Become A Provider
Vendorization Rollout in Provider Directory
Beginning January 1, 2026, San Diego Regional Center will begin using the Provider Directory for new vendorizations for Early Start Services (116 and 805), Specialized Therapeutic Services (117), and Residential Facilities (905, 910, 915 and 920).
Starting on March 1, 2026, SDRC must begin using the Provider Directory for ALL new vendorizations.
For guidance, contact vendorization@sdrc.org between January 1, 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?
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Potential New Providers: People or agencies who want to start offering services and supports to Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Existing Providers: Providers who want to add new services or expand to new areas.
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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 SDRC 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:
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What services regional centers can fund
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What providers must do to qualify
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How the vendorization process works
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What is required to maintain your vendorization
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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 are the Steps to Apply?
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
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Open browser and type https://caddsprod.servicenowservices.com/spd
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If your business is new to the Provider Directory, create login profile.
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If your business is in the Provider Directory, login with existing credentials.
Step 2: Submit requirements
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Submit information to show you meet the minimum requirements.
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The regional center will review your request within 15 calendar days.
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If you meet the basic requirements, you’ll be asked to submit additional information and documents to support your application.
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When all requested information is received, the regional center will review your application for completeness within 30 calendar days.
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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
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When the application is complete, the regional center will review the application
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The regional center will make a vendorization decision within 45 calendar days.
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If approved, you’ll receive a vendor number.
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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, go to the DDS How to Become a Vendor web page.
If you have questions or need help with the process, contact us at vendorization@sdrc.org. 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.
Service Provider Forms
All Service Providers
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Vendor Disclosure Statement (DS1891) - Review the Department of Developmental Services information about the DS1891 form requirement.
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Breach Incident Report (DS5340B) - Review the Department of Developmental Services Breach Incident Reporting process. Vendor breaches also need to be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) online here.
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Certification of Alternative Nonresidential Services -
Providers shall complete and submit this form to the Regional Center to certify the provision of alternative nonresidential services prior to submitting claims for reimbursement.
Nursing Level Respite Providers
Residential Service Providers
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Looking at Service Quality – handbook required to be kept in all vendored CCL homes
Vendor Applications
SDRC Community Services
For information regarding services, becoming a provider and/or a vendor application, please contact the appropriate Resource Coordinator
Resource Coordinator
Supported Living (SLS), Independent Living (ILS),
Personal Assistance (PA)
Resource Coordinator
Self Determination, FMS, Translation/Interpretation,
Conferences/Trainings
Resource Coordinator
Social Recreation, Camps, Non-medical Therapies
Coordinated Family Supports (CFS),
American Sign Language Training and Support Service
Health & Safety Waiver Specialist
HCBS Specialist
HCBS Specialist
HCBS Specialist
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Rate Specialist
Community Services Director
Community Services Manager
Community Services Manager
Community Services Manager
Community Resource Development Manager
Breach Incident Report
If information about an individual a vendor serves is ever lost, stolen or received by anyone who is not that person or that persons legally authorize representative, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) considers that a “security breach.” Anytime there is a security breach of information possessed by a vendor, DDS requires the vendor to both notify the person whose information was breached (or their legally authorized representative) by letter, as well as the Regional Center using form DS 5340B. The letter sent to the individual needs to be sent within 60 days of the discovery of the breach and a copy needs to be sent to the Regional Center. Vendor breaches also need to be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) online here.
If you have any questions, please contact Seth Mader, San Diego Regional Center’s Information Security Officer.
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Template – Notification Letter – Word Document
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Breach Report Form – Secure Electronic Signature