Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation Featured
Cost: Free
| 60-120 days
Featured Organizations
All Certifying Bodies (11)
System for Award Management
Cost: Free
| 7-10 days
U.S. Department of Transportation
Cost: Free
| 90 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a certifying body?
A certifying body is an organization authorized to verify and certify that a business qualifies as diverse-owned. These include national organizations like NMSDC and WBENC, federal agencies like the SBA, regional affiliates, and state government offices. Each issues certifications recognized by different buyers and programs.
What's the difference between national and regional certifying bodies?
National organizations like NMSDC and WBENC set certification standards and are recognized nationwide. Regional affiliates process applications and conduct site visits in specific geographic areas. For example, NMSDC has regional councils like GMSDC (Georgia) and WRMSDC (Western region) that certify businesses in their territories.
Which certifying body should I apply to?
Choose based on your target market and ownership. For corporate contracts, apply to NMSDC (minority), WBENC (women), NGLCC (LGBTQ+), NaVOBA (veteran), or Disability:IN (disability). For federal contracts, apply to SBA programs (8a, WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone). For state/local contracts, apply to your state's certification office.
Do I need to be certified by multiple organizations?
It depends on your business goals. If you want corporate and federal opportunities, you may need both private certifications (NMSDC, WBENC) and federal certifications (8a, WOSB). Many diverse business owners hold 3-5 certifications to maximize opportunities, though each requires separate applications and fees.