diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8f943f1fca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+""" E-Commerce API client """
+
+import json
+import logging
+
+from django.conf import settings
+import jwt
+import requests
+from requests import Timeout
+from rest_framework.status import HTTP_200_OK
+
+from commerce.exceptions import InvalidResponseError, TimeoutError, InvalidConfigurationError
+
+
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class EcommerceAPI(object):
+    """ E-Commerce API client. """
+
+    def __init__(self, url=None, key=None, timeout=None):
+        self.url = url or settings.ECOMMERCE_API_URL
+        self.key = key or settings.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY
+        self.timeout = timeout or getattr(settings, 'ECOMMERCE_API_TIMEOUT', 5)
+
+        if not (self.url and self.key):
+            raise InvalidConfigurationError('Values for both url and key must be set.')
+
+        # Remove slashes, so that we can properly format URLs regardless of
+        # whether the input includes a trailing slash.
+        self.url = self.url.strip('/')
+
+    def _get_jwt(self, user):
+        """
+        Returns a JWT object with the specified user's info.
+
+        Raises AttributeError if settings.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY is not set.
+        """
+        data = {
+            'username': user.username,
+            'email': user.email
+        }
+        return jwt.encode(data, self.key)
+
+    def create_order(self, user, sku):
+        """
+        Create a new order.
+
+        Arguments
+            user    --  User for which the order should be created.
+            sku     --  SKU of the course seat being ordered.
+
+        Returns a tuple with the order number, order status, API response data.
+        """
+        headers = {
+            'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+            'Authorization': 'JWT {}'.format(self._get_jwt(user))
+        }
+
+        url = '{}/orders/'.format(self.url)
+
+        try:
+            response = requests.post(url, data=json.dumps({'sku': sku}), headers=headers, timeout=self.timeout)
+            data = response.json()
+        except Timeout:
+            msg = 'E-Commerce API request timed out.'
+            log.error(msg)
+            raise TimeoutError(msg)
+
+        except ValueError:
+            msg = 'E-Commerce API response is not valid JSON.'
+            log.exception(msg)
+            raise InvalidResponseError(msg)
+
+        status_code = response.status_code
+
+        if status_code == HTTP_200_OK:
+            return data['number'], data['status'], data
+        else:
+            msg = u'Response from E-Commerce API was invalid: (%(status)d) - %(msg)s'
+            msg_kwargs = {
+                'status': status_code,
+                'msg': data.get('user_message'),
+            }
+            log.error(msg, msg_kwargs)
+            raise InvalidResponseError(msg % msg_kwargs)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/exceptions.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/exceptions.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1ce359a130
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/exceptions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+""" E-Commerce-related exceptions. """
+
+
+class ApiError(Exception):
+    """ Base class for E-Commerce API errors. """
+    pass
+
+
+class InvalidConfigurationError(ApiError):
+    """ Exception raised when the API is not properly configured (e.g. settings are not set). """
+    pass
+
+
+class InvalidResponseError(ApiError):
+    """ Exception raised when an API response is invalid. """
+    pass
+
+
+class TimeoutError(ApiError):
+    """ Exception raised when an API requests times out. """
+    pass
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/__init__.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..75eede3957
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+""" Commerce app tests package. """
+import json
+
+import httpretty
+import jwt
+import mock
+
+from commerce.api import EcommerceAPI
+from commerce.constants import OrderStatus
+
+
+class EcommerceApiTestMixin(object):
+    """ Mixin for tests utilizing the E-Commerce API. """
+
+    ECOMMERCE_API_URL = 'http://example.com/api'
+    ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY = 'edx'
+    ORDER_NUMBER = '100004'
+    ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY = {
+        'status': OrderStatus.COMPLETE,
+        'number': ORDER_NUMBER,
+        'payment_processor': 'cybersource',
+        'payment_parameters': {'orderNumber': ORDER_NUMBER}
+    }
+    ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY_JSON = json.dumps(ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY)  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+
+    def assertValidJWTAuthHeader(self, request, user, key):
+        """ Verifies that the JWT Authorization header is correct. """
+        expected_jwt = jwt.encode({'username': user.username, 'email': user.email}, key)
+        self.assertEqual(request.headers['Authorization'], 'JWT {}'.format(expected_jwt))
+
+    def assertValidOrderRequest(self, request, user, jwt_signing_key, sku):
+        """ Verifies that an order request to the E-Commerce Service is valid. """
+        self.assertValidJWTAuthHeader(request, user, jwt_signing_key)
+
+        self.assertEqual(request.body, '{{"sku": "{}"}}'.format(sku))
+        self.assertEqual(request.headers['Content-Type'], 'application/json')
+
+    def _mock_ecommerce_api(self, status=200, body=None):
+        """
+        Mock calls to the E-Commerce API.
+
+        The calling test should be decorated with @httpretty.activate.
+        """
+        self.assertTrue(httpretty.is_enabled(), 'Test is missing @httpretty.activate decorator.')
+
+        url = self.ECOMMERCE_API_URL + '/orders/'
+        body = body or self.ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY_JSON
+        httpretty.register_uri(httpretty.POST, url, status=status, body=body)
+
+    class mock_create_order(object):    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+        """ Mocks calls to EcommerceAPI.create_order. """
+
+        patch = None
+
+        def __init__(self, **kwargs):
+            default_kwargs = {
+                'return_value': (
+                    EcommerceApiTestMixin.ORDER_NUMBER,
+                    OrderStatus.COMPLETE,
+                    EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY
+                )
+            }
+
+            default_kwargs.update(kwargs)
+
+            self.patch = mock.patch.object(EcommerceAPI, 'create_order', mock.Mock(**default_kwargs))
+
+        def __enter__(self):
+            self.patch.start()
+            return self.patch.new
+
+        def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+            self.patch.stop()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..43a01a0746
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+""" Tests the E-Commerce API module. """
+
+import json
+
+from ddt import ddt, data
+from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
+from django.test.testcases import TestCase
+from django.test.utils import override_settings
+import httpretty
+from requests import Timeout
+
+from commerce.api import EcommerceAPI
+from commerce.constants import OrderStatus
+from commerce.exceptions import InvalidResponseError, TimeoutError, InvalidConfigurationError
+from commerce.tests import EcommerceApiTestMixin
+from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
+
+
+@ddt
+@override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_URL,
+                   ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
+class EcommerceAPITests(EcommerceApiTestMixin, TestCase):
+    """ Tests for the E-Commerce API client. """
+
+    SKU = '1234'
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(EcommerceAPITests, self).setUp()
+        self.url = reverse('commerce:orders')
+        self.user = UserFactory()
+        self.api = EcommerceAPI()
+
+    def test_constructor_url_strip(self):
+        """ Verifies that the URL is stored with trailing slashes removed. """
+        url = 'http://example.com'
+        api = EcommerceAPI(url, 'edx')
+        self.assertEqual(api.url, url)
+
+        api = EcommerceAPI(url + '/', 'edx')
+        self.assertEqual(api.url, url)
+
+    @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=None, ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=None)
+    def test_no_settings(self):
+        """
+        If the settings ECOMMERCE_API_URL and ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY are invalid, the constructor should
+        raise a ValueError.
+        """
+        self.assertRaises(InvalidConfigurationError, EcommerceAPI)
+
+    @httpretty.activate
+    def test_create_order(self):
+        """ Verify the method makes a call to the E-Commerce API with the correct headers and data. """
+        self._mock_ecommerce_api()
+        number, status, body = self.api.create_order(self.user, self.SKU)
+
+        # Validate the request sent to the E-Commerce API endpoint.
+        request = httpretty.last_request()
+        self.assertValidOrderRequest(request, self.user, self.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY, self.SKU)
+
+        # Validate the data returned by the method
+        self.assertEqual(number, self.ORDER_NUMBER)
+        self.assertEqual(status, OrderStatus.COMPLETE)
+        self.assertEqual(body, self.ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY)
+
+    @httpretty.activate
+    @data(400, 401, 405, 406, 429, 500, 503)
+    def test_create_order_with_invalid_http_status(self, status):
+        """ If the E-Commerce API returns a non-200 status, the method should raise an InvalidResponseError. """
+        self._mock_ecommerce_api(status=status, body=json.dumps({'user_message': 'FAIL!'}))
+        self.assertRaises(InvalidResponseError, self.api.create_order, self.user, self.SKU)
+
+    @httpretty.activate
+    def test_create_order_with_invalid_json(self):
+        """ If the E-Commerce API returns un-parseable data, the method should raise an InvalidResponseError. """
+        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body='TOTALLY NOT JSON!')
+        self.assertRaises(InvalidResponseError, self.api.create_order, self.user, self.SKU)
+
+    @httpretty.activate
+    def test_create_order_with_timeout(self):
+        """ If the call to the E-Commerce API times out, the method should raise a TimeoutError. """
+
+        def request_callback(_request, _uri, _headers):
+            """ Simulates API timeout """
+            raise Timeout
+
+        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body=request_callback)
+
+        self.assertRaises(TimeoutError, self.api.create_order, self.user, self.SKU)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
similarity index 64%
rename from lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests.py
rename to lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
index 20da1f0a78..434178bea8 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
@@ -6,14 +6,12 @@ from uuid import uuid4
 from ddt import ddt, data
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-import httpretty
-from httpretty.core import HTTPrettyRequestEmpty
-import jwt
-from requests import Timeout
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 from commerce.constants import OrderStatus, Messages
+from commerce.exceptions import TimeoutError, ApiError
+from commerce.tests import EcommerceApiTestMixin
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from enrollment.api import get_enrollment
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
@@ -21,15 +19,10 @@ from student.tests.factories import UserFactory, CourseModeFactory
 from student.tests.tests import EnrollmentEventTestMixin
 
 
-ECOMMERCE_API_URL = 'http://example.com/api'
-ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY = 'edx'
-ORDER_NUMBER = "100004"
-ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY = json.dumps({'status': OrderStatus.COMPLETE, 'number': ORDER_NUMBER})
-
-
 @ddt
-@override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=ECOMMERCE_API_URL, ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
-class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
+@override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_URL,
+                   ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
+class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, EcommerceApiTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests for the commerce orders view.
     """
@@ -50,18 +43,6 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         course_id = unicode(course_id or self.course.id)
         return self.client.post(self.url, {'course_id': course_id})
 
-    def _mock_ecommerce_api(self, status=200, body=None):
-        """
-        Mock calls to the E-Commerce API.
-
-        The calling test should be decorated with @httpretty.activate.
-        """
-        self.assertTrue(httpretty.is_enabled(), 'Test is missing @httpretty.activate decorator.')
-
-        url = ECOMMERCE_API_URL + '/orders/'
-        body = body or ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY
-        httpretty.register_uri(httpretty.POST, url, status=status, body=body)
-
     def assertResponseMessage(self, response, expected_msg):
         """ Asserts the detail field in the response's JSON body equals the expected message. """
         actual = json.loads(response.content)['detail']
@@ -72,11 +53,6 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 503)
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, 'Call to E-Commerce API failed. Order creation failed.')
 
-    def assertUserEnrolled(self):
-        """ Asserts that the user is enrolled in the course, and that an enrollment event was fired. """
-        self.assertTrue(CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(self.user, self.course.id))
-        self.assert_enrollment_event_was_emitted(self.user, self.course.id)
-
     def assertUserNotEnrolled(self):
         """ Asserts that the user is NOT enrolled in the course, and that an enrollment event was NOT fired. """
         self.assertFalse(CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(self.user, self.course.id))
@@ -92,7 +68,7 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
         # TODO Verify this is the best method to create CourseMode objects.
         # TODO Find/create constants for the modes.
-        for mode in ['honor', 'verified', 'audit']:
+        for mode in [CourseMode.HONOR, CourseMode.VERIFIED, CourseMode.AUDIT]:
             CourseModeFactory.create(
                 course_id=self.course.id,
                 mode_slug=mode,
@@ -129,40 +105,23 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(406, self.client.post(self.url, {}).status_code)
         self.assertEqual(406, self.client.post(self.url, {'not_course_id': ''}).status_code)
 
-    @httpretty.activate
-    @data(400, 401, 405, 406, 429, 500, 503)
-    def test_ecommerce_api_bad_status(self, status):
-        """
-        If the E-Commerce API returns an HTTP status not equal to 200, the view should log an error and return
-        an HTTP 503 status.
-        """
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api(status=status, body=json.dumps({'user_message': 'FAIL!'}))
-        response = self._post_to_view()
-        self.assertValidEcommerceApiErrorResponse(response)
-        self.assertUserNotEnrolled()
-
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_ecommerce_api_timeout(self):
         """
         If the call to the E-Commerce API times out, the view should log an error and return an HTTP 503 status.
         """
-        # Verify that the view responds appropriately if calls to the E-Commerce API timeout.
-        def request_callback(_request, _uri, _headers):
-            """ Simulates API timeout """
-            raise Timeout
+        with self.mock_create_order(side_effect=TimeoutError):
+            response = self._post_to_view()
 
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body=request_callback)
-        response = self._post_to_view()
         self.assertValidEcommerceApiErrorResponse(response)
         self.assertUserNotEnrolled()
 
-    @httpretty.activate
-    def test_ecommerce_api_bad_data(self):
+    def test_ecommerce_api_error(self):
         """
-        If the E-Commerce API returns data that is not JSON, the view should return an HTTP 503 status.
+        If the E-Commerce API raises an error, the view should return an HTTP 503 status.
         """
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body='TOTALLY NOT JSON!')
-        response = self._post_to_view()
+        with self.mock_create_order(side_effect=ApiError):
+            response = self._post_to_view()
+
         self.assertValidEcommerceApiErrorResponse(response)
         self.assertUserNotEnrolled()
 
@@ -170,56 +129,45 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         """
         Verifies that the view contacts the E-Commerce API with the correct data and headers.
         """
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body=ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY)
-        response = self._post_to_view()
+        with self.mock_create_order():
+            response = self._post_to_view()
 
         # Validate the response content
-        msg = Messages.ORDER_COMPLETED.format(order_number=ORDER_NUMBER)
+        msg = Messages.ORDER_COMPLETED.format(order_number=self.ORDER_NUMBER)
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-
-        # Verify the correct information was passed to the E-Commerce API
-        request = httpretty.last_request()
-        sku = CourseMode.objects.filter(course_id=self.course.id, mode_slug='honor', sku__isnull=False)[0].sku
-        self.assertEqual(request.body, '{{"sku": "{}"}}'.format(sku))
-        self.assertEqual(request.headers['Content-Type'], 'application/json')
-
-        # Verify the JWT is correct
-        expected_jwt = jwt.encode({'username': self.user.username, 'email': self.user.email},
-                                  ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
-        self.assertEqual(request.headers['Authorization'], 'JWT {}'.format(expected_jwt))
 
     @data(True, False)
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_course_with_honor_seat_sku(self, user_is_active):
         """
-        If the course has a SKU for honor mode, the view should get authorization from the E-Commerce API before
-        enrolling the user in the course.
+        If the course has a SKU, the view should get authorization from the E-Commerce API before enrolling
+        the user in the course. If authorization is approved, the user should be redirected to the user dashboard.
         """
+
         # Set user's active flag
         self.user.is_active = user_is_active
         self.user.save()  # pylint: disable=no-member
 
         self._test_successful_ecommerce_api_call()
 
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_order_not_complete(self):
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api(body=json.dumps({'status': OrderStatus.OPEN, 'number': ORDER_NUMBER}))
-        response = self._post_to_view()
+        with self.mock_create_order(return_value=(self.ORDER_NUMBER,
+                                                  OrderStatus.OPEN,
+                                                  self.ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY)):
+            response = self._post_to_view()
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 202)
-        msg = Messages.ORDER_INCOMPLETE_ENROLLED.format(order_number=ORDER_NUMBER)
+        msg = Messages.ORDER_INCOMPLETE_ENROLLED.format(order_number=self.ORDER_NUMBER)
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
 
         # TODO Eventually we should NOT be enrolling users directly from this view.
-        self.assertUserEnrolled()
+        self.assertTrue(CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(self.user, self.course.id))
 
     def _test_course_without_sku(self):
         """
         Validates the view bypasses the E-Commerce API when the course has no CourseModes with SKUs.
         """
         # Place an order
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api()
-        response = self._post_to_view()
+        with self.mock_create_order() as api_mock:
+            response = self._post_to_view()
 
         # Validate the response content
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -227,11 +175,9 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
                                               username=self.user.username)
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
 
-        # The user should be enrolled, and no calls made to the E-Commerce API
-        self.assertUserEnrolled()
-        self.assertIsInstance(httpretty.last_request(), HTTPrettyRequestEmpty)
+        # No calls made to the E-Commerce API
+        self.assertFalse(api_mock.called)
 
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_course_without_sku(self):
         """
         If the course does NOT have a SKU, the user should be enrolled in the course (under the honor mode) and
@@ -244,13 +190,13 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
         self._test_course_without_sku()
 
-    @httpretty.activate
     @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=None, ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=None)
-    def test_no_settings(self):
+    def test_ecommerce_service_not_configured(self):
         """
-        If no settings exist to define the E-Commerce API URL or signing key, the view should enroll the user.
+        If the E-Commerce Service is not configured, the view should enroll the user.
         """
-        response = self._post_to_view()
+        with self.mock_create_order() as api_mock:
+            response = self._post_to_view()
 
         # Validate the response
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -258,10 +204,40 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
 
         # Ensure that the user is not enrolled and that no calls were made to the E-Commerce API
-        self.assertUserEnrolled()
-        self.assertIsInstance(httpretty.last_request(), HTTPrettyRequestEmpty)
+        self.assertTrue(CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(self.user, self.course.id))
+        self.assertFalse(api_mock.called)
+
+    def assertProfessionalModeBypassed(self):
+        """ Verifies that the view returns HTTP 406 when a course with no honor mode is encountered. """
+
+        CourseMode.objects.filter(course_id=self.course.id).delete()
+        mode = CourseMode.NO_ID_PROFESSIONAL_MODE
+        CourseModeFactory.create(course_id=self.course.id, mode_slug=mode, mode_display_name=mode,
+                                 sku=uuid4().hex.decode('ascii'))
+
+        with self.mock_create_order() as api_mock:
+            response = self._post_to_view()
+
+        # The view should return an error status code
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 406)
+        msg = Messages.NO_HONOR_MODE.format(course_id=self.course.id)
+        self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
+
+        # No calls should be made to the E-Commerce API.
+        self.assertFalse(api_mock.called)
+
+    def test_course_with_professional_mode_only(self):
+        """ Verifies that the view behaves appropriately when the course only has a professional mode. """
+        self.assertProfessionalModeBypassed()
+
+    @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=None, ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=None)
+    def test_professional_mode_only_and_ecommerce_service_not_configured(self):
+        """
+        Verifies that the view behaves appropriately when the course only has a professional mode and
+        the E-Commerce Service is not configured.
+        """
+        self.assertProfessionalModeBypassed()
 
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_empty_sku(self):
         """ If the CourseMode has an empty string for a SKU, the API should not be used. """
         # Set SKU to empty string for all modes.
@@ -271,32 +247,6 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
         self._test_course_without_sku()
 
-    def _test_professional_mode_only(self):
-        """ Verifies that the view behaves appropriately when the course only has a professional mode. """
-        CourseMode.objects.filter(course_id=self.course.id).delete()
-        mode = 'no-id-professional'
-        CourseModeFactory.create(course_id=self.course.id, mode_slug=mode, mode_display_name=mode,
-                                 sku=uuid4().hex.decode('ascii'))
-        self._mock_ecommerce_api()
-        response = self._post_to_view()
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 406)
-        msg = Messages.NO_HONOR_MODE.format(course_id=self.course.id)
-        self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
-
-    @httpretty.activate
-    def test_course_with_professional_mode_only(self):
-        """ Verifies that the view behaves appropriately when the course only has a professional mode. """
-        self._test_professional_mode_only()
-
-    @httpretty.activate
-    @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=None, ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=None)
-    def test_no_settings_and_professional_mode_only(self):
-        """
-        Verifies that the view behaves appropriately when the course only has a professional mode and
-        the E-Commerce API is not configured.
-        """
-        self._test_professional_mode_only()
-
     def test_existing_active_enrollment(self):
         """ The view should respond with HTTP 409 if the user has an existing active enrollment for the course. """
 
@@ -309,7 +259,6 @@ class OrdersViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         msg = Messages.ENROLLMENT_EXISTS.format(username=self.user.username, course_id=self.course.id)
         self.assertResponseMessage(response, msg)
 
-    @httpretty.activate
     def test_existing_inactive_enrollment(self):
         """
         If the user has an inactive enrollment for the course, the view should behave as if the
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/views.py
index e5eca674b9..8e46d4a6e5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/views.py
@@ -1,18 +1,15 @@
 """ Commerce views. """
-import json
 import logging
-from simplejson import JSONDecodeError
 
-from django.conf import settings
-import jwt
 from opaque_keys import InvalidKeyError
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
-import requests
 from rest_framework.permissions import IsAuthenticated
-from rest_framework.status import HTTP_406_NOT_ACCEPTABLE, HTTP_202_ACCEPTED, HTTP_200_OK, HTTP_409_CONFLICT
+from rest_framework.status import HTTP_406_NOT_ACCEPTABLE, HTTP_202_ACCEPTED, HTTP_409_CONFLICT
 from rest_framework.views import APIView
 
+from commerce.api import EcommerceAPI
 from commerce.constants import OrderStatus, Messages
+from commerce.exceptions import ApiError, InvalidConfigurationError
 from commerce.http import DetailResponse, ApiErrorResponse
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from courseware import courses
@@ -55,17 +52,6 @@ class OrdersView(APIView):
 
         return True, course_key, None
 
-    def _get_jwt(self, user, ecommerce_api_signing_key):
-        """
-        Returns a JWT object with the specified user's info.
-
-        """
-        data = {
-            'username': user.username,
-            'email': user.email
-        }
-        return jwt.encode(data, ecommerce_api_signing_key)
-
     def _enroll(self, course_key, user):
         """ Enroll the user in the course. """
         add_enrollment(user.username, unicode(course_key))
@@ -79,23 +65,17 @@ class OrdersView(APIView):
         if not valid:
             return DetailResponse(error, status=HTTP_406_NOT_ACCEPTABLE)
 
-        # Ensure that the E-Commerce API is setup properly
-        ecommerce_api_url = getattr(settings, 'ECOMMERCE_API_URL', None)
-        ecommerce_api_signing_key = getattr(settings, 'ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY', None)
-        course_id = unicode(course_key)
-
         # Don't do anything if an enrollment already exists
+        course_id = unicode(course_key)
         enrollment = CourseEnrollment.get_enrollment(user, course_key)
         if enrollment and enrollment.is_active:
             msg = Messages.ENROLLMENT_EXISTS.format(course_id=course_id, username=user.username)
             return DetailResponse(msg, status=HTTP_409_CONFLICT)
 
-        # Ensure that the course has an honor mode with SKU
-        honor_mode = CourseMode.mode_for_course(course_key, CourseMode.HONOR)
-        course_id = unicode(course_key)
-
         # If there is no honor course mode, this most likely a Prof-Ed course. Return an error so that the JS
         # redirects to track selection.
+        honor_mode = CourseMode.mode_for_course(course_key, CourseMode.HONOR)
+
         if not honor_mode:
             msg = Messages.NO_HONOR_MODE.format(course_id=course_id)
             return DetailResponse(msg, status=HTTP_406_NOT_ACCEPTABLE)
@@ -107,40 +87,18 @@ class OrdersView(APIView):
             self._enroll(course_key, user)
             return DetailResponse(msg)
 
-        # If the API is not configured, bypass it.
-        if not (ecommerce_api_url and ecommerce_api_signing_key):
+        # Setup the API and report any errors if settings are not valid.
+        try:
+            api = EcommerceAPI()
+        except InvalidConfigurationError:
             self._enroll(course_key, user)
-            msg = Messages.NO_ECOM_API.format(username=user.username, course_id=course_id)
+            msg = Messages.NO_ECOM_API.format(username=user.username, course_id=unicode(course_key))
             log.debug(msg)
             return DetailResponse(msg)
 
-        # Contact external API
-        headers = {
-            'Content-Type': 'application/json',
-            'Authorization': 'JWT {}'.format(self._get_jwt(user, ecommerce_api_signing_key))
-        }
-
-        url = '{}/orders/'.format(ecommerce_api_url.strip('/'))
-
+        # Make the API call
         try:
-            timeout = getattr(settings, 'ECOMMERCE_API_TIMEOUT', 5)
-            response = requests.post(url, data=json.dumps({'sku': honor_mode.sku}), headers=headers,
-                                     timeout=timeout)
-        except Exception as ex:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
-            log.exception('Call to E-Commerce API failed: %s.', ex.message)
-            return ApiErrorResponse()
-
-        status_code = response.status_code
-
-        try:
-            data = response.json()
-        except JSONDecodeError:
-            log.error('E-Commerce API response is not valid JSON.')
-            return ApiErrorResponse()
-
-        if status_code == HTTP_200_OK:
-            order_number = data.get('number')
-            order_status = data.get('status')
+            order_number, order_status, _body = api.create_order(user, honor_mode.sku)
             if order_status == OrderStatus.COMPLETE:
                 msg = Messages.ORDER_COMPLETED.format(order_number=order_number)
                 log.debug(msg)
@@ -162,12 +120,6 @@ class OrdersView(APIView):
 
                 msg = Messages.ORDER_INCOMPLETE_ENROLLED.format(order_number=order_number)
                 return DetailResponse(msg, status=HTTP_202_ACCEPTED)
-        else:
-            msg = u'Response from E-Commerce API was invalid: (%(status)d) - %(msg)s'
-            msg_kwargs = {
-                'status': status_code,
-                'msg': data.get('user_message'),
-            }
-            log.error(msg, msg_kwargs)
-
+        except ApiError:
+            # The API will handle logging of the error.
             return ApiErrorResponse()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
index 7fadfce77b..1e6965e336 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_views.py
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@
 Tests of verify_student views.
 """
 import json
-import mock
 import urllib
+from datetime import timedelta, datetime
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+from django.test.utils import override_settings
+import mock
 from mock import patch, Mock
 import pytz
-from datetime import timedelta, datetime
-
 import ddt
 from django.test.client import Client
 from django.test import TestCase
@@ -17,14 +19,16 @@ from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from django.core.exceptions import ObjectDoesNotExist
 from django.core import mail
 from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
-
-from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.accounts.api import get_account_settings
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import SlashSeparatedCourseKey
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
+
+from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.accounts.api import get_account_settings
+from commerce.exceptions import ApiError
+from commerce.tests import EcommerceApiTestMixin
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory, CourseEnrollmentFactory
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from course_modes.tests.factories import CourseModeFactory
@@ -839,7 +843,7 @@ class TestPayAndVerifyView(UrlResetMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(response_dict['course_name'], mode_display_name)
 
 
-class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
+class TestCreateOrder(EcommerceApiTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests for the create order view.
     """
@@ -850,20 +854,27 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.user = UserFactory.create(username="test", password="test")
         self.course = CourseFactory.create()
         for mode, min_price in (('audit', 0), ('honor', 0), ('verified', 100)):
-            CourseModeFactory(mode_slug=mode, course_id=self.course.id, min_price=min_price)
+            # Set SKU to empty string to ensure view knows how to handle such values
+            CourseModeFactory(mode_slug=mode, course_id=self.course.id, min_price=min_price, sku='')
         self.client.login(username="test", password="test")
 
+    def _post(self, data):
+        """
+        POST to the view being tested and return the response.
+        """
+        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
+        return self.client.post(url, data)
+
     def test_create_order_already_verified(self):
         # Verify the student so we don't need to submit photos
         self._verify_student()
 
         # Create an order
-        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
         params = {
             'course_id': unicode(self.course.id),
             'contribution': 100
         }
-        response = self.client.post(url, params)
+        response = self._post(params)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         # Verify that the information will be sent to the correct callback URL
@@ -884,11 +895,8 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         CourseModeFactory(mode_slug="professional", course_id=course.id, min_price=10)
 
         # Create an order for a prof ed course
-        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
-        params = {
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id)
-        }
-        response = self.client.post(url, params)
+        params = {'course_id': unicode(course.id)}
+        response = self._post(params)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         # Verify that the course ID and transaction type are included in "merchant-defined data"
@@ -903,11 +911,8 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         CourseModeFactory(mode_slug="no-id-professional", course_id=course.id, min_price=10)
 
         # Create an order for a prof ed course
-        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
-        params = {
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id)
-        }
-        response = self.client.post(url, params)
+        params = {'course_id': unicode(course.id)}
+        response = self._post(params)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         # Verify that the course ID and transaction type are included in "merchant-defined data"
@@ -923,11 +928,8 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         CourseModeFactory(mode_slug="professional", course_id=course.id, min_price=10)
 
         # Create an order for a prof ed course
-        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
-        params = {
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id)
-        }
-        response = self.client.post(url, params)
+        params = {'course_id': unicode(course.id)}
+        response = self._post(params)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         # Verify that the course ID and transaction type are included in "merchant-defined data"
@@ -940,12 +942,11 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self._verify_student()
 
         # Create an order
-        url = reverse('verify_student_create_order')
         params = {
             'course_id': unicode(self.course.id),
             'contribution': '1.23'
         }
-        self.client.post(url, params)
+        self._post(params)
 
         # Verify that the client's session contains the new donation amount
         self.assertNotIn('donation_for_course', self.client.session)
@@ -957,6 +958,52 @@ class TestCreateOrder(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         attempt.submit()
         attempt.approve()
 
+    @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_URL,
+                       ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
+    def test_create_order_with_ecommerce_api(self):
+        """ Verifies that the view communicates with the E-Commerce API to create orders. """
+        # Keep track of the original number of orders to verify the old code is not being called.
+        order_count = Order.objects.count()
+
+        # Add SKU to CourseModes
+        for course_mode in CourseMode.objects.filter(course_id=self.course.id):
+            course_mode.sku = uuid4().hex.decode('ascii')
+            course_mode.save()
+
+        # Mock the E-Commerce Service response
+        with self.mock_create_order():
+            self._verify_student()
+            params = {'course_id': unicode(self.course.id), 'contribution': 100}
+            response = self._post(params)
+
+        # Verify the response is correct.
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        self.assertEqual(response['Content-Type'], 'application/json')
+        self.assertEqual(json.loads(response.content), self.ECOMMERCE_API_SUCCESSFUL_BODY['payment_parameters'])
+
+        # Verify old code is not called (e.g. no Order object created in LMS)
+        self.assertEqual(order_count, Order.objects.count())
+
+    def _add_course_mode_skus(self):
+        """ Add SKUs to the CourseMode objects for self.course. """
+        for course_mode in CourseMode.objects.filter(course_id=self.course.id):
+            course_mode.sku = uuid4().hex.decode('ascii')
+            course_mode.save()
+
+    @override_settings(ECOMMERCE_API_URL=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_URL,
+                       ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY=EcommerceApiTestMixin.ECOMMERCE_API_SIGNING_KEY)
+    def test_create_order_with_ecommerce_api_errors(self):
+        """
+        Verifies that the view communicates with the E-Commerce API to create orders, and handles errors
+        appropriately.
+        """
+        self._add_course_mode_skus()
+
+        with self.mock_create_order(side_effect=ApiError):
+            self._verify_student()
+            params = {'course_id': unicode(self.course.id), 'contribution': 100}
+            self.assertRaises(ApiError, self._post, params)
+
 
 class TestCreateOrderView(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
index 58bee7efe7..27b0cd66e6 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ import logging
 import decimal
 import datetime
 from collections import namedtuple
+
 from pytz import UTC
 from ipware.ip import get_ip
-
-from edxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
-
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from django.http import (
@@ -26,11 +24,16 @@ from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _, ugettext_lazy
 from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
 from django.core.mail import send_mail
+from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
+from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
+from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
 
+from edxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.accounts.api import get_account_settings, update_account_settings
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.accounts import NAME_MIN_LENGTH
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.errors import UserNotFound, AccountValidationError
-
+from commerce.api import EcommerceAPI
+from commerce.exceptions import ApiError
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from student.views import reverification_info
@@ -43,17 +46,13 @@ from verify_student.models import (
 )
 from reverification.models import MidcourseReverificationWindow
 import ssencrypt
-from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from .exceptions import WindowExpiredException
-from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
 from microsite_configuration import microsite
-
 from embargo import api as embargo_api
-
 from util.json_request import JsonResponse
 from util.date_utils import get_default_time_display
 
+
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 EVENT_NAME_USER_ENTERED_MIDCOURSE_REVERIFY_VIEW = 'edx.course.enrollment.reverify.started'
@@ -612,6 +611,21 @@ class PayAndVerifyView(View):
         return (has_paid, bool(is_active))
 
 
+def create_order_with_ecommerce_service(user, course_key, course_mode):     # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    """ Create a new order using the E-Commerce API. """
+    try:
+        api = EcommerceAPI()
+        # Make an API call to create the order and retrieve the results
+        _order_number, _order_status, data = api.create_order(user, course_mode.sku)
+
+        # Pass the payment parameters directly from the API response.
+        return HttpResponse(json.dumps(data['payment_parameters']), content_type='application/json')
+    except ApiError:
+        params = {'username': user.username, 'mode': course_mode.slug, 'course_id': unicode(course_key)}
+        log.error('Failed to create order for %(username)s %(mode)s mode of %(course_id)s', params)
+        raise
+
+
 @require_POST
 @login_required
 def create_order(request):
@@ -676,6 +690,9 @@ def create_order(request):
     if amount < current_mode.min_price:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(_("No selected price or selected price is below minimum."))
 
+    if current_mode.sku:
+        return create_order_with_ecommerce_service(request.user, course_id, current_mode)
+
     # I know, we should check this is valid. All kinds of stuff missing here
     cart = Order.get_cart_for_user(request.user)
     cart.clear()