---
title: "Initiate Screening"
method: POST
path: "/calls/screening/initiate"
tags: ["Calls"]
---

# Initiate Screening

`POST /calls/screening/initiate`

Initiate call screening.

This endpoint initiates an outbound Twilio call to the screening phone number.
The recipient will hear a TTS prompt with the caller's name and reason,
and can press 1 to accept or 2 to decline.

Requires agent token authentication.

Returns:
- **screening_id**: UUID to poll for status
- **status**: Initial status (pending)

## Request body

- InitiateScreeningRequest — Request to initiate call screening.
  - `call_id` string, uuid, required — The call ID this screening is for
  - `caller_name` string, required — Name of the caller to announce
  - `call_reason` string, nullable — Reason for the call to announce (optional for known contacts)
  - `is_known_contact` boolean — Whether this caller is a known contact - uses different announcement
  - `special_caller` boolean — Whether this caller is a special caller (judge, court staff, new client) - bypasses availability blocks

## Response `201`

Successful Response

- InitiateScreeningResponse — Response after initiating call screening.
  - `screening_id` string, uuid, required — The ID of the screening request
  - `status` string, required — Current status of the screening (pending)

## Other responses

- `422` — Validation Error

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/openintake/apis/fastapi.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/openintake/apis/fastapi/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-production.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/openintake/fastapi/revisions/b642b91e0a5c/schema)