diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/provider/AbstractProviderRegistry.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/provider/AbstractProviderRegistry.java
index bcf5fae..73234d5 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/provider/AbstractProviderRegistry.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/provider/AbstractProviderRegistry.java
@@ -108,4 +108,14 @@
         return providersByScheme.get(deviceId.uri().getScheme());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the provider registered with the specified scheme.
+     *
+     * @param scheme provider scheme
+     * @return provider
+     */
+    protected synchronized P getProvider(String scheme) {
+        return providersByScheme.get(scheme);
+    }
+
 }