Turnitin has an API, but it is for institutions, not students. It powers LMS integrations — each school gets an institution-specific API endpoint and key to connect Turnitin to Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard or D2L, usually via LTI 1.3.
Key Takeaways
- Turnitin provides an institution-specific API endpoint and key for LMS integration, per Turnitin’s LMS Guides.
- It is not a public developer API students can sign up for.
- LTI 1.3 with LTI Advantage is the recommended integration standard for new setups.
- Turnitin is ending LTI 1.1 support for Moodle on 30 June 2026 and deprecating it fully by 31 December 2026.
- For LMS-created classes, assignments are managed inside the LMS, not on turnitin.com.
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Send me the free prompts →Does Turnitin have an API?
Yes — but it is an integration API for institutions, not a public API for individuals. Turnitin provides each customer with an API endpoint in the form https://[your-institution].turnitin.com/api plus an API key (a “Secret”), used to wire Turnitin into a learning management system. There is no consumer or student-facing API you can request keys for.
The Turnitin API is for institutional LMS integration.
What is the Turnitin API used for?
It connects Turnitin to the LMS your school already uses so that similarity and AI checking happen inside assignments. Turnitin supports LTI 1.3 integration with Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard and D2L. LTI 1.3 with LTI Advantage is now recommended for all new integrations because it uses cryptographic key pairs rather than the shared secrets of older LTI 1.1.
| Who | API access |
|---|---|
| Students | None — you use assignments, not the API |
| Instructors | Use the LMS integration your admin configured |
| Institution admins | Get the API endpoint + key to set up LTI 1.3 |
What is changing with Turnitin integrations in 2026?
Two dates matter. Turnitin plans to end support for LTI 1.1 with Moodle on 30 June 2026 and deprecate it entirely on 31 December 2026, so institutions still on the old integration need to move to LTI 1.3. Also, for classes created through an LMS, assignment creation now happens inside the LMS rather than on turnitin.com. If you are a student, none of this changes how you submit — see how to access Turnitin and how Turnitin works.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Turnitin have a public API?
No. Turnitin’s API is for institutions to integrate Turnitin into their LMS. There is no public or student developer API.
How do schools connect Turnitin to their LMS?
Through an institution-specific API endpoint and key, usually via LTI 1.3, into Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard or D2L.
Can a student get a Turnitin API key?
No. API keys are issued to institutions for integration, not to individual students or instructors.
What is LTI 1.3 in Turnitin?
It is the recommended integration standard using cryptographic key pairs, replacing the older, less secure LTI 1.1 shared-secret method.
Is Turnitin ending an integration in 2026?
Yes. Turnitin plans to end LTI 1.1 support for Moodle on 30 June 2026 and deprecate it fully on 31 December 2026.
Does the API change how I submit as a student?
No. You still submit to assignments as normal; the API only affects how your institution connects Turnitin behind the scenes.
Methodology: API and integration details are drawn from Turnitin’s published LMS and integration Guides. Last updated: July 2026.
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