TranscribeMe: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

TranscribeMe was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company built its business on a crowdsourced transcription model that breaks audio recordings into short segments, distributes those segments to a network of remote transcriptionists, and reassembles the completed work. This approach allows TranscribeMe to handle high volumes of audio at speed while maintaining a distributed workforce that requires no physical office attendance.

TranscribeMe offers transcription services across several verticals, including general business transcription, medical transcription, and legal transcription. Its client base includes academic researchers, media companies, market research firms, legal professionals, and healthcare organizations. The range of clients means that the sensitivity and confidentiality requirements for transcription work can vary considerably depending on the type of content being handled.

The company operates entirely online. Transcriptionists access work through TranscribeMe's web platform, submit completed transcriptions for quality review, and receive payment based on the volume of audio minutes they complete. There are no physical office locations for transcriptionists to report to, and all work is performed remotely via a computer and internet connection.

Working as a TranscribeMe transcriptionist: TranscribeMe classifies its transcriptionists as independent contractors rather than employees. Contractors set their own hours, work at their own pace, and are not assigned fixed schedules. Pay is calculated per audio minute transcribed, and rates can increase with experience and accuracy scores. New transcriptionists must pass a skills-based entry test before gaining access to the job queue. The test evaluates transcription accuracy and formatting ability, and passing is required to join the platform. No prior transcription experience is required for entry-level general transcription work.

TranscribeMe's primary screening mechanism for new transcriptionists is a skills-based transcription test rather than a traditional employment background check. Whether a formal criminal background check is conducted can vary based on the type of transcription work involved, client requirements, and platform policies that may change over time. Medical and legal transcription roles, which involve handling confidential or sensitive content, may be subject to stricter vetting than general transcription work. Candidates should review the current onboarding requirements on TranscribeMe's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

If TranscribeMe or a specific client project requires a background check, timing typically follows standard industry ranges. Most employment background checks complete within three to five business days, though the timeline varies depending on the screenings ordered and how quickly underlying records can be accessed. Database-level searches often close in minutes, while checks that require manual courthouse retrieval or additional verification steps may take longer. See Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times for a full breakdown.

If a background check is conducted, the report may include:

The specific screenings conducted, if any, depend on the role type, client requirements, and applicable platform policies at the time of onboarding.

Look-back periods for background checks vary by state law, the type of role, and the data sources used by the consumer reporting agency. Many background checks focus on the past seven years for most criminal records, but this can differ based on state fair-chance laws and the nature of the work involved. Candidates should review applicable state "ban-the-box" laws to understand local limitations that may apply in their jurisdiction.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background check information. FCRA protections apply when a CRA is used to conduct a background check - this includes situations where a gig platform or its client orders a formal screening report on a contractor. Under the FCRA, the requesting party must obtain written consent before ordering a report, provide a copy of the report and a pre-adverse action notice before taking any negative action based on the findings, and allow the candidate a reasonable period to review and dispute any inaccurate information. Contractors undergoing background screening should be aware of these rights and request a copy of any report if one is ordered.

The onboarding process for new TranscribeMe transcriptionists involves several steps. Applicants create an account on the TranscribeMe platform and then take a transcription skills test, which evaluates accuracy and adherence to TranscribeMe's formatting guidelines. The test is pass/fail, scored on accuracy, and applicants who do not meet the threshold may have limited opportunities to retest. Those who pass move through a quality review stage before being granted access to the job queue to begin claiming and completing transcription assignments. Identity verification may occur during or after the application stage, depending on current platform requirements.

Requirements for joining the TranscribeMe platform as a transcriptionist include:

Higher-tier work such as medical or legal transcription may require additional qualifications, subject area knowledge, or additional vetting. TranscribeMe does not require specialized equipment beyond a standard computer and internet connection for general transcription roles.

TranscribeMe offers several categories of remote transcription work, all performed from home:

All transcription work is completed remotely and paid on a per-audio-minute basis. Transcriptionists who demonstrate high accuracy scores may gain access to higher-tier or higher-paying work categories over time.

If you are a contractor or gig worker and want to preview what a platform or client may see before a formal screening is requested, running a personal background check with Checkr gives you that visibility. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To proactively share verified credentials with platforms or clients, build a free Checkr Profile.

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

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.

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.