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

## Overview {#overview}

To understand how to use the Payment Account Management service:

* Review the [API Basics](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/api-basics/index.md) and [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/api-reference/index.md) to become familiar with the service.
* Read the general guidance on how to use [OAuth 1.0a](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/using-oauth-1a-to-access-mastercard-apis/) to access Mastercard APIs.
* Refer to the [Tutorials and Guides](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/onboarding/index.md) for creating a project and moving to the Production.

Note: If you are not a Mastercard customer you should contact a Mastercard representative.

## Quick Start Guide {#quick-start-guide}

### Step 1 -- Log In {#step-1----log-in}

If you do not have an account with us:

1. Create a [Mastercard Developers](https://developer.mastercard.com/account/sign-up) account.
2. Validate your account by following the link sent to your email.

### Step 2 -- Review {#step-2----review}

Review the resources offered on Mastercard Developers:

1. API overview pages.
2. API technical documentation, including API reference sections:
   * Security reference implementation
   * Use cases
   * Tutorials
   * FAQs.
3. Support articles.

### Step 3 -- Create {#step-3----create}

Create a project and download your sandbox keys.

### Step 4 -- Integrate {#step-4----integrate}

Test using a simple [Integration](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/onboarding/integration/index.md).

### Step 5 -- Go Live {#step-5----go-live}

After you have tested your implementation in our sandbox environments, it is time to move to Production.

## Implementation Process {#implementation-process}

The implementation process typically takes around 4-6 weeks. The time to implement will vary depending on the complexity of your own systems and will include registration, testing connectivity, key exchange, determining testing scope and testing within the various environments. A Mastercard project is required and an Implementation Manager will be assigned.
![Implementation Process](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/payment-account-management/documentation/getting-started/img/implementation_process_diagram2.png)

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

You can test the Payment Account Management API in the following two environments.

|        Environment Name        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sandbox                        | Early access environment containing limited-capability mock APIs, intended to help assist with the initial integration for new clients. The sandbox returns mock responses for a defined request. The JSON samples found in the [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/api-reference/index.md) can be used as a reference for sending requests and receiving responses. The Sandbox environment is primarily used for validating OAuth 1.0a authentication, formatting of requests and responses and the correct processing of field level encryption. |
| Mastercard Test Facility (MTF) | Pre-production test environment containing the latest pre-release version of the real APIs, intended for full integration testing prior to moving to production.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

Note: In order to keep MDES performance as high as possible and provide the most optimized response time, Mastercard reserves the right to throttle requests during peak periods. This throttling limit will apply when there is the need to reduce the risk of overloading our digital platform with a high volume of API calls.

## Release Notes {#release-notes}

Please follow this link to the [Release Notes](https://developer.mastercard.com/payment-account-management/documentation/release-history/index.md) page.