# Authentication in AvaTax

Source: https://developer.avalara.com/products/ecm/integration-guides/document-management/tww7221262871480/

Guide: Exemption Certificate Management (ECM)

# Authentication in AvaTax

Learn about authentication methods and environments in AvaTax, including Sandbox and Production.

This first task describes authenticating using the API and the available authentication methods. It also provides helpful information about the two environments: [Sandbox](https://sandbox.admin.avalara.com/) and [Production](https://admin.avalara.com/).

If you know the authentication method you're going to use, and you’re ready to authenticate, you can skip to the [Ping the server](/document-management/zzt6844381921404/ "Verify that the service is running by using the ping command.") section.