Who qualifies for VBE?
VBE eligibility requires veteran status, honorable discharge, and genuine 51% ownership and control. There is no disability requirement.
Veteran status
- Must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force
- Discharge must be under honorable conditions: honorable discharge, general under honorable conditions, or medical separation
- Other-than-honorable and dishonorable discharges do not qualify
- Reservists and National Guard members who completed active duty service qualify if discharge meets the above standard
Ownership
- At least 51% unconditionally owned by one or more veterans who are U.S. citizens
- Ownership must reflect genuine equity, not a nominal arrangement created to qualify
- For corporations: veterans must own at least 51% of all voting stock
- For LLCs: veterans must hold at least 51% of membership interests without override provisions that give non-veteran members effective control
Control: management and operations
- Veteran owner(s) must hold the highest officer position (President, CEO, or Managing Member)
- Veteran owner(s) must control day-to-day operations and make long-term strategic decisions
- Management authority cannot be effectively delegated to non-veteran individuals through employment agreements or informal arrangements
Business requirements
- For-profit enterprise operating in the U.S.
- No specific years-in-business minimum, though newer businesses may be asked for additional evidence of operations
- Independent business: not a subsidiary or affiliate where a non-veteran entity exercises control
How to apply for VBE
Step 1: Locate your DD-214 before anything else Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the foundational document for VBE certification. It must clearly show your character of discharge. If you need a replacement, request it through the National Archives milrecs.militaryrecords.archives.gov (allow 3-4 weeks for standard requests). Start here if there's any doubt about your DD-214 status.
Step 2: Gather your full document package Before opening the NaVOBA application, collect: DD-214, articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreement or bylaws showing the veteran owner's percentage and management authority, stock certificates or membership ledger, government-issued photo ID, two to three years of business tax returns, current financial statements (P&L and balance sheet), business license, and a representative signed contract or purchase order. Complete preparation prevents mid-session delays.
Step 3: Create your NaVOBA account and complete the application at navoba.org Register at navoba.org/certification/ and work through the application. Sections cover veteran status documentation, ownership structure, management authority, and business profile. Be precise and consistent; any discrepancy between application answers and uploaded documents will trigger a follow-up request.
Step 4: Pay the application fee NaVOBA fees scale with company size, typically $400-$700. Verify the current fee schedule at navoba.org before starting the application. Payment is generally required before review begins.
Step 5: NaVOBA review NaVOBA staff reviews the application and supporting documents. For some applicants this includes a follow-up request for clarification or additional documentation. Respond within any stated deadline to avoid delays.
Step 6: Certification decision NaVOBA targets a decision within 30-60 days of a complete application. Once certified, you are listed in NaVOBA's veteran supplier database and can begin using the VBE certification mark.
What you'll need to apply
Veteran Documentation:
- DD-214 showing honorable discharge
Ownership Documents:
- Articles of incorporation/organization
- Operating agreement or bylaws
- Stock certificates or membership documents
Business Documents:
- Business licenses
- Tax returns
- Financial statements
- Lease agreements
What VBE unlocks
Access to corporate veteran supplier diversity programs NaVOBA's corporate members include companies with formal veteran-owned business commitments in their supplier diversity programs. Certified VBEs are listed in NaVOBA's searchable supplier database, which corporate procurement teams use when building diverse vendor pipelines.
VBE certification mark The NaVOBA VBE mark is the recognized credential for veteran-owned business status in corporate procurement. You can use it in bid submissions, capability statements, corporate portal registrations, and marketing materials.
NaVOBA Corporate Connections Conference NaVOBA hosts an annual event bringing together corporate procurement executives and certified VBEs for matchmaking and networking. Regional chapter events provide additional touchpoints throughout the year for relationship-building with corporate partners.
Corporate market access with no disability requirement VBE fills the gap for veterans who built successful businesses without a service-connected disability and therefore don't qualify for SDVOSB. Corporate supplier diversity programs increasingly recognize veteran status independently of disability status. VBE is the primary credential for accessing that segment.
Combination with SDVOSB Veterans who do have a service-connected disability and hold SBA VetCert SDVOSB certification can also pursue VBE for corporate market access. SDVOSB covers federal contracts; VBE covers corporate procurement. The two credentials serve different buyers and don't overlap.
Where applicants get tripped up
1. If you have any service-connected disability, pursue SDVOSB first. SBA VetCert SDVOSB certification is free, unlocks federal set-asides with $5M/$8.5M sole-source authority, and gives you enhanced VA contract access. After securing SDVOSB, add VBE for corporate market access. VBE alone, without SDVOSB, leaves significant federal contracting opportunity on the table.
2. DD-214 must show honorable discharge conditions. General under honorable conditions qualifies. Medical separation qualifies. Other-than-honorable does not. Verify the character of service listed on your DD-214 before applying. If you served in multiple periods, the DD-214 from each period will be examined.
3. Ownership documents must be unambiguous about control. A 51% veteran ownership stake that comes with operating agreement provisions giving a non-veteran co-owner veto rights, management authority, or override capability undermines the control requirement. Have your governing documents reviewed before applying.
4. The corporate VBE market is distinct from the federal SDVOSB market. NaVOBA's corporate members are not the same buyers as federal contracting officers. If you've focused exclusively on federal contracting, building a corporate pipeline requires a different approach: supplier diversity program registrations, matchmaking conferences, and corporate portal enrollment are the primary channels.
5. Register in corporate supplier portals after certification. NaVOBA's database is one access point, but major corporations also maintain their own supplier portals. After certification, proactively register in the portals of companies you want to pursue. Your VBE number is the credential these systems require for veteran-owned verification.
6. Attend NaVOBA's Corporate Connections Conference. Direct matchmaking with corporate procurement executives is the fastest path to building relationships with NaVOBA's member companies. Regional chapter events provide more frequent but smaller-scale access.
7. Annual renewal requires updated documentation. VBE certification must be renewed annually with updated financial documents and a confirmation of continued eligibility. Keep your financials current year-round to avoid a last-minute renewal scramble.
Keeping your VBE certification active
Annual renewal required with updated documentation and fees.
Organizations that issue VBE
Companies that accept VBE
96 corporate programs accept VBE. First 12 below.
- Amazon f100
- Apple Inc. f100
- AT&T Inc. f100
- Boeing f500
- General Motors f100
- Google (Alphabet Inc.) f100
- Johnson & Johnson f100
- JPMorgan Chase f100
- Lockheed Martin f500
- McKesson f500
- Microsoft Corporation f100
- Target Corporation f100
Questions applicants ask about VBE
What is the difference between NaVOBA VBE and SBA VetCert SDVOSB?
These are completely different programs for different markets. NaVOBA VBE is a private-sector certification for corporate supplier diversity programs. SBA VetCert SDVOSB is a federal government certification that unlocks set-aside and sole-source contracts with federal agencies, with enhanced authority for VA contracts. VBE does not require a service-connected disability; SDVOSB does. If you have a service-connected disability, pursue SDVOSB first through veterans.certify.sba.gov; it is free and provides federal contract access that VBE does not.
Can I use VBE certification for federal contracting?
VBE is a private-sector credential for corporate procurement programs. It does not qualify you for federal small business set-asides or veteran preference programs. For federal contracting as a veteran-owned firm, register in SAM.gov and, if you have a service-connected disability, apply for SDVOSB through SBA VetCert.
I have a service-connected disability. Should I get VBE or SDVOSB?
Pursue SDVOSB first; it is free and unlocks federal set-aside and sole-source authority. Then add VBE for corporate market access. The two certifications serve different buyers and holding both expands your total market reach.
How much does VBE certification cost?
NaVOBA fees typically range from $400-$700 depending on company size, plus an annual renewal fee. Verify the current fee schedule at navoba.org before applying. This is a private-sector fee; unlike SBA SDVOSB, VBE certification is not free.
How long does VBE certification take?
NaVOBA targets 30-60 days from a complete application. Having your DD-214 and business documents ready before starting prevents delays. Apply before you need the certification for a specific corporate bid or supplier portal registration.
I served in the National Guard. Do I qualify?
National Guard and Reserve members qualify if they completed active duty service with a discharge under honorable conditions. Service performed exclusively in a reserve capacity without activation to active duty may not satisfy the veteran definition. Review your DD-214 and contact NaVOBA if you have questions about your specific service record.