Become a Service Provider

Overview

Vendorization is the process for identification, selection, and utilization of service providers based on the qualifications and other requirements necessary in order to provide the services. The vendorization process allows regional centers to verify, prior to the provision of services to consumers, that an applicant meets all the requirements and standards specified in regulations. Applicants who meet the specified requirements and standards are assigned a service code and a unique vendor identification number.

Service providers are vendored by the regional center in whose catchment area the service is located, known as the vendoring regional center. The vendoring regional center is responsible for ensuring that the applicant meets licensing and Title 17 requirements for vendorization, determining the appropriate vendor category for the service to be provided, and approving or disapproving vendorization based upon their review of the documentation submitted by the applicant.

To become a vendor:

1. Complete:
   • Letter of Intent; include business location, your physical business address must be within Westside Regional Center’s catchment area (PO boxes are not considered acceptable business addresses).
   • Applicant/Vendor Disclosure Statement Form – DS 1891 English PDF | Spanish PDF

Vendorization Rollout in Provider Directory

Beginning December 3, 2025, Westside Regional Center may begin using the Provider Directory for new vendorizations.

All new vendorization requests dated 01/01/2026 will need to be initiated and completed through the Provider Directory. This will allow two months for providers and Westside Regional Center to become familiar with the process before the mandatory implementation date.

Starting on March 1, 2026, Westside Regional Center must begin using the Provider Directory for new vendorizations.

Contact vendorization@westsiderc.org for guidance on how to begin your application between December 3, 2025 and March 1, 2026.

Effective on and after July 1, 2026, Purchase Reimbursement (Service Code 024) vendorization applications must be completed in the Provider Directory.

How to Become a Service Provider/Vendor

Service providers must be vendored by a regional center before they can provide and be reimbursed for services. The following describes how to become a vendored service provider.

What is Vendorization?

“Vendorization” is the term used to describe the approval process to provide services through regional centers to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You apply for vendorization online through the Provider Directory. This is where you will submit required information and documents, communicate with regional centers, and track your progress.

Your application will be reviewed by the vendoring regional center – the center responsible for the geographic area (also known as catchment area) where your site-based service or operating office is located. The regional center will review your documents and determine if you meet the requirements. If approved, you’ll be assigned a vendor number and a service code in the Provider Directory.

Who Can Apply?

• Potential New Providers: People or agencies who want to start offering services and supports to Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Existing Providers: Providers who want to add new services or expand to new areas.
• Family Members or Guardians: People supporting individuals through the provision of specific services agreed upon by the individual program plan team.

Who Cannot Apply in the Directory?

Entities seeking to provide service to individuals in the Self-Determination Program cannot apply in the Provider Directory, except for Financial Management Services (FMS) service codes 315-317.

When should you apply for vendorization in the Directory?

Applicants can start a vendorization application at any time.

However, if applying for an emergency vendorization or applying for vendorization of certain specialized facilities through the Community Placement Plan (CPP) or Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) project, contact WRC to learn how to begin your application process and when to create your login profile to apply in the Provider Directory.

How can I prepare?

You must determine what service type you are planning to provide and understand applicable statutes, regulations and directives issued by the Department of Developmental Services based on your experience and expertise. The Department of Developmental Services is governed by Title 17 Division 2 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Vendorization is governed by Title 17, Division 2, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2. These rules explain:

• What services regional centers can fund
• What providers must do to qualify
• How the vendorization process works
• What is required to maintain your vendorization
• The commonly used terms you need to know

To learn more about services offered through regional centers, visit the Regional Center Services and Descriptions webpage on the Department of Developmental Services’ website.

What services are needed?

• View our current service needs
• See open Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

What are the Steps to Apply?

Exhibit 1: Vendorization application steps and processing time requirements

The vendorization process is done online through the Provider Directory.

Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Create or login to existing Provider Directory Profile

• Visit the Provider Directory.
• If your business is new to the Provider Directory, create login profile.
• If your business is in the Provider Directory, login with existing credentials.

Step 2: Submit requirements

• Submit information to show you meet the minimum requirements.
• The regional center will review your request within 15 calendar days.

Step 3: Submit application

If you meet the basic requirements, you’ll be asked to submit additional information and documents to support your application.

• When all requested information is received, the regional center will review your application for completeness within 30 calendar days.
• If anything is missing or incorrect, you’ll have 30 calendar days to submit it. The submission review timeline/clock pauses for the regional center during this time and does not reset.

Step 4: Receive decision

• When the application is complete, the regional center will review the application
• The regional center will make a vendorization decision within 45 calendar days.
• If approved, you’ll receive a vendor number.
• If not approved, you’ll receive a denial notice with rights to appeal the decision.

Who Can Use Vendored Providers?

Once vendored, a service provider may be utilized by other regional centers, known as “user” or “utilizing” regional centers, as well as the originally vendoring regional center.

NOTE: The vendor identification number assigned by the vendoring regional center must be used by all regional centers purchasing the vendored service.

Do you need help?

For on-demand resources, such as step-by-step guides, FAQs, and an overview of the vendorization process, visit the DDS How to Become a Vendor webpage.

If you have questions or need help with the process, contact us at Vendor-Requests@westsiderc.org or 310-258-4000. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Important Note About Vendorization

Pursuant to Title 17 of the CCR section 54322(d)(10), vendorization does not guarantee that individuals will be referred or placed with a vendored provider.

1. Complete:
   • Vendor Application Form – DS 1890 English PDF | Spanish PDF
   • Applicant/Vendor Disclosure Statement Form – DS 1891 English PDF | Spanish PDF
2. Enclose the documentation specified in Title 17, Section 54310
3. Once a potential service provider has obtained all necessary licenses, submitted the completed DS 1890 application and DS 1891 forms and all necessary documentation to the vendoring regional center (The regional center has 45 days to approve or disapprove vendorization.)
4. Once vendored, the service provider may be utilized by other regional centers, known as “user” or “utilizing” regional centers, as well as the vendoring regional center. NOTE: The vendor identification number assigned by the vendoring regional center must be used by all regional centers purchasing the vendored service.

Although a regional center must vendor an applicant who meets all the requirements for the service to be provided, vendorization in no way obligates that regional center to purchase service from that vendor.

Become a Service Provider

Vendors & Service Providers

This section of the website provides information and requirements for those interested in becoming authorized to provide services (becoming “vendored”) to WRC individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It also answers frequently asked questions and informs entities of their right to appeal a regional center decision.

Vendorization Process

This page provides information and requirements for those interested in becoming authorized to provide services (becoming “vendored”) to WRC individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

More about Vendorization Process

Vendorization FAQS

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the process by which service providers are authorized to become providers of services and supports for the people with developmental disabilities and their families who are served by a regional center.

More about Vendorization FAQS

Vendorization Appeals

Vendors or applicants for vendorization may appeal any denial of a vendorization application, termination of vendorization, or other failure of a regional center to comply with regulations. Such appeals shall be made to the director of the vendoring regional center within 30 days of receiving the written notification of action by that regional center or within 30 days after the failure of the vendoring regional center to comply with regulations.

More about Vendorization Appeals