Issuing organizations

Diversity certifying bodies.

11 organizations that issue diversity certifications. National third-party councils, regional affiliates, federal agencies (SBA), and state procurement offices. Each entry shows certification cost, processing time, and the certifications it issues.

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Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation logo

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Federal Agency

All certifying bodies 11

FAQ

Common questions about certifying bodies.

What is a certifying body? +

A certifying body is the organization authorized to verify and issue a diverse-business certification. Categories include national third-party councils (NMSDC, WBENC, NGLCC, NaVOBA, Disability:IN), federal agencies (the SBA for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB), regional affiliates of the national councils, and state government offices that administer DBE and state MBE/WBE programs.

What's the difference between national and regional certifying bodies? +

National organizations like NMSDC and WBENC set certification standards and are recognized nationwide by Fortune 500 corporations. Regional affiliates (NMSDC's regional councils, WBENC's regional partner organizations) process applications and conduct site visits in specific geographic territories. You apply through the regional affiliate that covers your headquarters.

Which certifying body should I apply to? +

Choose by buyer. For Fortune 500 corporate contracts: NMSDC (minority), WBENC (women), NGLCC (LGBTQ+), NaVOBA (veteran), or Disability:IN (disability). For federal contracts: the SBA (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB). For state and local contracts: your state procurement or DOT office.

Do I need to be certified by multiple organizations? +

Most established diverse-owned firms hold three to five certifications. A minority woman veteran could reasonably hold NMSDC MBE, WBENC WBE, NaVOBA VBE, SBA 8(a), WOSB, and SDVOSB simultaneously. Each opens a different slice of buyer opportunities. Applications draw from the same underlying documentation, so pursuing them in parallel is less work than sequentially.

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Find the right certifying body for your business.

The certification quiz checks your eligibility against every major certification we track and routes you to the certifying body that issues it, with regional affiliate matching where applicable.

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