# Prerequisites

Before you start using [Merchant Onboarding API](https://app.gitbook.com/s/j9heLdoDRsfnChUQohvj/api/merchant-onboarding/onboard-merchant), make sure you have the following:

* **Secret Access Key -** A unique key provided by Xplor Pay to securely authenticate API requests.
* **Merchant Identifier (MID) -** A unique 16-digit ID for the merchant.
* The following environments are available for testing and for going live when you onboard merchants via API:
  * **Sandbox**: `https://boarding-sb.clearent.net` 
  * **Production**: `https://boarding.clearent.net`