MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
MBE
MBE Certification is a state-level registration that designates your business as being
at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by an ‘ethnic minority’ individual(s).
The purpose of the MBE Certification is to provide opportunities for minority-owned businesses
to access government contracts and expand their presence in the marketplace.
MBE Certification Benefits
MBE Certification makes your business more appealing to State, Local, and Municipal agencies. In addition, large corporations typically have supplier diversity programs to ensure that a percentage of their budgets are used to buy products/services from MBE Certified businesses.
MBE Eligibility
MBE Eligibility
Qualification Criteria to be a MBE Certified Small Business with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC):
FAQ's
Am I eligible for certification if I recently started my business?
Yes, MBE Certification guidelines do not preclude emerging or start-up businesses from being certified, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and provide the necessary documentation.
I am a resident alien/green card holder, am I eligible for MBE Certification?
No, unfortunately not. Resident aliens or green cardholders do not qualify to for MBE Certification.
Is there a submission fee paid directly to the certifying agency for my MBE Certification?
Yes, there is a submission fee paid directly from you to the certifying agency in addition to our processing fee. The submission fee is based on revenue and geographical area, typically between $300 – $400.
Does my MBE Certification have to be renewed annually?
Yes, there is an annual processing fee and submission fee paid directly from you to the certifying agency based on revenue and geographical area, typically between $300 – $400.
What countries of origin qualify as 'ethnic minorities'?
AFRICAN-AMERICAN/BLACK – A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Sahara Africa. These countries include the following: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina-Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Democratic Republic of Congo; Cote d’lvoire; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Sao Tome & Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Western Sahara; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. Caribbean natives of African descent and Brazilians (Afro-Brazilian, indigenous/Indian only) are also eligible.
HISPANIC/LATINO-AMERICAN– A U.S. citizen of true-born Latin heritage from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean basin only. Brazilians (Afro-Brazilian, indigenous/Indian only) shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review and certification purposes.
NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE – A person who is an American Indian, Inuit, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who ware indigenous to the United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate.
ASIAN, ASIAN INDIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN – A U.S. citizen whose origins are from the Asian/Pacific Islander region. These countries include the following: Bangladesh; Cambodia; China; Guam; India; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Laos; Malaysian; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Samoa; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Tibet; Taiwan; the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas; and, Vietnam.
What is the difference between MBE and DBE Certifications?
