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Certification guides Every guide cites the official rule it explains and shows when we last verified it.
Requirements, document checklists, and renewal rules for each certification we cover, in plain language. Every requirement is cited to its official source with the date we last verified it. You file everything yourself.
Federal certifications
Veteran-owned certification (SDVOSB/VOSB via SBA VetCert) SBA · verified Jul 2026
Women-owned small business (WOSB) SBA · verified Jul 2026 Private-sector certifications
WBENC certification (women-owned, private sector) WBENC · verified Jul 2026
NMSDC certification (minority-owned, private sector) NMSDC · verified Jul 2026 DBE and transportation
DOT DBE certification 49 CFR part 26 · verified Jul 2026 DBE is the one program where your state changes the answer: each state's unified certification program runs its own process under 49 CFR part 26.
California Verified Jul 2026
Illinois Verified Jul 2026
New York Verified Jul 2026
Pennsylvania Verified Jul 2026
North Carolina Verified Jul 2026
Virginia Verified Jul 2026
Washington Verified Jul 2026
Michigan Verified Jul 2026
New Jersey Verified Jul 2026
Colorado Verified Jul 2026
Maryland Verified Jul 2026
Minnesota Verified Jul 2026
Wisconsin Verified Jul 2026
Missouri Verified Jul 2026 UnderstandMyCert is an educational tool. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. We are not affiliated with the SBA, the Department of Transportation, or any government agency, and are not endorsed by WBENC or NMSDC. No outcome is guaranteed. You are solely responsible for your filing.
SOURCES WE CITE
13 CFR parts 121, 125, 127, 128 49 CFR part 26 SBA certification pages · WBENC & NMSDC handbooks All citations show a last-verified date.