Supplier Clearinghouse Certification

• What Is GO 156 Certification?
• Available Certifications

Benefits of Supplier Clearinghouse Certification

• No Fee: Certification is free of charge. There is no fee to apply or participate in the verification process.

• Centralized Listing: Qualified applicants are entered in a supplier database accessed by participating utilities and other covered entities throughout the State.

• Three-Year Term: Certification is usually granted within 45 days of receipt of a complete application and is valid for three years.

Definitions

Qualified businesses are certified as women, minority, LGBT, and/or persons with disabilities business enterprises as defined by General Order (GO) 156.

"Women Business Enterprise" (GO 156, Section 1.3.3) is a business at least 51% owned by one or more women, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

"Minority Business Enterprise" (GO 156, Section 1.3.4) is a business at least 51% owned by one or more minority individuals, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals. Recognized minorities include Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, among others.

“LGBT Business Enterprise” (GO 156, Section 1.3.5) is a business at least 51% owned by a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person or persons and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals.

"Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise" (GO 156. Section 1.3.6) is a business at least 51% owned by a person or persons with a disability, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals.

How to Apply 

If you are interested in certification and believe your company qualifies as a women, minority, LGBT, and/or persons with disabilities business, carefully read our General Information and Application, before submitting a complete, signed and notarized verification application with all required documents to the clearinghouse office. Reading the Supplier Clearinghouse “Questions and Answers” section will also be helpful.

Please note: CPUC's Supplier Diversity Program does not accept applications directly. To apply, visit the Supplier Clearinghouse website.

The clearinghouse also accepts women, minority, LGBT, and/or persons with disabilities business certification from agencies with comparable verification criteria.

If your current clearinghouse certification is expiring, submit a reverification application.

Firms seeking certification as a disabled veteran-owned must contact the Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS), a unit of the California Department of General Services.

Verification

Upon receipt of a completed application package, the clearinghouse operator examines the material for evidence of diverse status, as well as company ownership, management and control. A site visit is sometimes necessary to make a conclusive determination. Certification is limited to United States citizens or legal aliens.