How to Find Certified Diverse Suppliers

National third-party certifier directories

Independent councils certify diverse businesses and run the searchable directories most corporate supplier diversity teams use. Each covers a different ownership category.

Government and federal directories

Public-sector buyers and prime contractors with subcontracting goals source through government registries rather than the corporate councils.

• Federal set-asides: SAM.gov is the system of record for federal contractors. You can filter by socioeconomic status, including 8(a), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), and HUBZone.
• State DBE directories: every state runs a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise directory through its Unified Certification Program for federally funded transportation work. Start from our state programs directory to reach each one.
• State and local MBE/WBE: many states and cities keep their own certified minority- and women-owned business directories (for example, Virginia's SWaM and DBE directory). Our state pages link to each program's official portal.

On SupplierDiversity.com

We keep the map of who certifies what and who accepts it, so you can go from a certification to the right directory quickly.

• Certifying bodies directory (11 bodies): every council and government office, what it certifies, and how to verify.
• Corporate supplier diversity programs: which companies run programs and which certifications they accept.
• State programs (139 programs): the certification and directory for each state.

How to verify a supplier's certification

A certificate PDF is not proof on its own. Before you count a supplier toward a diverse spend goal or a subcontracting plan, confirm the certification directly:

1. Ask which body issued the certification and the certification number or business name on file.
2. Search that body's own directory (linked above) and confirm the record is active, not expired.
3. Check the ownership category matches what you need. MBE, WBE, DBE, and 8(a) are not interchangeable, and each buyer program counts them differently.

Our certification guides explain what each certification requires and who issues it, so you know what a legitimate certificate should show.

Sourcing guides by state

Some buyers need certified diverse firms in a specific state. These guides cover each state's official directory, its regional minority supplier council, and how to verify a certification there.

• Find certified diverse suppliers in Maryland
• Find certified diverse suppliers in Virginia
• Find certified diverse suppliers in Washington, D.C.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one directory of all certified diverse suppliers?

No. Certification is issued by different bodies for different ownership types, and each keeps its own directory. Buyers search the directory that matches the certification they need, or use an aggregator. Our certifying-bodies directory maps them in one place.

What is the difference between MBE and DBE?

MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) is a corporate certification issued by NMSDC affiliates for supplier diversity programs. DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) is a government certification for federally funded transportation contracts, issued by state Unified Certification Programs. A firm can hold both.

How do I find certified diverse subcontractors in a specific state?

Use the state's DBE directory and its state MBE/WBE directory for local firms, plus the regional NMSDC council for that area. Our state programs directory links to each state's official portal.