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Mercor background check requirements Ensuring integrity and excellence across our global talent network. At Mercor, trust and professionalism are at the core of every engagement. Because our contractors partner with top-tier customers across many fields, including engineering, medicine, law, and investment banking, we conduct comprehensive background checks to help ensure the integrity, expertise, and reliability of every professional in our network. Our goal is simple: to protect both customers and contractors by maintaining the highest global standards for ethical and professional conduct.

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1. Professional identity and education verification

We begin by confirming that each candidate’s professional and academic background is accurate and verifiable. Our checks typically include:
  • Identity verification (legal name, date of birth, and government-issued ID).
  • Education and degree verification through accredited institutions.
  • Employment history confirmation, ensuring listed roles and dates align with verifiable records.
  • Professional license or certification verification, where applicable (for example: legal bar admission, FINRA registration, or engineering certification).
This helps ensure that every Mercor contractor presents their credentials honestly and meets the standards our clients expect.

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2. Criminal history

Mercor conducts criminal background and regulatory checks designed to protect both our customers and the broader professional community.  Depending on your location and area, these may include:
  • Criminal record checks (local, national, and, if applicable, international databases).
  • Regulatory compliance checks for roles in finance and legal services, including sanctions lists (OFAC, SEC, FCA, etc.) and professional disciplinary databases.
  • Civil litigation checks for patterns of fraud, malpractice, or other conduct relevant to professional reliability.
  • Global watchlist screenings for any disqualifying or high-risk flags (e.g., terrorism, money laundering).
Certain serious offences, such as fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, violent crimes, or professional misconduct, may result in disqualification from the Mercor network.
  • Local regulations may require individual assessment, including consideration of rehabilitation, time elapsed since the offence, or evidence of good character.
  • The criteria may differ depending on your location and the role you are applying for.

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3.  How the process works

Once you’re matched or begin onboarding:
  • You’ll receive a secure background check link from our third-party screening provider.
  • You’ll be asked to provide basic identifying information and consent to the background check.
  • Most checks are completed within 3–7 business days, depending on your location and the scope of verification.
  • You’ll be notified once your screening is complete.
  • In situations where additional documents are required, please keep an eye on your email to make sure the background check is processed quickly.
If any discrepancies arise, you’ll have the opportunity to review or dispute the results directly with our background check provider. To check your background check provider, please refer to the FAQ. If Certn conducted your background check, please visit this page. If Zinc performed your background check, please visit the FAQs here and the disputes here.

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4. What you can do to help things go smoothly

  • Make sure your application includes accurate personal information (name, date of birth, address, driver’s license number, etc.).
  • If you have a complex driving or criminal history, you may wish to review your records ahead of applying (so you can explain or provide documentation if needed).
  • Please respond quickly to any requests from us or our screening partner for additional documentation or verification.
  • Know that background-check timelines can vary by location and application volume.

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5. Data privacy and fairness

Mercor is committed to protecting your data and ensuring fair evaluation throughout the process.
  • We don’t share your background information outside the scope of our vetting process.
  • All screenings comply with applicable privacy and employment laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the U.S. and GDPR in the EU.
  • Background results are reviewed in context, considering factors such as the time elapsed, relevance to professional duties, and evidence of rehabilitation.

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6. Why do we do this

Our clients rely on Mercor to connect them with trusted experts who can contract independently on sensitive, high-impact projects. Background checks help us:
  • Maintain a trusted global talent network.
  • Protect client data, finances, and legal interests.
  • Uphold professional and ethical standards across industries.
By joining Mercor as a contractor, you become part of a community built on integrity, accountability, and excellence—values that define how we collaborate and with whom we partner.

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FAQ

You can check your background check using the Project Dashboard by expanding the “Background check” section, as shown in the screenshot.image.png
If you see multiple line items for your background check (for example, two entries under Certn/Zinc), this means two separate checks are being processed — typically a Criminal Background Check and an Adverse Media Check.Your dashboard will only update once both checks are complete. If you’ve received a completion email for one of them, please check your inbox (and spam/junk folders) for another email from Certn/Zinc regarding the second check and complete that as well.Screenshot2025 11 24at21 32 09 Pn
The turnaround time (TAT) for Zinc background checks varies depending on the country where the verification is being conducted.You can find the most up-to-date average processing times for each country on Zinc’s official turnaround time page here: https://zincwork.com/turnaround-times/criminalPlease note that while many checks are completed within a few business days, certain verifications may take longer due to local regulations, public record access times, or additional documentation requirements.
Yes, the background check request is legitimate. Mercor partners with both Zinc and Certn to complete background checks for users before they are onboarded to a project. These providers support our verification process and help ensure compliance and security standards are met.If you received communication from either Zinc or Certn, it is part of Mercor’s standard background check workflow.
The background check cannot move forward without the required documents. These documents are necessary for the provider to complete their verification process, and Mercor cannot waive, replace, or override them.If you do not have the requested documents, contact the background check provider directly to ask whether they can accept alternative documentation or offer another solution. Any exceptions are determined solely by the provider, and Mercor does not have visibility into or control over their internal review process.For assistance, you may reach out to the provider using the contact information below:The provider will be able to guide you on acceptable alternatives, next steps, or whether the check can proceed with different documentation.
Document requirements for the background check are determined entirely by the provider (Zinc or Certn). If you do not have the requested documents, contact the provider directly to ask whether they can accept any alternative documentation.For assistance, you may reach out to the provider using the contact information below:If the provider is unable to accept alternatives, Mercor cannot override or replace these requirements. In that case, we are unable to proceed further, as the background check is fully handled by Zinc/Certn and must meet their verification standards.