How to Get Certified as a Minority-Owned Business

Getting certified as a minority-owned business can be helpful for opportunities such as government contracts, small-business loans and business resource programs. You can get certified through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Your local government may also offer certification.

Typically, you’ll need to be able to show that your business is 51% owned and operated by individuals that meet specific ethnic definitions. The requirements and process to become certified, however, can vary. Some programs, like the SBA 8(a) program, require you to renew your business’s certification on an annual basis.

Generally, a minority-owned business is a small, for-profit business that is at least 51% owned by someone who identifies as an individual in a qualified minority group. The definition of these qualified groups, as well as the required percentage of ownership may change based on the institution or type of service being offered.

For example, NMSDC considers individuals belonging to the following groups to be minorities: Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American^[0].

There are multiple reasons to consider getting certified as a minority-owned business, including access to capital, winning exclusive contracts or free resources like business coaching. Although you don’t need a specific reason to get certified, understanding your goals can help determine which agency you choose. If your business is seeking federal contracting work, for example, your time and effort to get certified may be better spent with a federal entity, such as the SBA, than with your local government.

Start by reading up on national certification agencies, or consider if a local agency or your local government is a better option for your business. If you’re only doing business in your state, you may decide that a minority-owned business certification from that state government would look stronger to your customers than a larger, national agency.

Understand what you’ll need to apply for certification, and make sure you know the fees involved. Most national agencies will ask you to fill out an online application and submit legal, tax and financial documentation about your business.

You may also be required to submit proof of social disadvantage or qualified minority groups. NMSDC asks for “proof of eligible minority ethnicity,” for example, while the SBA asks for a written social disadvantage narrative.

Once you’ve gone through the work, you’ll want to make sure you’re leaning into the marketing and educational resources, networking opportunities and possible access to capital that certification can help you access.

If you’re looking for funding, consider loans or business grants targeted toward minority-owned enterprises. You may want to add badges on your social pages or disclose your business identity attributes with Google Business. You can also share a personal story about how your identity has shaped your business endeavors on your website or social media page.

Lastly, consider joining a local chamber of commerce that is targeted toward specific minority groups. These chambers aim to uplift their members and can help you network with other small-business owners and important stakeholders.

NMSDC is a national organization with local offices that assist minority-owned businesses with different resources, including getting certified. It offers three types of certifications:

• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) for small businesses that are at least 51% owned and managed by someone who is at least 25% Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American^[0].   

• Minority Controlled Company (MCC) and Minority Publicly Controlled Company (MPC) for minority-owned firms that may not meet the qualification requirements because they have taken equity funding from investors. 

• Investment Fund Certification (IFC) for minority-owned investment funds that aim to help other minority-owned businesses.  

The Department of Transportation offers a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, that promotes access to federally funded transportation contracts for DBEs. A DBE is defined as a for-profit small business that’s at least 51% owned by an individual who is African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian Pacific or Subcontinental Asian^[0]

. Women-owned businesses also qualify as DBEs, and the DOT states that other circumstances may constitute a social or economic disadvantage, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The federal government awards contracts to small businesses every year, including through certain SBA programs. These set-aside contracts typically include all small contracts — under $150,000 — and, in some cases, can help you avoid a competitive bidding process.