If you own a women-owned business and want access to Fortune 500 corporate supply chains, WBENC certification is the credential that opens those doors.
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest third-party certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States. More than 18,000 businesses hold WBENC certification, and more than 500 corporations — most of them Fortune 500 — use it as a core part of their supplier diversity programs.
This guide covers everything you need to apply: eligibility requirements, required documents, fees, the step-by-step process, and tips to strengthen your application.
WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) was founded in 1997 when five women's business development organizations partnered with several corporations to create a national standard for women-owned business certification. The goal was to eliminate barriers women-owned businesses faced when trying to access corporate supply chains.
Today, WBENC is the gold standard for corporate supplier diversity. Key facts:
- 18,000+ certified Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs)
- 500+ corporate members, most Fortune 500 companies
- 700+ companies and government agencies use WBENC certification in their supplier diversity programs
- 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) across the country
WBENC certification tells corporate buyers: this business has been independently verified as majority women-owned and women-controlled. That verification is what gets you into supplier portals, matchmaking events, and procurement pipelines that are otherwise closed.
Who Qualifies for WBENC Certification?To qualify, your business must meet all of the following requirements:
- Ownership: At least 51% owned by one or more women
- U.S. Citizenship: The woman or women constituting majority ownership must be U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents
- Management Control: Women must hold the highest-ranking officer position in the company (CEO, President, Managing Member, etc.)
- Day-to-Day Operations: Women must manage and control daily business operations
- Unrestricted Authority: Legal documents cannot give non-women owners veto power or override authority over the women owners
- Capital or Expertise Contribution: Documented evidence that the woman owner(s) contributed capital investment and/or industry expertise
No size limit: Unlike SBA WOSB certification, WBENC has no revenue or employee caps. Businesses of any size can apply.
How Much Does WBENC Certification Cost?WBENC charges one combined annual fee that covers both the application and certification. The same fee applies to new applications and annual recertification:
| Annual Gross Revenue | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $1 million | $350 |
| $1 million - $5 million | $500 |
| $5 million - $10 million | $750 |
| $10 million - $50 million | $1,000 |
| Over $50 million | $1,250 |
Revenue is based on your most recent federal tax return. Fees are non-refundable.
Some RPOs offer scholarship assistance for first-time applicants with revenue under $500K — ask your Regional Partner Organization about available support.
Required DocumentsWBENC requires extensive documentation. Gather everything before you start — incomplete applications are the #1 cause of delays.
Identity and Ownership Documents:
- Sworn Affidavit (notarized, signed by majority woman owner)
- Government-issued photo ID for all woman owners
- Resumes for all owners, C-suite members, and bank signers
Business Formation Documents:
- Articles of Organization or Incorporation
- Operating Agreement (LLCs) or Bylaws (corporations)
- All stock certificates and stock ledger (corporations)
- Board meeting minutes (corporations)
- History of the business (2-3 paragraph narrative)
Financial Documents:
- 3 years of company federal tax returns
- Year-end Profit and Loss statement
- Year-end Balance Sheet
- Loan or line of credit agreements
- Proof of equity investment
- W-2s for every owner and C-suite member
- Bank signature card or authorization
Operations Documents:
- Business license (if required by your industry)
- Employee list with positions and tenure
- Most recent payroll documentation
- Commercial real estate lease or home office documentation
- Equipment and vehicle agreements
- Sworn Affidavit (notarized)
- Government photo ID for all woman owners
- Articles of Organization or Incorporation
- Operating Agreement or Bylaws
- 3 years of company federal tax returns
- Year-end P&L and Balance Sheet
- Loan and credit agreements
- W-2s for all owners and executives
- Bank signature card
- Employee list
- Business license (if applicable)
- Lease or home office documentation
Here is exactly how WBENC certification works, from start to finish:
Step 1: Find Your Regional Partner Organization (RPO)
WBENC processes applications through 14 Regional Partner Organizations. Visit wbenc.org/regional-partner-organizations to find which RPO serves your state. Your RPO is your main point of contact throughout the process.
Step 2: Create Your Account in WBENCLink2.0
WBENCLink2.0 is WBENC's online portal where the entire application process lives. Create your account, which also signs you up for the WBENCLink supplier database.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Select your revenue tier and pay the annual fee ($350-$1,250). This is non-refundable.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Fill out your business information and upload all required documents. Take your time — incomplete submissions are sent back and cause delays.
Step 5: RPO Staff Review (2-4 weeks)
Your RPO reviews the application for completeness. They may request additional documents or ask clarifying questions.
Step 6: Certification Committee Review (~30 days)
An anonymous volunteer committee reviews the complete application package. Committee members are trained to evaluate ownership and control documentation.
Step 7: Site Visit or Interview (~1 hour)
A certification staff member or trained volunteer conducts a meeting with the woman owner(s). This can be in-person or virtual. All women constituting the 51%+ ownership must be present.
Step 8: Certification Decision
Your RPO issues a decision within 90 days of receiving a complete application. If approved, you receive a certificate valid for one year listing your applicable industry codes.
Official timeline: Up to 90 days from the date the application is deemed complete.
Realistic timeline: 3-4 months total from starting your application to receiving a decision. The breakdown:
- Document gathering and application preparation: 2-4 weeks (depends on you)
- RPO completeness review and Q&A: 2-4 weeks
- Certification Committee review: approximately 30 days
- Site visit scheduling and completion: approximately 30 days
Recertification (no ownership changes, clean documents): As fast as 2-3 weeks.
The biggest variable is document preparation. If you have your financials organized and legal documents current, the application itself can be completed in a few focused hours.
WBENC vs. SBA WOSB: What Is the Difference?Many women-owned businesses wonder whether they need WBENC, WOSB, or both. Here is the comparison:
| Factor | WBENC (WBE) | SBA (WOSB) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | WBENC (private non-profit) | SBA (federal agency) |
| Primary use | Corporate procurement | Federal contracting |
| Cost | $350-$1,250/year | Free |
| Business size cap | None | Must meet SBA small business size standards |
| Processing time | Up to 90 days | Typically 30-90 days |
| Accepted by | Fortune 500 corporations | Federal agencies |
| Set-aside access | Corporate supplier diversity programs | 5% federal WOSB set-aside |
| Site visit | Yes | No |
The best strategy: Get both. WBENC is an SBA-approved third-party certifier, so applying through WBENC can simultaneously qualify you for SBA WOSB certification — giving you access to both corporate and federal opportunities from a single application process.
Benefits of WBENC CertificationWBENC certification provides real, measurable benefits:
- Access to Fortune 500 supply chains — The vast majority of Fortune 1000 corporations require WBENC certification for their supplier diversity programs
- WBENCLink database listing — Corporate procurement teams actively search this database for certified WBE suppliers
- WBENC National Conference — Annual event with 2,500+ attendees and direct access to corporate procurement decision-makers
- RPO networking and matchmaking — Local events connecting WBEs with corporate members
- "Women Owned" brand — Licensed use of the WBENC "Women Owned" logo on your website, packaging, and storefront
- Business development programs — Mentorship, executive education, and capacity building through your RPO
- Dual certification pathway — Simultaneous SBA WOSB certification for federal contracting
1. Review your legal documents first. Your operating agreement, bylaws, or partnership agreement must clearly show that the woman owner has unrestricted control. If it does not, amend it before applying.
2. Get your financials audit-ready. Three years of clean tax returns, current P&L, and balance sheet. If your books are messy, clean them up before you apply.
3. Write a strong business history narrative. WBENC asks for a 2-3 paragraph history of the business. Emphasize the woman owner's role in founding, building, and controlling the company.
4. Prepare for the site visit. Have the woman owner ready to speak knowledgeably about every aspect of the business — financials, operations, strategy, employees, key clients. The interviewer is verifying that the woman owner truly runs the business.
5. Respond to questions quickly. When your RPO requests additional documents or clarification, respond within 48 hours. Delays on your side push back the entire timeline.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan my business be certified if my husband is also an owner?
Yes, as long as the woman owner holds at least 51% ownership AND has unrestricted management and operational control. The husband's ownership share must be less than 49%, and the legal documents must not give him veto or override authority.
I already have SBA WOSB certification. Do I still need WBENC?
It depends on your goals. SBA WOSB gives you access to federal contracts only. WBENC opens access to Fortune 500 corporate supplier diversity programs. If you want corporate opportunities, WBENC is essential — most corporations do not accept SBA WOSB alone.
How do I find my Regional Partner Organization?
Visit wbenc.org/regional-partner-organizations. WBENC has 14 RPOs covering all 50 states. Enter your state to find which RPO processes your application.
What happens if my application is denied?
You can reapply after addressing the issues cited in the denial. Common reasons include insufficient documentation of ownership or control. Your RPO can provide guidance on what to fix.
Can a nonprofit get WBENC certified?
No. WBENC certification is only available to for-profit businesses. The business must be a privately held enterprise.
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