After you sign up with Traba, your account goes through a review process before you can start accepting shifts. Here's what to expect and what you can do while you wait.
What happens during the review process?
When you apply, Traba reviews several things:
Your profile information — name, contact details, and any required documents
Your background check — conducted by our partner Checkr, this typically takes 1–3 business days but can occasionally take longer if additional verification is needed
Any required onboarding steps — such as signing paperwork, completing your W-9 (for 1099 workers) or I-9 (for W2 workers), or uploading identification documents
Your account will remain in a pending state until all of these steps are complete and approved.
How long does approval take?
For most applicants, the full process takes 2–5 business days. The background check is usually the longest step.
If it has been more than 5 business days and your status hasn't changed, it's worth checking whether you have any incomplete steps in the app (see below).
What can I do to speed up my approval?
Make sure you have completed every step in the app. Common reasons accounts stay pending longer than expected:
Incomplete profile — check that all required fields are filled in, including your date of birth, address, and SSN (for tax/background check purposes)
Unsigned paperwork — look for any pending documents or signature requests in the app or your email
Unverified phone number or email — make sure you've confirmed both
Background check still in progress — you'll receive an email from Checkr when this is complete; check your spam folder if you haven't seen anything
W-9 not submitted — 1099 workers must complete a W-9 before being approved. You should have received a request in the app or by email
I completed everything but I'm still pending
If you've finished all the steps and it has been more than 5 business days, contact Traba support through the in-app chat. Let us know that your application is complete and we'll check on the status for you.
Can I work while my account is pending?
Unfortunately, no — you must be fully approved before you can accept or work any shifts. However, you can browse available shifts in the app while you wait so you're ready to sign up as soon as your account is activated.