Sporcle: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Sporcle says it was founded on January 30, 2007, with its first quiz created later that summer. The company describes itself as privately held and based in Seattle, with teammates across the country. Its website hosts more than one million community-created quizzes, and its daily puzzles and Games section give players a quick way to play each day. Sporcle also offers mobile apps, and its history page lists an iOS app in 2010 and an app on iOS and Android in 2023.

Beyond the website, Sporcle runs live trivia. Its about page says that since 2009 it has hosted more than 250,000 trivia nights in pubs, restaurants, private gatherings, and virtual spaces. The company acquired Great Lakes Trivia in 2013 and rebranded it as Sporcle Live, and Stump! joined the Sporcle family in 2020. Sporcle also opened its first bar in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2016, and it hosts SporcleCon, an annual gathering for its community.

The Sporcle jobs page says the company is always hiring trivia hosts for pub trivia and private events. It describes hosts as enthusiastic people who bring teams together and who receive the questions and answers, and it asks candidates to have a laptop and to be able to run an event reliably with support but little supervision.

Company culture and employee programs:

Sporcle describes its purpose as creating mentally stimulating diversions that bring people together, and it lists belief, purpose, and values of doing better, truth, and inclusion on its about page. Hosts run events in pubs, restaurants, private gatherings, and virtual rooms, so schedules may vary by market and event type. Candidates should confirm pay, schedule, and how the role is structured during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the entertainment and trivia industry, including Sporcle, are legally permitted to run pre-employment background checks, provided they follow the FCRA and applicable state and local laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets requirements around candidate consent, disclosure, and adverse action. The rules that apply may depend on the state where the candidate lives and works.

Sporcle has not published a screening policy, so whether it runs a background check may depend on the role. Employers that place hosts in bars, restaurants, and private events may check identity and work history for those roles. The scope of any check may vary by role and location.

The Sporcle hiring process typically starts with an online application, and trivia hosts apply through the Sporcle jobs page. Qualified applicants may then complete an interview or audition, since hosting involves running a room. Candidates who receive an offer may be asked to consent to a background check and to complete onboarding before their first event. Steps may vary by role and market.

A Sporcle background check often takes a few business days, though timing depends on the searches ordered and the records involved. Court searches across several counties or states can take longer, and manual record retrieval can add time. Candidates who want to understand typical timelines in more detail can review background check turnaround times.

The specific components of a background check are determined by the employer. For a role at an online entertainment and live trivia company like Sporcle, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review the disclosure and consent forms provided during the hiring process to understand which searches apply to their role.

Sporcle has not published a drug-testing policy. Candidates for any position should ask the recruiter what applies, because requirements may vary by role and location. Hosts working in licensed venues may also be subject to venue rules.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Sporcle has not published a blanket policy on felony records, and decisions are typically made case by case. Factors that may matter include the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and the duties of the role, which for hosts can include working in bars, restaurants, and private homes. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates are encouraged to answer questions honestly.

Candidates applying to Sporcle will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually through a disclosure form provided during the hiring process. They should be ready to provide their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history. Accurate information helps searches run in the correct jurisdictions and can prevent delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Hosts apply through the Sporcle jobs page, which describes an open call for pub trivia and private event hosts. Candidates should expect to show comfort running a room and to have a laptop for running events, as the page describes. Any screening, such as a background check, would typically come after an offer is made and may vary by market.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Sporcle may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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

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.