Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program

As part of ICANN's New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round, the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program is intended to reduce the cost and time involved in evaluating new gTLDs by separating the assessment of the technical aspects of operating a gTLD from the application for the gTLD label.

All gTLD applicants are required to identify one or more evaluated RSPs, via the RSP Evaluation Program, to provide services for their gTLD. ICANN published an initial List of Evaluated RSPs on 30 January 2026 that included organizations that cleared both technical screening and technical testing, as well as those that cleared technical screening but were still completing technical testing. On 9 March 2026, the List of Evaluated RSPs was augmented to include portions of core RSP, IDN support level, and additional Registry Services applications for those RSPs that have cleared evaluation (i.e., both technical screening and technical testing). Updates to the List of Evaluated RSPs will continue on an ongoing basis, as RSPs continue to clear RSP Evaluation, per the Service Level Target (SLT) in the RSP Handbook. The evaluation of RSPs is an important part of ICANN's mission to help ensure a stable, secure, resilient Internet. RSPs offer critical services – such as DNS, Registration Data Access Protocol, and DNS Security Extensions, among others – on behalf of a registry operator.

Through the RSP Evaluation Program, RSPs need only be evaluated once, regardless of the number of gTLDs they support. The program will evaluate RSPs both before and during the application process for new gTLDs.

The RSP Handbook describes the RSP Evaluation Program. It offers guidance to potential applicants with regard to the RSP evaluation process, requirements to operate an RSP, timelines and expectations of evaluation and testing, and criteria and eligibility requirements for RSP applicants.

Key Updates and Upcoming Milestones: