Frequently Asked Questions

About WBENC Certification

What is a WBE?
A WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; and whose management and daily operation is controlled by one or more of the women owners.

What exactly does it mean to be “certified as a WBE"?
Being certified as a WBE means that a business concern has gone through a rigorous and stringent certification process that confirms the business is owned, managed, and controlled by a woman or women.

What is WBENC and how is that different from my local/regional affiliate?
WBENC is the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and is comprised of 14 women’s business organization partners. All of the partner organizations adhere to WBENC’s stringent Standards and Procedures in their certification programs.

How does WBENC certification differ from others?
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the nation's leading third-party certifier of women's business enterprises (WBEs). In partnership with women's business organizations throughout the United States, WBENC provides access to a national standard of certification and provides information on certified women's businesses to purchasing managers through its Internet database, WBENCLink. WBENC certification is recognized and accepted by the majority of the major corporations across the U.S.

What are the benefits of certification?

  • National recognition by more than 500 major U.S. corporations as a certified WBE.
  • Eligibility to exhibit at WBENC’s national business conference.
  • Automatic inclusion in WBENCLink, WBENC's Internet database of certified WBEs, which is accessible by WBENC's corporate members and other certified WBEs across the country.
  • Access to a current list of supplier diversity and procurement executives at more than 500 major U.S. corporations and other entities that accept WBENC certification.
  • Use of the WBENC member seal on your marketing materials, which identifies your women's business enterprise as certified through WBENC's national network.
  • Eligibility to receive sourcing opportunities through WEBuy (WBENC's e-mail opportunity network).
  • Eligibility to participate in WBENC-discuss (WBENC's e-mail information network).

What are the minimum criteria for certification?

  • Fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women.
  • Proof of effective management of the business (operating position, by-laws, hire-fire and other decision-making roles.)
  • Control of the business as evidenced by signature role on loans, leases and contracts.
  • Contribution of capital and/or expertise.
  • Independence
  • U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Resident Alien Status

Are there size requirements for certifiable companies?
There are no size requirements for WBENC certification.

What is the fee for certification?
Fees vary slightly amongst the WBENC partner organizations. The WBDC/FL fee for New WBE Application is $500 and $400 for Re-Certification. This is a non-refundable processing fee.

What is the processing time for certification?
The processing time is generally 60-90 days once all documentation has been submitted to the regional affiliate office.

What is involved in the certification process?
The certification process is as follows: A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation and non-refundable processing fee. Each partner organization has a trained certification committee that meets on a monthly basis. Once the applicant’s file is complete (meaning all documentation pertinent to the business and legal structure has been received), it will go to the committee for thorough review. An on-site visit is conducted, generally during the 30-day window between committee meetings. At the meeting following the site visit, a final recommendation is made regarding the applicant’s eligibility. If certification is granted, a certification package is issued within a few days.

Why do I have to supply my company’s financial information?
The financial documents, such as the Profit & Loss Statement, provide evidence that the applicant business is truly in business and lists the business’ revenue and expenses. Documents such as the Balance Sheet reveal the company’s assets and liabilities. The tax returns verify the ownership of the business. These documents, along with all the other information submitted, are used collectively to ascertain the ownership, management, and control by the women owners. Please note that we are not evaluating the company’s profitability or financial viability.

What if my bank won’t give me a copy of my signature card?
In place of the bank signature card, a letter may be sent from your bank officer on the bank’s letterhead informing us of the authorized signatures on the bank account(s) and any stipulations placed on the account(s), e.g., two signatures required on all checks.

What is an acceptable form of gender or citizenship?
A birth certificate or passport will suffice.

I am the only owner – why do I need to have an annual meeting? Do I meet with myself?
According to most by-Laws, the shareholders of record are supposed to meet annually in order to be in compliance with their own by-laws. If you do not hold an actual meeting, it is to your benefit to have something on file that states you waived the annual meeting.

Who looks at all this paperwork?
All of the partner organizations have certification committees who have been trained in WBENC’s Standards & Procedures. They review all of the information and make recommendations regarding the certifiability of each applicant. Their names are undisclosed to the public and committee members excuse themselves in the event they have knowledge of a given applicant, either as a supplier, customer, or competitor.

How long does my certification last?
The certification lasts for one year.