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Become an I/DD Provider

This page explains how to apply to become a service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The process is different for each provider type.

Medicaid agency application Adult foster home application Child foster home application

 Not sure which provider type you want to apply for? Start with Provider Types.

Medicaid agency application

You will apply for your Medicaid agency certification and endorsements at the same time. 

Before you apply: You must meet all qualifications in OAR 411-323 and gather required documents. 

24-Residential and Host Homes: You also need to complete a separate license application for each site. See the "License application" section below.

Steps for Medicaid agencies

Decide which services you want to provide

Review Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) for your service type

  • Understand the standards and requirements you must meet.
  • Executive directors must meet the qualifications in OAR 411-323.

Pass the Medicaid Agency Orientation (MAO)

Make payment

Medicaid ​agency pa​yment portal

Use the Medicaid ​agency payment portal to pay fees for agency certification and endorsements.

  • Check the fee schedule to make sure you pay the correct amount.
  • Fees are required for agency certification and each selected endorsement.
  • All fees are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred.
  • Payment is due when you submit your application.
  • Save your payment receipt. You will need to upload it with your application.
    • If you are also applying for a 24-Hour Residential or Host Home site license, make sure your receipt shows the site address.

Prepare documents to upload with your application

  • You can't save your application once you start.
  • The online application takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.
  • Before you start, know how many documents you have and their total size.
    • A zip folder is the best option to upload your documents.
    • Without a zip folder, you can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB.

Executive director's documents you will need

  • Medicaid Agency Orientation (MAO) certificate
  • Resume with three professional references, including their phone number and email
  • Current background check
  • CPR certificate
  • Training certifications for the two required trainings on mandatory reporting of abuse. (All executive directors must complete training for both adults and children, regardless of which population you serve.)

Business documents you will need

​Fill out the application form

Agency and endorsement application
  • Submit a complete online application with all required documents, including your payment receipt. 
  • You must finish the application in one session. You can't save the application once you start. 
  • We do not accept handwritten materials. All forms are online and can be filled out electronically.
  • We will send you a confirmation email after you submit your application.​

If you need help or have questions: Email dd.licensing@odhs.oregon.gov

We will review your application

We will contact you if we need additiona​l information or when your application is approved.

  • Watch your email
    • ​We may ask you to provide more information or missing documents.
    • Submit any requested materials by the deadline provided.
    • If you miss a deadline: ​We may close your application. If that happens, you will need to start over with a new ​application. 

We give priority to applications when: 

  • ​An individual needs a service the provider can offer.
  • There are few or no providers available in the area.
  • The provider has specialized skills.
  • The provider speaks a language that an individual needs for support.

​Provider Enrollment Agency Agreement (PEAA) and insurance requirements

After your application is complete, our Provider Enrollment Unit will contact you about the Provider Enrollment Agency Agreement (PEAA) and insurance requirements.

  • You can't be paid until the PEAA is signed and insurance requirements are met.
  • You will receive a provider number after your PEAA is accepted.
  • Email questions to odds.providerenrollment@odhs.oregon.gov.

​After you complete your application for agency certification and endorsement, you must submit a separate license application for each site you plan to operate. 

​Online license​​ application

  • The application includes instructions and must be completed in one session. You can't save the application once you start.
  • You need to complete a separate application for each 24-Hour Residential or Host Home site.
    • Check the fee sc​hedule to make sure you pay the correct amount.
    • Use the Medicaid agency payment ​portal to pay 24-Hour Residential or Host Home license​ fees.
    • ​Payments are nonrefundable and nontransferable.​
    • ​​Save your payment receipt. You will need to upload it with your application. Make sure your receipt shows the residential address.
  • ​Fees and required documents are different for 24‑Hour Residential sites and Host Homes.
  • If you choose the wrong application type, we will close it and you must submit the correct one.

Required documents​

  • Completed online application
  • Floor plan
  • Lease or proof of ownership
  • Payment receipt​
  • 24-Hour Residential only: 
    • ​Blank residency agreement
  • Host Homes only:
    • In-residence caregiver applicant study

What happens next

  • We will schedule a walkthrough after you submit a complete site application.
  • Areas of review include, but are not limited to:
    • ​Health and safety
    • Environmental​
    • Required documents
    • Emergency supplies
  • If we find problems, we will list them in a Statement of Deficiency. 

We regularly review the agency and executive director to confirm they meet Oregon Administrative Rules. This includes a review of qualifications, policies, procedures, and ongoing compliance.

To operate, you must have:​​

  • Agency certification, and
  • At least one service endorsement.

Both are reviewed and renewed in the same two-year cycle.

Renewal timeline and fees

You must renew your agency certification and all endorsements every two years.

  • Renewal certification fee: $500
  • Renewal endorsement fee: Varies by endorsement type, refer to the fee schedule 

Endorsement certification cycle

Each endorsement has its own rules, requirements, and a separate fee.

  • Learn about the endorsements for the services you want to provide.
  • Check the fee schedule to make sure you pay the correct amount.
  • All payments are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
  • Endorsements are renewed on the same cycle as your agency certification.
  • We typically contact agencies three to four months before renewal.

After you submit a renewal application

  • We will review complete applications and schedule an initial review. 
  • If we find issues during the review, we will list them in a Statement of Deficiency. 
  • You must return a Plan of Correction by the given deadline.

You must provide items such as:

  • Policies and procedures
  • Business and financial records
  • Personnel information
  • Completed background checks

Adding endorsements

After initial certification, you can request new endorsements at any time. 

​Learn how to request ​changes to your Medicaid agency endorsements.

Adult foster home application

Adult foster homes (AFH) support people with I/DD (age 18+) in a home environment. 

Before you apply: You must meet all qualifications in OAR 411-360 and gather required documents.

Steps for adult foster homes

Decide which services you want to provide

Review Oregon Administrative​ Rules (OAR)

  • Read, understand, and follow the requirements outlined in OAR 411-360.​

Complete the adult foster home basic training and provider orientation.

Make payment

 Adult foster home payment portal

Use the Adult Foster Home payment portal to pay a​ll application fees.

  • Check the fee schedule to make sure you pay the correct amount.
  • All fees are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred.
  • Payment is due when you submit your application.
  • Save your payment receipt. You will need to upload it with your application.

Prepare documents to upload with your application

  • You can't save your application once you start.
  • The online application takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.
  • Before you start, know how many documents you have and their total size.
    • A zip folder is the best option to upload your documents.
    • Without a zip folder, you can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB.
  • ​​​Quick Reference Guides are available to help you complete many of the documents.

Documents you will need

​Fill ou​t the application form

Foster home application
  • Submit a complete online application with all required documents, including your payment receipt. 
  • You must finish the application in one session. You can't save the application once you start. 
  • We do not accept handwritten materials. All forms are online and can be filled out electronically.
  • We will send you a confirmation email after you submit your application.​

If you need help or have questions: Email dd.licensingfoster@odhs.oregon.gov

We will review your application

We will contact you if needed or when your application is approved.

  • Watch your email. Emails may come from a Smartsheet email address.
    • ​We may ask you for more information or request missing documents.
    • Submit any requested materials by the deadline provided.
    • ​If you miss a deadline: ​We may close your application. If that happens, you will need to start over with a new application.​

​Become a Qualified Entity

  • We will notify the Background Check Unit (BCU) that your application is being screened. 
  • BCU will reach out to you when they've been notified that your foster home is ready for ORCHARDS registration. 
  • BCU will provide instructions and materials on how to make your foster home a Qualified Entity.​

Choose a Qualified Entity Designee (QED)

  • Select one or more individuals who will initiate and submit all background checks for your foster home.

Complete the QED process

  • BCU will provide training and guidance to help your QED learn how to complete and manage background checks.
  • This includes reviewing the Oregon Administrative Rules​ and completing an open book test.

Submit ​final fitness determinations​

Complete background checks for all subject individuals

  • The QED must ensure that everyone who works, lives, or visits the foster home has a completed and approved background check.

Monitor background checks

  • Providers must ensure background checks remain current for all subject individuals and are renewed before they expire or when someone changes their position.
Background check FAQ​

After you receive your license, the ODDS Provider Enrollment Unit will contact you to complete the Provider Enrollment Agreement (PEA). The PEA is your contract to provide care and services.

We review each adult foster home provider to confirm ​they meet Oregon Administrative Rules. This includes a review of qualifications, policies, procedures, ​and ongoing compliance.

Renewal timeline and fees

You must renew your foster home license every year.

  • Initial fee: Providers in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington counties pay $75 per capacity. All other providers pay $50 per capacity.
  • Renewal fee: All providers pay $50 per capacity.

After you submit your application

  • We review your completed application.
  • We schedule an initial inspection of your foster home. 
  • If we find issues during the review, we will list them in a Statement of Deficiency.
  • You must return a Plan of Correction​ by the given deadline.

Ongoing ​training requirements

  • Each year, AFH providers, resident managers, and substitute caregivers must complete at least 12 hours of department-approved training.
  • Training must be documented in AFH provider records.

Child foster home application

Child foster homes (CFH) support people with I/DD (age 0-17) in a home environment.

Before you apply: You must meet all qualifications in OAR 411-346 and gather required documents.

 There are no fees when you apply or renew your child foster home certification.

Steps for child foster homes

Decide which services you want​ to provide

Review Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)

  • Read, understand, and follow the ​requirements in OAR 411-346.

Complete 15 hours of pre-service training

  • Prior to initial certification, applicants must complete at least 15 hours of pre-service training. 
  • To meet the requirement: 

Prepare documents to upload with your application

  • You can't save your application once you start.
  • The online application takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.
  • Before you start, know how many documents you have and their total size.
    • A zip folder is the best option to upload your documents.
    • Without a zip folder, you can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB.
  • Quick Reference Gui​des are available to help you complete many of the documents.

Documents you will need

​Fill ou​t the application form

Foster home application
  • Submit a complete online application with all​ required documents.
  • You must finish the application in one session. You can'​t save the application once you start.
  • We do not accept handwritten materials. All forms are on​line and can be filled out electronically.
  • We will send you a confirmation email after you submit your application.​

If you need help or have questions: Email dd.licensingfoster@odhs.oregon.gov

We will review your application

We will contact you if we need additional ​information or when your application is approved.

  • Watch your email. Emails will come from a Smartsheet email address.
    • ​We may ask you to provide more information or missing documents.
    • Submit any requested materials by the deadline provided.
    • If you miss a deadline: ​We may close your application. If that happens, you will need to start over with a new ​application. 

​Become a Qualified Entity

  • We will notify the Background Check Unit (BCU) that your application is being screened.
  • BCU will reach out to you when they've been notified that your foster home is ready for ORCHARDS registration.
  • BCU will provide instructions and materials on how to make your foster home a Qualified Entity.​

Choose a Qualified Entity Designee (QED)

  • Select one or more individuals who will initiate and submit all background checks for your foster home.

Complete the QED process

  • BCU will provide training and guidance to help your QED learn how to complete and manage background checks.
  • This includes reviewing the Oregon Administrative Rules​ and completing an open book test.

Submit final fitness determinations​

Complete background checks for all subject individuals

  • The QED must ensure that everyone who works, lives, or visits the foster home has a completed and approved background check.

Monitor background checks

  • Providers must ensure background checks remain current for al​l subject individuals and are renewed before they expire or when someone changes their position.
Background check FAQ

After you receive your certificate, the ODDS Provider Enrollment Unit will contact you ​​to complete the Provider Enrollment Agreement (PEA). The PEA is your contract to provide care and services.

We ensure child foster home providers meet all requirements. We check policies and compliance to confirm each child foster home continues to meet these standards.

Renewal ​timeline

  • ​You must renew your foster home certificate every two years.
  • There are no fees for initial or renewal applications.

After you submit your renewal application​

  • We review your completed application.
  • We schedule an initial inspection of your foster home. 
  • If we find issues during the review, we will list them in a Statement of Deficiency.
  • You must return a Plan of Correction​ by the given deadline.

Ongoing training requirements

  • CFH providers must complete 10 hours of annual training (20 total hours during each 2-year certification period).