How to get certified
Which certifications there are, who qualifies, and where to apply. Applying is free.
The federal government works to make sure small businesses get at least 23 percent of what it spends on contracts, with shares inside that for women-owned businesses (5 percent), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (5 percent) and businesses in underused areas (3 percent). To get there it limits the competition for some orders to those businesses. A certification is how a business shows it is one of them. It lets you compete for those orders. It is not an order, and it does not promise one.
First, being a small business
Every certification below starts from the same place: the business must count as small. Whether it does is set by a size standard: the largest a business in its line of work, together with any businesses tied to it, can be and still count as small.
You state this yourself when you register at SAM.gov. There you pick the codes for what you sell, called NAICS codes, and certify that the business is eligible for the orders kept for small businesses.
Some orders are open to any small business. Others are limited to businesses in one of the programs below.
Women-owned small business
For a small business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens.
A second level, for economically disadvantaged women owners, adds a limit on each owner's personal net worth: under $850,000, among other limits.
You apply online at SBA Certifications, which describes its certification process as free. Some outside organizations also certify, and may charge for it.
Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned
For a small business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more veterans. The service-disabled level is for owners the Department of Veterans Affairs has rated as service-disabled.
The program is called Veteran Small Business Certification. You apply at SBA Certifications.
The 8(a) program, for disadvantaged owners
For a small business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged. It is called a business development program, and it is meant for owners with experience running their business.
SBA Certifications has a checklist and training for it. Read the checklist before you begin.
HUBZone, for businesses in underused areas
For a small business whose main office is in a historically underutilized business zone, and where at least 35 percent of the employees live in one. It must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by owners who qualify.
What sets it apart from the others is where the business and its people are.
Your state, your city and the utilities
States, cities and utilities run certifications of their own, and they are separate from the federal ones.
California certifies small businesses and disabled veteran businesses, and its utilities use a clearinghouse of their own. Where to register has each of them, with what it gives you and the page to apply on.
In another state, search for the state's name and the words small business certification, and use only the state's own site.
What it costs, and what to watch for
Registering at SAM.gov is free, and SBA Certifications describes its online certification process as free. Be careful with companies that offer to do either for a fee: they are selling what the government gives away.
Once you are certified, put the certification number in Settings. It is then printed on every quote and invoice, and shown on your supplier page.
Starting from nothing? Read how to set a business up first.
How to start a businessEvery outside page was opened and read on November 14, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Who qualifies is decided by the agency that certifies, and the rules change, so read the page a section links to before you apply. The linked pages are government sites and are not part of this product.