Where is the official California DBE directory?

The Caltrans DBE System at caltrans.dbesystem.com is California's official DBE directory. It includes every firm certified under the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) by any of the 12+ certifying agencies (Caltrans, LA Metro, BART, SFMTA, SANDAG, and others). A parallel interface is at ucp.dot.ca.gov. Both pull from the same data.

How do I search the Caltrans DBE System?

Go to caltrans.dbesystem.com, click 'Search DBE Firm Directory' (no login required). You can search by firm name, city, county, zip, NAICS code, work category keyword, or certification type (DBE or ACDBE). Results show firm contact info, certifying agency, NAICS codes, and certification date. Export results to CSV for bid documentation.

What is the difference between the CUCP directory and the Caltrans DBE System?

They share the same database. The Caltrans DBE System (caltrans.dbesystem.com) is the operational directory maintained by Caltrans. The CUCP website (ucp.dot.ca.gov) provides an alternative lookup interface and program-level information. Use Caltrans DBE System for deep search (NAICS, filters, CSV export). Use ucp.dot.ca.gov for quick certification verification by firm name.

How do I verify that a firm is currently DBE-certified?

Search the firm's legal name in the Caltrans DBE System. Check three fields in the result: (1) certification status (Active, Expired, Under Review), (2) certification expiration date, and (3) certifying agency. Print or screenshot the result with the current date for bid documentation. Primes relying on DBE subcontract participation must verify status at the time of commitment and again at award.

Can I search California DBE firms by NAICS code?

Yes. The Caltrans DBE System has a NAICS filter in the advanced search. Entering a NAICS code returns every DBE certified for that industry code — the most effective way to find subcontractors for a specific trade. A firm may list multiple NAICS codes; a match on any one means they are certified for that work.

Is the California DBE directory free?

Yes. Caltrans DBE System, ucp.dot.ca.gov, and CaleProcure are all free. No registration is required to search, although some features (saved searches, email alerts) require a free account.

Where do I find California certified SB, MB, DVBE, or SB-PW firms?

These state-level DGS certifications are not in the federal DBE directory. Search them at caleprocure.ca.gov under 'Certified Small Business, MB, SB-PW, and DVBE Search'. Filter by certification type to narrow to just SB, MB, DVBE, or SB-PW. See our separate guides for SBE, DVBE, and SB-PW certifications.

My firm is not in the directory — what does that mean?

If you cannot find your firm in the Caltrans DBE System, one of four things is true: (1) you are not currently DBE-certified; (2) your certification has expired; (3) your reevaluation is still pending after the April 16, 2026 deadline; or (4) you are certified under a different legal name than you are searching. Check with your home agency first, then see our DBE certification guide if you need to apply.

How often is the California DBE directory updated?

The Caltrans DBE System updates daily as certifying agencies add, modify, or remove records. Certification status changes (new certifications, expirations, decertifications) typically reflect within 24-48 hours. Trust the live query, not cached or third-party copies.

Is there an API for the California DBE directory?

Caltrans does not publish an official public API. The system supports CSV export for prime contractors who need bulk data for bid preparation. Third-party services sometimes scrape or re-host the data — use these with caution as they may lag the live directory. Always verify certification status against the live Caltrans DBE System before committing in a bid.

California DBE Directory 2026: Caltrans DBE System Search & CUCP Lookup

Whether you're a prime contractor hitting DBE participation goals, an agency verifying certification before award, or an applicant checking your own listing — California has three free directories covering different certifications. This guide walks through each database, shows how to search efficiently, and explains how to verify results for bid documentation.

1. Caltrans DBE System (Primary Database)

The Caltrans DBE System is the operational directory for every federally-recognized DBE and ACDBE in California — more than 6,000 certified firms. It is maintained by Caltrans as the lead CUCP agency and pulls certification data from all 12+ CUCP partner agencies (Caltrans, LA Metro, BART, SFMTA, SANDAG, SDMTS, AC Transit, Sacramento RTD, VTA, OCTA, LAWA airports, and others).

How to search

Go to caltrans.dbesystem.com (no account required to search).
Click “Search DBE Firm Directory”.
Enter at least one search criterion: firm name, DBA, city, county, zip code, NAICS code, work category keyword, or certification type (DBE / ACDBE).
Click “Search”. Results show firm name, city, certifying agency, certification date, and a list of NAICS codes.
Click a firm name for full details: address, phone, email, contact, NAICS descriptions, certification expiration, and any reevaluation notes.
Export results to CSV (button in the top-right of the results grid) for bid documentation or internal prime tracking.

Best for

Finding DBE/ACDBE subcontractors by trade (NAICS), verifying status before award, preparing DBE goal compliance reports.

2. CUCP Website Lookup

The official California Unified Certification Program website at ucp.dot.ca.gov provides a simpler lookup interface. It is the same underlying database as the Caltrans DBE System but strips the advanced filters. Good for quick yes/no verification when you already know the firm name.

How to search

Visit ucp.dot.ca.gov.
Click “DBE Directory” or “Search”.
Enter firm name, location, or certification type.
Review status, certifying agency, and NAICS. For deep filtering (NAICS, CSV export), use the Caltrans DBE System instead.

Best for

Quick verification when you have the firm name. Program-level information about the CUCP, member agencies, and annual goals.

3. CaleProcure (State SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE)

State-level DGS certifications — SB, SB-PW, DVBE, and MB — are not in the Caltrans DBE System. They live in caleprocure.ca.gov, the California Department of General Services procurement portal.

How to search

Go to caleprocure.ca.gov.
Navigate to “Certified Small Business, MB, SB-PW, and DVBE Search”.
Filter by certification type (SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE — or any combination).
Search by business name, UNSPSC code, location, keyword, or certification number.
Click a result for full DGS record: owner demographics, certification date, UNSPSC codes, contact details.

Best for

State contracts (non-federal). For the meaning of these abbreviations in solicitations, see our “Certified SB, MB, SB-PW, or DVBE Only” explainer.

Which Database Matches Your Need

You Need	Use This
DBE subcontractors for federal-aid projects (Caltrans, transit, FHWA, FTA, FAA)	Caltrans DBE System (caltrans.dbesystem.com)
Verify a DBE at time of award	Caltrans DBE System — screenshot the Active status
ACDBE firms for airport concessions	Caltrans DBE System (filter: ACDBE)
SB/DVBE for state contracts	CaleProcure (caleprocure.ca.gov)
SB-PW contractors for state public works	CaleProcure — filter by SB-PW
Your own listing (as a certified firm)	Caltrans DBE System (DBE/ACDBE) or CaleProcure (state)

Tips for Prime Contractors

Search by NAICS, not firm name. Name search returns only what you already know. NAICS search surfaces every qualified DBE in the trade — primes often find new subcontractors this way.
Try multiple NAICS codes. A paving contractor might be listed under 237310, 237990, or 238990. Check adjacent codes.
Filter by county for local hiring. California public works often reward local subcontractor participation. County filter narrows the pool.
Screenshot status at award. A firm's status can change between bid and award. Document the Active status with a dated screenshot at commitment.
Export CSV for DBE compliance reports. The CSV export has the certifying agency column — useful for proving you relied on CUCP data in goal-attainment documentation.
Re-verify before change orders. A decertified DBE cannot count on new change-order work. Re-verify status before issuing new subcontract scope.

When the Directory Says “Under Review”

After the April 16, 2026 USDOT DBE reevaluation deadline, many firms show an “Under Review” or “Reevaluation Pending” flag. Treatment:

Still countable for DBE goals. Until the certifying agency issues a formal decertification notice, the firm remains an Active DBE and counts toward prime DBE participation.
Prime documentation. Print the “Under Review” status with timestamp as documentation. If the firm is later decertified, work already performed still counts (49 CFR § 26.87(j)).
New commitments. Some agencies advise against new subcontract commitments during pending review. Check with the contracting officer. Firms going through reevaluation can reference our Caltrans reevaluation playbook.

If Your Firm Is Not in the Directory

Not finding your firm means one of four things: (1) not yet certified, (2) certification has expired, (3) reevaluation still pending, or (4) searched under a DBA that doesn't match the legal name on the certification.

Apply for DBE: complete DBE certification guide
Apply for SB/SBE: SBE guide (free, DGS)
Apply for DVBE: DVBE guide
Apply for ACDBE: ACDBE guide

California DBE Directory: Caltrans DBE System, CUCP, and CaleProcure Search Guide (2026)

1. Caltrans DBE System (Primary Database)

How to search

Best for

2. CUCP Website Lookup

How to search

Best for

3. CaleProcure (State SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE)

How to search

Best for

Which Database Matches Your Need

Tips for Prime Contractors

When the Directory Says “Under Review”

If Your Firm Is Not in the Directory

Need Help with Your DBE Certification?

Related Guides

DBE Certification Guide

Caltrans DBE Guide

DBE vs SBE vs DVBE