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Certifications

Government certifications can open doors when it comes to government contracting opportunities.  Your business likely qualifies for certifications you didn't know about. Plus, getting certified is absolutely free.

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More Information on Certifications

WOSB Certification

The Power of WOSB Certification: 

Finding the Untapped Potential in Women-Owned Businesses

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, women are taking their spot at the table. Despite launching new businesses at twice the rate of men, there is a critical gap that needs attention: Less than 1 percent of all women-owned businesses hold a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification from the Small Business Administration.


The WOSB Certification provides preferential access to federal contracts, increased visibility, and enhanced business growth opportunities. The reasons behind the underutilization of this certification are puzzling. While some female entrepreneurs may not know about the certification, others may struggle to navigate the application process.


The underrepresentation of certified WOSB businesses also mirrors the broader challenges women face in the business world. Gender bias, lack of funding, and limited networking access often get in the way of women’s entrepreneurial success.

Are you a woman leading a small business?

The WOSB certification aims at leveling the playing field by providing women with better access to federal contracts. Getting SBA certifications starts with understanding what aligns with your current circumstances and future business goals. Two SBA certifications for women include the Women-Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB) and the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Certification (EDWOSB).

1. Women-Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB)

  • You must own at least 51% of your small business and control its management and daily operations.
  • The business must meet SBA's small business size standards.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.

2. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Certification (EDWOSB)

If your business is woman-led and you're economically disadvantaged, the EDWOSB certification can give you access to federal contracts set aside, especially for EDWOSB-certified businesses.

  • You must meet all the criteria for WOSB.
  • You should have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding personal residence and business value.
  • Your adjusted gross income averaged over three years should be $350,000 or less.

Smoothing the Path to Certification

The St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center works with business owners to clarify any questions about the WOSB and EDWOSB, highlight their benefits, and provide support during the application process. We can also point you in the direction of local and national women’s business organizations to help shore up your network.

Sabrina Westfall, owner of J West Electric, holds a WOSB certification. “The SBEC has been my partner in setting goals,” Westfall explained. “The executive director, Kevin Wilson, asked me, ‘What do you want your legacy to be on St. Louis?’ Even as a new company at the time, armed with the information that SBEC gave me and the WOSB certification, I felt empowered and confident enough to go after federal contracts.”

VOSB Certification

Turning Valor into Value: 

SBA Certifications and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

The heroes who've served our country return to civilian life with the discipline, leadership, and determination skills they learned during active duty. But even the toughest veteran may face barriers when starting a small business.


That’s why the SBA offers two certifications targeting veteran entrepreneurs: the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) programs.

VOSB and SDVOSB: Two Pathways to Growth
To qualify as a VOSB, a business owner must meet the following requirements:

  • Served on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard
  • Honorably discharged or released
  • At least 51% of the business is veteran-owned
  • Veteran has full control over the management and daily operations of the business

To qualify as an SDVOSB, a business owner must meet the same requirements as a VOSB, plus:

  • Have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense
  • The disability does not prevent the veteran from managing and controlling the business
Certification Benefits

Once certified, VOSBs and SDVOSBs can access significant benefits, including federal contracts, tax relief, and networking opportunities. SDVOSBs, for instance, have exclusive access to 3 percent of the annual federal contracts, while VOSBs and SDVOSBs can tap into 7 percent of contracts from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Further advantages include access to SBA loan programs, grants, startup support, and opportunities to bid on open contracts.

We’re Here to Serve
Behind every newly certified entrepreneur is a story of veterans transforming their post-service lives, starting a business, and fostering growth in the local economy. Their journey and experience serve as an inspiration for other service members looking to transition into entrepreneurship. If you're a veteran with an entrepreneurial spirit, consider applying for these SBA certifications. You've  defended your country; now it's time to let your country help you build your business dreams. Contact St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center for free help or find additional information on the
Veterans Affairs website.

8A Certiication

Expand Your Business Potential:   

Why SBA Certification Matters

Small business is competitive, and every advantage makes a difference, especially for Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB). According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), an SDB is a small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (considered Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans).

The Gold Standard: 8(a) Certification

The 8(a) Certification is a game-changer for participating businesses. The nine-year business development program provides training, technical help, and more. Certified firms in the 8(a) program can:

  • Compete for and receive set-asides and sole-source contracts
  • Receive one-on-one business development assistance
  • Participate in the SBA Mentor-Protégé program to learn from experienced and technically capable firms
  • Get expert advice from procurement and compliance experts
  • Pursue joint ventures with established businesses to increase capacity
  • Qualify to receive federal surplus property on a priority basis
  • Receive free training from SBA’s 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program

We were able to use the 8(a) certification to do a mentor-protégé partnership with a general contractor who wanted to make sure he had minority representation on a project. We played the lead and, therefore, were able to get the contract.

- Marion Hayes, owner of BRK Electrical Contractors, LLC.

Certification isn't just a badge. It opens doors to opportunities, enabling your business to secure funding, grants, scholarships, and contracts exclusively set aside for 8(a) SBD-certified businesses.


“It was a blessing because, within a month, we won our first bid,” said Marion Hayes, owner of BRK Electrical Contractors, LLC. “A $200,000 contract to install a public address system at a Social Security office was available because they had set that part of the job aside to try to award it to an 8(a) firm. We were in the program, and the GSA saw we were in St. Louis and reached out to us.”


The nine-year commitment is split into a developmental stage, which provides personalized business assistance, and a transitional phase, which helps participants deal with complex business deals and prepares them for post-8(a) expansion.


“There are people who say, ‘Oh, you get your certification, it's a golden ticket, it's going to be easy. Business will line up or be handed to you.’ That’s not true. You have to have the resources to fight to develop a good name for yourself,” said Sabrina Westfall, owner of J. West Electrical. Westfall is in year five of the nine-year 8(a) program duration.


Getting 8(a) certified will help an SDB stand out from competitors, attract more interest, gain access to SBA loan programs, and tap into the benefits of federal procurement contracts, including set-aside and sole-source contracts.

Set-aside contracts are designed for small businesses fitting specific socio-economic categories. This reserves a portion of federal contracts for these groups, significantly reducing competition. Sole-source contracts are offered exclusively to one small business without a competitive bidding process, providing a unique opportunity to fulfill specific government needs.


Departing the 8(a) Program is Not an End, but a Beginning

Exiting the 8(a) program is merely a transition to the next level. Whether graduating after nine years or leaving early due to early success, the experience will improve the foundation.


After exiting the 8(a) program, businesses can still win federal contracts in the open market and apply for other SBA certifications. The network of mentors, partners, and customers established during the 8(a) program and the training received can continue to bolster business.


Hayes, the winner of the 2022 Small Business Administration 8(a) Graduate of the Year Award, implored certified business owners to establish contacts and develop an effective bid process that will serve them after the program ends. “Nine years passes quickly, so you have to think for the long term,” he said. “Unfortunately, I know of some 8(a) businesses that graduated and did not survive because they did not plan.”


Am I Eligible?

Small business owners interested in starting the 8(a)-certification journey can get a pre-assessment by using the Am I Eligible? tool and contact the St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC) for continued support.


Small businesses deserve a fighting chance and access to capital. The 8(a) certification can unlock growth opportunities for small business owners and supply a much-needed edge in an ever-changing and competitive marketplace.


Hayes’s advice for entrepreneurs applying for 8(a) status? “Know what to expect. Don’t expect a great windfall that will bring $100 million in business overnight. It’s not going to happen—and I did not expect that to happen. What did happen was that I was able to access to new resources, and my company benefitted.”

HUB Zone Certification

What exactly does it take to qualify for a HUBZone program?
  1. The business must qualify as small by SBA standards.
  2. The business must also have a principal (physical) office in a designated HUBZone.
  3. A minimum of 35 percent of its employees must be residents of the HUBZone.
What designates a HUBZone location?

Forget the maps; HUBZones are defined by Qualified Census Tracts in which at least 50 percent of the households earn less than 60% of the area's median household income.

Why pursue HUBZone certification?

The HUBZone program is more than just a certification; it's a comprehensive growth blueprint that creates economic opportunity.

While all certifications empower small businesses, the HUBZone certification helps break down socioeconomic barriers, create employment, and contribute to community development. Whether through funding, contracts, training, or mentorship, HUBZone certification delivers tangible benefits that help businesses compete, win, and uplift their communities.  

Basing operations in disadvantaged areas is a win-win. Doing so lifts the bottom line while simultaneously making a local social impact. It’s an entrepreneurial spirit with a heart for the community.

Get in the Zone

When you embark on the journey to HUBZone certification, you're not just building a business but empowering a community. Contact St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC) to get a solid start on your HUBZone certification. SBEC's strategic mission is to provide free economic development services focused on assisting entrepreneurs to help them sustain and grow their businesses and thus create wealth within their communities. Start your certification journey today to power up your business and community for success tomorrow.

Upcoming Events

The SBEC is connected to the community and committed to helping your business get as much information as possible.  Take a look at some of these upcoming events.

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