State Certifications

State-level certifications provide easier qualification criteria compared to federal certifications. If your entity is relatively new or not generating sufficient revenue, State Certifications offer an opportunity to access millions of dollars in set-asides.

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WBE
MBE
DBE
VBE/SDVBE

Certifications may vary from state to state, but the following certifications are commonly found throughout the United States.

While WBE (Women-Business Enterprise), MBE (Minority-Business Enterprise), and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) state certifications are widespread, LvLupmybiz also provides services for other certifications, such as:

MWBE
WBENC
NWBC
NMSDC MBE
DVBE
VBE

Benefits of State Certifications

Although eligibility requirements for state certifications may differ, the benefits of obtaining a certification within your state are generally similar.

First and foremost, State Certifications give your business an advantage in state, local, and municipal spending.

State Certifications also provide access to purchasing networks that would otherwise be inaccessible. Typically, average entities cannot sell to corporate or nationally recognized companies. However, these large corporations often require supplier diversity programs, allocating a percentage of their spending to specific state-certified companies like yours.

Additional benefits of state certifications include:

Inclusion in national supplier databases
Training and educational programs exclusive to women-owned businesses
Networking opportunities
Connections with buyers seeking to meet subcontracting goals
Access to purchasing agents
Mentorship programs
The specific benefits you receive will depend on the certification you obtain in your respective state.

WBE Certification

A Women-Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification is designed for companies that are 51% owned and operated by one or more women. While the Federal WOSB/EDWOSB Certification is ideal for women-owned businesses, the state-level WBE certificate can be a valuable alternative.

Eligibility

To qualify as a WBE with any program administered by a city, county, or state, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

Owners must be women who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.
The business must be for-profit and located in the United States.
At least 51% of the business must be owned by one or more verified women owners.
The top executive officer, responsible for daily operations, must be a woman with technical expertise.

MBE Certification

A Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification is a state-level designation for businesses that are 51% owned and operated by one or more American citizens who belong to an ethnic minority group.

While federal government certifications receive more set-aside funding, state-level certificates have more accessible qualification criteria. This is beneficial for businesses that do not yet meet the requirements for federal certifications.

Eligibility

To qualify as an MBE Certified business with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or a local MBE program administered by a city, county, or state, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

Be a United States citizen.
Be 51% owned, operated, capitalized, and controlled by a member or members of a presumed minority group.
The top executive officer responsible for managing daily operations must have experience in the firm’s primary business specialization.
In most cases, legal residents with green cards are accepted by most MBE programs administered by a city, county, or state.