Here is what this program requires, in plain language, with each requirement cited to the rule or standard it comes from. Certification is renewed every 3 years. You file everything yourself.
ELIGIBILITY
At least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by one or more women who are U.S. citizens
Ownership must be direct (not through another company or trust, with narrow exceptions) and unconditional (no agreement that could take it away). The program verifies this against your formation and ownership documents, so the percentages there must match what you claim.
DOCUMENTS THIS ASKS FOR
- ·Articles of organization / incorporation Your state's Secretary of State business portal (certified copies are usually a small fee).
- ·Operating agreement (LLC), all amendments
- ·Stock ledger and share certificates
WHERE PEOPLE GET THIS WRONG
- ·Ownership held through a holding company or trust without checking the exceptions
- ·A buy-sell or transfer provision that makes ownership conditional
ELIGIBILITY
A woman must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions, and hold the highest officer position
The qualifying woman must actually run the business: daily management, long-term decision-making, and the highest officer position, working at the business during normal hours. Governance documents are read for anything that lets someone else block or override her.
DOCUMENTS THIS ASKS FOR
- ·Operating agreement (LLC), all amendments
- ·Corporate bylaws, all amendments
- ·Resume of each qualifying owner
WHERE PEOPLE GET THIS WRONG
- ·Full-time outside employment by the qualifying owner
- ·A non-qualifying co-owner or manager with veto power over ordinary decisions
THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETE YET
One more requirement is awaiting verification against the official source, so it is not shown here. We would rather show you less than tell you something we have not checked. Treat the list above as accurate, not as exhaustive.