​​​To apply for MWBE Certification, you must meet the following eligibility standards:

  • The business must be 51% majority owned and controlled by women or racial or ethnic minority group members who are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.
  • The current racial or ethnic minority and women owners:
    • must have owned and operated the business for at least one full year.
    • must have filed a federal business tax return consisting of one full year.
    • must have state and/or local licensure/certification in the firm's primary services if state and local licensure/certification is required for the types of services the business offers. 
  • The business:​
    • must be independently owned and operated and located in the United States.
    • must have been continuously operating for at least one year.
  • An out-of-state business:
    • must be currently certified by its home state governmental certifying entity;
    • ​must have an owner interview conducted by its home state governmental certifying entity within the last three years.​

Racial and ethnic minority group members are African American, Hispanic American, Asian Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, or Native American.