diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 73117a2..c4ead4a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ Change Log
 
 .. There should always be an "Unreleased" section for changes pending release.
 
+1.2.0 - 2023-08-22
+******************
+* add endpoint authentication
+* fix request structure required for endpoint integration
+
 1.1.0 - 2023-08-09
 ******************
 * fix for course id to course key conversion
diff --git a/learning_assistant/__init__.py b/learning_assistant/__init__.py
index 6d29d3f..416c060 100644
--- a/learning_assistant/__init__.py
+++ b/learning_assistant/__init__.py
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 Plugin for a learning assistant backend, intended for use within edx-platform.
 """
 
-__version__ = '1.1.0'
+__version__ = '1.2.0'
 
 default_app_config = 'learning_assistant.apps.LearningAssistantConfig'  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
diff --git a/learning_assistant/utils.py b/learning_assistant/utils.py
index 9b47394..5920cd0 100644
--- a/learning_assistant/utils.py
+++ b/learning_assistant/utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """
 Utils file for learning-assistant.
 """
+import json
 import logging
 
 import requests
@@ -16,16 +17,18 @@ def get_chat_response(message_list):
     Pass message list to chat endpoint, as defined by the CHAT_COMPLETION_API setting.
     """
     completion_endpoint = getattr(settings, 'CHAT_COMPLETION_API', None)
-    if completion_endpoint:
-        headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
+    completion_endpoint_key = getattr(settings, 'CHAT_COMPLETION_API_KEY', None)
+    if completion_endpoint and completion_endpoint_key:
+        headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-api-key': completion_endpoint_key}
         connect_timeout = getattr(settings, 'CHAT_COMPLETION_API_CONNECT_TIMEOUT', 1)
-        read_timeout = getattr(settings, 'CHAT_COMPLETION_API_READ_TIMEOUT', 10)
+        read_timeout = getattr(settings, 'CHAT_COMPLETION_API_READ_TIMEOUT', 15)
+        body = {'message_list': message_list}
 
         try:
             response = requests.post(
                 completion_endpoint,
                 headers=headers,
-                data=message_list,
+                data=json.dumps(body),
                 timeout=(connect_timeout, read_timeout)
             )
             chat = response.json()
diff --git a/test_settings.py b/test_settings.py
index e6a3c04..d3d5955 100644
--- a/test_settings.py
+++ b/test_settings.py
@@ -61,5 +61,6 @@ def root(*args):
 }]
 
 CHAT_COMPLETION_API = 'https://test.edx.org/'
+CHAT_COMPLETION_API_KEY = 'endpoint_key'
 CHAT_COMPLETION_API_CONNECT_TIMEOUT = 0.5
 CHAT_COMPLETION_API_READ_TIMEOUT = 10
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.py b/tests/test_utils.py
index d46d18d..fad8966 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ def test_no_endpoint_setting(self):
         self.assertEqual(status_code, 404)
         self.assertEqual(message, 'Completion endpoint is not defined.')
 
+    @override_settings(CHAT_COMPLETION_API_KEY=None)
+    def test_no_endpoint_key_setting(self):
+        status_code, message = get_chat_response(self.message_list)
+        self.assertEqual(status_code, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(message, 'Completion endpoint is not defined.')
+
     @responses.activate
     def test_200_response(self):
         message_response = {'role': 'assistant', 'content': 'See you later!'}
@@ -68,3 +74,21 @@ def test_timeout(self, exception, mock_requests):
         mock_requests.post = MagicMock(side_effect=exception())
         status_code, _ = get_chat_response(self.message_list)
         self.assertEqual(status_code, 502)
+
+    @patch('learning_assistant.utils.requests')
+    def test_post_request_structure(self, mock_requests):
+        mock_requests.post = MagicMock()
+
+        completion_endpoint = settings.CHAT_COMPLETION_API
+        connect_timeout = settings.CHAT_COMPLETION_API_CONNECT_TIMEOUT
+        read_timeout = settings.CHAT_COMPLETION_API_READ_TIMEOUT
+        headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-api-key': settings.CHAT_COMPLETION_API_KEY}
+        body = json.dumps({'message_list': self.message_list})
+
+        get_chat_response(self.message_list)
+        mock_requests.post.assert_called_with(
+            completion_endpoint,
+            headers=headers,
+            data=body,
+            timeout=(connect_timeout, read_timeout)
+        )