Basic Requirements

taken from http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mbe_wbe___certification/1359

The following basic criteria are used by BMWBO to evaluate eligibility for certification. However, meeting these criteria does not guarantee that an application will be approved. This is only intended as a general overview.

Basic requirements that cannot be waived

• Be at least 51%-owned and controlled by qualified minorities and/or women.
• Qualify as a small business (no more than 100 employees).
• Be owned by a United States citizen or citizens.
• Be in business for at least one year or have a two-year business plan reviewed by a Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
• Be independent of any other business entity or entities.
• Be a for-profit business (non-profits cannot become certified).
• Provide and be qualified to provide the goods and services for which it is being certified.

Additionally, the woman or minority owner must hold the highest position in the company.

Citizenship and legitimate minority group membership must be established through birth certificates, military records, passports, or tribal cards. Minority groups eligible for certification include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans.

A business located in a state other than Pennsylvania must first obtain state-level certification in its home state, if such certification is available. “Home state” is defined as the state where the company’s headquarters are located.