WBE Certification in Florida
Complete guide to getting Women Business Enterprise certified in Florida, requirements, documents, costs, and step-by-step application process.
How WBE certification works in Florida
Florida certifies woman-owned businesses under its minority business enterprise statute: Florida Statutes 288.703 names an American woman as a minority person, and eligibility requires a Florida-domiciled small business. The office behind it is where things get murky. The Department of Management Services now brands the function the Office of Supplier Development, formerly the Office of Supplier Diversity, and the 2026 legislature twice tried to repeal MBE and WBE certification outright. Both bills died, HB 5207 in the Senate in March 2026 and HB 5207E in conference in May 2026, so the statutory program stands.
Practical consequence: treat the state certification as real but unstable. The statute requires recertification at least every two years, and DMS does not currently publish fee or processing details on pages we could verify, so confirm current requirements with the office directly before applying. We do not repeat third-party claims about the program here because the official pages would not confirm them.
The stable route for revenue is WBENC. WBEC Florida, formerly the Women's Business Development Council of Florida, is the WBENC regional partner covering Florida except the Panhandle (which belongs to WBEC South), plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. WBENC's standardized fees run $350 to $1,250 by revenue tier, with a 3% card processing surcharge effective July 1, 2026. That is the credential Florida's hospitality, healthcare, and retail supplier diversity programs verify.
What is WBE Certification?
For businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more women.
Eligibility Requirements
Must be at least 51% owned by women who are U.S. citizens.
Where to Get WBE Certified in Florida
WBEC Florida
Certifies women-owned businesses to the WBENC standard for corporate supplier diversity programs. Panhandle firms fall under WBEC South instead.
Official site →Florida DMS, Office of Supplier Development
Administers Florida's business certification under the minority business statutes, which include American women. Recertification is required at least every two years by statute; confirm current fees and process with the office.
Official site →Coverage areas and contacts for every certifier we track are in the certifying body directory.
Where Florida's state program stands in 2026
The 2026 session put the program's future in play: HB 5207 passed the Florida House 90-17 before dying in the Senate in March, and its special-session successor HB 5207E died in conference in May. Until the legislature passes a repeal, sections 287.09451 and 288.703 keep the office and the certification in law.
For a woman-owned firm deciding where to spend effort, the read is straightforward: the WBENC credential through WBEC Florida is where corporate money verifies, and it is untouched by the state's churn. Hold the state certification too if you sell to Florida agencies, and watch the 2027 session.
Required Documents for WBE
| Document | Status | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Chart | Required | Create using tools like Lucidchart, Microsoft Visio, or PowerPoint. |
| Business Tax Returns (3 Years) | Required | Request copies from your accountant or download from IRS.gov using Form 4506-T. |
| Government-Issued Photo ID | Required | If expired, visit your local DMV or apply for passport renewal at usps.com or travel.state.gov. |
| Affidavit of Ownership | Required | Each certifying body provides their own form. Download from their website or request. |
| Operating Agreement or Bylaws | Required | Draft with an attorney or use a legal template service. Must reflect current ownership accurately. |
| Personal Tax Returns (3 Years) | Required | From your tax preparer or IRS.gov. All owners with 10%+ ownership typically need to provide. |
| Lease Agreement or Deed | Required | From your landlord (lease) or county recorder's office (deed). |
| Bank Statements (6-12 Months) | Required | Download from your online banking portal or request from your bank. |
| Existing Certification Copies | Recommended | From your certification files or download from the certifying body's portal. |
| Birth Certificate | Recommended | Request from the vital records office in your birth state. Many states offer online ordering through vitalchek.com. |
| Stock Certificates or Membership Certificates | Recommended | Issue through your corporate records. Consult your attorney if not previously issued. |
| Business Financial Statements | Recommended | Generate from your accounting software or have your accountant prepare. |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Recommended | Request from your state's Secretary of State office. Most states offer instant online certificates. |
How to Apply for WBE in Florida
- **Step 1: Identify your Regional Partner Organization (RPO)**
- WBENC does not process applications directly. All certification goes through one of 14 RPOs. Go to wbenc.org to find your RPO based on your state. Each RPO has its own staff, portal instructions, and site-visit scheduling process. Read your RPO's specific application guide before starting — requirements for supporting documents can vary slightly.
- **Step 2: Prepare documents before opening the application**
- The WBENCLink portal (wbenclink.net) can time out mid-session. Gather everything first: three years of business tax returns, current P&L and balance sheet, articles of incorporation or organization and all amendments, operating agreement or corporate bylaws showing the woman owner's role and percentage, stock certificates or membership ledger, government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate), bank signature cards or resolutions, and any major signed contracts that demonstrate the woman's authority.
- **Step 3: Complete the application at WBENCLink**
- Create your WBENCLink account at wbenclink.net and fill out the full application. The application covers ownership percentages, control documentation, management structure, financial overview, and business capabilities. Precision matters — reviewers cross-reference every answer against your supporting documents.
- **Step 4: Pay the application fee**
- Fees are set by each RPO and scale with company revenue: $350 for businesses under $1M, up to $1,000-$1,250 for larger companies. Some RPOs charge a flat fee; others use a tiered scale. Most require payment before review begins.
- **Step 5: Application review**
- Your RPO reviews the application for completeness and compliance. If anything is missing or inconsistent, they will issue a deficiency notice. Respond within their stated deadline. Slow responses add weeks.
- **Step 6: Site visit**
- After review, an RPO representative conducts an on-site verification at your actual business location. The woman owner must be present and lead the meeting. The reviewer will inspect the workspace, speak with employees, and verify that the business matches the application. Home offices qualify — reviewers visit them.
- **Step 7: Certification committee decision**
- The RPO's certification committee reviews the completed file, including site-visit notes. Most RPOs issue a decision within 90 days of a complete application. Once approved, your WBE status is active in WBENCLink and visible to all 350+ corporate members in the national database.
Corporate Programs Accepting WBE
These companies have supplier diversity programs that accept WBE certification:
Amazon
Amazon Supplier Diversity helps us build a more inclusive supply chain by partnering with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with …
View program details →Apple Inc.
Apple is committed to increasing opportunity for diverse suppliers. We partner with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
View program details →AT&T Inc.
AT&T has been a pioneer in supplier diversity since 1968. We are committed to ensuring diverse businesses have access to opportunities.
View program details →Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense systems, and space technology. Their Supplier Diversity program has been …
View program details →General Motors
GM has been a leader in supplier diversity for over 50 years. We are committed to increasing opportunities for diverse businesses in the automotive supply …
View program details →Google (Alphabet Inc.)
Google is committed to building a diverse supply chain that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek partnerships with certified diverse businesses.
View program details →Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has been a leader in supplier diversity for over 25 years. We believe diverse suppliers drive innovation in healthcare.
View program details →JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase is committed to building a diverse supply chain. We actively seek partnerships with minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ+, and disability-owned businesses.
View program details →Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is the world's largest defense contractor with over $65 billion in annual revenue, primarily from U.S. government contracts. Their Supplier Diversity program actively …
View program details →McKesson
McKesson is a Fortune 8 healthcare company providing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies distribution, healthcare IT, and care management. They serve government healthcare programs including VA …
View program details →Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft believes diversity drives innovation. Our supplier diversity program ensures certified diverse businesses have equitable access to procurement opportunities.
View program details →Target Corporation
Target is committed to creating inclusive economic opportunities. We actively source from diverse suppliers to reflect the communities we serve.
View program details →U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
The Department of Defense is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, with an annual budget exceeding $700 billion. DoD has …
View program details →U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
The DOT DBE program is unique because it applies to ALL transportation projects receiving federal funding - highways, transit, airports, and more. This means state …
View program details →U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA is the second-largest federal agency and has a special mission to support veteran-owned businesses. Under the Veterans First Contracting Program, VA gives priority …
View program details →Need help getting WBE certified?
CertifyAll handles your application end-to-end. Documents, forms, agency submission. Flat $399.
Learn about CertifyAllNot sure which certifications you qualify for?
The 2-minute quiz matches your business to every certification you can apply for.
Take the certification quizAll Florida Certification Programs
Florida DOT DBE Program , DBE (Transportation)
Florida Office of Supplier Diversity , MBE/WBE Certification
Florida Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program , Veteran-Owned
Florida Small Business Development Center Network , Small Business
WBE in Florida: common questions
Does Florida certify women-owned businesses?
Yes. Florida Statutes 288.703 defines minority person to include an American woman, so woman-owned firms certify under the state's minority business enterprise program, run by the DMS office now branded Supplier Development. The firm must be a Florida-domiciled small business.
Is Florida's certification program being eliminated?
The 2026 legislature tried twice and failed twice: HB 5207 died in the Senate in March 2026 and HB 5207E died in conference in May 2026. The statutory program remains in force, but the repeated attempts are why we call it unstable and suggest not building a strategy on it alone.
What does WBENC certification cost in Florida?
WBENC's standardized schedule runs $350 to $1,250 annually by revenue tier, plus a 3% card processing surcharge effective July 1, 2026. WBEC Florida administers certification for most of the state; Panhandle firms go through WBEC South.
Which certification should a Florida WBE get first?
If your buyers are corporations, WBENC through WBEC Florida; it is the credential supplier diversity programs verify and it is unaffected by the state office's instability. Add the state certification for Florida agency work once the WBENC file is done, since the documentation overlaps.
Sources
Every fee, portal link, and program fact above was checked against these official sources in July 2026. Requirements change; the certifying body's own site is always the final word.