# Create a ShipStation™ API Key

Whenever you [create a new ShipStation API account](/apis/shipengine/docs/partners/accounts/create), it creates a new API key automatically. Most of the time that API key is the only one you'll ever need.

However, if it ever becomes compromised you can [disable it](/apis/shipengine/docs/partners/disable-api-key) and then create a new one by following the instructions below.

> **TIP:** Treat ShipStation API keys like a password, they are associated with your partner account and can make billable transactions.


## Example Request & Response

**POST /v1/partners/accounts/:account_id/api_keys**


```http
POST /v1/partners/accounts/242822/api_keys HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __PARTNER_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "description": "Partner Access Key"
}
```

**Example response:**


```json
{
  "encrypted_api_key": "4WrQpShzaZvpRixBxwSLoYdXaGeU+LCpVsQjaKBFloU",
  "created_at": "2017-07-13T16:22:46.633Z",
  "description": "Partner Access Key",
  "account_id": 242822,
  "api_key_id": 4094
}
```