.
Transcription, captioning, and foreign subtitling roles are available; each has its own skills test and acceptance criteria.
Rev provides style guides, onboarding resources, and a contractor forum to help new Revvers get started.
Because contractors handle client audio that may contain confidential or sensitive content, background screening is part of the onboarding process for accepted applicants.

Rev background check FAQs

Does Rev do background checks?

Yes. Rev conducts background checks on freelancers accepted to the platform. The background check is typically initiated after a contractor has passed the skills accuracy test and received an acceptance decision, and before they begin receiving paid work assignments. This sequencing is standard for gig and remote work platforms that handle sensitive client content. Contractors who do not consent to a background check, or whose background check reveals information that disqualifies them under Rev's criteria, may not be permitted to work on the platform.

How long can a Rev background check take?

Most background checks for Rev contractors are completed within three to five business days. Actual timing depends on several factors:

Database search speed: Identity and national criminal database searches typically return results quickly, sometimes within hours.
County-level courthouse searches: Manual retrieval from county courthouses can add business days depending on the jurisdiction's processing time and backlog.
Applicant information accuracy: Incomplete or inconsistent application data can slow verification steps and extend overall processing time.
Volume and CRA capacity: Processing times may vary slightly based on the CRA's current workload.

For more detail on what affects processing time, see Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times.

What can be revealed in a Rev background check?

A background check report for a Rev contractor may include:

Identity and criminal history: SSN trace to confirm identity and locate associated addresses; county, state, federal, and national criminal record searches; sex-offender registry search; global watchlists to screen for sanctions and watch list entries.
Employment verification: Prior work history provided on the application may be verified against available records, depending on the screening package ordered.
Note on driving records: Motor vehicle record (MVR) checks are generally not relevant for remote transcription and captioning roles and are unlikely to be included in a standard Rev contractor background check.

The specific screenings included in Rev's background check may vary based on the role applied for, the CRA's standard package, and applicable state law.

How far back can Rev's background check go?

Look-back periods for background checks vary by state law, the nature of the contractor role, and the CRA's data sources. The FCRA sets a general standard of seven years for most adverse information, including most criminal records, for positions below certain salary thresholds. Some states impose shorter look-back limits or additional restrictions on what types of records can be considered. Candidates should review state fair-chance or "ban-the-box" laws to understand the limitations that may apply in their state.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background information, and how employers and platforms may use that information in hiring and contractor decisions. Key protections include:

Written consent required: Rev must obtain your written authorization before requesting a background report from a CRA.
Pre-adverse action notice: If Rev intends to take a negative action based on background check findings, it must provide you with a copy of the report and a written pre-adverse action notice before the decision is finalized.
Opportunity to dispute: You have the right to review the report and dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information before a final adverse action decision is made.
Adverse action notice: If a final adverse action is taken, Rev must provide you with a notice that includes the name and contact information of the CRA that provided the report.
EEOC individualized assessment: EEOC guidance recommends that employers and platforms consider the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and the relevance of the offense to the specific role before making a disqualifying decision based on criminal history.

What is the Rev application process?

The Rev application process for freelancers follows a structured sequence:

Create an account at rev.com and complete your contractor profile with basic personal information.
Select a role - transcriptionist, captioner, or foreign subtitler - and review the requirements and guidelines for that role.
Complete the skills accuracy test - Rev requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum accuracy level on a sample test before acceptance. Each role type has its own test.
Receive an acceptance decision - Rev reviews your test submission and notifies you whether you have been accepted or not accepted. Applicants who do not meet the accuracy threshold are not accepted and may reapply after a waiting period.
Complete the background check - If accepted, Rev initiates a background check through a third-party CRA. You will receive a consent request and instructions for the screening process.
Begin receiving work - Once the background check is cleared, you can log in to the Rev platform and begin claiming available transcription, captioning, or subtitling jobs from the work queue.

What types of jobs does Rev offer?

Rev's freelance marketplace offers three primary contractor role types:

Transcriptionist: Listens to audio or video files and produces accurate written transcripts. Pay is calculated per audio minute transcribed. This is the most common entry-level role on the platform.
Captioner: Creates captions synchronized to audio for video content. Captioning requires meeting stricter timing and formatting standards than general transcription and typically pays at a higher per-audio-minute rate.
Foreign subtitler: Translates and syndicates foreign-language subtitles for video content. Requires proficiency in the target language and adherence to subtitle formatting guidelines.

All three role types are remote, flexible, and compensated on a 1099 independent contractor basis with no set schedule requirements. Revvers work as much or as little as they choose by claiming jobs from the available work queue. Pay is deposited weekly via PayPal.

Order your own background check

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Rev may see during the contractor vetting process, and helps you identify any potential inaccuracies before they affect your application. In one secure report you can review:

Criminal history searches: SSN trace, sex-offender registry, global watchlists, plus national, county, state, and federal court records.
Employment verification: Confirmation of prior work history against available records.

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with platforms, recruiters, or potential clients.

Are you a candidate with an open background check with Checkr?

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal or visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.