Certification Agency

What is a Certification Agency?

A certification agency is a third-party organization specializing in certifying business diversity status. The certification process usually includes a review of the owner’s diversity category, ownership, and financial documents, an onsite visit or interview, and an application fee.

The most common diversity certification types and agencies include:

• Woman-owned business enterprises, certified by WBENC
• Minority-owned business enterprises, certified by NMSDC or USPAACC
• Veteran-owned small businesses, verified by Veteran Affairs, certified by NVBDC or NaVOBA
• Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses verified by Veteran Affairs, certified by NVBDC or NaVOBA
• Veteran-disability owned business enterprises verified by Veteran Affairs, certified by NVBDC or NaVOBA
• Disability-owned business enterprises certified by Disability:IN
• LGTBQ-owned business enterprises, certified by NGLCC