Women-Owned Small Business

Who qualifies

Small businesses that are at least 51% directly and unconditionally owned by one or more women who are US citizens. The women must also control management and daily business operations. The business must meet SBA size standards in its primary NAICS code, AND the contract must be in an industry NAICS designated as eligible for WOSB set-asides (industries where women are under-represented as documented by SBA).

WOSB requirements checklist

• Small business under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code
• 51% or more directly and unconditionally owned by one or more women who are US citizens
• Women owners must control long-term decision-making and daily operations
• Contract must be in a NAICS code designated as WOSB-eligible (under-represented industries)
• Active SAM.gov registration with UEI
• For EDWOSB: also meet economic disadvantage thresholds (net worth under $850K, income under $400K)

How to certify

Self-certification was eliminated in 2020. Apply at certify.SBA.gov or through an SBA-approved Third-Party Certifier (NWBOC, WBENC, US Women's Chamber of Commerce, or El Paso Hispanic Chamber). Certification is free at certify.SBA.gov; third-party certifiers charge a fee. Recertification is required every three years.

1. 1. Verify NAICS eligibility. The WOSB set-aside only applies to NAICS codes SBA has designated as under-represented for women-owned firms. Check the SBA WOSB NAICS list before applying — if your primary NAICS is not on the list, the certification will not help you win WOSB set-asides in that area.
2. 2. Choose your certification path. Free path: apply directly at certify.SBA.gov. Fee-based path: apply through an SBA-approved Third-Party Certifier (NWBOC, WBENC, US Women's Chamber of Commerce, or El Paso Hispanic Chamber). Third-party certifiers offer additional business services beyond certification.
3. 3. Gather documentation. Prepare organizational documents (articles of incorporation, operating agreement, bylaws), stock certificates or ownership evidence, resumes showing operational control, birth certificates or naturalization records for women owners, and financial statements.
4. 4. Submit the application. Apply at certify.SBA.gov (free) or through a Third-Party Certifier. Applications typically process in 30-90 days.
5. 5. Recertify every three years. WOSB certification is valid for three years. Update your certification when circumstances change (ownership shift, size standard change) or at recertification.

What it gets you

Eligibility to compete on WOSB set-aside contracts. EDWOSB-certified firms additionally qualify for EDWOSB set-asides. Sole-source awards up to $4.5 million ($7 million for manufacturing) when only one responsible WOSB or EDWOSB is identified.