diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 34634d1f..1a04e860 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,3 +8,39 @@ This repo contains:
 
 ## Inclusion in main codebase
 The `cbioportal-core` code is currently included in the final Docker image during the Docker build process: https://github.com/cBioPortal/cbioportal/blob/master/docker/web-and-data/Dockerfile#L48
+
+## How to run integration tests
+
+This section guides you through the process of running integration tests by setting up a cBioPortal MySQL database environment using Docker. Please follow these steps carefully to ensure your testing environment is configured correctly.
+
+### Preparing the cbioportal test database
+
+1. **Download the cBioPortal Database Schema**: To begin, you need to download the database schema for the version of cBioPortal you are interested in testing.
+Locate the pom.xml file in your project directory and check the values of `<db.version>` and `<cbioportal.version>` to determine the correct version.
+Replace `v6.0.3` in the command below with your desired cBioPortal version:
+```
+curl -o cgds.sql https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cBioPortal/cbioportal/v6.0.3/src/main/resources/db-scripts/cgds.sql
+```
+
+2. **Launch the MySQL Server Container**: Use Docker to start a MySQL server pre-loaded with the cBioPortal schema. Execute the following command from the root of your project directory.
+It is recommended to open a separate terminal tab or window for this operation as it will occupy the console until stopped:
+
+```
+docker run -p 3306:3306 \
+-v $(pwd)/src/test/resources/seed_mini.sql:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/seed.sql:ro \
+-v $(pwd)/cgds.sql:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/cgds.sql:ro \
+-e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=root \
+-e MYSQL_USER=cbio_user \
+-e MYSQL_PASSWORD=somepassword \
+-e MYSQL_DATABASE=cgds_test \
+mysql:5.7
+```
+
+### Run integration tests
+
+With the database up and running, you are now ready to execute the integration tests.
+
+Use Maven to run the integration tests. Ensure you are in the root directory of your project and run the following command:
+```
+mvn integration-test
+```