The first question every diverse business owner asks: How much does certification cost? The answer depends on which certifications you pursue — and the range is wider than most people expect.
Federal certifications through the SBA are completely free. Private sector certifications like NMSDC and WBENC charge annual fees based on your revenue. And certification consultants? They can charge thousands.
This guide breaks down the real costs for every major certification program so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Here is what you will actually pay for the most common supplier diversity certifications:
| Certification | Issuing Body | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 8(a) Business Development | SBA | Free |
| WOSB / EDWOSB | SBA | Free |
| HUBZone | SBA | Free |
| SDVOSB / VOSB | SBA | Free |
| State DBE | State DOTs | Free (most states) |
| State MBE / WBE | State agencies | Free (most states; some cities charge $250) |
| MBE (NMSDC) | NMSDC | $300 - $1,700/year |
| WBE (WBENC) | WBENC | $350 - $1,250/year |
| LGBTBE (NGLCC) | NGLCC | $899 new / $499 renewal |
| DOBE (Disability:IN) | Disability:IN | ~$350/year |
| VBE (NaVOBA) | NaVOBA | $350+ (valid 3 years) |
Key takeaway: If you only pursue federal certifications, your total cost is $0. If you add private sector certifications for corporate opportunities, budget $300 to $1,250 per year depending on your revenue.
Federal Certifications: All FreeEvery federal certification administered by the SBA is free to apply for and free to maintain. There are no application fees, no processing fees, and no annual renewal fees. All applications go through the unified certifications.sba.gov portal.
This includes:
- 8(a) Business Development Program — For socially and economically disadvantaged business owners. Opens access to sole-source contracts up to $4 million and competitive set-asides.
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) — Opens access to the federal 5% WOSB set-aside goal.
- HUBZone — For businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Provides a 10% price evaluation preference on federal contracts.
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) / VOSB — Opens access to the 3% federal SDVOSB contracting goal.
The only cost is your time. 8(a) applications typically take 90-180 days to process. WOSB and HUBZone applications are faster, usually 30-90 days.
State and Local Certifications: Mostly FreeDBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification through state DOTs is free in every state. This is the certification you need for federally funded transportation and infrastructure contracts.
State MBE and WBE programs are free in most states, including Maryland, Virginia, New York, California, New Jersey (fee waived since 2021), and many others.
Exceptions: A few city-level programs charge fees. Chicago charges $250 for MBE/WBE certification. Cook County, Illinois also charges $250. But these are the exception, not the rule.
State certifications are often the fastest to process (30-90 days) and open access to state-funded contracts and set-asides that many business owners overlook.
NMSDC MBE Certification: $300 - $1,700/YearThe National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) for access to Fortune 500 corporate supplier diversity programs. This is the gold standard for corporate opportunities.
Fees are set by your regional affiliate council and vary by your annual revenue:
- Under $1 million revenue: approximately $300/year
- $1 million - $10 million: approximately $550/year
- $10 million - $50 million: approximately $850/year
- Over $50 million: approximately $1,250 - $1,700/year
Important: NMSDC fees vary by regional council. Some councils like CRMSDC charge a flat $350 regardless of revenue. Contact your local council to confirm exact fees before applying.
NMSDC certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Processing time is typically 60-90 days.
WBENC WBE Certification: $350 - $1,250/YearThe Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certifies Women's Business Enterprises (WBE) and is the most widely recognized women-owned credential in the corporate sector. More than 500 Fortune 500 companies use WBENC certification in their supplier diversity programs.
WBENC charges a single combined fee for new applications and annual recertification:
- Under $1 million revenue: $350/year
- $1 million - $5 million: $500/year
- $5 million - $10 million: $750/year
- $10 million - $50 million: $1,000/year
- Over $50 million: $1,250/year
Fees are based on gross revenue from your most recent federal tax return. Some Regional Partner Organizations offer scholarship assistance for first-time applicants with revenue under $500K.
Bonus: WBENC is an SBA-approved third-party certifier. Applying for WBENC can simultaneously get you SBA WOSB certification — two certifications for the price of one.
NGLCC LGBTBE Certification: $899 New / $499 RenewalThe National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certifies LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE). The new application fee is $899, with annual recertification at $499.
NGLCC offers fee waivers for applicants who show proof of membership with a local NGLCC affiliate chamber. JPMorgan Chase also sponsors a scholarship program that covers the full certification fee for eligible LGBTQ+ business owners.
Other Private Sector CertificationsDisability:IN DOBE — Disability-Owned Business Enterprise certification costs approximately $350 per year. Disability:IN does not publish its fee schedule publicly, so confirm directly at portal.disabilityin.org.
NaVOBA VBE/SDVBE — Veteran Business Enterprise certification starts at $350 and scales with revenue. Unlike most certifications, NaVOBA certification is valid for three years, making the effective annual cost lower.
What About Certification Consultants?Certification consultants help businesses prepare and submit applications. Very few publish their pricing openly, but here is what we found from firms with public rates:
- Full-service 8(a) application preparation: Published prices range from $3,000 to $6,700 for complete packages that include eligibility analysis, document preparation, narrative writing, and application submission
- Eligibility analysis only: $300-$500 for a 30-90 minute consultation
- Hourly consulting: Some firms charge $99-$200 per hour
For NMSDC MBE or WBENC WBE applications, consultants typically charge $500-$3,000 for application preparation, though most firms provide custom quotes rather than published prices.
The question is whether you need a consultant at all. Federal certifications (8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB) can be completed without one — the SBA portal guides you through each step. Private sector certifications (NMSDC, WBENC) have more complex documentation requirements, which is where guided services add the most value.
Total Cost: What to BudgetHere are three common scenarios:
Scenario 1: Federal Only (Government Contracts)
8(a) + WOSB + HUBZone through SBA = $0
Best for: Businesses focused on federal contracting
Scenario 2: Federal + State (Government at All Levels)
SBA certifications + state DBE or MBE/WBE = $0 (most states)
Best for: Businesses targeting federal, state, and local contracts
Scenario 3: Federal + State + Corporate (Maximum Opportunities)
SBA certifications + state programs + NMSDC MBE or WBENC WBE = $300 - $1,250/year
Best for: Businesses pursuing both government and Fortune 500 corporate contracts
The highest-value strategy for most diverse businesses is Scenario 3: get your free federal and state certifications first, then add the private sector credential that matches your ownership (NMSDC for minority-owned, WBENC for women-owned, etc.) to unlock corporate opportunities.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I get certified for free?
Yes. All federal certifications (8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB) are free through the SBA. Most state certifications (DBE, MBE, WBE) are also free. If you only need government certifications, your total cost is $0.
Which certification should I get first?
Start with the free ones. If you qualify for 8(a) or WOSB, apply through the SBA portal first. Then add your state certification. Once those are in process, consider NMSDC or WBENC if you want corporate opportunities. Our certification quiz can help you determine which certifications match your business.
Are certification fees tax-deductible?
Generally yes. Certification fees are a normal business expense and are typically deductible. Consult your accountant for your specific situation.
Is it worth paying for NMSDC or WBENC if federal is free?
It depends on your goals. NMSDC and WBENC open doors to Fortune 500 corporate supplier diversity programs — opportunities you cannot access with SBA certifications alone. If your target customers include large corporations, the $300-$1,250 annual fee can pay for itself with a single contract.
Do I need a consultant to get certified?
No. Every certification can be completed without a consultant. The SBA portal guides you through federal applications. For private sector certifications, services like CertifyAll ($299) provide guided preparation at a fraction of consultant rates.
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