How long does each diversity certification take? Costs and timelines for 2026
Federal certifications are free but take 3–18 months; private certifications cost $350–$1,250 and process in 60–120 days. Here's the full breakdown before …
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 →Reader tools
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.