WBE Certification

Certification Overview

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the premiere private sector certification that gives women-owned businesses an advantage in the corporate bidding arena.

This certification program was created to meet the need for a national standard of certification for businesses owned, managed and controlled by women who want to market their products and services in America’s major markets. The WBENC certification administered through Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) for women business enterprises is the leading national third-party certification for women business owners. Accepted by thousands of corporations throughout the country and a number of federal government agencies, your WBENC certification will be an important marketing tool for expanding your company’s visibility among decision makers in the corporate procurement arena.

The certification process for WBENC involves several steps. Here is a general overview: 

Eligibility:

• Ownership: At least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.
• Operation and Management: The female owners or another female must be involved in the day-to-day management and operations of the business.
• Control: The female owner(s) must have unrestricted control of the business.

Documentation: You will need to gather various documents to support your application, including tax returns, business licenses, legal documents, and other                                                     relevant business documents.

Application: You will need to complete the WBENC certification application form, which is done online through the WBENCLink 0 website.

Review: Your application will be reviewed by the certification committee to ensure that your business meets all the criteria for the WBENC WBE

Site Visit: For new applicants, a site visit is required to verify the information provided in your For recertification it is every three years or a change in ownership and or location. The site visit is conducted by a volunteer who is trained by the organization and does not have access to your file.

Decision: Once your application has been reviewed and any site visit has been completed, a decision will be made regarding your certification. If approved, your certification will be valid for one year.

Annual Renewal: You will need to renew your certification annually by submitting updated documentation and any required fees.

Timing: WBENC allows 90 days to process all applications. Depending on submission and review if there are limited or no questions it may take less time.

                            – Recertification: It is recommended to begin the application process 90 days prior to the expiration date.

*If the WBE Certificate expires the business information will not populate in WBENCLink0 which may impact the business. It’s important to note that the specific requirements and process may vary slightly depending on the regional WBEC administering the certification. We recommend contacting us for detailed information about their certification process.