WOSB Certification Process

Application for WOSB certification can be submitted with a New application, Recertification application and any time prior to recertification*. To move forward, please ensure you meet the criteria then follow the steps below that apply to your particular circumstance.

Criteria for Certification

  • The applicant company must be "small" in its primary industry in accordance with SBA's size standards for that industry. Please view the listing of NAICS and their size standards for verification**.
  • The applicant company must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.
  • Management and daily operation must be controlled by one or more of the women owners.
  • The women owners must make long-term decisions for the business.
  • One of the criteria below must also be true for CORPORATIONS ONLY:
    • Women must make up a majority of the Board of Directors OR have a majority of the Board votes through weighted voting.
    • Women must make up 51% of the voting power, sit on the Board AND have enough voting power to overcome any supermajority requirement.
  • WBENC uses a two part process to ensure that the applicant company meets the WBENC WOSB Standards. This will include a thorough review of the documentation presented and a site visit interview with the female owner/s.

Additional Requirements

  • Applicant must possess a DUNS # (one can be requested here)
  • Applicant must be registered in CCR (Central Contractor Registration)
  • Applicant must be registered in ORCA (Online Representations and Certifications Application)
NOTICE: CCR & ORCA will be migrated into a new system, System for Award Management (SAM), as of May 29, 2012. New registrations will not be accepted in CCR after May 23rd. If you are a NEW REGISTRANT, please click here and EXISTING REGISTRANTS should click here for instructions. For more information, please visit www.sam.gov. 

Documentation Required:

  • Copy of current Summary View from WBENCLink Profile
  • Printout of 1st page of Central Contractor Registration (CCR) profile
  • Prinout of 1st page of Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) 
One of the following documents must be submitted:
  • Printout of 1st page of IRS Form 941 (for previous 4 quarters)
  • W-3 from previous year
  • Current list of employees (ONLY if the previous two items do not apply to our company)
    • If you are a sole owner of the applicant company, please provide a statement listing yourself as the only employee

Currently Certified WBENC WBEs (FASTrac, prior to recertification):

  • If the applicant company is currently WBENC WBE Certified and you are NOT in the recertification process, you may apply for WOSB Certification through the FASTrac Program by:
    • Logging into your company's WBENC profile at www.wbenclink.org and completing the WOSB Additional Info tab then click the "Save/Submit" button

    Once submitted, print a copy of the Summary View (link located below the General tab) and mail  the Summary View and required documents to your Regional Partner Organization who will process your application. The application process shall be completed within 30 days from the file complete date.

Currently Certified WBENC WBEs who are in the WBE recertification process

  • If the applicant company is currently WBENC WBE Certified and IS in the recertification process, you may apply for both WBE recertification and WOSB certification simultaneously by:
    • Completing the WBE recertification process
          • Complete the WOSB Additional Info tab when finishing your recertification application on WBENCLink
          • Submit your Summary View, required documents and applicable fees to your certifying Regional Partner Organization
        • The application process shall be completed within 90 days from the file complete date.

New WBENC WBE and WOSB certification applicants

  • If the applicant firm is new and applying for both WBENC WBE and WOSB certification you may apply for both simultaneously by:
    • Completing the WBE certification process and,
      • Complete the WOSB tab when finishing your certification application on WBENCLink
      • Submit your Summary View, required documents and applicable fees to your certifying Regional Partner Organization
      • The certification process consists of two parts: documentation review and a site visit
      • You will receive email updates/notifications during each phase of the process

Once WOSB/WBENC Certification is Granted


Once WOSB/WBENC certification is granted, applicants must complete the additional United States SBA required steps to be eligible to participate in the WOSB Federal Contracting Program:
  • Register in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) as WOSB
  • Create a profile on the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) page
  • Log into the United States SBA's General Login System (GLS)
    • Create an account
  • Access the WOSB Repository (through GLS)
    • Upload the following documents
      • WOSB Certificate issued by WBENC
      • Completed SBA Form 2413
      • Any other documents requested by the SBA
  • Represent your status in Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

*WOSB certification cannot be processed if company is 120 days or less from their WBE certification expiration without completing the WBE recertification process.

**If your NAICS code is not listed, WBENC is not able provide your company with the WOSB certification; however, you may apply directly through the SBA.