diff --git a/.changeset/lucky-panthers-draw.md b/.changeset/lucky-panthers-draw.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d5c5fa3045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/lucky-panthers-draw.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@clerk/clerk-sdk-node': patch
+---
+
+Load `jwtKey` from `CLERK_JWT_KEY` env variable
diff --git a/packages/sdk-node/src/clerkClient.ts b/packages/sdk-node/src/clerkClient.ts
index dcce830c91..af690b09cf 100644
--- a/packages/sdk-node/src/clerkClient.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk-node/src/clerkClient.ts
@@ -30,10 +30,11 @@ export function Clerk(options: ClerkOptions) {
 
 const createBasePropForRedwoodCompatibility = () => {
   const verifySessionToken = (token: string) => {
+    const { jwtKey } = loadApiEnv();
     const { payload } = decodeJwt(token);
     return _verifyToken(token, {
       issuer: payload.iss,
-      jwtKey: process.env.CLERK_JWT_KEY,
+      jwtKey,
     });
   };
   return { base: { verifySessionToken } };
diff --git a/packages/sdk-node/src/utils.ts b/packages/sdk-node/src/utils.ts
index 6150432f38..b8b91bd1f7 100644
--- a/packages/sdk-node/src/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk-node/src/utils.ts
@@ -32,5 +32,6 @@ export const loadApiEnv = () => {
     proxyUrl: process.env.CLERK_PROXY_URL || '',
     signInUrl: process.env.CLERK_SIGN_IN_URL || '',
     isSatellite: process.env.CLERK_IS_SATELLITE === 'true',
+    jwtKey: process.env.CLERK_JWT_KEY || '',
   };
 };