Is 8(a) certification free?

8(a) certification is free. SBA's certification site states that "SBA does not charge any costs for applying to our programs," and the 8(a) Business Development program has no application fee, annual fee or renewal fee.

Where to apply. Apply through MySBA Certifications at certifications.sba.gov, SBA's single application for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and veteran certifications. The older certify.sba.gov system states it no longer supports 8(a) and is now used for the Mentor-Protege Program. SBA also warns that its only legitimate certification phone number is 1-866-SBA-HELP, that samregistration.com is not affiliated with SBA and that capability statements are not required to apply. Before applying, SBA suggests meeting your SBA district office or an APEX Accelerator counselor, which is also free.

What SBA checks. Per SBA's program page, the firm must be small, must not have participated in 8(a) before and must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The economic limits are personal net worth of $850,000 or less, adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less and total assets of $6.5 million or less; funds in an official retirement account are excluded from net worth. The firm must also show good character and potential for success, such as two years in business.

Social disadvantage changed in 2026. SBA's final rule published August 11, 2026 and effective September 10, 2026 removed the presumption that members of designated groups are socially disadvantaged, and it applies to all pending applications from individually owned firms as of that date. Under 13 CFR 124.103(c), an individual must show evidence that a government or private entity's action, policy or practice favored other groups or disfavored a group they belong to, and self-certify membership in that group at the time and material harm. If the owners exceed the economic limits, SBA generally treats them as not economically disadvantaged, whatever the social showing.

What it costs in time. The work is assembling tax returns, personal financial statements, ownership and formation records and the social disadvantage evidence. Advisers are a private choice; SBA charges nothing either way.

After admission. Once SBA finds an application complete it has 90 days to decide. The term is nine years at most: four developmental years and five transitional years, and a firm can participate only once. Each year the firm completes an annual review and submits personal financial information for each disadvantaged owner, plus a record of any assets transferred to immediate family for less than fair market value within the prior two years (13 CFR 124.112).

What it is worth. 8(a) firms can receive set-aside contracts and sole-source awards up to $8.5 million for manufacturing NAICS codes and $5.5 million for all others.