# Getting Started
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/bill-payment-validator/documentation/getting-started/index.md

## Before You Start {#before-you-start}

**Requirements**

* Your organization must be a registered RPPS customer to use the Bill Payment Validator API
* Bill Payment Validator API is only compatible with RPPS transaction data, and does NOT support card payment networks   

**Used by**   

Licensed RPPS Originators (banks, financial institutions, fintech providers and walk-in payment providers who support consumer bill payments)

**Pricing**   

Contact us for pricing information

## Good to Know {#good-to-know}

To start using the Bill Payment Validator API, you must set up a project in Mastercard Developers (which creates the necessary project keys) and complete testing in the Mastercard Testing Facility (MTF) Sandbox environment before proceeding to the Production environment. Sandbox testing cannot begin until the eligibility requirements have been met.

The following steps assume you have already completed and returned the Mastercard RPPS agreements and enrollment forms.

1. Upon receipt of signed agreements/enrollment forms, Mastercard Product Delivery and/or CIS Implementation Managers are assigned to you, based upon resources.
2. Create a Mastercard Developers project and the necessary Sandbox keys by clicking **Create Project**.
3. For Select an API, choose **Bill Payment Validator**.
4. Download the Sandbox Signing Key and confirm that you have stored the file. You will receive notification that the project was created.
5. Copy the Consumer Key from your project page using **Actions \> Copy Consumer Key**.
6. Contact your Product Delivery and/or CIS Implementation Manager and provide the Sandbox key to initiate configuration in Sandbox. Allow 5-7 business days for configuration. Mastercard will notify you once configuration is complete.
7. Complete all onboarding steps outlined in the implementation project plan shared by the assigned Implementation Manager.
8. Complete attended testing certification in the MTF Sandbox. The Implementation Manager will provide the test cases.
9. Agree a Go Live date with the Implementation Manager.
10. In your project page, click **Request Production Access** to start moving your project to Production and create the Production keys. Once your request is approved, provide the keys to the Implementation Manager. If you are implementing multiple Mastercard Send programs, you might only need to perform this step once.