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Depending on the nature of the business, there are several types of certifications available today. Common certifications include: minority business enterprise (MBE); women business enterprise (WBE); disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE); SBA 8(a); HUBzone; veteran-owned small business (VOSB); service disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB); women-owned small business (WOSB); business enterprises-owned by people with disabilities (BEPD) and “small business.”

While each certification has different criteria, there are similar criteria for many. For instance, all companies must be at least 51-percent owned by a person or a group claiming the certification status.1 The 51-percent owner must have unfettered control of the company. For federal and DBE certifications, the company must be a “small business” as determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). A federal SDVOSB requires the business be “small,” at least 51 percent owned and operated by one or more service-disabled veterans whose management and daily business operations are controlled by service-disabled veterans, and the disability be service connected. While a HUBzoned firm must also be “small,” the criteria includes the location of the business and home addresses of the firm’s employees. State corporate laws and licensing laws are also criteria used to review applications for certification. There are special criteria that must be met depending on the certification type. For instance, while a 51- percent owner must have a personal net worth under $750,000 for DBE certification, the SBA 8(a) certification requires that the 51-percent owner have a personal net worth under $250,000.

Federal, state and local government agencies also have different gross business receipts criteria for determining small business certification eligibility.More information for your convenience:
For more information on diversity designations and certifications, visit the following websites:

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) - www.nmsdc.org
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) - www.wbenc.org
• National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) - www.nwboc.org
• Association for Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV) - www.asdv.org
• National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) - www.nglcc.org
• Small Business Administration (e.g. 8a, SDB, HUBZone) - www.sba.gov and www.bpn.gov/ccr/
• Federal/State/Local Agencies

NOTES: Links to third-party sites are provided for your convenience. Such sites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security, or accessibility standards as ours. Therefore, NRBA is not responsible for the security, content or availability of third-party sites, their partners, or advertisers.

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