SBA

Women-owned small business (WOSB) renewal requirements (2026)

Certification is renewed every 3 years. Here is what Women-owned small business (WOSB) requires to stay certified, with each obligation cited to the rule it comes from. Only SBA decides certification outcomes.

Administered by SBAOfficial source: 13 CFR 127.400Rules last verified: Jul 20262026 content

What you need to know

  • Certification is renewed every 3 years.
  • Each obligation is cited to the rule it comes from.
  • Only SBA decides certification outcomes.

Program examination (recertification)

Every 3 years

A certified WOSB or EDWOSB must undergo an SBA or third-party program examination every three years to remain certified. The clock runs three years after your initial certification or your last program examination, whichever is later, so the exact date depends on your own certification date.

Official source: 13 CFR 127.400Last verified: Jul 2026

Report material changes

Ongoing

Certification is not set-and-forget. After you certify, you must tell SBA about any change that could affect your eligibility when it happens, not at the next examination. Failing to report a material change is itself grounds for decertification.

Official source: 13 CFR 127.303(c)Last verified: Jul 2026

One requirement of this program is still awaiting verification against the official source and is not reflected here. Treat this page as accurate, not exhaustive.

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