The list system could be used to promote women
The move is said by the Times newspaper to be one area under consideration at a meeting of a Conservative board meeting on Tuesday.
Opposition
The newspaper says the meeting is considering a plan to whereby candidates will be selected from a list of 15-20 names.
An approved list system has been in place for some time, but association members have been free to select any party member they choose.
Any move to centralise the process further can expect to receive stiff opposition from some quarters of the party.
John Strafford, of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, branded any centralisation of decision-making as "absolutely disgusting".
"What is happening is the self-perpetuating oligarchy is increasing its power," he told BBC News Online.
"It's one more step in the centralisation of the party and it's a threat to democracy."
'Vital' role
The plan is being seen as the first step in attempts to select candidates from all parts of society.
Party leader Iain Duncan Smith told his party's Spring conference in Harrogate last month that if the Conservatives failed to represent Britain they could not expect to rule it.
He said then: "If we want people to vote for us, I say to everyone in this hall:
"You are the people who select our candidates - you have a vital responsibility.
"I want you to select the best line-up of new MPs this country has ever seen.
"I want you to seek out talented people on their merits wherever they may be - whatever their age, sex or background.
"Because if we don't reflect the Britain we want to lead, we will never be asked to lead it."
A spokesman for the Conservatives declined to confirm the story, saying they never commented on party board meetings.