Learn what Upwork partners do, how to get invited as a partner expert, and the qualifications needed.
In this article
- What's an Upwork partner?
- What does it mean if I become an Upwork partner expert?
- How do I get invited to become a partner expert?
- What qualifications do I need to be a partner expert on Upwork?
What's an Upwork partner?
Upwork partners are companies or organizations that collaborate with Upwork to help qualify and showcase freelancers who are experts in the company's or organization's specific tools or services.
Each partner sets its own qualification process, which might include:
- Completing product certifications or training
- Demonstrating hands-on experience
- Submitting portfolio work or passing a review
What does it mean if I become an Upwork partner expert?
Becoming an Upwork partner expert means you've been recognized as someone with verified, high-level expertise in a specific tool, platform, or service by the company that owns that product.
Once you’re verified, you'll:
- Get an “Expert” badge on your profile
- Be eligible to be featured in a partner-branded directory. Some of our partners include special landing pages or curated talent lists that highlight their vetted experts on Upwork
- Build trust with clients. When clients are looking for help with a specific tool, the expert badge can give them peace of mind
How do I get invited to become a partner expert?
Partner companies with existing programs can invite their current experts to apply to be featured as their partner experts on Upwork. We also may reach out to invite qualified freelancers based on platform activity. You can't apply without an invitation, but you can let us know you're interested by requesting to be featured as a partner expert.
If you are invited and apply, you’ll receive an email if you are selected by the partner. While you won't receive any notification if you are not selected, the partner will keep your application and may choose you in the future.
What qualifications do I need to be a partner expert on Upwork?
The exact qualifications to become a partner expert vary by company. And in most cases (see exception below) you must also meet and maintain the following:
- Your freelancer account must be active (not suspended)
- A current Job Success Score (JSS) of 80% or higher for existing Upwork freelancers
- A 100% complete profile (90% for those who brought their profiles over from Elance)
- Your profile must be public
- You must be fluent in the English language
- You must meet the additional qualifications determined by the partner
Meeting the qualifications does not guarantee that you will be featured. Featured freelancers are often rotated, and Upwork or our partner can remove featured profiles at any time.
Exception: If you just joined Upwork as a new freelancer because an Upwork partner invited you, we understand you don't have the Upwork history yet to meet the standards above. In this case, you are only required to set your profile visibility to public and have a 100% complete profile.