Which Diversity Certification Should You Get First? A Decision Guide for 2026
The right diversity certification depends on who you're selling to, not which credential sounds most impressive. Answer four questions about your target …
The Journal
Working coverage of certifications, corporate procurement, federal contracting, financing, and the operators making each work for diverse-owned businesses. Every piece checked against primary sources.
Find my certifications →The right diversity certification depends on who you're selling to, not which credential sounds most impressive. Answer four questions about your target …
Connecticut's MWBE certification is administered by the Department of Administrative Services and opens the door to state contracting set-asides. This guide walks …
The 8(a) mentor-protege program lets a small 8(a) firm joint venture with a large business mentor and bid on contracts the small …
The federal government spends more than $750 billion a year on contracts — and federal law requires at least 23% of that …
CDW accepts supplier registrations through its online vendor portal and actively seeks certified diverse businesses for IT hardware, software, and professional services. …
Diverse-owned staffing agencies can access billions in annual spend through MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and DBE certifications. This guide covers which certifications apply, …
AIM Specialty Health, renamed Carelon Medical Benefits Management in March 2023, sources through Elevance Health's supplier diversity program, which manages registration and …
A certified minority labor provider is a minority-owned temporary staffing or labor contractor that holds one or more certifications (MBE, DBE, SBA …
The District of Columbia runs its own certification programs separate from federal set-asides, and DC law requires prime contractors on many publicly-funded …
WOSB certification qualifies woman-owned small businesses to compete for federal set-aside contracts managed by the SBA. This guide covers every eligibility rule, …
Virginia's DBE program is administered by VDOT and grants certified firms access to transportation contracts on federally funded projects. This guide covers …
Maryland's MDOT MBE program is one of the largest state-level minority and women business certification programs in the country, with an annual …
The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program requires 51% ownership by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual with personal net worth under $850,000. …
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Most of what gets covered here turns into a question of which certification you should pursue first. The eligibility quiz checks your business against every certification we track and returns a ranked list with the buyers each opens.