generated: '2026-08-23'
method: searched
source: https://developer.karmacheck.com/background-check-api/overview/api/environments
published: true
model: separate-host
summary: >-
  KarmaCheck separates test from live by HOST, not by key prefix. The same credential shape (apiKey
  + clientAccessToken exchanged for a JWT) is used in both; which environment you are in is decided
  by which base URL you call. Credentials are issued per environment by an account manager, so a
  developer cannot self-serve a sandbox key.
environments:
- name: staging
  role: sandbox
  api_base_url: https://api-stage.karmacheck.io
  dashboard: https://app-stage.karmacheck.com
  mcp_endpoint: https://mcp-stage.karmacheck.io
- name: production
  role: live
  api_base_url: https://api.karmacheck.io
  dashboard: https://app.karmacheck.com
  mcp_endpoint: null
key_prefixes: null
key_prefix_note: >-
  No test-vs-live key prefix is published. Nothing in a KarmaCheck credential tells you which
  environment it belongs to — only the host does. That is a real hazard for an agent: the same code
  path pointed at the wrong base URL orders a real, billable, FCRA-regulated consumer report.
access:
  self_serve: false
  detail: Contact your KarmaCheck account manager to obtain API credentials for an environment.
limitations:
- >-
  Candidate emails are blocked from leaving the sandbox. All notification email, including candidate
  onboarding invitations, is redirected to a shared internal inbox; forwarding to your own address
  must be set up by KarmaCheck on request.
- >-
  For MCP sandbox accounts, order email is sent to the account's default signup address rather than
  the test candidate address.
- All SSNs other than the two predefined values are blocked in the sandbox.
- All screenings other than those simulated below remain in a pending status.
test_data:
  ssns:
  - value: 111-22-3333
    meaning: Returns cleared / complete results for the simulated services listed below.
  - value: 333-22-1111
    meaning: Returns results or records that require review (needs review).
  candidate_email:
    rule: >-
      Email address is the unique identifier for a candidate, so every order needs a distinct one.
      KarmaCheck recommends plus-addressing with a timestamp.
    example: test+20250808T1530@test.com
  named_fixtures:
  - service: International Criminal Record Check
    input: 'Name: Andrew McLeod; Date of birth: March 4, 1987'
    result: clear
  - service: International Criminal Record Check
    input: 'Name: Andrew McLeod; any other date of birth'
    result: consider
  - service: Canadian Criminal Record Check
    input: any data except the name Will Nettke
    result: clear
  - service: Canadian Criminal Record Check
    input: 'Name: Will Nettke'
    result: consider
  - service: Canadian Motor Vehicle Record Check
    input: any driver's licence not issued in British Columbia
    result: clear
  - service: Canadian Motor Vehicle Record Check
    input: driver's licence issued in British Columbia
    result: consider
  - service: Professional licence verifications (CNM, CNP, CNS, CRNA, PN, RN APRN)
    input: any fictitious licence
    result: consider
simulated_services:
- category: Identity verification
  services:
  - name: SSN Trace
    status: clear
    requires: 'SSN: 111-22-3333'
  - name: International Identity Verification
    status: acknowledge
    requires: any data
- category: Criminal check
  services:
  - name: OIG Exclusions Search
    status: clear
    requires: any data
  - name: National Criminal Search
    status: clear
    requires: 'SSN: 111-22-3333'
  - name: Global Watchlist Search
    status: clear
    requires: 'SSN: 111-22-3333'
  - name: Sex Offender Search
    status: clear
    requires: 'SSN: 111-22-3333'
- category: Motor vehicle record check
  services:
  - name: Motor Vehicle Report
    status: acknowledge
    requires: 'SSN: 111-22-3333'
- category: Occupational health screening
  services:
  - name: Any physical screening (except Lab - CBC With Differential; Audiogram Annual/Baseline
      supports acknowledge only)
    status: acknowledge / consider
    requires: '111-22-3333 for acknowledge, 333-22-1111 for consider'
  - name: Any drug screening
    status: clear / consider
    requires: '111-22-3333 for clear, 333-22-1111 for consider'
  - name: Any TB test
    status: acknowledge / consider
    requires: '111-22-3333 for acknowledge, 333-22-1111 for consider'
  - name: Any immunization (except Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Titer; Hepatitis C Titer)
    status: acknowledge / consider
    requires: '111-22-3333 for acknowledge, 333-22-1111 for consider'
  - name: Hepatitis C Titer
    status: acknowledge / consider
    requires: '333-22-1111 for acknowledge, 111-22-3333 for consider — INVERTED relative to every
      other occupational health screening'
test_clocks: false
fixture_triggers: false
note: >-
  No time simulation / test clock and no fixture-trigger API. Results are driven purely by the input
  values above, and everything not listed stays pending, so a sandbox integration cannot rehearse a
  full case completion for most of the catalog.