Instructor Verification Process

Last updated April 8, 2026

RLGL is built on a simple promise: the instructor on the other side of the camera is who they say they are, and has been vetted to be there. Verification isn't a badge we hand out — it's a process we run, and we run it on every single instructor before they can teach.

Section 01

Why we verify, not just check a box

Most marketplaces let teachers self-attest. They sign up, upload a smiling photo, write a bio, and start teaching. The platform never confirms anything. We don't think that's good enough — especially when minors are involved.

Verification on RLGL is mandatory, multi-stage, and run by an independent third party. RLGL pays for every check, so cost is never a reason to skip it. The process is designed to catch the things that matter without being a gauntlet for legitimate professionals.

Independent. Checks are run by an API-integrated provider used by Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and Airbnb Experiences — not by RLGL staff.
RLGL-funded. Instructors don't pay a verification fee. The cost is built into how we run the platform.
Two-tier. Basic identity for everyone, enhanced screening for anyone teaching minors.
Renewed. Every two years, automatically. Lapsed checks mean lost minor-booking access.

Section 02

When checks run

Verification is triggered at the end of onboarding — after the instructor has built a profile, set their schedule, configured pricing, and demonstrated real commitment to the platform. Not at application.

That timing matters for two reasons: it means we don't waste resources screening applicants who never finish onboarding, and it means the SSN collection step doesn't stand between an excited new teacher and their first impression of RLGL. By the time someone reaches verification, they've already invested an hour in their profile — the screening feels like the natural last step, not the first hurdle.

Tier 2 is opt-in but gates minor bookings.

Instructors who want to teach students under 18 trigger Tier 2 screening before their first minor booking can be accepted. Until it clears, they're invisible to guardian accounts in search.

Section 03

The process, end to end

Here's exactly what happens when an instructor reaches the verification step.

Onboarding completes

The instructor finishes profile setup, schedule, pricing, and policies. The verification step kicks in only after every other piece is in place.

Day 0

Consent & data collection

A short, clearly explained screen requests legal name, date of birth, current address, SSN, and consent to run the check. The data is sent directly to our verification partner — RLGL never stores raw SSNs.

~3 minutes

Background check initiated

An API call kicks off the check. The instructor's profile enters a "finalizing" state — they can't be booked yet, but they're free to keep refining content while results return.

Day 0

Results return

Tier 1 typically clears in 1–3 business days. Tier 2 takes 3–5 business days because of state and federal record checks. The provider pre-adjudicates obvious matches before anything reaches a human reviewer.

1–5 business days

Cleared → profile goes live

A clean result flips the profile to "live." The "Identity Verified" badge appears immediately. If Tier 2 is in scope, the "Approved for All Ages" badge appears alongside it.

Same day

Or → human review

If the provider flags anything ambiguous, our trust & safety team reviews the report against the criteria in Section 7 below. Disqualifying records mean the instructor can't go live. Borderline cases can be discussed and disputed.

Within 2 business days

“

We treat verification the way ride-sharing platforms do — because the level of trust required is the same.

Section 04

Why an independent partner

We chose an API-integrated background check provider for four reasons:

Independence. The team approving instructors is not the team running the screen. That separation matters.
Marketplace experience. Our provider runs checks for Uber, Lyft, Instacart, Airbnb Experiences, and DoorDash. They've operated at scale in environments where verification accuracy matters.
Fast turnaround. 1–3 business days for Tier 1, 3–5 for Tier 2. Slow checks create dead time and frustrated applicants.
Pre-adjudication. The provider handles initial matching and screens out obviously irrelevant records, so human reviewers see only the ones that need judgment.

Section 05

Badges & status

Verification status is visible — but only in the right places, and always honestly.

State	What it means
In progress	The instructor's profile isn't yet live. Visible to the instructor only — not to students browsing the marketplace.
Identity Verified	Tier 1 cleared. The instructor is live and can be booked by adult students. Visible on the public profile.
Approved for All Ages	Tier 2 cleared. The instructor can be booked by guardian accounts and minor students. Visible on the public profile.
Failed	The check did not clear. The profile is not live and is not visible to students. The instructor is notified privately.

We never display "verification pending" publicly. A profile is either ready to be booked or it isn't visible at all.

100%

Instructors verified

2 yrs

Renewal cycle

Cost to instructor

Section 06

Renewal isn't optional

Background checks expire 24 months from the date they were completed. Our system tracks every clearance and starts a renewal flow well before expiration.

60 days before expiration: Instructor receives a notification to begin renewal. Same flow as the original check.
30 days before: Second notification. Profile status remains active, but a warning is shown in the instructor's dashboard.
At expiration (Tier 2): Minor booking access is revoked immediately. Profile remains live for adult students.
At expiration (Tier 1): 30-day grace period. After that, the profile is hidden from search until renewal completes.
RLGL pays for renewals, just like the initial check.

Section 07

When a check doesn't clear

Not all criminal records disqualify an instructor. Context matters — recency, relevance, severity, and whether it was a conviction or a dismissed charge. But some matches are non-negotiable.

Finding	Outcome
Identity mismatch	Instructor is asked to correct information. Three attempts before admin review.
Non-disqualifying criminal record	Human review by RLGL trust & safety. Relevance, recency, and severity are all considered.
Disqualifying criminal record	Automatic denial. Includes sex offenses, crimes against children, and violent felonies within the past seven years.
Sex offender registry match	Automatic, non-appealable denial. Account is deactivated immediately if it already exists.
Child abuse / neglect registry match	Automatic Tier 2 denial. Tier 1 reviewed individually based on circumstances.
Provider unable to complete	Human review. Instructor may be asked for additional documentation.

Instructors who fail a check are notified privately. They may dispute the underlying records directly with the verification provider — that process is independent of RLGL and runs on its own timeline.

Section 08

What we keep, what we don't

Verification requires sensitive personal information. We're deliberate about what we retain.

SSNs are never stored on RLGL servers. They're transmitted directly to the verification provider over an encrypted channel.
Government ID images are deleted after identity verification completes.
We retain only the pass/fail result and a reference ID for the underlying report — not the report itself.
Renewal date and verification tier are stored on the instructor's account so we can run renewal automation.
Full data handling rules are documented in our Privacy Policy.

Trust, verified.
Not self-attested.