> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.theary.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search type

> Search entry in `searchTypes[]` on a verification order.

# Search type

One search on an order. Supported values: `EMPLOYMENT` and `EDUCATION`.

## Fields

| Field                     | Required | Type       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ------------------------- | -------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `searchType`              | Yes      | `string`   | Search type to run: `EMPLOYMENT` or `EDUCATION`.                                                                                                                                           |
| `externalSearchId`        | No       | `string`   | Client correlation ID for this search. Useful for webhook idempotency and internal reconciliation.                                                                                         |
| `questionnaireUrl`        | No       | `string`   | Optional direct link to the online questionnaire for this search.                                                                                                                          |
| `questionnaireAccessCode` | No       | `string`   | Optional access code required for the online questionnaire.                                                                                                                                |
| `verificationQuestions`   | No       | `object[]` | Custom verification questions for this search (max 50). See [Verification question](/api-reference/schemas/verification-question).                                                         |
| `searchConfig`            | No       | `object`   | Per-search policy overrides. When present, even as `{}`, it fully replaces request-level `defaultSearchConfig` for this search. See [Search config](/api-reference/schemas/search-config). |

## Search type options

| Value        | Verifies                                                                       |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `EMPLOYMENT` | Employment history, job titles, dates of employment, and salary information.   |
| `EDUCATION`  | Educational credentials, degrees, graduation dates, and academic achievements. |

## Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "searchType": "EMPLOYMENT"
}
```

## Multiple search types

You can request multiple verification types in a single order:

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "searchType": "EMPLOYMENT",
    "externalSearchId": "client-emp-001",
    "searchConfig": {
      "thirdPartyBan": ["TALX_WORK_NUMBER"]
    }
  },
  {
    "searchType": "EDUCATION",
    "externalSearchId": "client-edu-001",
    "searchConfig": {
      "thirdPartyBan": ["NSCH"]
    }
  }
]
```

## Validation rules

* **Enum validation**: `searchType` must be `EMPLOYMENT` or `EDUCATION`.
* **searchConfig**: if present (even as `{}`) it fully replaces any request-level `defaultSearchConfig` for this search.
* **thirdPartyBan**: when set inside `searchConfig`, values must be canonical vendor codes. See [Third-party ban](/guides/third-party-ban).

## Related schemas

* [Verification request](/api-reference/schemas/verification-request) — Main verification request schema
* [Verification question](/api-reference/schemas/verification-question) — Custom questions on each search
* [Create Order](/api-reference/endpoints/create-order) — Full field reference tables
* [Third-party ban](/guides/third-party-ban) — Client guide for vendor-specific third-party suppression