# Persona & Yardstik Integration

> Run Yardstik background checks with identity verification in Persona, with webhook updates and embedded Reports in Cases. US only; not self-service.

Source: https://help.withpersona.com/articles/2cvnPIzAcuxukLQE3UsMw9/
Section: Marketplace and 3rd-Party Integrations > Workforce > Yardstik

## Overview

The Persona-Yardstik integration streamlines background screening by combining identity verification with background checks in a single, orchestrated workflow. By connecting Persona's identity verification capabilities with [Yardstik](https://www.yardstik.com/)'s licensed background check services, you can automate decisions, manage review queues in Cases, and maintain complete visibility into applicant screening—all within the Persona Dashboard.

This integration is designed for Trust & Safety, Compliance, and Operations teams at companies that need to verify identity and conduct background checks as part of their onboarding, compliance, or risk management processes.

_Persona provides tools to help companies address identity challenges, but it is up to each business to determine its risk tolerance and goals, using Persona appropriately to build its identity programs. Yardstik is a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that handles all regulated aspects of background screening, including consent management, report generation, and adverse action processes. Persona is not a CRA._

## Key Capabilities

The Persona-Yardstik integration enables the automation of background screening Workflows within the Persona platform. Key capabilities include:

- **Candidate Creation**: Automatically create Yardstik candidate records using applicant data collected during a Persona Inquiry.
- **Report Ordering**: Initiate background check Reports using your organization's configured Yardstik screening packages.
- **Real-Time Webhook Updates**: Receive status updates as Reports progress through screening, review, and completion, which can be used to trigger other actions in a Workflow.
- **Embedded Report Viewing**: Access full Yardstik Reports securely within Persona Cases via an embedded viewer, eliminating the need to switch between platforms.
- **Workflow Automation**: Trigger actions based on Report outcomes, such as routing a Case to a specific queue, updating an Account's status, or sending notifications.

## Common Use Cases

- **Gig Economy & Marketplaces**: Screen workers and service providers by verifying their identity and running background checks in a single, unified Inquiry flow. Automatically approve cleared applicants while routing results that require review to your Trust & Safety team.
- **Healthcare & Regulated Industries**: Meet regulatory requirements for employee screening with configurable packages that include criminal records, employment verification, and professional license checks—all orchestrated through Persona.
- **Financial Services**: Comply with FCRA requirements while maintaining comprehensive audit trails. Manage the full lifecycle from identity verification through background screening and adverse action processes.
- **High-Volume Hiring**: Scale your screening operations by automating routine approvals and focusing your team's review time only on the Cases that require it.

## Setting Up the Yardstik Integration

Setting up the integration is a two-part process: you create API keys in Yardstik and add them as credentials in Persona, then you configure webhooks in both systems so Persona receives Yardstik report updates. Run through both parts in your Staging environment first, then repeat them in Production.

### Creating Yardstik API keys

Create two API keys in your Yardstik account for each environment you plan to use. The steps below cover the Staging environment; repeat them in your Yardstik Production account when you are ready to go live.

1. Sign in to your Yardstik account and open **Developer Tools**.
2. Click **API Keys**, then **Add API Key**.
3. In the textbox, type `WEBHOOK_SIGNATURE` and click **Add**. This API key authenticates the webhooks that Persona receives from Yardstik.
4. In the pop-up window, copy the API key and store it somewhere safe.
5. Create a second API key with a nickname that describes it, for example your company name and the environment name. This API key is used for standard API requests.
6. Copy that API key as well and store it somewhere safe.

### Adding the API keys as credentials in Persona

1. Sign in to your Persona Dashboard.
2. Navigate to the [Yardstik integration page](https://app.withpersona.com/dashboard/integrations/yardstik).
3. Click **+ Add Credential**.
4. In the modal, select the **Server** that matches the API key. Select `Staging API` for a Staging API key and `Production API` for a Production API key.
5. Add a nickname for the credential, for example your company name and the environment name.
6. Paste the relevant API key.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 to add credentials from your Yardstik Production account, using a Production API key and the `Production API` server setting.

⚠️

You do not need to add the `WEBHOOK_SIGNATURE` API keys as credentials in Persona. They are used only as the signature key for webhooks, not for standard API requests.

### Configuring Yardstik webhooks

Yardstik webhooks are real-time HTTP notifications sent from Yardstik to Persona whenever key events occur in your Yardstik account. Implement the `report.updated` event in both Yardstik Staging and Production. The `report.updated` event drives report status updates in Persona. Also implement the `report.completed` event, which is primarily used for billing usage, in the Yardstik Production environment only.

Persona also supports the `report.created`, `report.submitted`, and `candidate.created` webhook events. You may need to implement those if your use case is more customized, but the default setup does not require them.

1. In the Persona Dashboard, go to **Integrations**, open the **Yardstik** integration, and click **Webhooks**.
2. Click **+ Add Webhook**.
3. Add a nickname, for example `report.updated Staging Webhook` for a Staging webhook or `report.updated Production Webhook` for a Production webhook.
4. Select the Persona environment the webhook should be active in. We recommend mapping Yardstik Staging webhooks to Persona sandbox and Yardstik Production webhooks to Persona production.
5. Paste the `WEBHOOK_SIGNATURE` API key you stored earlier into the **Signature key** field.
6. Copy the URL generated by Persona for the webhook.
7. In the Yardstik dashboard, open **Developer Tools**, then click **Webhooks**.
8. At the bottom of the page, select the relevant webhook event, for example `report.updated`.
9. Paste the URL you copied from Persona into the **URL** field.
10. Click **Create Webhook**.

ℹ️

When you finish, you should have three webhooks configured: one `report.updated` webhook in Staging, and `report.updated` and `report.completed` webhooks in Production. You can repeat the steps above for additional events if your use case requires them.

### Testing your API credentials

We recommend verifying that the credential is working before you configure any workflows. The built-in Integration Testing Panel in the Persona Dashboard lets you do this without setting anything else up.

1. Navigate to the [Yardstik integration page](https://app.withpersona.com/dashboard/integrations/yardstik).
2. Find the credential you just added under the **API Credentials** section, identified by the nickname you gave it.
3. Click **Test** next to the credential. The Integration Testing Panel opens as a side panel.
4. Select a read-only endpoint, for example **List Yardstik Candidates** or **List all Yardstik account packages**.
5. Leave the optional parameters blank and click **Test** to execute the request.
6. Review the response. A successful connection returns a `200` or `201` status code along with a JSON response body. After running the test, you can click the resulting entry in the Integration Logs list to see the full request and response details, including headers and the raw JSON body.

A few test outcomes to know about:

- `200 OK` means your API key is valid and the connection is working.
- `401 Unauthorized` means the API key is incorrect or was not entered properly. Double-check the key value and the Server selection to make sure the Staging or Production selection matches the key.
- `403 Forbidden` means the API key may lack the necessary permissions in Yardstik. Confirm with your Yardstik account admin that the key has API access enabled.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Yardstik available for international applicants?** Yardstik background checks are currently available for U.S.-based applicants only. Please contact your Persona account team to discuss alternatives for international coverage.

**What screening packages are available?** Yardstik offers various screening packages that can include criminal records checks, employment verification, education verification, professional license verification, and more. Your specific packages are configured with Yardstik based on your compliance requirements and use case.

**Who handles FCRA compliance and adverse action?** As a licensed CRA, Yardstik manages all FCRA compliance aspects, including consent forms, report generation, and the adverse action process. Persona orchestrates the workflow and provides the platform for review and decision-making.

**Can we customize which results trigger manual review?** Yes. The integration is highly configurable. Using Workflows, you can define logic to automatically approve certain outcomes while creating and routing Cases for any results that require manual review based on your organization's risk policies.

**Is this a self-service integration?** No. The Persona-Yardstik integration requires custom configuration tailored to your specific screening packages, compliance requirements, and operational workflows. Implementation is performed in partnership with the Persona team. Please contact your account team to get started.

## Plans Explained

### Yardstik Integration by plan

|                      | Startup Program | Essential Plan | Growth Plan | Enterprise Plan |
| -------------------- | --------------- | -------------- | ----------- | --------------- |
| Yardstik Integration | Not Available   | Not Available  | Limited     | Available       |

[Learn more about pricing and plans](https://withpersona.com/pricing?utm_source=product&utm_medium=referral&utm_audience=a&utm_campaign=cm_gen_ds_hc-plan-table).

_Last updated on August 24, 2026._