What other certification programs exist?

Both the South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation have their own certification process for minority owned businesses. Companies planning on doing business with these agencies should seek certification directly from each agency.

The US Small Business Administration offers two types of certifications for small and disadvantaged businesses:

• the 8a Program, which is really designed for companies that have already done some subcontracting work through prime contractors and are ready to become prime contractors, and
• the HUB Zone program, which is for companies, regardless of ethnicity or the sex of the owner, that are located within historically underutilized business zones (as defined by census tracts).

The National Women Business Owners Corporation™
The National Women Business Owners Corporation™, a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, was established to increase competition for corporate and government contracts through implementation of a pioneering economic development strategy for women business owners. NWBOC, (http://www.nwboc.org/certific.html) is a sister organization to the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Center for Women's Business Research (CWBR).

NWBOC provides a national certification program for women owned and controlled business as an alternative to the multiple state and local certifications required by many public and private sector agencies. Many private and public agencies now accept NWBOC certification.

The NWBOC’s certification was the first national certification. It was developed with input from over 700 companies and sponsored by IBM.

The NWBOC application process includes a committee review and site visit to the applicant's business. The application fee is $300. The certification letter is renewable at an annual fee of $75. The process can take up to 90 days but can be completed in as little as 30-45 days. Companies must have been in business at least six months, be majority-owned and daily managed by a woman who is a US Citizen. Certified companies receive a letter and certificate, are listed on the E-Commerce Marketplace site and receive a CD-ROM with over 1000 private sector procurement contacts.

The NWBOC hosts an E-Commerce marketplace where any woman-owned business can register and obtain bids and enter into contracts with companies that are seeking products or services from a woman-owned business.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) offers certification for women-owned businesses. It is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the nation. It is accepted by more than 500 major corporations across the country and a number of federal and government agencies.

Special programs and initiatives developed by WBENC also provide certified WBEs with added information, training and resources for growing their business opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Moreover, WBENC exclusive initiatives like WBENCLink, WEBuy, MatchMaker Meetings and more are designed especially for certified women's business enterprises.

The WBENC Criteria for Certification:

• Fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women.
• Proof of effective management of the business (operating position, by-laws, hire-fire and other decision-making role.)
• Control of the business as evidenced by signature role on loans, leases and contracts.
• US Citizenship or US Resident Alien Status

The first step to getting certified is completing the online application. In order to do this, you will need to go to: www.wbenc.org and click on Instructions/Application. Once the online application has been submitted, you will receive an email (within two business days) directing you to a Partner Organization. Upon receipt of the notification you need to mail the "Required Attachments", notarized sworn affidavit, printed copy of your application and nonrefundable processing fee. The Women’s Business Enterprise Corporation of SE Ohio is the agency that processes these applications. They can be reached at 1-866-WBE-CERT. Questions regarding WBENC Certification can be addressed to that number or by calling Jennifer Powell of WBENC at 202-872-5515, ext. 20.